The mere fact that someone would suggest Noah Spence should be traded away from the Buccaneers is insane, but alas, someone did.
This is a joke, right? I’m still waiting for someone to pop out and say, “Ha ha! Just kidding!” Instead, I see people on Twitter talking about how anyone who would suggest the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should not only trade away defensive end Noah Spence but to do so for a fourth round pick has completely lost their mind.
They’re not entirely wrong, either.
Brad Weiss of FanSided laid out a trade every NFL team should make to improve for the present as well as the future. Unfortunately, I’m not one to read how Noah Spence is that trade and let it just pass on by without retort. In his explanation, Weiss states;
"“As they look towards next season, they should be looking to add some draft picks. The Los Angeles Rams can afford to trade a fourth-rounder, and the Buccaneers have a player that would be a nice fit for their defense. Noah Spence is a solid player for the Bucs, though they may want to part ways if they can add to their pick total in a strong 2018 NFL Draft class.”"
Um…what?
For starters, getting a fourth round pick for the player they drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft is ludicrous in its own right, but to trade away a key part of the defense when they are on the cusp of playoff contention is one of the most counter-productive moves they could make. Why not trade Jameis Winston for a pair of day two picks while they’re at it?
Spence had some serious flashes in his rookie campaign all while playing with a torn labrum in his shoulder for the majority of the season. Robert Ayers himself said Noah Spence is a double-digit sack guy – more specifically a fifteen sack guy. Under Jay Hayes, Spence can develop into one of the best pass rushers in the NFL.
But hey, let’s trade him away for a third day pick, right?
I mean, have you seen the work Spence has put in to prepare for the season? The guy is RIPPED;
And this doesn’t even take into account Weiss suggested the Bucs also trade Jacquizz Rodgers away for a backup defensive end. So, the Bucs are supposed to give away (yes, give away – that’s essentially what you’re doing when a fourth rounder is the return) an up-and-coming edge rusher and also trade away the guy who is expected to carry the load for at least the first three games of the season until Doug Martin may or may not return to the team for a backup end to replace Spence?
Good grief.
The Buccaneers are on the verge of becoming legitimate postseason contenders in the NFC and we may be seeing the beginning of a team that is always in the mix for Super Bowl contention. Trading away a key player on that defense would set them back in inexplicable ways – especially when they just drafted the guy last year.
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Sorry, Brad. I’m not buying what you’re selling. Bucs fans aren’t either. Back to the drawing board.