Following an offseason filled with change, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look like, at least on paper, a team that is worse than last year’s squad. Losing not one, but two franchise icons in wide receiver Mike Evans and linebacker Lavonte David, the Buccaneers have lost much more than the literal heart and soul of their roster. While general manager Jason Licht has made a few moves in free agency, the Evans departure and David’s retirement likely won’t be filled by a high-priced addition.
Where Licht has made his bread and butter throughout his Buccaneers tenure is the NFL Draft. Evans was his first-ever selection as Tampa Bay’s GM. Fellow first-rounders Vita Vea, Tristan Wirfs, and Devin White all played big roles in the Bucs’ Super Bowl LV-winning team. The GM has found contributors throughout the rest of the draft as well, from safety Antoine Winfield Jr. in the second round to running back Bucky Irving in the fourth.
Now, the Buccaneers stand at a crossroad. This is a team still very much built to be a playoff contender. With quarterback Baker Mayfield, Vea, Wirfs, Winfield Jr., Irving, and other stars set to return, a return to the top of the NFC South and back to the postseason is certainly within the cards. If Licht hopes to give this roster the best chance at playoff glory, then a trade up with the Cleveland Browns to take a run at Ohio State star Sonny Styles is one deal that the long-time head of football operations needs to make, as soon as possible.
Sonny Styles could transform the Buccaneers’ defense
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Early on in the draft process, many analysts and pundits believed that Styles and the Buccaneers were an excellent match. Head coach Todd Bowles certainly needs more help on defense. Not only did David retire, but longtime starting cornerback Jamel Dean signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Former second-rounder Logan Hall inked a two-year deal with the Houston Texans, while ex-undrafted free agent find Christian Izien left for a one-year pact in Detroit with the Lions.
Now, usually, Licht doesn’t trade picks. He prefers to keep them, if not gain additional selections. However, there are two key instances in which he decided to move for a player. Wirfs is the first, as the Buccaneers moved up one spot in the first round to pick him in 2020. The other was the decision to trade up for former Pro Bowl guard Ali Marpet in 2015, giving up a couple of selections to move up and draft him in the fourth round.
While the Buccaneers GM has made other impactful moves, the NFL Draft is his time to shine. Trading up into the top ten, possibly with the Browns at number six, or even higher, should be the choice. Styles (in addition to other star defenders like Rueben Bain Jr. and David Bailey) would be excellent additions to a Tampa Bay defense in sore need of playmakers. If Bowles is going to survive the 2026 campaign, he’ll need reinforcements. Will Licht make yet another big swing in pursuit of another Lombardi Trophy? If so, Styles should be the choice. Then, he’ll be in line to be the next great Buccaneer linebacker, following in Derrick Brooks and David’s paths.
Following an offseason filled with change, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look like, at least on paper, a team that is worse than last year’s squad. Losing not one, but two franchise icons in wide receiver Mike Evans and linebacker Lavonte David, the Buccaneers have lost much more than the literal heart and soul of their roster.