Why It Is Unlikely The Bucs Package Devin White For A Trade Up
April 21st, 2023
Head coach Todd Bowles.
Joe has been on the bandwagon that the Bucs can and should trade up to go grab a quarterback next week.
Yes, yes, yes. Joe understands Kyler Traskfield is the answer at quarterback and will battle Jalen Hurts in the NFC Championship next winter. But given the large, steep odds that happens, the Bucs will still need a franchise quarterback. The sooner you get one, the sooner you can rebuild your team.
Oh, yeah. The Bucs are just reloading. Sorry.
With Houston run by an inept front office and with a defensive-minded head coach who likely wants to win with defense, Joe thinks this is a golden opportunity to unload a disgruntled linebacker who has demanded a trade, Devin White. Trade up with Houston at No. 12 dangling White and the No. 19 pick as bait, and get your quarterback.
Hey, if White doesn’t want to be here, then he doesn’t want to be here. Why not get something for him now that will help the team for the next decade rather than White stomping out of One Buc Palace in the next year or two and getting bupkis for him?
(Please, don’t bore Joe with the compensatory pick chotski. So the Bucs might get a fourth- or fifth-round pick if White walks. Awesome! #Sarcasm)
So it hit Joe last night while recording the next edition of the “Ira Kaufman Podcast” why White is unlikely to be traded this spring.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles needs wins if he is going to return for 2024. Does trading White help Bowles get wins in 2023? No. Does a rookie quarterback help Bowles get wins in 2023? Doubtful.
Oh, the Bucs could still draft a quarterback next week, but Joe doesn’t think Bowles will be on board with the team dumping a 100-tackles-a-season linebacker for a quarterback who at best won’t make a dent in the NFL until next year.
If the Bucs don’t win games this fall, Bowles may not be around to see that quarterback blossom.
In short, the Bucs have a better chance of a winning season in 2023 with White in the lineup. That is, unless he pulls a Le’Veon Bell and launches Operation Shutdown.
April 21st, 2023 at 4:09 am
I get that Bowles wants him, and White would help him win, but we’ve seen him loaf already, he has publicly demanded a trade… I don’t think he’s going to be 100% all in for this season. I mean he’d be stupid if he pulled a Bell, but who knows. So Bowles should look at the situation, be confident he’ll be the coach next season (hard to do/imagine) and plan ahead for the future with a trade. Get something for the malcontent, because he may just say F you to Tampa after the season.
April 21st, 2023 at 4:55 am
I’m not so sure that Bowles even gets a vote in draft day trades with White at this point.
April 21st, 2023 at 5:12 am
White might not be very clever. I don’t know him personally so I don’t know. What I DO KNOW is that he acts out and is immature. And when it comes to contracts and timing, he doesn’t seem very clever…. He’s missing the point AND the boat!
With that said, “operation shut down” might be a very real possibility. I imagine that Licht knows beyond ALL, what the likelihood of that happening, is. We will see what the “bottom line” is and he will act accordingly as the Iron WILL BE very HOT in about 6 days…. We will see.
Oh and by the way, there will be NO franchise QB sitting at 12. At “2” yes. At 12? Why are we talking about a franchise QB at 12???
April 21st, 2023 at 5:51 am
Totally agree Joe, they are most likely not taking a quarterback unless one falls in their lap.
They will take a player that will be on the field this season helping them win games.
they should trade back a few spots and take FOSKEY dude is so underrated
its ridiculous.
April 21st, 2023 at 6:26 am
Joe, how does that compensatory lottery work? Seems like some teams (Dallas, New England) get second day picks for guys who go FA and then the Bucs get a measley late 4th for Kwon which I believe is the best comp pick they have received. What is the secret formula? If it is fair why does not tye NFL explain it? Anyhow White might onlybe a late day 4 comp pick so if you can get value next week, pull the trigger.
