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Buccaneers Round Table: Defensive Keep, Trade, Release

By David Harrison

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers stand for the national anthem during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers stand for the national anthem during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 01: Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after a sack against the Carolina Panthers in the third quarter of the game at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Panthers 17-16. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 01: Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after a sack against the Carolina Panthers in the third quarter of the game at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Panthers 17-16. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Philip Schwegler

Honestly, looking at how this team is built around young cornerstone players, the obvious choice to keep has to be linebacker Lavonte David.

David has continually performed as one of the top tier line backers in the league over his time in the NFL. When used to his potential, David can cause havoc for opposing offenses. For example, when he’s lined up to blitz, he almost always makes a play on either the quarterback or running back looking for green grass. He’s got a knack for making splash plays when the opportunity presents itself. With the emergence of rookie sensation Kendell Beckwith, keeping David would benefit the team the most due to the fact that David would train his replacement in Beckwith.

When looking at absolute trade value and what teams are in need of I’d trade Pro Bowl Defensive Tackle Gerald McCoy. Yes, the Buccaneers would be without their most consistent and overall best defensive player, but with the young core of talent they have on defense, there’s a possibility that they could find a d tackle in the draft. With the trade I’d say Tampa would have to find a team that would give up their 1st round draft pick and maybe their best corner, we all know we need help at corner. I would absolutely hate to see McCoy go but I think the Buccaneers would benefit more from him being traded in this situation.

That leaves us with Brent Grimes. Jason Licht was a genius bringing in Grimes last season. The guy plays beyond his youth and that’s no knock on him. Let’s be honest with ourselves, Grimes isn’t going to play forever like Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, but his time at Tampa was just what the Bucs needed at the time. There’s no doubt that he’d get picked up at least for another two to three years by another team.

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