Buccaneers Sign DT Amobi Okoye

Adam Caplan reports that DT Amobi Okoye has signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Bears defensive lineman Stephen Paea tweeted early that he had reached an agreement with them so it’s all that surprising.

“S/O to my boy @AO_FASHO. Just signed with the Bucs today. We gonna miss you bro. #rushmen,” tweets Paea.

This move was reportedly close to being done as of Thursday. The Buc’s could certainly use some additional talent on their interior defensive line and Okoye should be able to provide some pass rush up the middle for them.

We have him listed as the #15 best available free agent in our Top 50 Free Agents list.

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Stephen Holder of the Tampa Bay Times writes that DT Amobi Okoye and the Buccaneers have a “mutual” interest in one another.

Holder mentions that Okoye “would fit nicely in a three-man rotation at defensive tackle” by replacing DT Roy Miller who was injured throughout the year in 2011 and by taking pressure off of DT Brian Price.  With a three-man rotation of DT Gerald McCoy,  Price, and Okoye, the Buccaneers would be in better shape heading into the 2012 season considering that Okoye does provide “a disruptive force who gets off the line of scrimmage with quickness, providing an interior pass rush,” according to Holder.

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Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune reports that a GM Phil Emery has implied that DT Amobi Okoye is “out of the mix with Bears.”

McClure mentions that one of the Bengals, Broncos or Buccaneers will most like sign him to a contract.

The Broncos have a serious need a defensive tackle so you’d have to think that they would be the favorites, just from a needs standpoint. Okoye is just 24 years old and is coming off of a much better season than many are probably aware of. While not outstanding at either, Okoye plays the run and pass equally well and should be able to provide an interior pass rush for someone.