3 Bucs veterans the Cowboys could poach after Tom Brady retirement

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers recovered a fumble during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

2. Shaq Mason, OL

No team should ever turn its nose up at improving on the offensive line, and Mason would be a plug-and-play guard for the Cowboys.

The 29-year-old Mason is under contract for 2023, but the Buccaneers would save $8.5 million by making him a post-June 1 cut. That number is the same if he’s traded post-June 1, so Dallas should undoubtedly wait for him to get released to make a move unless a bidding war starts. Even then, Mason wouldn’t cost anything more than a sixth-round pick.

At the end of the day, Connor McGovern is a free agent, so the Cowboys have a hole to fill at left guard. With Tyler Smith expected to step in at left tackle (Tyron Smith could get released, or even start 2023 at right tackle until Terence Steele is healthy), Mason could step in as Dallas’ every-down left guard.

Mason has always been a better run-blocker than in pass protection in his career, but he made notable strides blocking for Tom Brady in 2022. He has the versatility to play both guard positions in the hellacious event Zack Martin went down.

Let’s not even put that scenario into the universe, though.

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