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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be looking to trade down in the 2017 NFL draft, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He reports the Bucs are talking with multiple teams about trading down to the late first round, or even out of the first round altogether.
Buccaneers are talking with at least three teams about moving back in 1st round, and maybe even out of first round altogether, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 26, 2017
That’s interesting, and would make a lot of sense. The Bucs don’t have any truly pressing needs, and have many options at number 19. They could trade back and get players they still really like, particularly if suspected top targets like Dalvin Cook and David Njoku are off the board at that point.
A trade back could allow the Bucs to gather some extra picks and get a quality starting free safety like Budda Baker, an explosive receiving tight end like Evan Engram, a cornerback like Adoree Jackson or one of several defensive linemen. Even an offensive lineman could make sense then.
Getting some extra draft picks is almost always a good idea, anyway. The Bucs haven’t had a surplus of picks in years and could always some more talented, young players. Who couldn’t?
The problem with trading back, though, is finding a trading partner who’s willing to strike a deal you like. If the Bucs want to trade back, they need to find a team that sees a player they like a lot more than the Bucs. That could happen—quarterbacks are particularly good for that—but those teams are also aware of the value of picks, and no one wants to overpay.
Regardless, we now have some more intrigue for Thursday night.