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Buccaneers Round Table: Offensive Keep, Trade, and Release

By David Harrison

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes his way to the field with teammates 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: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes his way to the field with teammates 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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CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 11: Jameis Winston of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to pass in the first quarter of a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 11: Jameis Winston of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to pass in the first quarter of a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Philip Schwegler

Decisions. Some can be for the good and some for the bad. General Managers get paid the big Bucs, pun intended, to make the hard ones look like they’re worthwhile.

This week we’re given the old “keep one, trade one, release one” decision to make on behalf of the Buccaneers. In my opinion, the obvious choice to keep is Pro Bowl quarterback Jameis Winston.

The Buccaneers have waited too long for a Franchise Quarterback. He may not be what everyone wants him to be every game, but the organization believes in him as I do. Looking back at the year before Winston was drafted, the Bucs were the worse team in the NFL.

The Bucs sat an impressive 2-14 record and were awarded the number one overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. As we all know, Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion Quarterback Jameis Winston was drafted and brought hope back to the Bay area.

In his first two years he went 15-17. Better than 2-14 of course. Winston has all the potential in the world to become an elite passer in the game and I believe he will bring Championships to Tampa. To say the less, I keep Winston.

Now this wasn’t an easy decision to make but I had to make it. To get the most value out of a trade you need potential and a player who will make an immediate impact on the team that’s trading for him.

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Mike Evans is my trade. I know, it’s hard for me to trade away one of the top three receivers in the league, but Evans brings elite play with him wherever he goes. Now keep in mind the Buccaneers drafted a pretty darn good wideout in the 2017 Draft in Chris Godwin.

With the addition of Godwin and tight end O.J. Howard, along with playmaker tight end Cameron Brate and slot receiver Adam Humphries, the Bucs should still be in good shape to be an explosive offense.

Now Evans would come with an offer. Somewhere along the lines of a first round draft pick and another player. I’d say make a trade with the Chicago Bears. We all Know they have no hands in Chi town.

With Evans getting traded that leaves us with Doug Martin.

Martin was my obvious choice here as he’s been so inconsistent during his time in the league. With two impressive years in the league, it shouldn’t be hard for Martin to find a team.

This decision was easy to make since the Buccaneers will be getting a second first round draft pick, more than likely a high pick thanks to the Bears, in which they can draft a running back early.

There you have it, keep “The Franchise”, trade the first down machine Mike Evans, and let Doug Martin walk off into the sunset.

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