D.J HACKETT SET TO VISIT TAMPA

D.J. Hackett, the third-best receiver in free agency, according to The Sporting News' War Room scouts, will make a stop at One Buc Place as he ratchets up his attempt to find a new team.

Hackett was in Washington visiting the Redskins on Wednesday and has plans to visit the Carolina Panthers on Friday. There's a chance, though, that he never makes it out of Tampa.

Though they reportedly see him as being no different than Michael Clayton, the Bucs' need for receiving help may result in them taking a chance on Hackett, who is coming off an injury-plagued season with the Seattle Seahawks.

Slowed by ankle problems, Hackett, 26, played in six regular-season games last year, catching 32 passes for 384 yards and three touchdowns. He bounced back in the playoffs, catching six balls for 101 yards and a touchdown in Seattle's first-round victory against Washington. He then caught two passes for 15 yards in a second-round loss to Green Bay.

A big target with great leaping ability, the 6-foot-2, 208-pound Hackett is also said to have excellent straight-line speed. However, he might lack the gear necessary to beat defenders deep, scouts say.

In four NFL seasons, he has not played a full 16-game schedule. Still, scouts see him as someone who is developing into a valuable playmaker.