It’s anyone’s guess as to what will happen with this position."As we continue our free agency preview for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Vernon Hargreaves Jersey , we will take a look at the linebacker position. Tampa Bay has some tough choices ahead of them in this department. The biggest question concerning this group is what to do with Kwon Alexander, the Bucs’ starting middle linebacker and defensive leader. But it doesn’t stop with him. The Bucs carried nine linebackers on their roster at one point in 2018. They only have five of those players returning in 2019. Lavonte David, Kendall Beckwith, Devante Bond, Jack Cichy, and Riley Bullough are the only players under contract to return in 2019.So it’s pretty obvious that the Bucs will have to fill these spots either through free agency or the draft.Just like the last few previews, we will use overall stats and Pro Football Focus grades to give context into what type of season/career each player has had. That will help determine how much each player may command in free agency. And this is just another reminder, but I have not watched any film on these players yet. This is strictly from a monetary/contractual/potential fit vantage point. Since we also don’t know exactly what type of defense Todd Bowles will employ, it’s important to take a look at players that can play in multiple fronts. Bruce Arians did say that the coaching staff does plan to work around the players they have, so that’s important to keep in mind as well. That being said, here are the top four graded linebackers for performance context. I was able to find the top inside and EDGE/outside linebacker in a 3-4 system and the top MIKE and SAM/WILL linebacker in a 4-3 system. I’ll start with the top linebacker and EDGE in a 3-4:Zach Brown, ILB, Washington RedskinsPFF Grade: 89.2 Overall/84.1 Run Defense/84.4 Coverage/68.7 Pass Rush/927 Total SnapsKhalil Mack, EDGE, Chicago BearsPFF Grade: 90.7 Overall/86.0 Run Defense/87.4 Coverage/73.9 Pass Rush/819 Total SnapsAnd here is the top MIKE and SAM/WILL in a 4-3:Bobby Wagner, MIKE, Seattle SeahawksPFF Grade: 91.8 Overall/91.6 Run Defense/90.5 Coverage/86.7 Pass Rush/999 Total SnapsLorenzo Alexander, SAM, Buffalo BillsPFF Grade: 85.7 Overall/82.4 Run Defense/79.9 Coverage/70.7 Pass Rush/630 Total SnapsSo, now that we have all of this information, let’s take a look at some potential fits for the Bucs in 2019. 1) Kwon Alexander, Middle Linebacker, Tampa Bay BuccaneersPFF Grade: 59.1 Overall/53.3 Run Defense/57.1 Coverage/78.8 Pass Rush/366 Total SnapsJust like the Adam Humphries decision, this will be a tough one for the Bucs. Alexander has played well during his time in Tampa Bay, but he has also had his share of moments where he hasn’t looked so great. He tore his ACL midway through the season in 2018 and it’s possible he could be ready to go by the start of 2019. He posted a video of himself rehabbing his knee on January 15th.And another one of him squatting on January 29th. It looks like everything is in place for a 2019 return. But Alexander may have more of an impact off the field rather than on it. He is known as a true teammate, a vocal leader, and a player that brings out the dog in his teammates. As with most in-house free agents, Tampa Bay has to figure out three things:Where does he fit?Do you franchise him?Do you sign him long-term?The only semi-certain answer to any of those questions is how much Alexander will cost if the Bucs do in fact decide to franchise him. His price tag will run close to $10.5 million if he is in fact franchised. Alexander’s career was budding before his knee injury in 2018. He led the league in solo tackles with 108 in 2016 and followed that up with a Pro Bowl appearance in 2017. One would think he is going to want to get paid pretty well. There’s always a chance that he’ll give the Bucs a hometown discount, but don’t expect that to happen. He is also project to make $10.2 million off a long-term deal in 2019, so it may be in the Bucs’ best interest to go that route, but the ACL could be the determining factor in what happens. 2) C.J. Mosley, Inside Linebacker, Baltimore RavensPFF Grade: 73.6 Overall/80.1 Run Defense/57.3 Pass Rush/66.5 Coverage/943 Total SnapsI know, I know. I’ve been preaching this whole offseason about how cap-strapped the Bucs are, but I’m sorry. I love this kid and I would love it even more if Tampa Bay could find a way to coax him away from Baltimore. That’s the biggest issue for the Bucs. The Ravens should have plenty of cap space, so it’s likely that Tampa Bay is going to have to pay him well above his projected $9.7 million salary.The Ravens have also recently stated that they intend on keeping him around for the long haul. A boy can dream, though Ali Marpet Jersey , right?But it’s not like it wouldn’t be worth it. Mosley has the fourth most combined tackles amongst all linebackers since he entered the league in 2014. He is fifth in solo tackles, 16th in tackles for loss, 21st in quarterback hits, and 34th in sacks. CJ Mosley would be a major addition to the Bucs.Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY SportsWhen you condense those stats down to just the inside linebacker position, he has the third most combined tackles, third most solo tackles, sixth most tackles for loss, seventh most quarterback hits, and 12th most sacks since 2014. Mosley is a fast, instinctive, hard-hitting player that can do just about everything. If the Bucs can move some money around, then he would likely be worth every penny. When it comes to free agency, you’re most likely going to overpay based off the market, but in Mosely’s case - it’ll be a bargain if you can get him for less than $11 million/year. 3) Preston Smith, EDGE, Washington Redskins PFF Grade: 76.9 Overall/68.4 Pass Rush/73.2 Run Defense/76.2 Coverage/834 Total SnapsSmith’s situation is tough to figure out, but there is a definite chance he could end up on the Bucs, especially if Bruce Arians/Todd Bowles find a way to utilize him. He basically bet on himself in 2018, foregoing a contract extension with the Redskins with probable hopes of hitting it big in free agency. That has seemed to pay off - Smith is projected to earn over $11 million per year this offseason.But