TAMPA, Fla. -- Some teams enter free agency sweating that they'll lose key producers to rivals. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won't be one next week.
Many of the Bucs' potential unrestricted free agents fall well short of being tabbed "core" roster members. Sure, there a few players who would be wise to keep -- linebackers Jonathan Casillas and Dekoda Watson among them -- but new coach Lovie Smith and new general manager Jason Licht should have the luxury of being aggressive in free agency without the need for too much urgency to bring back many of the Bucs' free agents hitting the market.
"Our philosophy is going to be to build through the draft, that's where we find our stars, that's where we find the next generation, but also in the short term and long term we're going to supplement our roster through free agency but we're going to look for value," Licht said after being hired in January. "We're going to spend wisely. The better teams in the NFL that compete in the playoffs year after year are the teams that draft the best, and that's what Lovie, myself and our staff is going to do."
Here's a closer look at the potential unrestricted free agents with Bucs ties who could hit the market when the new league year begins March 11.
He played in 12 games and started four, totaling 35 tackles -- the second-most of his career, behind the 43 he had with the New Orleans Saints in 2011. A knee injury cut short his season, and he was placed on injured reserve Dec. 4.
Reason to keep: At age 26, he likely still has a number of productive years to come, if the healing knee cooperates. It's not difficult to see him finding a place within Smith's defensive scheme.
Reason to let walk: How bad will the knee injury linger? He never played after a loss to the Carolina Panthers on Dec. 1, so doubts are warranted when assessing his future.
Prediction: Casillas was a productive player on the field, and by all accounts, he was a solid locker-room presence. Expect him to return.
OL TED LARSEN
A 13-game starter in 2013, he only started four games last season. Since joining the Bucs before the 2010 campaign, he has played in 60 games and started 31.
Reason to keep: He has been with the Bucs since being claimed off waivers from the New England Patriots in September 2010. His versatility is an asset, with his experience at guard and center.
Reason to let walk: The new regime has made clear that the offensive line underperformed in the final year of the Greg Schiano/Mark Dominik regime. No potential returning member -- especially one who's dispensable like Larsen -- should feel comfortable.
Prediction: It's likely there will be major changes on the Bucs' offensive line, so it's hard to see someone like Larsen returning.
DE DANIEL TE'O-NESHEIM
Asked to accept a larger role after Da'Quan Bowers' shortcomings, he started 12 games but only had 14 tackles. The totals were a big drop-off from his 2012 production in which he had 40 tackles and four sacks.
Reason to keep: There is none. Smith has made it known he needs pressure from the edges in his defensive scheme, and Te'o-Nesheim offers little.
Reason to let walk: The Bucs should be able to upgrade this position in free agency or the draft. Best-case scenario: Someone proven like Jared Allen chooses to sign with Tampa Bay.
Prediction: It's hard to see any logical scenario where Te'o-Nesheim returns. The Bucs can do better elsewhere.
A consistent reserve since joining the Bucs before the 2007 season, he started two games but played in all 16 last year. He had 25 tackles and one pass defensed.
Reason to keep: Hayward offers a clear, veteran voice in the locker room. He appeared to be a sound influence on developing linebackers like Lavonte David and Dekoda Watson.
Reason to let walk: He's 29 years old, so perhaps the Bucs can find a younger and cheaper option elsewhere to fill a similar role. His 2013 cap hit of $1.257 million made a dent as well.
Prediction: Hayward doesn't appear as valuable as Casillas, but perhaps both sides can come to an agreement if Hayward falls into Smith's vision for linebacker depth.
He was signed as a replacement for veteran Lawrence Tynes after a MRSA outbreak at the Bucs' facility. He made 23 of 29 field-goal attempts -- his 79.3 percent conversion rate a decline from his previous two seasons with the Buffalo Bills (87.5 percent in 2012 and 86.7 percent in 2011).
Reason to keep: There is none, unless the Bucs want to add depth behind Connor Barth, who's expected to return after missing last season with a torn Achilles sustained in July.
