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Buccaneers Round Table: 2017 mock general manager for a day

By David Harrison

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 1: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers make their way out of the tunnel to take to the field before the start of an NFL football game against the New York Giants on October 1, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 1: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers make their way out of the tunnel to take to the field before the start of an NFL football game against the New York Giants on October 1, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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David Harrison

Four games in, and honestly, I can say I’m pretty happy with where the Buccaneers are.

So, in my one day as the general manager of my favorite team, I’m making one move. Trade for Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller.

Of course, this isn’t a break the bank scenario, and the highest I give in return is a fourth-round pick. We’re trading for potential here.

The reasoning is this. When Brent Grimes missed the game in Minnesota to a shoulder injury, it was plain to see Vernon Hargreaves is not a number one corner, and Ryan Smith is not a number two. Bottom line, Smith might not be an NFL defender at all. Right now he’s still a potential guy, who hasn’t shown much substance outside of the punt coverage squad.

In comes Fuller. Sure, he’s not the first-round talent a lot of us thought he was. He’s got four seasons under his belt counting 2016 which he missed all of. So, three years’ experience.

The Bears have already declined his fifth-year option, all but setting the table for Fuller to leave in 2018. If I’m the Bucs, why not get him now for a try-out while securing the back-end of my secondary depth in case one of my main guys goes out again.

Next: Buccaneers Podcast: Week 5

Heck, if Chicago is interested, maybe I send Smith and a fifth-rounder for Fuller. Even better. Don’t take this as an indictment of Smith either.

He’s one year removed from being a late round draft pick who was used as a safety his entire rookie year. After realizing this wasn’t working the Buccaneers moved him back to cornerback where he’s now trying to learn his position in one of the hardest defensive schemes to learn in – at the hardest position to transition into the NFL at.

If Fuller can stay healthy, he’s an immediate upgrade on the depth for the Bucs’ secondary group. If he stays healthy and plays well, then the team gets first crack at bringing him back to eventually become Grimes’ replacement, or at least help soften the blow.

As much as fans hate it, if Grimes hangs them up this year, then the team will be in the market for an early round cornerback.

Brining in Fuller allows the team to move into a younger base for their nickel and dime packages in 2018 while potentially finding a full-time guy right out of Chicago.

Wouldn’t it be nice to see a former first-round guy come to Tampa and turn his career around for a change?

This wraps up The Pewter Plank staff thoughts on what they would do if they walked in Jason Licht’s shoes for one day.

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