The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need defensive reinforcements. For a unit that was one of the many reasons why the Bucs ultimately missed the playoffs after a 6-1 start, adding elite talent up front could help them at the very least get back to the top of the NFC South.
However, a key player who many analysts believed the Bucs had a chance of acquiring may be too pricey for the team. Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders is a player who could be a game changer for anyone, but perhaps not for the Bucs this time around.
Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports originally revealed what a potential trade package could be for Crosby’s services, and it may require way more than the Bucs are comfortable with. Almost every offer he thought of included a first or second round pick, whether it be from this year’s or next year’s draft. In fact, for three of the five teams that Sullivan proposed a trade for in his article, he insisted on a first round pick being one of the costs.
The Trade Cost Could Be Too Steep
Another important factor is what it took to acquire Micah Parsons. After all, Parsons was acquired for two first round picks and a 30 year old Kenny Clark. While Clark was upwards of thirty at the time of the trade, he still was a player who had three Pro Bowl appearances to his name.
For the Bucs, they don’t have either the picks or the players that the Raiders would want in a potential deal. When you factor in the price they would have to pay, Bucs fans may want to avert their eyes. Crosby had just signed a four year contract extension with the Raiders last offseason that any team would have to pick up.
Over the final three seasons of that deal, Maxx Crosby would be making 35 million dollars annually until his age 32 season. If that’s the price that Crosby garners, the Bucs may have to take themselves away from the table.
Is There a More Realistic Path?
Still, all hope is not lost. Former NFL GM Mike Tannenbaum proposed that the Bucs could get Crosby if they just offered a second and fourth round pick. It would be a move in a similar vein to what the Bucs did to acquire Jason Pierre-Paul. It would also mean that general manager Jason Licht would not have to part with any high value draft picks.
The bottom line is that Maxx Crosby is a generational talent who immediately would elevate any roster he is on. He is a two time All Pro and four time Pro Bowler, yet has only reached the playoffs once in his career. Any place he would want to go to has to be a contender. Whether or not he considers the Bucs to be one is critical.
While the price may not be right for Crosby, still keep an eye out for the Bucs for any potential deals to improve that defense.
Christopher Sheppard Christopher Sheppard is a passionate and knowledgeable sports journalist based in Englewood, NJ pursuing a role in the sports media industry. He covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, focusing on the Dolphins, Chargers, and Buccanneers. More about Christopher Sheppard
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