Reason to let walk: Lindell served his purpose, stepping into an awkward situation with the absences of Barth and Tynes. But the Bucs will turn to Barth again.
Prediction: If Barth stays healthy, the Bucs' kicking situation should be normal again. It's difficult to see Lindell returning.
DT GARY GIBSON
A reserve in his two years with the Bucs, he started one game and appeared in 13 last season. He had three tackles.
Reason to keep: There is none. Gibson offered depth with the Bucs, but they can find someone else to do the same thing in the draft or free agency.
Reason to let walk: Gibson started two of the 29 games he played with Tampa Bay, but he only has 21 tackles to show for it. The Bucs should be able to upgrade their depth here.
Prediction: Barring a surprise, Gibson's tenure with Tampa Bay will be over.
FB ERIK LORIG
Rarely used as a runner, he was more visible as a receiving fullback the past two seasons. Last year, he had 11 catches for 47 yards, which followed a 2012 campaign in which he had 12 catches for 83 yards.
Reason to keep: The Bucs need a versatile presence here, someone who can block in passing schemes as well as catch and produce when necessary. Lorig has shown an ability to do both.
Reason to let walk: There likely will be more productive options at fullback available in free agency or the draft. Still, Smith's staff likely values Lorig's consistency.
Prediction: There are reports that the Bucs are working to keep Lorig, so it won't be a surprise to see him return for a fifth season with Tampa Bay.
OL JAMON MEREDITH
He saw his starts decline from 12 in 2012 to eight last season, but he appeared in all 16 games for the first time in his career. Last year marked the first time he played consecutive seasons for the same franchise since appearing in the 2009 and 2010 campaigns with the Buffalo Bills.
Reason to keep: His versatility is an asset, though the new regime will likely want to put its own fingerprints on the offensive line. But if they're interested in a flexible reserve, Meredith offers the option.
Reason to let walk: It's obvious the new regime wasn't happy with how the Bucs' offensive line performed last season, so expect major changes. It would be easy to see Meredith searching for a new home.
Prediction: Expect Meredith's time with Tampa Bay to end. Smith and Licht likely will want to mold the offensive line their own way.
LB JACOB CUTRERA
He registered no stats last season.
Reason to keep: Perhaps the new regime will see a spark with his special-teams ability. He played in eight games in the 2011 and 2012 seasons, primarily as a special-teams presence.
Reason to let walk: The Bucs can find special-teams depth elsewhere. A player like Cutrera is replaceable.
Prediction: Likely, Cutrera won't return.
LB DEKODA WATSON
He had a career-high 42 tackles with one pass defensed and an interception last season. He also added a forced fumble to the mix.
Reason to keep: The Bucs aren't short on promising young linebackers, and Watson could become one of those. He only has six starts in four seasons with Tampa Bay, but he has established himself as a solid backup.
Reason to let walk: Watson is 26 years old, which seems young enough to extend an offer to return to see how he develops. Still, the new regime might decide to build depth elsewhere.
Prediction: Watson has enough upside to warrant a return to Tampa Bay. He should come back for another season.
CB DANNY GORRER
He saw action in seven games last season but never received a start. He had 10 tackles and one forced fumble in his second year with the Bucs.
Reason to keep: He's five-year veteran, and a team can never have too many experienced eyes in the secondary. Perhaps the new regime will find a role for him.
Reason to let walk: The Bucs already have a hefty amount of cash invested in the secondary with Darrelle Revis' and Dashon Goldson's contracts. Even though Gorrer's 2013 cap hit was relatively small -- $630,000 -- it's easy to see him going elsewhere.
Prediction: The Bucs have other areas where they need to build depth. It's unlikely the new regime will make much effort to keep a player like Gorrer, who has played sparingly.
LS ANDREW ECONOMOS
He played in all 16 games for the second consecutive year and for the sixth time in the last seven.
