The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have overhauled their roster this offseason, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Between free agency and the NFL Draft, the front office was able to upgrade the team’s biggest weaknesses and set the team up for a successful 2026 season.
But you can never be too comfortable with your roster in the NFL, as each team is always looking for ways to get better. Complacency is the best way to fall behind, and there are several players that could be on the trade block that would fit with the Buccaneers and make the roster even stronger.
4 trade targets for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baltimore Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey
The biggest question mark remaining for Tampa Bay is the cornerback position.
They have a promising young group in Zyon McCollum, Benjamin Morrison, and Jacob Parrish. But McCollum is coming off a down year, Morrison missed seven games due to injury as a rookie and struggled in the games he did play, and Parrish was primarily the team’s nickel corner with limited reps on the outside.
This group has upside, but it’s still largely unproven and could use a veteran presence.
Humphrey is entering a contract year in Baltimore and carries a $15.25 million base salary for the coming season. He’s coming off the worst season of his career in 2025, which could make it the perfect time for the Bucs to strike.
Back in 2024, he ranked as PFF’s No. 6 cornerback and finished top three in coverage. Even during his struggles in 2025, he still managed four interceptions.
The three-time Pro Bowler could likely be acquired for a reasonable price as a one-year rental coming off a down year entering his age-30 season.
This could be the perfect gamble for Jason Licht to add a much-needed veteran presence to the cornerback room and put the finishing touches on the defensive overhaul.
Miami Dolphins LB Jordyn Brooks
The Bucs may already be finished upgrading the linebacker position. They signed veteran Alex Anzalone and drafted Josiah Trotter in the second round, and both are expected to be starters.
They also signed Christian Rozeboom and have SirVocea Dennis rounding out the depth chart.
But Jordyn Brooks could be an upgrade over anything they currently have in-house and would lessen the pressure on rookie Josiah Trotter to contribute immediately.
He graded as PFF’s No. 10 linebacker last season, including No. 3 against the run, and finished second in the NFL in tackles.
“Brooks is currently mired in a contract dispute with the Dolphins, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see that end in him being traded,” wrote PFF’s Bradley Locker.
With the Dolphins widely expected to be one of the league’s worst teams and in the mix for a top draft pick, it doesn’t make much sense to pay top dollar for a linebacker during a rebuild. The Bucs could reap the benefits and complete one of the NFL’s most dramatic linebacker-room turnarounds, taking the position group from zero to hero.
Washington Commanders DL Jer’Zhan Newton
The Bucs were absolutely in love with Johnny Newton during the 2024 NFL Draft process. So much so that if Graham Barton had been off the board, Newton was going to be the pick, according to Pewter Report's Scott Reynolds.
He hasn’t quite panned out in Washington, and PFF recently named him a top trade candidate after he's been buried on the depth chart.
The defensive line isn’t a glaring need right now. The Bucs have Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, A’Shawn Robinson, and Elijah Roberts penciled in on the interior.
Still, Vea is entering a contract year at age 31, Kancey has yet to stay healthy for a full season, and Robinson signed only a one-year deal.
Beyond 2026, the cupboards are empty on the defensive line. Newton will be just 24 when the season begins and remains on a rookie contract. He could be the perfect low-risk, high-reward addition to help secure the future of the position.
Chicago Bears TE Cole Kmet
The Bucs appear very high on sixth-round pick Bauer Sharp, but I’m far from convinced by the current tight end room.
Behind Cade Otton, the Bucs have plenty of questions. Payne Durham and Devin Culp combined for two catches last season, Ko Kieft is returning from a major injury, and Sharp remains a developmental prospect.
Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson utilized 12 personnel at the second-highest rate in the NFL last season, but it could be difficult to maintain that approach with such little proven depth behind Otton.
The Bears are all-in on Colston Loveland, whom they drafted in the first round last year. That has made Kmet somewhat of an afterthought, but he could be the final piece of an already strong Bucs offense.
He’s caught 21 career touchdowns and can be a valuable security blanket and red-zone target when utilized properly. He’s also an effective blocker, which the Bucs highly value.
Kmet has been at the center of trade rumors for a while now, and if he’s available at a reasonable price, Tampa Bay should strongly consider adding him as the perfect complement to Otton.
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