NFL Free Agency is finally here, with the legal tampering period opening up on Monday and things getting truly underway a few days later. Nothing can be done until the new league year begins on Wednesday, but there will be a frenzy of activity between now and then, with teams setting the table for when things can become official.

There are a number of things the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to figure out between now and then, not the least of which is what happens with Chris Godwin. Finding some pass rush help is also a top priority but addressing the secondary shouldn’t get lost in the shuffle.

It’s a need that has largely flown under the radar given the larger conversations happening, but there are two names to keep an eye on as the action picks up — one who could be coming to Tampa Bay and another who could be leaving.

Buccaneers linked to Charvarious Ward ahead of free agency

PFF listed five free agent signings that make sense and had Chavarious Ward linked to the Buccaneers. It’s a move that makes sense not only from the standpoint that it adds some much-needed help at cornerback but potentially gives the team a perfect replacement for Jamel Dean.

All signs point toward the Bucs moving Dean in the coming days, whether through a trade or by releasing him. There’s a chance he sticks around for one more season, but his name has been circled as a cap casualty all offseason.

Last year the Bucs kicked off the new league year by trading Carlton Davis III to the Lions, a move that netted a third round pick. That ended up turning into Jalen McMillan, and while the sample size is still small it’s already looking like a good deal for Tampa Bay. That’s what could motivate a trade for Dean, as there will be cornerback-needy teams looking for a high-upside guy without wanting to dip into free agency.

Dean could also simply get released as well, with either outcome setting up a scenario where adding Ward makes even more sense than it already does. He was a top cornerback for the 49ers defense and would instantly provide a boost alongside Zyon McCollum in Tampa Bay’s secondary.

Over the last two seasons, Ward finished with, which ranked behind only Sauce Gardner. That’s exactly the type of upgrade the Bucs need, and making the move would provide some much-needed consistency. Not only that but ward would come to Tampa Bay in a position to mentor McCollum in addition to everything else he’d provide.

Tampa Bay doesn’t have a ton of cap space, so any deal that Jason Licht makes will have to be careful and calculated. It makes too much sense to not make a run at him, though, as it would give the Bucs, Ward, and Dean all fresh starts everyone would likely be looking forward to.