The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1) are tied for the best record in the NFL through six weeks, which is all the more impressive considering the number of serious injuries to top players on the roster.
It is the offensive side of the football that has been hit disproportionately hard by health issues. Wide receivers Chris Godwin (fibula) and Mike Evans (hamstring) have played in just two and three games this season, respectively.
Running back Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) has played in just four contests. Then, in Week 6, standout rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka suffered a hamstring injury of his own and will miss some time.
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Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles told reporters earlier this week that Godwin and Irving will both miss the team’s “Monday Night Football” showcase against the Detroit Lions on Oct. 20. And the most recent news on Egbuka indicates he will be absent from the contest as well. Evans was questionable to return as of Wednesday.
So what can the Bucs do to keep the skill-positions operational, at the very least, in the midst of all of these health questions? The answer may be to turn to the trade market, where a handful of quality players could be available in the coming weeks.
One such player is tight end Mark Andrews of the Baltimore Ravens. Andrews, 29, is in the final year of his $56 million contract and the Ravens are 1-5 to start the season as they head into their bye week.
“The three-time Pro Bowler has recorded only a 64.4 PFF receiving grade with 150 total receiving yards, on pace for a career-low 1.42 yards per route run. Despite his decline this year, Andrews isn’t far removed from his great 84.6 PFF receiving mark last year — including an 89.4 grade from Week 5 onward,” Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus wrote Monday.
“Perhaps a reunion with Greg Roman in Los Angeles would be the most logical destination, or with former Oklahoma teammate Baker Mayfield.”
Through six games this season, Andrews has logged 21 catches on 27 targets for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers would put hims second to only Egbuka on the Bucs in receptions and targets, and he’d rank fourth in yards.
Andrews would form a strong 1-2 punch at tight end with starter Cade Otton, who has 15 receptions for 166 yards and zero touchdowns through six games.
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