TAMPA — The Bucs believe they addressed two needs in their kicking game by agreeing to a four-year deal with 49ers punter Bradley Pinion Tuesday.
To make room for Pinion, the Bucs released punter Bryan Anger after three seasons. Anger was scheduled to earn $3-million in 2018.
Pinion, 24, was a fifth-round pick from Clemson by the Niners in 2015. He has a career 43.7-yard average but ranked 24th in the NFL last season with a net average of 39.1 yards per punt.
However, Pinion is known as an outstanding kickoff man, which will strengthen the Bucs’ special teams.
Tampa Bay still is without a placekicker, having not re-signed Cairo Santos.
Anger, 30, averaged 45 yards per punt last season.