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Turns out that signing sixth-round pick Kaelin Clay early Tuesday afternoon was just the tip of the iceberg. Tampa Bay's player personnel department stayed busy throughout the day, eventually inking three more 2015 draft selections and working the waiver to add two players and subtract one.
READ: BUCS SIGN KAELIN CLAY
Clay's deal was followed by four-year contracts for fourth-round linebacker Kwon Alexander, fifth-round wide receiver Kenny Bell and seventh-round fullback Joey Iosefa, and first-round quarterback Jameis Winston got his deal done less than 24 hours after being drafted. As such, only second-round offensive linemen Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet remain unsigned with more than two months to go before training camp. It is highly probable that Smith and Marpet will follow suit soon.
The two additions to the roster both came courtesy of waiver claims, as the Buccaneers snapped up safety D.J. Swearinger, formerly of the Houston Texans, and linebacker Khaseem Greene, last with the Chicago Bears. Tampa Bay continues to benefit from the first spot in the waiver order, which they will maintain until the third week of the regular season.
The Buccaneers also waived safety M.D. Jennings, which coupled with the team's moves on Monday leave the offseason roster at 89 players as of Tuesday evening. The maximum at this time of the year is 90.
Both Swearinger and Greene were selected in the 2013 NFL Draft, the former in the second round (57th overall) by Houston and the latter in the fourth round (117th) by Chicago. Swearinger has played in all 32 games and started 22 over the past two seasons while Greene has appeared in 25 games with six starts.
Swearinger's two-year totals in Houston included 144 tackles, one sack, three interceptions, 10 passes defensed and four forced fumbles. The 5-10, 208-pound safety played his college ball at South Carolina. He joins a Buccaneer safety corps that traded two previous starters over the course of six months (Mark Barron and Dashon Goldson), with an opportunity to compete with Bradley McDougald, Chris Conte, Major Wright and Keith Tandy for playing time.
Greene (6-1, 241) amassed 38 tackles, one interception, one pass defensed and one forced fumble in his time with the Bears. He also played extensively on special teams and was credited with six special teams tackles. He was drafted by the Bears out of Rutgers. The Buccaneers added a linebacker in free agency (Bruce Carter) and the draft (Alexander) but Greene can provide competition, depth and help on special teams.
