Buccaneers Round Table: Defensive Keep, Trade, Release
Bailey Adams
I didn’t like playing this game last week. But hey, David decided to make us all play it again.
For the exact reason I used for cutting Doug Martin in last week’s round table, I’m deciding to let Brent Grimes go this week. I am absolutely a huge Grimes fan after admittedly rushing to judge him after a somewhat slow start last year. He is the only one keeping the secondary together this year. However, at 34, his age is a factor. He might have a few more good years in him, but he can’t be a long-term building piece at this point in his career. His age also keeps him from being too valuable as a trading piece.
With that decision out of the way, it’s between McCoy and David. Honestly, it comes down to the impact these two make on their respective position groups. David is a huge part of the linebacking corps, but without him, the Bucs still have two very good players in Kwon Alexander and rookie Kendell Beckwith. Without McCoy, I have zero faith in Tampa Bay’s defensive line.
The unit is already a problem as it is, but can you imagine how awful it would be without McCoy? The veteran tackle is a top-five player at his position. And while I do think No. 54 is underrated and top-five or 10 at his position too, McCoy feels more important to the Buccaneer defense. He will be 30 by the start of next season, but it still feels like he has a lot left in the tank. David obviously does too, but that makes him even more valuable in a trade.