The Buccaneers met with free agent cornerback Bashaud Breeland this week, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Tampa Bay was torched by Drew Breees, Michael Thomas, and the rest of the Saints’ passing attack on Sunday, so the club is looking for all the help it can get. The Bucs, already short on cornerback talent with veteran Brent Grimes inactive, saw Vernon Hargreaves go down with injury in Week 1, leaving rookie Carlton Davis as the club’s top pass defender.
Breeland, 26, hasn’t been wanting for interest this offseason, as he’s either met with or been linked to the Raiders, Ravens, Browns, Colts, Chiefs, and Jets. However, no club has yet to sign Breeland, and while injury issues are surely playing a part in most teams’ decision not to ink the veteran defensive back, the Ravens — for one — believe he’s asking for too much money.
Breeland was originally a fourth-round Redskins pick in 2014 draft. A Clemson product, Breeland has been a starter from day one, totaling eight interceptions in 58 starts during his four-year career. Last season, Pro Football Focus ranked Breeland as the No. 50 cornerback among 121 qualifiers.
Breeland, of course, agreed to a three-year, $24MM deal with the Panthers earlier this year, but that contract was voided after he failed a physical. A foot injury that was subsequently infected is reportedly the root cause of Breeland’s health question marks.