5 Wide Receivers Bucs Should Trade For
It was a costly game for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night. They fell to the Baltimore Ravens 41-31, but they lost more than the game. The Bucs top two wide receivers left with injuries, and left the team scrambling to adjust to the missing stars.
Baker Mayfield is in the midst of what could be an MVP season, and the Bucs need to get him receivers fast. With the trade deadline quickly approaching, the team needs to be on the phone, wheeling and dealing with anyone who answers. Here are five potential trade targets the Bucs could go after.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have a wide receiver problem of their own. Tee Higgins is a free agent at the end of the year, and Ja'Marr Chase is not happy with how his contract negotiations went. The Bengals could look to move Higgins for a small amount of draft capital before they lose for nothing in the offseason. He currently has 29 receptions for 341 yards and 3 touchdowns through 5 games.
Deandre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans had high hopes going into this season. They stole Tony Pollard from the Cowboys in free agency to be their featured running back. The signed Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd at wide receiver, and still had veteran Deandre Hopkins and young buck Treylon Burks. The strong armed Will Levis was supposed to lead an air raid offense, but instead, the team is in last place, and sellers at the deadline. Hopkins currently has 15 catches for 173 yards and a touchdown in 6 games.
Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders chose not to build the team through free agency, and as usual, had an underwhelming draft. The results are what could have been expected, and with the departure of Davante Adams to the Jets, the fire sale has just started. Jakobi Meyers has always been a reliable weapon. Not too flashy, and he wouldn't cost an arm and a leg. He currently has 25 receptions for 273 yards and a touchdown in 5 games for the Raiders.
Diontae Johnson, Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers seem like they will never get out of the NFL basement. They gave away their future to draft Bryce Young in 2023, and less than half way into this season he is on the bench. The offense stinks, the defense stinks, and they are headed for the top pick in the draft yet again. It's time to be sellers at the deadline, and impending free agent Diontae Johnson has value. He currently has 30 receptions for 357 yards and 3 touchdowns in 7 games.
Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
This would be a pipe dream for the Bucs, but it's worth notating. Ja'Marr Chase had a contentious contract negotiation with the Bengals in the offseason, and he still hasn't gotten over it. It is highly unlikely the team would trade away Joe Burrow's favorite target, but if the price is right they may listen. This would not just be a rental for the Bucs, as they will have plenty of money this offseason to give Chase a record breaking deal. He currently has 39 catches for 620 yards and 6 touchdowns through 7 games.