April 21st, 2023 at 6:33 am
The most intriguing question is whether Devin is going to be hungry for 100 tackles this season or play safe to avoid injury so that he can go after that bag. His timing on requesting a trade is sus and put him in a bind.
I think Devin’s agent is playing games to see how desperate the Bucs are. But, with the season he had last year, he’s cast doubt on how good he can really be going forward.
All the leverage is with the Bucs.
April 21st, 2023 at 6:34 am
I totally agree Licht should trade White I don’t know about drafting a franchise quarterback. Outside of Young and maybe Hooker I don’t see Shroud, Levis or another gator quarterback as a franchise quarterback.
April 21st, 2023 at 6:35 am
Devin’s best chance at getting paid by the Bucs or any team is after this season and any impending retirement of Lavonte David. With the potential of losing two LBs in one off-season, Devin and his agent get a chunk of leverage back.
April 21st, 2023 at 6:38 am
My Wish:
-Use White to trade up (with Housten or whatever), because i also think he won´t be 100% for this season.
-After that, try to trade down and load up picks for a rebuild, because i don´t believe that there will be a franchise qb outside of the top 10 picks…
April 21st, 2023 at 6:39 am
By the way Bowles does know how to get wins with White or without White. The same guy last year that said the Bucs were going to be the biggest disappointment of the 2022 season picked the Bucs 28th in power rankings. Going to be a long year.
April 21st, 2023 at 6:54 am
Simple Joe, there’s no QBs worth trading up for. No one can guarantee any QB picked this year will pan out. The 49ers traded up for their QB a few years ago, how’d that work out? Move up for an edge rusher that’s a different story.
April 21st, 2023 at 7:09 am
More and more I get the feeling that Whites agent is Lamar Jackson’s mother.
April 21st, 2023 at 7:16 am
I’d take bijon for white any day! Package that trade and get him out of here. Why would anybody want to keep someone on the team who doesn’t want to be here
April 21st, 2023 at 7:26 am
I agree with Obvious, Joe. There won’t be a franchise quarterback sitting at 12.
April 21st, 2023 at 7:26 am
Just trade the guy! Most of us played football at some level growing up. If one of us had publicly said I get bored out there sometimes as an excuse for loafing, what would have happened to us? Any number of things but I’ll bet your behind would be running stadiums till you puked and then you would be riding the pine the next game. But let’s not upset the linebacker who won a Super Bowl with us who has all the talent in the world but is wasting it, with his poor me, pathetic childish attitude. You can’t tell me that he will have an effect, probably a poor one on this team next season if he doesn’t get a new contract or get traded. Does anyone think if Devin White doesn’t get what he wants he would just come back and play his ass off for us, or will he just bring this defense and entire team down with him?
April 21st, 2023 at 7:38 am
All of those advocating getting rid of Devin White fail to add any suggestions on how to replace him.
Keep White unless we get an offer we can’t refuse……he’ll play hard because he’ll be in a contract year….for us or as a FA……franchise him next year if necessary.
Forget a QB in 23 unless it’s a late round flyer on Stetson Bennett.
April 21st, 2023 at 7:46 am
Clearly #12 is a typo.
Hello from Citrus County where CB is officially a HS football coach. Big move from the DR happening soon…
April 21st, 2023 at 8:07 am
Trade down*
April 21st, 2023 at 8:29 am
Not that it’s unlikely the Bucs would want to…
It’s unlikely that a team values DW as worthy
He simply doesn’t play to his original draft slot and absolutely doesn’t play to his physical ability… because of his 10 cent football brain
April 21st, 2023 at 8:44 am
Bowles may not want his dour mood bringing down everybody else on defense. That would be reason enough for Bowles to let him go.
Add in the occasional lack of effort allegedly, and Bowles may prefer someone not as talented and flashy and capable of greatness, but reliable and consistent, not making mistakes.
