The Buccaneers are expected to sign free agent defensive lineman Chris Baker “barring any snags,” tweets Peter Schrager of FOX Sports.
Baker registered 10.5 sacks over the past two seasons and profiled as one of the top interior defenders available in free agency. He ranked 18th among interior defenders (4-3 defensive tackles, 3-4 nose tackles and 3-4 ends) in the opinion of Pro Football Focus last season. Baker, 29, started all 16 games for the first time in his career in 2016.
In Tampa Bay, Baker will team with Gerald McCoy to form a fearsome defensive interior. The Buccaneers don’t blitz very often, so generating any sort of pressure — from the interior or otherwise — is often dependent on the front four getting to the quarterback. In addition to Baker and McCoy, the Bucs’ line also consists of Robert Ayers, Noah Spence, and Jacquies Smith, among others.
Baker becomes the second free agent to make the trip from Washington to Tampa Bay, joining wide receiver DeSean Jackson in that regard.