The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the 2025 NFL Draft with a handful of needs that they had to address if they wanted to make another leap in the NFC after a disappointing first-round exit in the playoffs.
While they addressed several of these in later rounds, they surprised many with the selection of Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka in the first round. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin still on the roster, as well as an emerging Jalen McMillan, Egbuka was more of a luxury pick than a necessity.
Tampa Bay also drafted Oregon wideout Tez Johnson in the seventh round, which makes end-of-roster players like Trey Palmer and Sterling Shepard more expendable. Fortunately, a fellow NFC team may be in need of a wide receiver, and the Buccaneers have just the player.
Bucs could solve 49ers wide receiver issue with Trey Palmer trade
According to various reports, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings just re-injured the same calf that gave him issues throughout the team's offseason program. Head coach Kyle Shanahan noted that there is no timeline for his return.
Given that star wideout Brandon Aiyuk still has a ways to go in his recovery process, and the 49ers lost Deebo Samuel this offseason, San Francisco could be in the market for a wideout. Trey Palmer makes sense as a potential trade candidate given his youth and durability.
Palmer would not necessarily garner a huge package of picks in a trade. But if the former sixth-round draft selection can net a Day 3 pick for his talents, perhaps that would be the best move for the franchise and Palmer's career.
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As it stands now, Palmer's prospects of playing a significant role in the Buccaneers' offense are very slim. His offensive snap count already got cut in half between his first and second seasons, and with a prized rookie like Egbuka in the picture, there is no reason to think that Palmer will see the field more in 2025.
While fans would rather get rid of a player like Shepard, who is a bit older, there is almost no chance that the 49ers would trade for him. Palmer is still on his rookie contract and has shown enough through 32 NFL games for a desperate team like San Francisco to take a flyer on him.
Tampa Bay has prided itself on being one of the most homegrown teams in the NFL, so it would feel frustrating to give up on a draft pick from 2023 after two seasons. However, the team has drafted three wideouts since selecting Palmer, and a pick in return could mean another chance at finding a gem for general manager Jason Licht.