Analyst suggest bold trade idea for the Bucs ahead of the NFL Draft

An interesting idea surfaced from Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report that could reshape the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offense heading into the draft. The proposal centers on Tampa Bay acquiring Brian Thomas Jr. from the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a first-round pick and additional draft capital. It is the kind of move that immediately grabs attention because of both the cost and what it says about the roster's current standing.

Tampa Bay is coming off a season that started with real momentum before completely falling apart down the stretch. A 6-2 start turned into a missed postseason, and now the roster is dealing with a real transition, especially on offense. Mike Evans' departure leaves a massive void that cannot be brushed aside, not just in production but in identity. Evans gave this offense a consistent boundary presence, dictating coverages and creating space for everyone else.

Right now, the wide receiver room feels more uncertain than it has in previous years. Chris Godwin is still a reliable player when healthy, but availability has become part of the conversation. Emeka Egbuka flashed early in the 2025 season, but then, after the first few weeks, he fell off a cliff in production, raising questions about whether he is ready to take on a larger role right away. That is where a player like Thomas fits into the discussion. He profiles as the exact type of outside receiver this offense is missing, someone who can win vertically and bring back that physical edge on the perimeter.

Giving up a first-round pick for a wide receiver is a statement, and not necessarily the right one for this roster. Tampa Bay is not one piece away, as much as they would like to think so. There are still needs across the roster, especially in areas that directly affect the team's sustainability over a full season. Trading away premium draft capital limits flexibility at a time when the roster needs to get younger and more balanced.

There is also a bigger philosophical question here about how the Buccaneers want to build moving forward. This team has lived in a win-now window for the past few years, and that approach delivered results. But the end of last season felt like a signal that the current roster might be closer to the edge than expected. With teams like the Carolina Panthers and the New Orleans Saints trending upwards, Tampa Bay has to be careful not to chase the past but to build for what comes next.

That is what makes this idea both intriguing and dangerous, because Thomas would absolutely help that offense. He would fill a clear role and immediately add a different dimension to the offense. But the cost forces the front office to decide on the timeline they are operating under. If the belief is that this team can still compete at a high level right now, then a move like this can be justified. If not, sacrificing a first-round pick could slow down a necessary reset.

There are also signs of production in Thomas’ profile that explain why this idea even exists in the first place. In 2024, he recorded 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 14.7 yards per catch, demonstrating the ability to stretch the field and finish drives. He followed that in 2025 with 50 catches for 728 yards and three touchdowns, still averaging 14.6 yards per reception despite fewer opportunities. He generated 572 yards after the catch in 2024 and forced multiple missed tackles, while operating heavily as an outside receiver with the majority of his snaps lined up wide. His 2.45 yards per route run in 2024 backs up the efficiency, pointing to a player who produces when given chances rather than relying purely on volume.

At the end of the day, this is less about the player and more about direction. The Buccaneers need to decide whether they are extending a closing window or starting to build the next one. A trade like this would answer that question loud and clear, and it is not a decision they can afford to get wrong.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs trade idea for Brian Thomas Jr.