NFL Draft Rumors: “50-50 chance” Buccaneers trade down

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are reportedly calling teams to arrange a possible trade down from their nineteenth overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft. That’s not out of the ordinary, as teams often set up potential trades in advance to not be caught out while on the clock, but according to Rick Stroud the Bucs are as likely to trade down as not.

In an article for the Tampa Bay Times, Stroud suggests that their odds of trading down are tied to the quarterback market. Teams looking for a passer at the end of the first round, like the Houston Texans, may want to trade up to get the guy they want, while the Bucs can trade down into the mid-teens for at least another third-round pick.

Another option: the Bucs could trade down into the second round with the Cleveland Browns, who always need a quarterback, and potentially get both of their second-round picks.

Of course, these trades are contingent on many things. For one, the players the Bucs love likely have to be gone, and the players potential trade partners crave have to be available when the Bucs are on the clock. Plus, the Bucs have to feel they’re getting sufficient compensation, and that they can grab a number of players they’d like at whatever position they’re trading down to.

We’ll see tomorrow night whether they can put all of those pieces together.