Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Full disclosure: This brilliant idea, something we have all kicked around in our heads, was borrowed from a fanpost over at BucsNation. You can join in the discussion there, and give your take in the comments there, by clicking here and giving it a look.
With that out of the way, let’s get down to business.
Imagine a fantasy world where you can literally add any one player to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Compensation and money are not objects, you can add anyone and it would not change the current roster or payroll in any way. The fanposter also stipulates that quarterbacks cannot be chosen, because that makes it too easy. I agree, because Aaron Rodgers or Andrew Luck would be fairly obvious choices.
So who do you add to the Buccaneers, if you had the first pick in a league-wide expansion draft?
For me, the answer isn’t so cut and dry. J.J. Watt may be my favorite non-Buccaneer, but I am not sure adding him is going to work out, as he’s not the perfect fit for what the Buccaneers currently have going on. He’d be fantastic, don’t get me wrong. But I am not sure he’s a perfect fit, so we’ll leave him in Texas.
Cameron Wake would plug right in at defensive end and give the Bucs a big upgrade there, but I am not sure he’s worth this once in a lifetime opportunity. Likewise, Calvin Johnson would be a massive player on offense for the Bucs, but with Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams already in the fold, I am not sure he’s totally worth this opportunity, either. Jimmy Graham would be a nice addition but tight end isn’t that valuable with a less-than-elite QB.
So that’s why Von Miller is the best option, especially because he fills such a need on the Buccaneers’ defense. He gets after the passer like no one else, and would replace Quincy Black and improve upon Qunicy’s performance 100 fold. He rushed the passer over 400 times in 2013, and had 86 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. That’s almost double the rate of pressure that Lavonte David produced as a pass rusher from the linebacker position. As well, Miller turns his pressures into sacks, as he was the only 4-3 outside linebacker with more than 7 sacks last season. He had 19.
He also had 52 hurries, which is more than the next four 4-3 outside linebackers had combined in fewer snaps rushing the passer. In other words, Von Miller gets after the quarterback like no other linebacker, and really like no other player.
Adding him to the Buccaneers, with their already upgraded secondary, creates a mix of front-seven pressure and playmaking defensive backs that would be the nightmare of every single NFL offense. Hold onto the football too long, and your quarterback is on the ground hoping he holds onto the football. Let go of the pass too soon, and your QB is firing the ball at Darrelle Revis, Eric Wright, Mark Barron, or Dashon Goldson.
In fact, I would be willing to trade anyone on the roster besides Darrelle Revis, Doug Martin, or Lavonte David in order to acquire Von Miller. I believe he would be an amazing fit for the Buccaneers, and in this fantasy world, I choose to add him to the team.
So who do you pick? Let us know in the comments below, and if we get enough good responses, we may do an article featuring your best ideas. So tweet, comment, or yell really loud and let us know what you think!