Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports that the Buccaneers are in discussions to re-sign LT Donovan Smith and could use their franchise tag him if they’re unable to get an extension in place.
Stroud mentions that Smith could earn as much as $12-13 million a year as a free agent. If the Buccaneers elect to use their franchise tag on him, they would be looking at paying out $14 million fully guaranteed for the 2019 season.
Smith, 25, is a former second-round pick of the Buccaneers back in 2015. He played out the final year of his four-year, $6.068 million contract and is in line to be an unrestricted free agent this March.
In 2018, Smith appeared in all 16 games for the Buccaneers and is rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 46 offensive tackle out of 80 qualifying players.
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