The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are weighing the possibilities of trading one of their best players, linebacker Devin White, ahead of the upcoming NFL season. The team has been active in the offseason, and they have a lot of expectations on their shoulders after winning the Super Bowl not too long ago. While many fans might be shocked by their potential move, sources say that the team is trying to prepare themselves for the future.
Tampa Bay’s busy offseason
As part of their preparations for the new season, the Buccaneers have been making moves left and right. They needed to untangle a $55 million salary cap knot which resulted in releasing players such as Leonard Fournette, Donovan Smith, and Cameron Brate among others. They brought back some crucial signings, including Lavonte David and Jamel Dean, while also re-signing edge rusher Anthony Nelson.
The possibility of trading Devin White
Trade talks involving Devin White have been circulating around for some time now. CBS Sports recently reported that several teams have expressed interest in acquiring White from Tampa Bay in exchange for draft picks. The Buccaneers may use these picks to rebuild their team and avoid a potential contract situation next offseason.
White is an athletic freak who’s drawn high marks from coach Todd Bowles and is a critical piece of the Bucs defense. He was instrumental in the team’s playoff run last season and played an influential role in securing the Super Bowl MVP award. Selling him would rob the club of a defensive leader, but save them an immediate $11.7M.
However, it’s incredibly hard to see the team making up for the difference in what they’d lose if White is traded. He’s a team captain and one of Tampa Bay’s best players. Selling off one of the stars of the team goes against approaching the upcoming season with a defeatist attitude.
The Buccaneers’ seven-round team mock drafts for 2023 NFL Draft
The Buccaneers have few glaring holes in their starting lineup but could upgrade depth just about everywhere. They might want to use some of the thirdday picks to trade up in earlier rounds of this year’s NFL Draft.
General Manager Jason Licht will consolidate these picks as he doesn’t need nine of them. He has been known to make first-round moves in even-numbered years. In the upcoming draft, the Bucs could slide back a few spots if there isn’t an obvious match.
For the 2023 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ picks are as follows:
– First round, No. 19 overall: Brian Branch, S
– Second round, No. 50 overall: Cody Mauch, OT
– Third round, No. 82 overall: Zacch Pickens, DT
– Fifth round, No. 153 overall: Tank Bigsby, RB
– Fifth round, No. 175 overall: Charlie Jones, WR
– Sixth round, No. 179 overall: Jay Ward, DB
– Sixth round, No. 181 overall: Zack Kuntz, TE
– Sixth round, No. 196 overall: Sirvocea Dennis, LB
– Seventh round, No. 252 overall: Jake Haener, QB
While it remains to be seen whether or not Devin White will remain with the Buccaneers after the draft season ends and ahead of next football season’s start date regarding these mock drafts; one thing is for sure — the team is focused on building a strong foundation for the future while preserving what made them successful in the past.
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