LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Matt Kalil #75 of the USC Trojans speaks to reporters after his blocked field goal in the final seconds of the game preserved a 17-14 win over the Utah Utes at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 10, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
As the draft draws closer, the rumors heat up. The latest, through Nolan Nawrocki of Pro Football Weekly, is that the Buffalo Bills have inquired about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first-round pick. The Bills are looking for a left tackle after losing Demetress Bell to the Philadelphia Eagles this year, and Matt Kalil is the best left tackle in the draft. If he were to fall to the Bucs, which is likely if the Minnesota Vikings pass on him in favor of cornerback Morris Claiborne, the Bills could try to trade for the Buccaneers' first-round pick. And according to Nawrocki, the Buffalo Bills have offered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a second-round pick in case that happens.
If I'm the Buccaneers, I jump on the opportunity to add an early second-round pick while trading back to a spot where I'll still be able to draft a really good prospect. Safety Mark Barron, cornerback Stephon Gilmore and linebacker Luke Kuechly would all likely be available at the Buffalo Bills' first-round pick, which is tenth overall. Mark Dominik has made it clear that he wants to trade back in the first round. An earlier report suggested that the Bucs could find a trade partner in a team looking to draft DT Fletcher Cox.
Of course, the Buccaneers may prefer to draft an elite talent with the fifth overall pick. Although Nawrocki notes that the Bills would like to trade up for Kalil, he also has Trent Richardson falling to the Buccaneers - and they may not want to pass up the opportunity to draft the every-down back out of Alabama.


There are 106 Comments. Load Now.
Shortcuts to mastering the comment thread. Use wisely.
C - Next Comment
X - Mark as Read
R - Reply
Z - Mark Read & Next
Shift + C - Previous
Shift + A - Mark All Read
Comment Settings
Live comment alert: Hide it!
Comments for this post are closed.