How can Tampa use the trade market to improve their roster for 2019?
It’s been a long run of misery for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs have not been to the postseason since 2007 and during their 11-year playoff drought, they have only finished above the .500 mark three times (2008, 2010 & 2016).
With Bruce Arians now at the helm, there is newfound optimism heading into 2019 that the Bucs playoff drought will finally come to an end.
In order to make it back to the postseason, GM Jason Licht will have to do some roster shuffling. It wouldn’t come as a surprise to see Licht and his staff utilize the trade market to add proven talent and trade away some bad contracts for draft picks.
Here are three trades that would make sense for the Bucs to make this offseason.
Trade One:
Bucs Get: 4th round draft pick (121st overall)
Eagles Get: WR DeSean Jackson
DeSean Jackson wants out of Tampa. The wide receiver requested a trade back in October and has stayed on record that he has wanted out ever since.
Many have speculated that a reunion with the Eagles would make sense.
Philadelphia will likely lose Golden Tate, which would have them looking for a third receiver to pair with Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor.
Jackson would fit the bill as he has proven himself reliable in the slot, which is where he’d likely be slotted in with the Eagles. At age 32, Jackson’s production has gone down.
Thus going somewhere that already has a few weapons in place and where he’s already familiar with makes sense.
For Tampa Bay, they would save cap space by trading Jackson and obtain a fourth rounder. The Bucs only have six draft picks in their arsenal for 2019. Thus, picking up an additional mid-round selection would be helpful as they continue to rebuild their roster.
Trade Two:
Bucs Get: RB LaMar Miller
Texans Get: 3rd round draft pick (70th overall) & RB Ronald Jones
In order to take some pressure of off Jameis Winston in 2019, the Bucs are likely going to add another running back. Peyton Barber has struggled to find consistency as a starter, and any rusher the Bucs would take in the upcoming draft would take time to develop.
Thus rather than spending big on a Le’Veon Bell in free agency the Bucs should look for an established back on the trade market. Lamar Miller of the Texans would be a great fit for the Bucs.
Miller has had his share of injuries but when healthy has the potential to be a top ten running back in the NFL.
In 2018 Miller was named to his first pro bowl after rushing for 973 yards and five touchdowns. Despite this, there are some who believe the Texans should look to trade Miller.
The Bucs should offer up their third-rounder and running back Ronald Jones, who the Bucs selected in the second round of the 2018 draft. This proposal would show that the Bucs are serious about contending now, as they chose to let go of a running back still developing to acquire one who’s proven and ready to help the team win now.
Trade Three:
Bucs Get: CB Patrick Peterson & 5th round draft pick (129th overall)
Cardinals Get 1st round draft pick (5th overall) & WR DeSean Jackson
Now, this would be a blockbuster. However, it makes a lot of sense for both sides.
The Cardinals are coming off a 3-13 season and will have a new head coach thus; they’re heading for a complete rebuild. The Bucs, on the other hand, feel they are a few defensive pieces away from being a playoff contender in 2019.
Patrick Peterson claims he wants to stay in Arizona, but their front office may have other plans if the Bucs send them a worthy offer.
The Bucs should be able to obtain Peterson by offering up their first round draft pick which is the 5th overall pick of the draft. In addition, they could let the Cardinals take DeSean Jackson. This way Tampa gets some cap release and the Cardinals get young quarterback Josh Rosen an experienced weapon.
As for the Bucs, they’d get one of the games top corners in Peterson who would make an immediate impact on the Bucs defense.
Peterson also already has established relationships with much of the Bucs coaching staff as Bruce Arians and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles both coached Peterson in Arizona.
If Peterson, where to get moved Tampa, seems like the perfect fit.
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