The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have addressed a significant void by trading for Jason Pierre-Paul. How does the trade change Tampa Bay’s 2018 NFL Draft plans?
The 2018 NFL Draft was turned on its head on Thursday, Mar. 22 when the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers agreed to a blockbuster trade. New York agreed to send Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul to the Buccaneers for multiple draft picks.
While some might debate if the move fully addresses a significant issue, the move for Pierre-Paul should have a tangible impact on Tampa Bay’s plans.
The offseason has been flush with significant deals, and New York’s decision to send Pierre-Paul to Tampa Bay was no different. The move could conceivably alter the plans for both the Giants and the Buccaneers, which are both slated to pick within the top 10 of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Having outlined what the trade could mean for New York’s NFL Draft plans, it’s only rational to explore how it could influence Tampa Bay’s decision-making.
It’s certainly possible that the Buccaneers will still be in the market for a defensive end to improve the abysmal pass rush. Marcus Davenport would certainly qualify as an intriguing option, but after adding Pierre-Paul, Tampa Bay should look to fill other voids with the No. 7 overall selection.
The question is: What should the Tampa Bay Buccaneers do at the 2018 NFL Draft following the trade for Jason Pierre-Paul?