March 6, 2026, 10:40 a.m. ET
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have to fix their edge rusher situation once and for all this offseason. They have attempted to find it in the NFL Draft, but to no avail. Thus, could Jason Licht and his front office decide that trading for one is the right approach?
While everyone is focused on splash names like Maxx Crosby and Jonathan Greenard, Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton has another name in mind. He recently wrote up trade packages and moves for all 32 NFL clubs, and for the Bucs, he suggested they call Denver about Jonathon Cooper’s availability.
Moton writes, “Even if Denver has no plan to trade Cooper, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should be on the phone to make the call about his availability. The Buccaneers have a glaring need for an edge-rusher. Haason Reddick will be a free agent. Anthony Nelson could take on a bigger role, but he has registered fewer than six sacks in all seven of his seasons. YaYa Diaby is a solid edge defender, but he has more room for growth as a pass-rusher. Cooper has registered at least eight sacks and 22 pressures in three consecutive seasons. He could provide a boost to Tampa Bay’s 27th-ranked pass defense.”
Cooper would likely be able to be acquired for a much more reasonable package than the likes of Crosby and Greenard. He also would serve as more of a compliment alongside Yaya Diaby with a contract more friendly as well. It is important to remember this as well; sometimes it is the smallest moves that make the loudest impact.
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