April 21st, 2023 at 8:47 am
What TBF said. There’s no one on the team who can replace DW, and there doesn’t seem to be anyone in the draft–so with that trade up pick, we either get a qb or tackle… Are we gonna get a starting mlb, edge, slot corner, and tackle or QB in the next few rounds? We haven’t cap space to sign free agents
April 21st, 2023 at 9:05 am
Trade him for what we can get, he is a superior athlete but I would rather get something for him if he wants out and then roll with KJ
April 21st, 2023 at 9:05 am
People – stop with the EMO BS. Most of you want to be rid of him because you’re mad.
White is an asset. Licht’s job is to maximize assets (players) for the good of the team. Giving Devin White away for a sack of beans isn’t smart asset management.
Years ago, Lightning GM Steve Yzerman had a disgruntled Martin St Louis, who wanted out and had some leverage (no tradr clause) and basically told them he had one team he’d waive it for. Still got a remarkable return for him. This is no different, except that Licht has MORE leverage here.
And trading up for a RB? Hell no. The position doesn’t carry that much value. I don’t really think drafting Robinson would be smart at 19, much less trading up to do it.
April 21st, 2023 at 9:07 am
White needs to shut up and play football because of that weird contract thingy he’s under. The defense NEEDS him this year, even with the mental flaws in his game.
If I was coach or GM, I’d tell him to play hard and we’ll discuss your contract after the year. Leverage him, make him play – he’s needed, because who is going to replace him in the lineup?
April 21st, 2023 at 9:08 am
Let me add, I don’t carr what Bowles wants in this case. If some team is foolish enough to overpay for White, so be it. But it should be an overpay.
April 21st, 2023 at 9:40 am
White isn’t going to play in 2023 so he’s not going to help Bloweszo win any games anyway. The Diva is too stupid, immature, and selfish. But trading up there for a QB is not what the Bucs need to do either. Watch Licht operate.
April 21st, 2023 at 9:48 am
Because the Steelers just fleeced the Rams in a trade for Allen Robinson. Pittsburgh didn’t even lose anything they just swapped 7ths and gained a whole WR lol. With deals like that getting done, on top of not having an immediate replacement for White that’s a good reason to hold on dealing him(for now). Now if we draft a Daiyen Henley, an Owen Pappoe, or even a sleeper like a Marte Mapu at ILB then I might be persauded into thinking Devin White might not make it to September as a member of the Bucs roster.
April 21st, 2023 at 9:52 am
Let the player seek out a trade, any team looking to trade for him would only do so if they can sign him to an extension. NOBODY is going to pay White 100 million and hopefully that will end his delusional contract demands.
April 21st, 2023 at 10:47 am
It’s very complex. Even a savvy lawyer like Mike Florio can’t figure it out (and this guy figures out labor contracts, franchise sales and TV pacts).
Also, given the fact a team’s “award” is a middle-round pick, Joe really doesn’t waste much time with it at all.
April 21st, 2023 at 11:28 am
I’d be awful surprised if White is traded. Bowles loves the guy. He’s gonna sit down with him and have one of those man-on-man meetings with White. And they kiss and make up. Personally though, I’d luv to see him packaged with a trade. If the guy does not want to be here, lets help him pack his bags.
April 21st, 2023 at 12:57 pm
I hope Licht trades White. I would rather trade him for 2nd and 3rd round picks (or very early 4th). Houston would be ideal as they have two 3rd round picks and very early 2nd, 3rd and 4th rd picks.
Then trade our #19 1st round pick to slide back 4 or 5 positions and pick up another day 2 pick. That would put the Bucks with 6 picks on days 1 and 2 (T, DE/Edge, ILB, S, TE, DT). That could help fill a lot of holes and still have a busy day 3 for RB, CB, IOL, WR and maybe a late QB. Fix as many holes as possible this year and get a QB next year if neither Baker or Trask work out this year.
April 21st, 2023 at 1:22 pm
Bucs have all the leverage. If White sits out he’s right back with the Bucs again next year still on his 5th year option. His best bet would be to play, and prove he’s worth 100 million. The CBA is on the Bucs side. Teams get a long look at 1st round draft choices.
