Why the Buccaneers should add wide receiver John Ross
By Rob Leeds
The Buccaneers have already shown this season that any depth would be a significant benefit. Tampa Bay has struggled with injuries to almost all of their rostered receivers, and each week could have a different player out.
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Tampa Bay does have more depth than most teams, but not all of the depth pieces play at the same level as Ross. Cyril Grayson has been better as a special teamer than as a receiver, and the Bucs need better from their speedy vertical options for Brady.
Ross would either come to Tampa Bay as a free agent after the Bengals cut him or through a trade for pennies on the dollar. The Bengals have almost no leverage in this scenario, and they won’t be able to ask for much at all.
The Buccaneers know how vital consistent depth is, and they could be convinced to make a play with little on the line. Even if Ross was the sixth option on the roster, he would still get more touches than he is now, and Tampa Bay could get more out of him than the average fifth or seventh-round pick.
The best-case scenario is that Ross joins the Bucs as a free agent, but numerous other teams in the league could give the young receiver more money and more touches, which may take Tampa Bay out of the running.