A new wide receiver trade target has emerged right before the Bucs' eyes

At 4-4, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are by no means out of any race, whether it be the NFC South or the postseason picture. But, they are searching for some answers after a couple of straight losses.

One of the topics currently bothering fans is the idea that the team is without Mike Evans for a little while longer due to a hamstring injury, but will be without Chris Godwin for the rest of the year. It's a different offense and, although Baker Mayfield has been exciting this year, the lack of his top weapons could hurt this team down the road.

With the NFL trade deadline coming quickly and set to pass this coming Tuesday, the Bucs very well could choose to be active and pursue a replacement for Godwin. Rookie Jalen McMillan has shown some flashes, but if this team wants to get serious about making a run, then pursuing a veteran might be the way to go.

Now, as of the present time, Tampa isn't exactly looking like they'll be active before the deadline. However, anything can happen before Tuesday afternoon.

Interestingly enough, the ideal target could come from within the division. Already, the Carolina Panthers have dealt wideout Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens, and they might not be done. Although we've heard they're not going for a full-on fire sale, there are some names who could still be on the way out.

Adam Thielen would be the perfect trade deadline target for Tampa Bay

NFL insider James Palmer recently revealed that Adam Thielen is a name to watch, once again. His name was mentioned in rumors a little while back, but at 34 years old, he is definitely not guaranteed to stick in Carolina.

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"Adam Thielen's an interesting name, because that's a veteran presence in the locker room that Carolina has really loved what he's been able to do for that entire room," Palmer said.

The Panthers have been without Thielen for a handful of games due to a hamstring injury, which isn't necessarily a calming sentiment for Bucs fans who are already watching Evans try to come back from the same thing.

But, Thielen is on the tail end of this hamstring issue and could be good to go shortly.

"They have some young wide receivers that they'd really like to see grow ... you can't really throw that entire wide receiver group into a difficult spot by dealing multiple guys out of that room," Palmer went on. "That's why I think Thielen was a really hot name earlier, and I'm not sure his prospects have changed now that the Diontae Johnson trade has happened,"

Thielen still has one more year on his contract and the cap hit in 2025 would be just above $8 million. If the Bucs wanted to cut ties after this season, they'd save $3 million in doing so. But, Godwin is also set to become a free agent. So, for a team that looks to compete in the near future, Thielen might actually end up being more than just a one-year rental.