Last year, the NFC South was among the weakest divisions in football. The New Orleans Saints finished last at 6-11, while the Carolina Panthers claimed first place with an 8-9 record. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons also tied for first.
The Buccaneers were expected to win the division but fell short, finishing second with roster deficiencies evident throughout the season. Now in free agency, Tampa Bay has an opportunity to address those issues.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Add Veteran DT A’Shawn Robinson to the Roster
With defensive tackle being a key need, the Buccaneers added former Panthers defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson.
After finishing 8-9 and losing the division, this offseason was critical for Tampa Bay. Quarterback Baker Mayfield showed inconsistency, and head coach Todd Bowles appears under pressure, but the team remains committed to both. As a result, the supporting cast must be upgraded.
A’Shawn Robinson ➡️ @Buccaneers
A’Shawn Robinson has agreed to a 1 year, $10.0M fully guaranteed contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 🏴☠️🔥#A1Family pic.twitter.com/MbsLgZbDYC
— Athletes First (@AthletesFirst) March 12, 2026
Depth at defensive tackle is always valuable, and pairing Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey with additional reinforcements could make the line formidable. Kancey missed most of last season, so additional depth also provides insurance against injuries.
A strong run defense is essential, and the Buccaneers addressed that need by signing Robinson to a one-year, $10 million contract.
The #Bucs are signing former #Panthers standout DL A’Shawn Robinson to a 1-year, $10M fully guaranteed deal, per The Insiders. A raise after he was due to make $8.5M with Carolina.
Robinson’s deal was done by agents Sean Kiernan and Travis Allen of @AthletesFirst. pic.twitter.com/8n5nKmeZKP
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2026
Robinson is not a tackle known for pressuring the quarterback, but he is a strong run defender. According to PFSN’s DT Impact Metric, he ranked No. 7 in total tackles last season with Carolina. He also won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022.
In 2025 with the Panthers, he posted 65 total tackles, including 21 solo stops, along with 2.5 sacks and 3 passes defensed across 17 games, starting 16.
With this being a one-year deal, Robinson represents a short-term solution. Drafting a prospect to develop behind him would be a prudent move, allowing that player to step in if Robinson decides to leave Tampa Bay after one season.
Across the NFC South, a trend has emerged this offseason: players joining divisional rivals. Robinson moved from the Panthers to the Buccaneers, center Luke Fortner left the Saints for the Panthers, and linebacker Kaden Elliss departed the Falcons to join the Saints.
