Will Bucs Explore A Trade Before The Deadline?

Asked Wednesday if this could be a possibility, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles offered an interesting outlook on the topic.

“If something comes across our table that we’re interested in and we think we could get some value, I’m sure we’ll look at it,” Bowles said after practice. Questioned further if the team is ‘actively searching,’ Bowles said that’s “probably a question for [General Manager] Jason [Licht].”

While Licht is in charge of making personnel decisions, Bowles did not decline the possibility of making moves and suggested if the right deal comes up, they would be open to it. Despite Bowles mentioning throughout this season that they are prepared to play with the guys they have, from the outside looking in, they could use reinforcements in a few different areas. Whether that is shoring up the offensive line with depth, especially at guard, wide receiver, or cornerback, there are areas they could make a splash if they lean towards the all-in approach.

One issue for the Bucs is their cap space. Currently, via Spotrac, they are sitting at only $3,594,928 in available cap space. This likely limits potential acquisitions to cheap veterans and players still on their rookie deal. Below we look at a few areas of need and some potential candidates, with 2022 player salaries in parentheses:

Offensive Line

Ravens G Ben Cleveland ($879,115)

Cardinals OL Josh Jones ($1,049,940)

Vikings OL Oli Udoh ($965,000)

Commanders Trai Turner ($1,120,000)

Breakdown: Could they make a trade with their Thursday night football opponent? The Bucs need to solidify their left guard spot, and one option could be Ben Cleveland. Drafted in 2021 in the third round, Cleveland is currently coming back from injury and the Ravens’ starter at left guard, Ben Powers, has been a solid fill-in. If they decide to move on, he’s young (24) and started four games last year. Josh Jones is another interesting option for the Bucs. He has experience at tackle and guard spots and competing against defensive lineman Logan Hall in the trenches at Houston.

Udoh has the same archetype as Jones, with tackle and guard experience with the Vikings. Although he led the league in penalties last year with 16, he only allowed one sack. He started 16 games in 2021 and could be a cheap depth option. Unlike those mentioned above three, Trai Turner is a proven veteran. A right guard by trade, the Bucs could move him to left guard in a potential trade. He’s cheap, a five-time Pro Bowler, and could provide Tom Brady with the needed protection and experience on the interior offensive line. 

Wide Receiver

Steelers WR Chase Claypool ($1,211,511)

Jets WR Denzel Mims ($1,103,973)

Broncos WR KJ Hamler ($1,258,830)

Breakdown: As stacked as the Bucs’ receiver chart is on paper, it is a unit that has had a fair share of injuries and lack of production. The Bucs could choose to stick with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Russell Gage, and Julio Jones, or they could bring in any of the listed guys above who are still on rookie deals.

Bucs fans may be sour on Claypool, who had his best game of the season against the Bucs (7-96-1), but he may be expendable with Diontae Johnson and George Pickens on the roster. For Mims and Hamler, they are former second-round picks eager for more opportunities. Mims has already requested out of New York, while Hamler has been a victim of the Broncos’ play-calling issues. Both could get a fresh start as depth options for a Bucs receiver group needing some. 

Cornerback

Lions CB Amani Oruwariye ($2,540,000)

Browns CB Greedy Williams ($1,325,728)

Seahawks CB Sidney Jones IV ($1,620,000)

Breakdown: One of my favorite fits for the Bucs at the trade deadline would be Amani Oruwariye. While he has fallen out of favor with the Lions, it was just a year ago that he was staking a claim as one of the best ballhawks in the league. In 2021, he had 6 interceptions off of the likes of Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and Kyler Murray. He stands at 6-foot-2, weighs 205 pounds, and runs a 4.4 40, having the ideal size and speed teams drool over when looking for a prototypical cornerback, especially the Bucs.