The Tampa Bay Buccaneers seem unlikely to move up with needs at multiple positions.
Gettleman and Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht already made a significant trade this offseason centered around Jason Pierre-Paul. It’s not impossible to think the two sides could work out another deal on draft day.
The major difference between the Buccaneers and other teams on this list is Tampa Bay is not in need of a franchise quarterback. They already have Jameis Winston. But what they are in desperate need of is a running back. After moving on from Doug Martin this offseason, the Bucs are left with just three running backs on their current roster.
Licht may wait till the mid-rounds to select a running back. But if Tampa Bay is in “love” with Barkley, what’s to stop Licht from picking up the phone.
Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter could surely utilize Barkley alongside Mike Evans, O.J. Howard, DeSean Jackson and Cameron Brate. The Giants would also stay inside the top 10 by trading with Tampa Bay, allowing them an opportunity to select Quenton Nelson.
The Buccaneers may also plan to stay at No. 7 overall with the hope of landing Notre Dame’s star offensive lineman.
But if the Buccaneers wanted to surpass the Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, and Cleveland Browns at No. 4, the Giants provide that opportunity. A potential trade could involve New York’s No. 2 overall pick for Tampa Bay’s first- and fourth-round picks this year and their first- and third-round picks in 2019.
That’s likely too steep a price for a running back, even one of Barkley’s caliber. However, if the trade was for a quarterback, many would think the Buccaneers would be getting the better end of the deal.
According to Walter Football’s Draft Value Chart, the team that would be getting the better end of the trade would be determined by the outcome of Tampa Bay’s record in 2018.
When the Eagles traded up for Carson Wentz in 2016, they sent their first-, third-, and fourth-round picks to Cleveland along with a first-round pick in 2017 and a second-round pick in 2018. The Browns also gave up a fourth-round pick in 2017.
The Buccaneers are surely an intriguing draft trade partner, but the chances of a trade happening between these two franchises seems slim at best. Teams don’t tend to give up a stockpile of draft picks for a running back.
But they will pay a hefty price for a future franchise quarterback.