Should the Buccaneers pursue a trade for Miami Dolphins cornerback, Xavien Howard?

You’d think with a roster like the one the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have we wouldn’t have the ‘should the Bucs go get (insert available player)’ talks anymore. But Xavien Howard of the Miami Dolphins isn’t any player. He’s arguably one of the best cornerbacks in the game. And he’s looking for a new home.

Through a statement released on social media, Howard has requested a trade. The Dolphins are supposed to be a team on the climb after getting rid of some less-than-happy teammates over the past season or more. Instead, now another player wants out and there’s rumors swirling about the team being open to trading Tua Tagovailoa at the same time.

Not a good start to a season that hasn’t started yet.

But the Dolphins’ problems are just that. Their problems.

Let’s talk Bucs.

They have a defense on the rise, especially after the way they dominated Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.

But there’s no denying the team is thin at cornerback. One injury, and John Franklin III or Ross Cockrell could be playing some serious minutes.

No knock on either of those guys, but are they ready to be serious contributors to the defense? For an extended period of time? This is debateable.

Two years ago just about everyone expected Jason Licht and the Bucs to pursue a veteran free-agent to add to the group. They didn’t. Ok, maybe they’ll draft one. They didn’t. Ok, well I guess they have a lot of confidence in the group they have. We liked it (most of us).

Then came the 32nd overall ranking in preseason, then the Tyreek Hill fiasco, then the Super Bowl run. Boom. We love the group. Never doubted them for a reason.

So, a conversation like this one is more depth, not top-end talent. But if you go after Howard, he’s not coming to be a depth piece. No. He’s coming to play. A lot.

So do you push down guys like Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting for a chance to get a player like Howard? I’m asking. Do you?

I asked Bucs fans via the Locked On Bucs Twitter profile and got some interesting responses.

As expected, there were some flat-out ‘no’ responses. Understandable.

There were also some offers put on the table. Cam Brate and a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft was one.

Another Bucs fan said a first-round pick and a conditional fourth. Though he didn’t say what the conditions would be. I assume production, not play-time.

So I’ll pose the same question to Buccaneers fans here at BucsNation. Would you trade for Xavien Howard? If you would, drop your bounty willing to pay in the comments below. The best comment gets candy from James Yarcho at Training Camp.

Also, if you’re worried about the salary cap, don’t be. It’s all ‘Fugayzi, fugazi. It’s a whazy. It’s a woozie. It’s fairy dust. It doesn’t exist.’

Originally found on Read More