that seems a bit high for a player that made just $1.8 million in 2018 and is coming off a career-low year in sacks. The low sack total is even more distressing when you consider the fact that the Redskins brought in defensive talent to help increase Smith’s impact. Washington’s salary cap situation isn’t all that great, either. The nearly $21 million in cap room isn’t that much when you think about the fact that Brandon Scherff - and others - are due a new contract after this season. On the flip side, it’s still possible that Reuben Foster will be suspended by the NFL. If that’s the case, then the Redskins will need Smith more than ever to help shoulder the load. Smith’s strength is rushing the passer, evidenced by his 20.5 sacks in his first three years. He’s been noted as a hard worker and selfless player, as well. That’s something the Bucs need in a bad way. Even though the Bucs improved the pass rush in 2018, it still needs a lot of help and Smith could be the guy to help out in a big way. This is all tricky to project, especially since we don’t really know what to expect from the defensive scheme. Regardless, it looks like the Bucs may have to shell out some money if they want decent production at the linebacker spot in 2019. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers must be licking their chops for the chance to go against the Atlanta defense.Then again, the Falcons' offense is surely just as pumped to get on the field against the Bucs.A fan of stingy defenses?You've come to the wrong place.The scoreboard at Mercedes-Benz Stadium figures to get a workout Sunday in the matchup between NFC South rivals. Tampa Bay (2-2) has surrendered more points per game than any team in the league (34.75), while the Falcons (1-4) are right on their heels with an average of 32.6.The Bucs' defensive woes have put the heat on coordinator Mike Smith, a former head coach of the Falcons. Smith's boss, Dirk Koetter, has resisted calls to make a change."Every week, every game, it's way bigger than any one guy," the Tampa Bay coach said. "It's never all one person's fault and it's never all one person's credit."Smith said he's confident the Bucs can turn things around."We did some things in the first three games that you can look forward and say, 'Gosh darn, those guys Shaquil Barrett Jersey , they've got a chance to do some things well,'" Smith said. "We've been an inconsistent group and really that's frustrating as a coach because you don't like to put the inconsistencies out on the field."The Falcons are on the defensive about their defense, as well. For the first time since 1987, Atlanta has given up at least 37 points in three straight games.It would be easy to point to a rash of injuries to key players. Safeties Ricardo Allen and Keanu Neal are both out for the season, linebacker Deion Jones will miss at least eight games, and tackle Grady Jarrett sat out last week's contest with a sprained ankle."We will never make excuses," defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel said. "We are professionals. We're asking the guys to dominate their gap and their job. I think any man that puts on a helmet should be able to do that, what we're asking them to do. With the ability that you have, if you give us the maximum, we know that's just enough."Tampa Bay will be looking to strike quickly. Each of the last three weeks, the Falcons have surrendered long touchdown drives on their opponents' first possession."They've been marching it down on us pretty easy," defensive end Takk McKinley moaned.Some other things to watch for when the Falcons host the Buccaneers:WINSTON RETURNSQuarterback Jameis Winston will get his first start of the season for the Bucs.He served a three-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy and came off the bench in Tampa Bay's last game. After a bye week, the No. 1 job again belongs to Winston.Journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 400 yards in three straight games while Winston was sidelined, but the "FitzMagic" show came to a crashing halt in a 48-10 loss to Chicago.Nevertheless, Koetter praised his team for staying competitive while its starting QB was out."We're not exactly where we want to be," the coach said, "but we're also right where we need to be as far as competing for the next 12 weeks."BALANCING ACTThe Falcons are at their best when there's not much discrepancy between the number of running and passing plays.In their lone victory, a 31-24 triumph over the Carolina Panthers in Week 2, the Falcons ran 32 times for 170 yards and two touchdowns while completing 23 of 28 passes for 272 yards and two more scores. But in last Sunday's blowout loss to the Steelers , Atlanta ran just 19 times for 62 yards and went to the air 45 times."That's part of our identity on offense," coach Dan Quinn said. "We've got to make sure the run game and the play-action pass go hand in hand. That is always at the top of our thinking. When we do that, we're at our best."NOT-SO-SPECIAL TEAMSAtlanta has given up blocked punts in two of the last three games, leading to a pair of short touchdown drives.Both miscues were simply a matter of blockers getting beaten: Eric Saubert on one play, rookie Foyesade Oluokun on the other."It is 100 percent unacceptable for that to happen," Quinn said. "We'd like to get that squared away so it never rears its head again."BUCS DOWN WITH JPPJason Pierre-Paul, who was acquired in a trade with the Giants , has been a force on Tampa Bay's defensive line. Over his past three games, he has four sacks and caused a fumble.Now, he's going against an Atlanta line that gave up six sacks to the Steelers last weekend."Jason is such a competitive guy," Smith said. "We want to have a rotation and it's hard to get him off the field because he wants to play every snap."TOUGH STARTThe Falcons are off to their worst start since 2013 ."We didn't expect to be here," Quinn said. "But we don't expect to stay here, either."The last time Atlanta began a season 1-5 was 2007, a dismal campaign marred by the downfall of franchise quarterback Michael Vick, who went to prison for dogfighting, and coach Bobby Petrino abandoning the team after only 13 games.AP Sports Writer Fred Goodall contributed to this report.