The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will not be defending their Super Bowl title this year after being knocked out of the playoffs last weekend. They recently entered the offseason after their NFC Divisional loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

It's time Bruce Arians and company to look ahead to the next season, which means looking at the 2022 free agents. Many Tampa Bay players have expiring contracts, including multiple tight ends, linebackers, and running backs. That being said, here are the top three free agents that the Buccaneers should target during the 2022 NFL Offseason.

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Buccaneers Free Agent Targets for 2022 NFL Offseason

3. J.D. McKissic – Running Back

The Buccaneers have four running backs entering the offseason as free agents, including Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones. There is a good chance that even if most of them are re-signed by Tampa Bay, there will be some vacancies in the position.

J.D. McKissic, a free agent from the Washington Football Team, would be a perfect backup running back for Fournette. The 28-year-old running back is coming off of a 2-year, $3,270,000 contract.

Fournette missed four of Tampa Bay's 20 games this season due to a hamstring injury that landed him on Injured Reserve. Arians would be a lot more comfortable going into next season with McKissic as a strong backup in case this situation comes up again.

2. Robert Tonyan – Tight End

Two tight ends from the Buccaneers are going into the offseason as free agents: Rob Gronkowski and O.J. Howard. With their futures in question, the Buccaneers should capitalize on the talents of 27-year-old Robert Tonyan.

The young tight end is coming off of a 1 year, $3,384,000 contract with the Green Bay Packers. Tonyan did not play most of the season due to a torn ACL that landed him on the Injured Reserve in October. However, he will be ready for the 2022-2023 season, and Tampa Bay could be a great landing spot for him if quarterback Aaron Rodgers doesn't return to Green Bay.

1. Dont'a Hightower – Linebacker

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Last but certainly not least, the Buccaneers need to prioritize their defense this offseason. They have nearly a dozen defensive players heading into the 2022 offseason as free agents, leaving a lot of question marks for the upcoming season.

Fortunately, one of these question marks can be replaced with 31-year-old Dont'a Hightower. The linebacker finished up his 4-year, $35.5 million contract with the New England Patriots this season, making him an available free agent.

This season, Hightower recorded 64 tackles: 39 solo, 25 assisted, and 1 for loss. He also picked up 1.5 sacks and one defended pass in his ninth regular season in the NFL. Hightower's skills and veteran status would serve the Buccaneers defense tremendously, and attribute to another successful season if he joined the roster.

If Hightower did join the Buccaneers, he would be reunited with star former teammates Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. The linebacker has been on the Patriots his entire career, winning three Super Bowl Championships since being drafted in 2012.

(All contract information credited to Spotrac.com)