The Buccaneers were already expected to be big players in free agency starting Tuesday, but since the NFL released their official salary cap number of $120.6 million for 2012, we know now that the Bucs have $42.7 million to work with. Looking at what they need, they are going to try and dip into the pool of free agent wide receivers, having already expressed much interest in Vincent Jackson.

Another place that the Bucs may address could be on the offensive line to help the progression of Josh Freeman. If Freeman can get help from both positions and the Bucs have a good draft class that adds more depth to their roster, Tampa Bay could be back in the running for a playoff spot sooner rather than later. However that also is dealing with an NFC South with established powers New Orleans and Atlanta and fast-rising Carolina to boot.

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