Reason to keep: He's the longest-tenured Bucs player, so Economos can offer perspective with depth. At 31 years old, he's not the youngest man in the locker room, but he has value to offer.
Reason to let walk: Long-snappers are expendable, which means the Bucs could elect to go younger and cheaper here.
Prediction: Economos has played for the Bucs since 2006, meaning he has outlasted the Jon Gruden, Raheem Morris and Greg Schiano regimes. He cap hit was only $620,000 last year, so why not try to sign him for another year?
RB BRIAN LEONARD
He played a specific short-distance role for the Bucs last season and earned 182 yards on 47 carries. He also had 29 catches for 179 yards.
Reason to keep: Running-back depth is valuable, as the Bucs learned last year with the injuries to Doug Martin and Mike James. It's not a stretch to see them keep the current structure in place.
Reason to let walk: If Martin and James stay healthy, the Bucs should be set here. Both offer more athleticism than Leonard, and if the Bucs decide to keep Bobby Rainey, there's little reason to try to retain Leonard.
Prediction: Leonard will likely play elsewhere next season.
QB DAN ORLOVSKY
He has seen minimal action since joining the Bucs before the 2012 season. Last year was no different, when he appeared in two games and produced no stats.
Reason to keep: There is no reason. The Bucs already signed Mike Kafka, and they'll likely look to free agency to invite a veteran quarterback to provide competition for incumbent Mike Glennon.
Reason to let walk: The Bucs need true competition for Glennon, and Orlovsky doesn't offer it. Expect a significant upgrade to come at this position in the offseason.
Prediction: Orlovsky will not return, especially with Michael Vick or Josh McCown as possible catches in free agency.
K LAWRENCE TYNES
Thought to be a replacement for Connor Barth, a MRSA infection sidelined him during training camp. He was placed on the non-football injury list, a controversial decision, and he never played.
Reason to keep: It's unlikely that Tynes will want to return after his bad experience last year. Hard feelings remain.
Reason to let walk: It's best for both Tynes and the Bucs if they go their separate ways. The Bucs are set at kicker with Barth, and Tynes can try to heal himself and get back to football.
Prediction: Tynes will not return.
FB SPENCER LARSEN
His first year with the Bucs was unproductive. After four seasons with the Denver Broncos, he played in 13 games but produced no stats.
Reason to keep: There is no reason. If the Bucs are interested in bringing back Lorig, that likely leaves Larsen on the outside looking in.
Reason to let walk: Lorig seems to be the Bucs' interest at fullback. In that case Larsen, now 30 years old, likely goes elsewhere.
Prediction: Larsen will not return.
WR TIQUAN UNDERWOOD
He's somewhat of an NFL journeyman, but he had a career-high 440 yards receiving with four touchdowns last year. He started a career-high seven games and played in 12.
Reason to keep: Perhaps if the Bucs miss out on targets in free agency and the draft, then Underwood would be a possible option to return. That's about the only scenario though.
Reason to let walk: Expect the Bucs to be active in free agency and the draft at this position. That leaves a fringe player like Underwood with fewer options.
Prediction: Underwood did some good things for the Bucs last season with Mike Williams out most of the year due to a hamstring injury. But the Rutgers product likely will not return.
TE KYLE ADAMS
He only played in five games with one start for the Bucs, after spending the first three years of his career with the Chicago Bears. He produced no stats.
Reason to keep: There is no reason. Tampa Bay can build better depth through other means.
Reason to let walk: Tim Wright emerged as a surprise at tight end last season, and Tom Crabtree has promise if he stays healthy. The Bucs should look elsewhere for depth.
Prediction: Adams will not return.
FINAL THOUGHT
Little value is hitting the free-agent market with Bucs ties this spring. Bringing back Casillas and Watson would be wise, but even they aren't "must-haves." Dominik deserves criticism for many things -- his record as a GM, how some of his high draft picks never panned out -- but he left the Bucs in a favorable situation in this regard. Tampa Bay could let much of its potential free agents walk in the coming weeks and be fine.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
