TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed former Dallas Cowboys safety J.J. Wilcox.

Wilcox helps bring stability to the position for the Bucs, who had only one safety from last season's 53-man roster returning until Chris Conte re-signed Thursday. The Bucs believe Wilcox hasn't reached his ceiling yet.

Here's more on the move:

Terms: Two-year deal worth up to $8.5 million

ESPN 150 ranking: 79

Grade: B -- "He's going to compete for a starting role along with Chris [Conte] and Keith [Tandy] for that safety position," general manager Jason Licht said. "He's a really hard-hitting, physical player that's really still got an upside at safety."

The Bucs view Wilcox as an up-and-coming player. In college, he played only one year of safety after spending three years at running back. There will be concerns about his ability in coverage. He is sometimes prone to taking poor angles on deep passes.

"That's a position that's really tough to learn and grow into, and he's starting to come," Licht said. "So, really, it's almost like getting -- he's young, he's only 26 -- but it's like getting an even younger player because of the inexperience at the position, yet he has started quite a few games there."

What it means: Licht didn't rule out the possibility of a return for last year's starting free safety, Bradley McDougald, but wouldn't tip the Bucs' hand, either. It's looking far less likely now, though, especially with a talented crop of safeties in this year's draft class.

"It's still a process. We're still executing our plan," Licht said when asked about securing another safety. "We're still going through a lot of different options."

What’s the risk? There's a risk anytime a new player comes in while a player who proved himself in the current system is on his way out. The Bucs' safeties struggled significantly in the first half of the season but finished on a high note, McDougald included. If the Bucs don't believe Wilcox is a finished product, they could use the draft to select a player such as Jamal Adams, Budda Baker or Malik Hooker.