TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Shaquil Barrett has been much more than a nice fit in Tampa Bay's new defensive scheme, emerging as a dominant pass rusher and one of the best bargains in free agency this year.

The unheralded outside linebacker who signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Buccaneers after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Denver Broncos is tied for the NFL lead with nine sacks through six games with Cleveland's Myles Garrett and concedes he's just as surprised as anyone by the level of his success in his first season as a full-time starter.

"It is blowing my mind as well," Barrett said after being named NFC defensive player of the month for September. "I always knew I could play in the league and could produce, but at the rate it is going right now ... it is just working out perfectly for everybody - for the team, for me. It's like a match made in heaven."