5 NFL Players The Bucs Should Get To Help Tom Brady (& 5 To Avoid)

Tom Brady's NFL retirement barely lasted more than a month. The seven-time Super Bowl champion announced his retirement via social media on Feb. 1. But as many fans and prognosticators predicted, TB12 ultimately decided to return for a 23rd NFL season.

Tampa Bay quickly went to work in keeping their super team together, extending Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen and top cornerback Carlton Davis III to multi-year deals. They have precious little cap space remaining, but there is some room to add more support around Brady. Here are five players the Bucs should target to help Brady in 2022, and five they should avoid.

10 Should Get: Andrew Norwell

The Buccaneers had arguably the NFL's top offensive line a year ago, but they have lost their two starting guards in Ali Marpet (retired) and Alex Cappa (signed with the Cincinnati Bengals).

Keeping a 45-year-old Brady upright and safe is a top priority for GM Jason Licht. With limited cap space, that's easier said than done. They'll have to go bargain hunting in free agency, and former Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars standout guard Andrew Norwell should be available on a cheap short-term deal.

Norwell isn't as reliable as Cappa or Marpet, but he'd be an affordable short-term fill-in for a club in win-now mode.

9 Avoid: Will Fuller V

The Bucs haven't been shy in stacking up on the offensive side of the ball around Brady. Having Chris Godwin and Mike Evans in the fold is a nice start, but it wouldn't hurt to add another playmaking receiver.

However, Tampa Bay should stay away from veteran Will Fuller V. He has never played a full season, and Fuller has missed at least five games in each of the last five years. Fuller was limited to two games with the Miami Dolphins last season, hauling in only four catches for 26 yards.

The Bucs would be better off finding a healthier, younger and cheaper option than Fuller.

8 Should Get: Jamison Crowder

Crowder isn't a superstar by any means, but the veteran slot receiver has been a fairly consistent performer without an elite quarterback throwing to him.

Crowder has caught at least 50 passes in six of his seven NFL seasons, and he has surpassed 800 yards twice. He would give Tom Brady a reliable third-down option, and Crowder can at least help in opening up more space for Evans and Godwin. He'd be a worthwhile add-on a short-term deal.

7 Avoid: David Johnson

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n"">

The Buccaneers will need to replace Leonard Fournette and/or Ronald Jones. Tampa's top two running backs from 2020 and 2021 are currently free agents, and the offense will certainly miss the powerful rushing duo if they both land elsewhere.

If Tampa is forced to replace one or both standouts, they shouldn't look at David Johnson as a replacement. He hasn't been a starting-caliber running back since 2017, and Johnson has missed 11 games in each of the last four years. There are better options for Tampa out there.

6 Should Get: Melvin Gordon III

Unlike Johnson, Gordon would be a suitable short-term addition for a Tampa Bay team that is simply trying to win immediately.

Gordon was quietly productive in each of his two seasons with the Denver Broncos. He had over 900 rushing yards in 2020 and 2021, finishing with 17 total touchdowns over that span. He isn't much of an impact player in the pass-catching game, but Gordon is good for 800-plus rushing yards a season when healthy. That would be good enough in a pass-heavy Tampa Bay offense.

5 Avoid: Cordarrelle Patterson

Cordarelle Patterson — Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Patterson was one of the top surprises of the 2021 season. Once known strictly for his production as a kick return specialist, Patterson did it all for the Atlanta Falcons last season. He finished with 1,166 yards of offense and 11 total touchdowns.

But Patterson is entering his age-31 season, and it's always risky to hand out a big contract to a player who broke out so late in his career. The Falcons found a way to get the most out of Patterson, but there's no guarantee that another team will enjoy the same success. Tampa would be wiser to find a younger and cheaper receiver who has produced for several years.

4 Should Get: Jarvis Landry

The Cleveland Browns have made significant changes to their wide receiver room. They acquired Pro Bowl corner Amari Cooper in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys, before releasing another veteran standout in Jarvis Landry.

The five-time Pro Bowler has never played with a top-tier level quarterback. Landry may feel inclined to take a cheap one-year deal if it means playing for a high-powered Tampa Bay offense with a chance to compete for a Super Bowl. If the price is right, Tampa should bring him in to give Brady not one, but three star wide receivers.

3 Avoid: A.J. Green

A.J. Green had a decent 2021 season for the Arizona Cardinals, recording 54 receptions for 848 yards and three touchdowns. But when top wideout DeAndre Hopkins went down with a knee injury, Green (and Arizona's other pass-catchers for that matter) failed to step up.

Tampa Bay has one of the oldest rosters in the league, and Green is entering his age-34 season. Given his age and injury history — Green missed seven games in 2018 and the entire 2019 season — the Bucs would be wise to explore other options.

2 Should Get: JuJu Smith-Schuster

Samantha Madar\/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin \/ USA TODAY NETWORK<\/p>\n"">

The former Pittsburgh Steelers standout would be a worthwhile addition for the Bucs. Smith-Schuster is only 25 years of age, and he may be keen on resetting his market value for 2023 after being limited to five games last season. Smith-Schuster, when healthy, is one of the game's most explosive slot receivers who constantly moves the sticks on third downs.

Smith-Schuster would provide Tampa Bay with another speedy playmaker who can work all over the field. As long as his price tag isn't out of their budget, Tampa should try to land the former Pro Bowler.

1 Avoid: Allen Robinson

Robinson is the top free agent wide receiver available. Despite a down 2021 season, the soon-to-be 29-year-old should have no problem landing a lucrative long-term deal thanks to his consistent production.

The problem is, Tampa Bay would have to pull off very creative cap gymnastics to make a deal work. They would be better off spending that cap space to fill out other roster holes while finding a cheaper No. 3 receiver elsewhere. Robinson figures to land around $10 million annually on a new deal, and that would simply be too much for Tampa Bay.