The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cleared a roster spot ahead of Thursday’s NFL Draft.
On Wednesday, the Buccaneers waived Richard LeCounte. The cornerback played two games for Tampa Bay last season.
LeCounte collected eight interceptions and six fumble recoveries for the Georgia Bulldogs. Graduating a year before the program’s back-to-back national champions, the Cleveland Browns made him a fifth-round pick in 2021.
The 5-foot-11 defensive back registered his only three career tackles as a rookie. After playing nine games in 2021, he saw the field once as a special teamer the following year before getting released in October.
LeCounte ended the 2022 season on the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad before signing a reserve/future contract. However, they cut him before the 2023 season.
He spent most of last year on Tampa Bay’s practice squad but was elevated to the active roster three times. He played one special teams snap in Week 11 and three in Week 15.
The Buccaneers allowed the fourth-most passing yards (4,232) last season, but they finished seventh in points allowed en route to an unexpected NFC South title. They held the Philadelphia Eagles to 276 total yards in a first-round playoff victory.
Along with re-signing Lavonte David and using the franchise tag on star safety Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay added Jordan Whitehead, Randy Gregory, and Bryce Hall this offseason. The organization has seven 2024 draft picks, starting with the No. 26 overall selection on Thursday night.