NFC Notes: Buccaneers, Panthers, Redskins

Buccaneers

• Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com writes that rookie CBs M.J. Stewart and Carlton Davis along with S Jordan Whitehead could all could carve out “significant roles” on defense quickly, even though nothing is guaranteed for any of them at this point in time.
• According to Smith, Vernon Hargreaves looked like he was taking well to the slot corner job in offseason workouts and Davis showed enough that he could be in line for a “prominent role.”
• Smith adds that Justin Evans did enough as a rookie last year that he should be able to lock down one of the two safety spots.
• Buccaneers HC Dirk Koetter said he’s been happy with the new defensive additions they’ve brought in this offseason: “I think what we learned [in mini-camp] is the new additions are going to help us a lot, not only the free agents but the draft picks. “[General Manager] Jason [Licht] did an awesome job with the guys he added to our team and I think the guys that are returning are really serious about putting their best foot forward.”

Panthers

• David Tepper is set to close on the deal to purchase the Carolina Panthers in the next two weeks for $2.275 billion.
• However, the Charlotte Observer reports that Tepper is not planning to add any minority partners for the time being, which comes with both pros and cons.
• Given that Tepper will be new to Charlotte, a case could be made for adding notable minority owners that well-established businesspeople in the area such as Family Dollar founder Leon Levine, or the Belk family, who founded the Belk department store chain.
• Although, adding minority partners would require Tepper to make a capital call every time he wanted to make a new investment.

Redskins

New Redskins CB Orlando Scandrick says he would like to see WR Dez Bryant follow him to Washington.

“Washington,” Scandrick said on NFL Network, via the Dallas Morning News. “I know Dez can still catch touchdowns. I know he can still be a great red zone threat, and I would love to play with him again.”

We have Bryant featured in our Top 50 Available 2018 NFL Free Agents list.

• Regarding the Supplemental draft, John Keim mentions that the Redskins have shown interest in some of the available prospects and have attended Pro Day workouts.
• Keim admits that he doesn’t know if they select any of the three defensive backs — Western Michigan’s Sam Beal, Virginia Tech’s Adonis Alexander and Mississippi State’s Brandon Bryant — but there is clearly interest from Washington.