Shaquil Barrett

Barrett is more than two years removed from a career-best 19.5-sack season in 2019 that earned him a four-year, $68.5 million deal last offseason. While he's unsurprisingly been unable to match the performance from that elite campaign, Barrett has combined for 18 additional sacks over the last two seasons, including 10 in 2021. Barrett also now has three straight 50-plus tackle campaigns as well, and if Jason Pierre-Paul remains unsigned, the former could enjoy an even bigger pass-rushing role in 2022.

Barrett parlayed his solid franchise-tag year - 57 tackles, eight sacks, three pass defenses and two forced fumbles - into a long-term contract this offseason. While he wasn't as prolific in getting to the quarterback as he was during his 19.5-sack campaign in 2019, he was a disruptive force who continued to prove an ideal fit in Todd Bowles' ultra-aggressive scheme. Barrett made a final case for his new $68.5 million deal with an impressive end to the postseason that saw him rack up four sacks between the NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl. With the six-year pro entering his third year under Bowles and the Buccaneers retaining their impressive front seven, Barrett should have ample opportunities to sack QBs again this season.

Barrett delivered a textbook example of a breakout season - one that absolutely no one saw coming - much to the Buccaneers' delight in 2019. A one-time undrafted free agent who authored four relatively non-descript seasons in Denver to open his career, Barrett was unleashed by defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, who apparently had taken note of the occasional flashes of pass-rushing acumen he displayed during his Broncos days (14 sacks from 2015-18). Given the unprecedented success Barrett enjoyed last season while racking up 19.5 sacks, the linebacker will likely be utilized in a very similar fashion this coming season, which once again should set him up for success on the IDP front. Nevertheless, it's also worth noting Barrett won't catch any offensive coordinators by surprise in 2020, so he projects to face plenty of pass-protection schemes designed specifically around him.

The 2014 undrafted free agent saw his first playing time in 2015 and came out of nowhere to rank tied for third on the team with 5.5 sacks and tied for first in forced fumbles with four. He and Shane Ray are listed as backups, but the two will be competing for extra playing time as the team looks to rest veteran DeMarcus Ware. Barrett is a safe bet to be the key beneficiary to any time Ware spends on the bench. He made all six starts that Ware missed in 2015.

Will be used as a depth linebacker, if he can get off the practice squad.