Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3 trade targets after opening week of free agency

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 17: Artie Burns #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers sits on the bench in the final moments of the New England Patriots 27-24 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 17: Artie Burns #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers sits on the bench in the final moments of the New England Patriots 27-24 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

Artie Burns

Artie Burns has been a colossal bust for the Pittsburgh Steelers since being selected 25th overall in the 2016 draft. To make matters worse, the Steelers signed former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Steve Nelson to a three-year deal, meaning that Burns’ time in the Steel City may be coming to a close.

Coming out of the University of Miami, Burns clearly has talent that made him a first round selection, but he has been unable to put it together in a struggling Pittsburgh secondary. Maybe, just maybe, a change of scenery would give Burns the second chance that he needs. What better of a situation to send him to than to bring him back to the state of Florida where he played his college ball?

To this point in his three-year career, Burns has managed to put together a stat sheet of four interceptions, 27 passes defended, a forced fumble, and 140 tackles. He has started 31 career games, but just six in 2018, losing favor with the Steelers.

Acquiring Burns from Pittsburgh would not require much more than a 2020 late round pick as the Steelers would probably welcome any sort of compensation in return. In a struggling secondary in Tampa Bay, Jason Licht should look to give Burns a second chance back in Florida. Besides, that secondary cannot get much worse.

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