The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could use another WR to fill the hole left by Mike Evans' departure. The Miami Dolphins were quietly shopping their top receiver, and on Tuesday, they traded Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos.
The trade doesn't directly affect the Buccaneers, but it could have a significant impact on their draft plans, especially in round one. The Dolphins are now likely to look much harder at the position with their 11th overall pick.
Miami's biggest needs have been cornerback and an edge-rusher, but now WR climbs to the top of their list, and that could spell trouble for WR-needy teams.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers can only watch as another NFL team enters the WR arena
Carnell Tate is expected to go off the board at the top of next month's draft. That will leave Makai Lemon of USC as the next best target. Miami will be the hot landing spot now, but the Buccaneers' bigger competition sits directly in front of them.
The Ravens hold the 14th overall pick, and WR is the consensus choice for them at 14. If the Dolphins are now looking WR, the Ravens may be inclined to move ahead of them to get Lemon. The Dolphins would then drop to 14 and could take Omar Cooper, Jr. of Penn State. Another viable option for Tampa Bay.
The Bucs don't need to draft a WR early, and this could work out well for them in another way. If the Ravens move ahead of Miami or trade with Miami, it will be for Lemon. The Dolphins could move that pick once again or take a cornerback, another big need for their roster. That could potentially drop a top-10 prospect right into their laps.
Jason Licht has to keep a close eye on how this progresses on draft night. Any team that jumps ahead of Miami will take a WR now, and if the Dolphins are left without their top option, they may be open to making a trade that would allow Licht to move up to 11, say, if, for some reason, David Bailey were to fall.
If the Bucs want a WR, they will have options, but teams behind them wanting to address the position early could also look to make a move up in the draft leaving the Bucs holding an empty bag, if they are looking at WR. After drafting Emeka Egbuka in the first round last year, it might be wise to turn their attention elsewhere, however.