The Pewter Plank
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3 trade deadline deals Tampa Bay Buccaneers should consider

By Cory Kinnan

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 30: Halapoulivaati Vaitai #72 of the Philadelphia Eagles blocks Neville Hewitt #46 of the New York Jets in the first quarter during the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 30, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 30: Halapoulivaati Vaitai #72 of the Philadelphia Eagles blocks Neville Hewitt #46 of the New York Jets in the first quarter during the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 30, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 10: Offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai #72 of the Philadelphia Eagles drops back to pass block on outside linebacker Preston Smith #94 of the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 10, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 10: Offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai #72 of the Philadelphia Eagles drops back to pass block on outside linebacker Preston Smith #94 of the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 10, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

OL Halapoulivaati Vaitai

One player currently underutilized in Philadelphia with the Eagles, and has starting experience at both tackle and guard in his four year career is offensive lineman Halapoulivaati Vaitai. A Former fifth round pick of the Eagles back in 2016, Vaitai is in the last year of his deal and is currently used as the third “swing” tackle in Philadelphia.

Unfortunately tackles are being held for a king’s ransom at the deadline, so the Bucs may have to give up a third rounder pluck Vaitai away from the Eagles. While he has been replaceable in Philadelphia, he would be an upgrade from Donovan Smith, Demar Dotson, or Alex Cappa (currently injured) for the pewter and red.

At just 26 years old, the Bucs would more than likely be able to re-sign Vaitai for relatively cheap and keep him around as they look for a more foundational upgrade at the tackle position. With Dotson at the end of his career and on his last year in Tampa as his contract is set to expire, the Bucs need a plan at the right tackle position that does not include Josh Wells or a rookie starting right away.

Vaitai would be a solid bridge until a rookie is ready to take over for the future, and could contribute in an average manner for the Bucs in the meantime; this is still an upgrade to what is currently being put onto the field.

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