Gerald McCoy and DeSean Jackson: Trade Candidates To Keep Your Eye On

With the Super Bowl around the corner and the official end of the 2018 NFL season at hand, many are already looking forward to the coming up offseason events.

Combine and the Free Agency period begin in March, followed by the NFL draft, and OTAs. Within this time frame, there will be player trades made. Whether they will be player-for-player trades or trades for current/future draft picks, one thing is for sure, and that is that trades will happen.

Trades are a part of NFL life, and the Buccaneers may have a few on the block heading into the free agency period. Our Exclusive restricted, Unrestricted, and Restricted free agents will either be signed, traded, or released depending on the way negotiations end. Some free agents may want to test the free agency pool.

Here is a list of our current free agents:

Brent Grimes CB -UFA                             Ryan Fitzpatrick QB – UFA
Adam Humphries WR – UFA                   Chris Conte S – UFA
Jacquizz Rodgers RB – UFA                    Donovan Smith LT – UFA
Ryan Griffin QB – UFA                              Adarius Taylor OLB – UFA
Garrison Sanborn LS – UFA                    Cairo Santos K – UFA
Kevin Minter ILB – UFA                           Cameron Lynch OLB – UFA
Rakeem Nunez-Roches DE – UFA        Josh Shaw CB – UFA
Kwon Alexander ILB – UFA                    Peyton Barber RB – RFA
Andrew Adams S – RFA                         Devante Harris CB – RFA
Devante Bond OLB –  RFA                     Javien Elliott CB – RFA
Leonard Wester T – RFA                        Isaiah Johnson S – ERFA
Michael Liedtke G – ERFA                     Corey Nelson ILB – UFA

I’m not going to talk about free agent trades however, I will talk about Gerald McCoy and DeSean Jackson being possible trades this offseason.

As much as it pains me to think about Gerald McCoy possibly playing in another uniform, it could realistically happen. McCoy being due $13m for this year, none of which is guaranteed, the new Bucs Brass could work to renegotiate his contract, and if that fails, they could put him on the trade block. Many would applaud the move, while many would put their noses in the air over trading away the big fella. Whatever happens; happens. But I for one would not be pleased if he is traded away. Although, adding extra draft picks for this year’s draft could benefit Tampa in the long run. Would be sad to see the big fella go.

With DeSean Jackson, Arians stated he would like to have the speedster back, and believes he could fix the connection issue between the veteran receiver and Jameis Winston, however, Jackson was clearly not happy in Tampa. However, in a recent interview, Jackson did state that he had not spoken to Arians about staying or leaving, citing that it is up to his agent and that’s what he has an agent for, leaving one to believe that there could be a possibility Jackson remains with the team. Despite Jackson being under contract until 2020 and having the early out clause in his current contract with Tampa, the Buccaneers could hold Jackson’s contract, forcing him to play this season or hold out. Considering that would cause an unnecessary diversion from the focus of putting the team together, it would be in the best interest for Tampa to either trade him or work it out with the wide receiver.