The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the pick everybody wants in the 2021 NFL draft, selecting No. 32 overall after winning the Super Bowl.
Will they stick and pick there, or should they look to trade in either direction?
Last year, the Bucs moved up one spot from their original No. 14 slot, trading a fourth-round pick to make sure they Tristan Wirfs. That decision turned out to be a fantastic one, as the rookie played every snap at right tackle for all 20 games, and did so at an All-Pro level.
The Bucs have also seen the value in trading back in recent years, too. In 2018, they traded down from No. 7 overall to the No. 12 spot, and still got star defensive lineman Vita Vea, who has quickly become arguably the best nose tackle in the NFL. Among the players Tampa Bay landed with the additional picks they acquired in that deal were Carlton Davis and Jordan Whitehead, both of whom have become quality starters for last year’s Super Bowl-winning defense.
For this year’s team, trading up might be their best bet, for multiple reasons.
Tampa Bay is still in win-now mode after last year’s title run, as they look to maximize their championship window with Tom Brady at quarterback. They’ve retained nearly all of their significant free agents this offseason, putting them in a position to make another repeat run. That means they’re likely to be more interested in a player who can make an immediate impact, which could lead them to move up the board for the right player.
Also consider the fact that since they’re returning every starter from last year’s team, there will be fewer open roster spots for the 2021 season. The Bucs currently have eight picks in this year’s draft, so it might make the most sense for them to package some of them for a move up the board in the first round, landing them the quality need without the quantity they don’t have space for in the first place.
No matter what, Bucs general manager Jason Licht should have plenty of attractive options on draft night.