Much of the buzz lately has been around the approaching NFL trade deadline, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should most definitely be buyers.
Whether the team goes after a wide receiver to help fill the void of Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, a cornerback to bolster the pass defense or even an edge rusher remains to be seen. But, at 4-3 and with a talented roster, these Bucs must be active.
However, beyond looking at who might be available at the deadline, we must also ask ourselves which current Bucs players might the team benefit from sitting.
Looking at the sample size, thus far, there are three specific names who have been underperforming and deserve to be unseated.
Which Bucs players may need to take a back seat sooner than later?
K.J. Britt, LB
The experiment of K.J. Britt going into a full-time starter role hasn't quite panned out. The fourth-year pro is playing 78 percent of snaps but isn't helping this unit out a whole lot. Whether it is against the run or dropping into coverage, Britt has been a liability.
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Against the run, Britt has been credited with 13 stops on the year, good for 45th among qualifying linebackers per Pro Football Focus. He is missing tackles at a high rate, having missed a total of eight already this year; that's over one per game and checks in at a rate of 17 percent.
In coverage, Britt is allowing an opposing passer rating of 121.7 while also seeing 80 percent of passes completed when directed his way. He's given up a touchdown but is also allowing over 11 yards per reception in coverage, basically guaranteeing an opposing team the first down when targeted.
Justin Skule, OT
If you've noticed Baker Mayfield running a little more this season, you're not wrong. He's been under pressure consistently, and often times it's coming from the right side manned by Justin Skule. On the year, Skule is allowing a pressure every 17 drop backs, which realistically means he's going to be the reason for Mayfield's scampering around in the pocket twice per game.
While he's been fine in the run blocking department, the lack of weapons for Mayfield now, coupled with Skule's underperforming in pass protection, is not a recipe for success. Skule has allowed three sacks already in just four games played. The Bucs should turn elsewhere if a Luke Goedeke replacement is again needed.
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, EDGE
After posting a career-best 5.0 sacks last season and on only 51 percent of snaps played, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is off to a rough start this year. He is now playing upwards of 60 percent of the snaps and has totaled only 1.0 sack on the season.
He might be a big reason why the Bucs do look at adding an edge rusher before the deadline. He's simply not getting to the quarterback on a regular basis, totaling 13 pressures in seven games (good for 47th among his position).