Buccaneers 2017 NFL Draft: Trade Back Partners and Scenarios
Carolina Selects: DE Derek Barnett, Tennessee
So, trading draft picks with divisional rivals rarely – if ever – happens, especially at the top of the draft.
Carolina is the only team which could provide the Bucs with two second-round picks in return and have it work mathematically though, so let’s chase this down and see how it looks on paper.
Assuming the Panthers select Leonard Fournette with the 8th overall selection previous to this, then they should go defense with this move.
Derek Barnett is likely to be the best defensive talent remaining at this point which also fills a need for the Panthers.
Resurrecting their defense is going to be crucial to their future as the offense in Charlotte simply isn’t equipped to carry the team by themselves.
Buccaneers Select: CB Sidney Jones, Washington / RB-WR Curtis Samuel, Ohio State / S Marcus Maye, Florida
This group is all about the future, as would any move where the Buccaneers trade out of the first-round and stockpile three day two selections.
A trade like this is about as guaranteed not to happen as you can get, but man would it be fun to see.
Sidney Jones is an elite talent, we’re all aware of this, but the injury he suffered at his pro day will set him back and keep him off the field for most of his rookie year if not all of it.
Given the fact the Bucs have two more second-rounders to find immediate impact players, they can afford to stash Jones for a year.
RB/WR Curtis Samuel is the draft’s version of a player being classified as an athlete. Much like Braxton Miller, this Buckeye isn’t easily pigeon-holed into one position.
What he brings is athleticism, speed and real playmaking ability to the offense. Adding Samuel should lead to some fun splash plays and could really vary the offense Jameis Winston is asked to run.
I said earlier Marcus Maye was my preference as a mid-round safety. Here, the Buccaneers are able to grab him and add him to their stable of safeties.
Eventually Maye will be a solid starting safety in the NFL with real pro bowl potential. Hopefully, it’ll be the Bucs who get to benefit from it.
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Five potential scenarios, even if one is a bit out there. Besides the obvious, the trade with the Panthers would leave them without a pick between the first and fourth rounds.
I had fun looking into it though, and hopefully you had fun reading about it. This time of year is all about fun and speculation. Even though some of the speculation is a tad overblown, it’s still fun to look at what could be.
Who are your favorite potential trade partners, and which prospects would you like to see the Buccaneers snag in a trade scenario next week?
NFL Draft time is almost here, let me know your thoughts on social media or in the comments below!