Bucs Snag Rozeboom: Smart Depth Play Or Just Another Camp Body?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers dipped into the free agency pool again Monday, pulling out linebacker Christian Rozeboom from the Carolina Panthers. Agents Chris Gittings and Jeremiah Sirles confirmed to NFL Network that the Bucs are bringing in the former undrafted free agent. It's not the splashiest move of the offseason, sure, but it's one that speaks volumes about how Jason Licht and Todd Bowles are trying to fortify this roster, particularly on defense.

Key Analysis

Rozeboom, 27, spent last season in Carolina, primarily contributing on special teams. He played 73% of the Panthers' special teams snaps in 2023, logging 17 total tackles across 17 games. Before that, he was with the Los Angeles Rams, where he actually saw a decent amount of defensive action in 2022. That year, Rozeboom played 41% of the Rams’ defensive snaps, finishing with 55 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass defensed. He started four games for the Rams that season, including a Week 15 matchup against the Packers where he recorded nine solo tackles. So, the guy has some experience beyond just running down kickoffs.

Here's the thing: the Bucs already have a pretty solid linebacking corps. Lavonte David, even at 34, is still playing at an All-Pro level, racking up 134 tackles and 4.5 sacks last year. Devin White is gone, but the team brought in Jordan Hicks on a two-year, $8 million deal, and he’s been a consistent 100-tackle guy for years. Think about his 138 tackles for the Vikings in 2023. Then you've got SirVocea Dennis, a 2023 fifth-round pick, who showed flashes in limited snaps last season, mostly in garbage time. And don't forget J.J. Russell, who's been a special teams ace himself, playing 63% of those snaps last year.

Breaking It Down

So where does Rozeboom fit? Real talk, he’s probably battling for that fourth or fifth linebacker spot, primarily as a special teams contributor. But it's more than that. Licht loves competition, and Bowles, a former linebacker himself, demands depth at the position. Remember how quickly injuries can derail a season? In 2022, the Bucs lost Shaq Barrett for half the season and David missed time too. Having a reliable, experienced body like Rozeboom, who’s started NFL games and knows the grind, is never a bad thing, especially for a minimal cost. His one-year deal is almost certainly near the veteran minimum.

My hot take? This move isn't just about special teams. The Bucs are quietly pushing SirVocea Dennis. Rozeboom's arrival signals that while Dennis has potential, he hasn't exactly locked down that third linebacker role. Bowles wants someone who can step in immediately if David or Hicks goes down, and Rozeboom’s 2022 defensive snap count with the Rams suggests he’s more ready for that than Dennis might be right now. He’s a proven, if unspectacular, commodity.

What This Means

And frankly, the Bucs are building a roster that can absorb a few hits. They signed Baker Mayfield to a three-year, $100 million deal, kept Mike Evans for two years at $52 million, and extended David. Now they're filling out the edges with guys like Rozeboom. It's smart, low-risk business.

Bold prediction: Christian Rozeboom plays more defensive snaps for the Buccaneers in 2024 than SirVocea Dennis.