Trading Up Isn’t Costly
April 21st, 2021
“You like that Glazer? You better like that.”
Many Bucs fans are focused on adding depth in the draft and trading down to accumulate 2022 draft picks.
But what about a different approach?
Of course, the Bucs own the final pick of Round 1 — in eight short days — by virtue of winning the Super Bowl. And nothing says they can’t trade up from No. 32 overall. That certainly is a win-now move if you’re targeting a guy who can help.
In the 2019 draft, Green Bay jumped from No. 30 to No. 21 overall, swapping first-round picks and giving Seattle two fourth-round picks in exchange. In Joe’s mind, that’s not very expensive if you’re targeting a player you feel is a home run.
Last year, the Packers ultimately coughed up just one fourth-rounder to move up four spots from No. 30 to No. 26, so they could draft QB Jordan Love.
The point here is that there’s a great chance the Bucs could jump from No. 32 to No. 26 by coughing up a fourth-rounder this year and fifth-rounder in 2022.
Would it be worth it? Well, say edge rusher/OLB Azeez Ojulari from Georgia is somehow sitting there at No. 26 and the Browns want to deal, then what’s the harm?
If the Bucs’ brass thinks the 20-year-old can bring his 9 1/2 sacks in 10 games last year to the NFL, then Joe’s not going to cry about losing a late pick or two.
Joe hopes general manager Jason Licht keeps his foot on the gas.
April 21st, 2021 at 11:01 am
I like Olujari. He produces.
April 21st, 2021 at 11:06 am
I’m with you Joe. If you’re building a team trading back for more picks makes sense, but not when you’re going for a second ring. I don’t get the trade back crowd. I’d rather have a 1st round stud, than 3rd, and 4th round garbage that will have a hard time making this loaded team.
April 21st, 2021 at 11:10 am
I don’t see a need to move up in the draft as we have no major holes with our starters. Makes more sense adding depth.
April 21st, 2021 at 11:14 am
I also don’t see the need to move up. But, after last year’s draft, I fully trust Licht to make the right moves and choices.
April 21st, 2021 at 11:14 am
Lol. Don’t count on it Joe. Doesn’t sound very Jason “build through the draft” Licht to trade up when we literally have no need for crucial starters at the moment. They have some of the best scouts in the league and Brady obviously Brady is Licht’s right hand man in the FO. Licht’s got game making deals and getting guys from first round to UDFA. Wouldn’t mind a trade down at all.
April 21st, 2021 at 11:16 am
I say stay put and let the draft come to us. Why blow our wad on a hit or miss? We all know just because you grab a player in the 1st round he may never live up to his billing. Just stay put. A lot of quality kids will be available at 32.
April 21st, 2021 at 11:21 am
Another possibility I’ve been suggesting is to trade down and then use the pick(s) to trade up in the second round…….so picking like #38 & 43…for example.
April 21st, 2021 at 11:21 am
Remember, that same guy you refer to in last year’s draft was calling multiple teams to trade up to get Tristan Wirfs. He finally found a buyer (John Lynch).
If this really is an all-or-nothing season (it is), and there is a guy who you really, really like a few spots ahead of you, coughing up a couple of fourth-round draft picks is nothing.
Those fourth-round picks likely are not going to do Bruce Arians any good when he’s downing Johnny Walker Blue on the rocks on Sunday afternoons in Georgia after a smooth round of 18.
April 21st, 2021 at 11:27 am
Joe says,
If this really is a all-or-nothing season (it is), and there is a guy who you really, really like a few spots ahead of you, coughing up a couple of fourth-round draft picks is nothing.
You know you say this but when a GM takes a risk on a player and spends draft capital on him to get him and it doesn’t work out, guys like you punish the GM for his decision. It’s so easy to say trade up or trade back until your petunia on the line.
April 21st, 2021 at 11:33 am
Trading yo this year makes a LOT of sense. Those 4-7th rounders are gonna have to have a miracle to make the roster anyway.
April 21st, 2021 at 11:33 am
Yeah I don’t think it’s likely without any glaring needs azeez would be nice at 32 I dunno if you trade up for him though just to be rotation guy you can probably get ossai or turner in the second to develop and work into the rotation behind barrett and jpp
April 21st, 2021 at 11:39 am
I could see the Bucs doing this. Also, in the 2nd Round, Seattle picks 56th and only has 3 picks in the entire draft. The LA Rams, their division rivals, pick 57th and are said to be looking at Centers (maybe Landon Dickerson or Quinn Meinerz will be available at this point in the draft). I could see Seattle trading back with the Bucs at 64, to get another pick and put the screws to the Rams. The Bucs get Jensen’s backup and eventual replacement at Center. That is, of course, if the Bucs needed to go up to get one of them.
April 21st, 2021 at 11:53 am
Don’t see it happening. Licht either stays put or trades back into the second round for extra picks. Since we have no glaring needs, I’m looking forward to see what small-school gem he digs up this year.
April 21st, 2021 at 12:06 pm
Joe in Michigan. If this is done for Quinn Meinerz, I’m all in. That dude is going to ball.