April 21st, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Unless you get legit value on White, which would be at least a late 1st rounder, there’s no way I move him. It doesn’t sound like White is an issue in the locker room, and he wants to get paid.
BTW, if White complaining gets that moron Bowles to use him correctly (which means not back pedalling on 90% of plays) then White will have done the team a huge favor. White is a special top-tier talent when he’s running forward and creating havoc. But after the last play of that Rams game, the Bucs defense went into a shell and stopping blitzing and started playing a ton of zone, and that doesn’t fit White’s talents, or the defense as a whole, at all.
April 21st, 2023 at 4:19 pm
Trade White.
Play 3 safeties.
And only 1 LB.: Lavonte David.
April 21st, 2023 at 5:13 pm
I’m not trying to be a naysayer but I don’t see any qb that’s worth jumping up for.. honestly looking at this team where we need to get focus is in the trenches… we can use some beast oline lt and competing gaurds..
Also a linebacker who can light things up and blitz could be a gane changer.
Yes we need depth a cb… I think barring injury safety is good..
Dline in 3 4 is got the rams guy vea and another big dude we got and im sure the dt we selected she be a little more rounded this year
April 21st, 2023 at 6:43 pm
teacherman777 Says:
April 21st, 2023 at 4:19 pm
We don’t have 3 safeties to play as it stands now.
We’ll probably be drafting a safety and an ILB at some point.
April 21st, 2023 at 8:41 pm
No way should they trade up for a qb! Absolutely dumb! There is no qb in this draft at that spot that will change this franchise. Hooker is a college qb. Won’t be crap in the NFL I promise you. He was part of a gimmick offense and is older and coming off a torn ACL. Wait til next year. They are going to be awful this year with what we had to work with in salary cap and who is running the ship. Fire Bowles next year and get your qb with your top pick next year. I’m ok with trading white but not to go grab a qb especially Hooker!
April 22nd, 2023 at 6:26 am
Yeaaaa. Let’s all stop pretending that Bowles has outsized say here. This is gonna be the Glazers and Lichts call. And any worry about Bowles is purely ancillary at this point. As it should be. If you’re Licht or Glazer you have to be thinking the odds of Bowles staying long term is practically zero. So who cares what he wants?
April 25th, 2023 at 8:37 am
THIS IS A VERY DISTURBING SITUATION WE HAVE ON OUR HANDS…I WOULD INDEED MISS DEVIN WHITE IF HE WERE TRADED..BUT, WE CAN’T AFFORD FOR PLAYERS TO BE PULLING A LAMAR JACKSON ON OUR BELOVED BUCCANEERS EITHER…I WISH WE WOULD HAVE SIGNED BOBBY WAGNER WHILE HE WAS STILL A FREE AGENT..( IF WE ONLY HAD KNOWN WHAT DEVIN WAS FIXING TO DO )..IF HE’S NOT ALL IN HE COULD BECOME A CANCER IN THE LOCKER ROOM..THEREFORE, MYSELF, IF I WAS GENERAL MANAGER, I WOULD TRADE HIS ASS, ALONG WITH POSSIBLY NEXT YEARS 2ND ROUND PICK TO MOVE UP & GET “ANTHONY RICHARDSON” AS OUR NOW OR FUTURE FACE OF THE FRANCHISE & LET HIM LIGHT UP THE LEAGUE UNDER THE TUTELAGE OF DAVE CANALES & A BALANCED RUNNING GAME TO OPEN UP THE PLAY-ACTION PASSING GAME. THEN CONCENTRATE ON PICKING A O.TACKLE,RUNNING BACK, SAFETY & A INSIDE LINEBACKER IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER ( BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE AT EACH POSITION OF NEED AS THE DRAFT ROLLS ALONG, PERHAPS TRADING SOME LATER ROUND PICKS IN FUTURE SEASONS TO GET WHAT WE NEED NOW…