Buccaneers should consider trading up in first round of NFL Draft

With the mayhem that ensues during the first month of NFL free agency now on the backburner (we can assume), the NFL Draft is now right around the corner, and all focus will shift that way. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers should absolutely consider trading up in the first round, as it’s a perfect way for the Buccaneers’ to capitalize on their “win-now” approach.

Despite the whirlwind of the NFL offseason, the Bucs suddenly find themselves without any real pressing needs on the roster for the second straight year. Sure, they have a few holes to fill here and there, particularly in the trenches, although not to the extent that it will cripple them. Basically, we can chalk it up to the Tom Brady effect thanks to his return and the roster moves that followed.

With this being the case, Jason Licht and company have some wiggle room as it pertains to the upcoming draft. The quarterbacks will always get the spotlight when it comes to draft time. The class this year isn’t perceived as the strongest, so much of the attention is on that. However, what’s getting a little lost in the shuffle is how loaded the class appears to be everywhere else, particularly in the trenches, where the Buccaneers’ biggest needs lie.

The thing is, the Bucs won’t be picking until the 27th pick in the first round, so there’s an excellent chance the more perceived “top-tier” prospects that Licht, Bruce Arians, and the rest of the crew have their eyes on may already be gone. Since the roster is so solid, and with Brady being the quarterback, they can afford to throw some picks another team’s way in an effort to move up and grab their guy.

Imagine if somehow this team was able to maneuver their way into landing a Tyler Linderbaum or Jordan Davis for example? Their lines would be both an irresistible force on defense and/or an immovable object on offense.

That possibility would be WELL worth the price, especially if the Buccaneers are trying to capitalize on Brady being in Tampa Bay, for however much longer that is because things seem to change every day, while the Super Bowl window remains open.

Teams are going more and more “all in” to capitalize on that window with each passing day, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should be no different. Trading up in the draft is a juicy route that they should look into steering the ship into the waters of 2022.