April 21st, 2021 at 12:12 pm
gator fan here….this kid is pretty good…lol…
difference is wirfs was considered a “big4″….dont think this kid is being considered top 4 at his position….
but im trusting JL and the coaching to develop whatever talent they get….
GO BUCS!!!!
April 21st, 2021 at 12:18 pm
I am all in on it if there is “the guy “
Let’s not forget we are stacked with talent and while not that common these days players can go to sweeten the pot .
Remember when Atlanta traded up giving up a ton to get the Alabama WR whose name escapes me.
That kind of return is worth every lottery ticket given up to move up
April 21st, 2021 at 12:19 pm
StickinUp4Centers … I’m with you on Meinerz. You know a OL is good when you enjoy watching a his highlight reel. Quinn’s highlight reel is ridiculous.
I’d be more inclined to trade down and pick him up at the top of the 2nd round. I don’t think a small school guard goes in the first.
April 21st, 2021 at 12:20 pm
Yeah I can buy the argument, for all 3 options really. It always “depends” on who’s available and what the compensation is, right?
Trade up if someone valuable is slipping and there to be had, and you can live with the apparently inexpensive cost. Hold-pat if enough of your guys will be available to select from at 32. Trade back if someone makes you an offer you can’t refuse and you’ve lost value with who’s available.
I’d agree trading back just to swap to their 2nd and pick up a 4th rounder feels lame. Trading back with someone desperate to give you their 2nd this year and a 2nd next year could be enough to do it tho.
April 21st, 2021 at 12:21 pm
We have no idea where the Bucs have various players ranked on their board. I trust if they trade up to grab somebody it’s for a good reason.
April 21st, 2021 at 12:22 pm
Gotta agree. Too much chance at 32 to go for someone without a history of success. Move up and get somebody proven.
April 21st, 2021 at 12:26 pm
I would be estatic if the Bucs traded up for EDGE. To me if you get the right player it is the position that could have the biggest impact rotating with JPP and Shaq.
If the Bucs trade up and steal a beast passrusher i might just do a jig.
April 21st, 2021 at 12:33 pm
But what about this. What if we traded up for a QB? How do you think about that?
April 21st, 2021 at 12:35 pm
Hodad, Tom Brady was a sixth round pick I would not call him garbage!
April 21st, 2021 at 1:40 pm
I like this idea Joe, there are no urgent especially this year with no real holes. So if the Bucs believe there is a true gem within trade reach, why not?
Every year there are 1 or 2 players that are expected to go Top-10 that end up dropping, OJ Howard was one. Perhaps, due to limited college experience and playing in a lesser conference, Trey Lance falls into the 20’s? I doubt he would, but if he did I would have Scotty Miller run to the podium as fast as possible with his card because that young man will be an NFL star.
April 21st, 2021 at 1:52 pm
If Mac Jones falls to the middle of the first round say 16th or 17th pull the trigger. He reminds me of a Brady clone. Maybe no. 32 this year and 2nd rounder in 2022.
April 21st, 2021 at 2:37 pm
The reallity is our 5th, 6th and 7th round picks probably won’t make the team, so use the picks to move up in the other rounds.
April 21st, 2021 at 2:39 pm
I think trading up is a good idea if there is a prospect the team really covets. It’ll be really hard to impossible for a 5th rounder to make this team, so why not give up late round picks.
April 21st, 2021 at 2:50 pm
Now you’re barking up the right tree Joe! I definitely think there’s a few players that the Bucs will have a high grade on, and likely and edge rusher, that they would be willing to move up for if that person or persons falls to the early to mid 20’s.
April 21st, 2021 at 3:55 pm
That’s what I’ve been saying. All 22 back you need a few guys who can keep up the level of play if someone goes down. Not a project or five. Everyone will be gunning for ya now so trade up if it makes sense. I just wouldn’t trade any picks in future drafts. Dont pull a Ricky Williams either tho. At least get three players this draft and make em good ones Licht
April 21st, 2021 at 4:21 pm
Bucs guy,smart game plan,like that forward thinking,quality over quantity with few holes to fill. GO bucs!
April 21st, 2021 at 6:51 pm
StickinUp4Centers Says:
April 21st, 2021 at 12:06 pm
Joe in Michigan. If this is done for Quinn Meinerz, I’m all in. That dude is going to ball.
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Agreed, but plenty of teams will be looking to draft Meinerz, he’s a Ryan Jensen-type who ran a 4.9-something at 320 pounds.
April 22nd, 2021 at 1:44 am
This is what I have been saying all along. Find an impact player for this season, who will play a lot and go get him. Pedal to the metal.
April 22nd, 2021 at 10:17 am
Edge rusher/OLB Azeez Ojulari is my favorite player. I am huge bulldog fan. He was elected team captain as a true freshman.
April 23rd, 2021 at 8:35 am
A year of Covid put a hurtin on certain players sitting out, limited play, limited scouting etc…
I’m not sure there’s any surefire ‘homerun’ guys after the 20th pick, Joe’s idea a moving up for Edge works just fine for me.
Either way it’s always fun getting new toys.
In BA I Trust!