CB Patrick Peterson
It seems like every other month a trade rumor regarding All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson resurface, then disappear. Where there is smoke there is usually fire; with the Arizona Cardinals in the heart of a rebuild with a new head coach and a new quarterback, Peterson may want to play somewhere where he can win more immediately.
Peterson has thrived under Bruce Arians and Todd Bowles in the past, and there is no reason to think their familiarity with one another would not lead to continued success if he were to make his way to Tampa Bay. Peterson was named an All-Pro twice and made the Pro Bowl every year that he played under Bowles and Arians in Arizona.
Adding Peterson to the roster in Tampa Bay would allow the Buccaneers to ease in their young defensive back drafted this year into the action rather than throw them into the fire. It would also give their young core a great veteran presence to look up to as they adjust to life in the NFL.
At just 29 year old today, Peterson has at least another contract worth of production in him. In eight seasons in the league, Peterson has tallied an amazing 23 interceptions and 76 passes defended. After the suspension to cornerback Ryan Smith announced yesterday, could the Buccaneers pursue a trade for a guy who knows Bowles’ system in and out?