Tampa Bay Buccaneers heavily involved in realistic trade possibilities

With training camp is right around the corner, trades are beginning to happen across the league; could the Tampa Bay Buccaneers join the fun?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the offseason with a number of signings made including Shaquil Barrett, Deone Bucannon, and Ndamukong Suh. In one article published by Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report, the Buccaneers are listed in multiple realistic trade possibilities that could take place this offseason.

Duke Johnson, running back for the Cleveland Browns has been disgruntled, starting with his decrease of touches last season and continuing with the team’s signing of Kareem Hunt. Gagnon seems to believe the Buccaneers would be a good and possible landing spot for Johnson should his wishes be granted.

"“It’d make a lot of sense if [it were] the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who ranked in the bottom five in terms of rushing yards per game and yards per carry last year and have yet to make notable changes to the offensive backfield” (Gagnon via Bleacher Report)."

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Johnson would make sense for the Buccaneers, not necessarily for the points raised as the new coaching staff has instilled confidence in both Ronald Jones and Peyton Barber, but because both of these backs lack an ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. This is certainly a role where Johnson thrives as he has caught passes out of the backfield and lined up in the slot in Cleveland.

This was not the only realistic possibility listed by Gagnon as a potential deal with the New England Patriots was mentioned as well. Rob Gronkowski, after two years of waffling, finally decided to hang up his cleats after a successful, but injury filled career at tight end in New England; Gagnon seems to think Cameron Brate could be a target for the Patriots as Gronk’s replacement.

"“The Bucs already have a dude named O.J. Howard on their roster, and Howard should be primed for a breakout third season… And Brate shouldn’t rot away behind Howard. The guy has scored 20 touchdowns the last three seasons, and he put up borderline star numbers in 2016…” (Gagnon via Bleacher Report)."

Gagnon seems to suggest a mid-round pick would be all that it took to acquire Brate. Given that Brate is owed $7 million by a team with minimal cap space, a deal for Brate, especially if they can squeeze a fourth round pick from New England would make a world of sense.

While this article present hypothetical trade ideas, the pieces and context in place at One Buc could lead to at least one of these deals coming into fruition. The Buccaneers did clear over $3 million in cap space yesterday, so personnel movement is something to keep an eye on.