If the playoffs started today, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be on the outside looking in as the current no. 9 seed.
Fortunately, there is a lot of ball left to be played this year, and the Bucs have the luxury of being in a highly-winnable NFC South. Yes, even despite the recent rash of bad news, Tampa Bay is no where near out of it.
Injuries have become a major problem inside the Bucs building, as they have in many buildings this year. Specifically, Tampa Bay will be without two top weapons on offense for a while. Chris Godwin looks like he'll be out the rest of the season with a leg injury. Meanwhile, fellow top receiver Mike Evans is going to be out until at least the Week 11 bye with a hamstring injury.
Baker Mayfield has been one of the more exciting quarterbacks in football this year and, despite some of the poor decisions, he's had Tampa Bay humming on offense for most of this season. Now without Evans and Godwin for some time, where do the Bucs turn?
Surely, veteran Sterling Shepard, second-year pro Trey Palmer and rookie Jalen McMillan are going to be in the mix to step up in a massive way. But, the Bucs could also utilize the upcoming trade deadline to find some help. And, that's exactly what one NFL columnist believes to be true.
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NFL Media's Kevin Patra released his most recent column in regards to all things NFL trade deadline, including who he believes will be buyers and sellers, along with some potential targets available. In his "buyers" segment, fans will be happy to see the Bucs being included.
"The Bucs are 4-3 in a winnable NFC South, and their playoff window remains open, but GM Jason Licht might have to make a move to ensure it doesn't slam shut before Thanksgiving. Could Tampa get in on the Cooper Kupp sweepstakes?" Patra wrote.
Who could the Bucs realistically trade for to help Baker Mayfield?
Patra floated the idea of Cooper Kupp being an option, and although the Rams are rumored to be fielding offers for him, there's no guarantee he is dealt. The Rams, like the Bucs, are in a very tight division right now as well with the Seattle Seahawks leading it at 4-3, the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals at 3-4, and the Rams sitting with four losses as well.
What happens now that Kupp is back and healthy, and if Puka Nacua gets back and going quickly? Matthew Stafford is still under center. Kyren Williams looks fantastic. Sean McVay is a great head coach.
Now, if the Rams fall out over the next week and a half, then Kupp could certainly be moved. Would the Bucs trade a second-round pick for him, as the Rams are seeking? That's the big question.
If not Kupp, the Bucs could also go out and get Mike Williams of the New York Jets, who would give Tampa another big-bodied deep threat. Maybe, they could pry Diontae Johnson away from the division rival Carolina Panthers, since they're out of the running and he's on his last year.
There are certainly options for the Bucs, and it's looking more and more likely that they will be buyers in the coming days.