NFL 2018: Ranking the 5 best offseason moves at defensive end

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 29: Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson #96 of the New York Jets celebrates a tackle against running back Tevin Coleman #26 (not pictured) of the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 29, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

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GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 24: Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul #90 of the New York Giants during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Giants 23-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

3. Jason Pierre-Paul (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Talk about addressing a situation in a big way? A year ago, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave up the most total yards in the league, finished dead last in the NFL against the pass and came up with a mere 22 sacks. So general manager Jason Licht got extremely busy this offseason and addressed the team’s defensive line in every way possible.

There were the unrestricted free-agent signings of defensive tackles Beau Allen (Philadelphia Eagles) and Mitch Unrein (Chicago Bears). The Bucs also picked up end Vinny Curry, cast off by the current defending Super Bowl champions. They used a first-round draft choice on University of Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea. Licht also took a recent flyer on journeyman interior defender Jerel Worthy.

Of course, there was also a trade that brought former New York Giants’ defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul to the Sunshine State. And slowly but surely, the eight-year pro has begun to regain his Pro Bowl form. The 2010 first-round pick rolled up 42 sacks in his first five seasons. But there was that unfortunate fireworks accident in 2015 which caused him to miss half of that campaign.

Pierre-Paul has played a total of 28 regular-season games the past two years and has totaled a combined 15.5 sacks. Surrounded by a lot of quality performers up front, he could be a big-time asset to Mike Smith’s unit.

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