3 potential trade targets for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Running back Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs the ball by defensive end Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Running back Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs the ball by defensive end Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Melvin Gordon is all of the talk right now, but if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to trade for a big named player, there are better options.

There has been a lot of talk on social media from fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers about the potential to trade for Los Angeles Chargers’ running back Melvin Gordon. The 26-year-old running back officially told the Chargers that he will not report for camp and will request a trade if he is not given a new deal; given the Buccaneers’ deficiencies at the running back position and 2020 cap space, they are an obvious fit.

However, if the Buccaneers are poised to make a splash and trade for a superstar in need of a new deal or unhappy in their current environment, there are better options to spend assets on than Gordon, who has three documented knee injuries and plays a position with the shortest shelf life. There is no doubt that Gordon is a talented player, but just how long would the Buccaneers be using his services?

It would be a risk to shovel out long term and big time money to Gordon at this point in his career, but the Buccaneers have not been shy about giving bags of dollar bills to high profile players. To spend the money on Gordon, though, would be among their riskiest investments yet.

Instead, here are three players the Buccaneers could look to use assets to acquire instead of Gordon as they prepare for the 2019 season. Yes, we are well aware that the Buccaneers are strapped for cash right now and would need to make an additional cut.