Tampa Bay Buccaneers Need To Make Big Decision At NFL Trade Deadline

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a decision to make at the trade deadline on October 31.

Following the team’s second consecutive loss — and their third in their past four games — this time in a battle for NFC South supremacy with the Atlanta Falcons, it’s unclear whether or not Tampa Bay should be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline.

Yes, it’s true the Buccaneers are still in the thick of the divisional playoff race, now standing a half-game back of the Falcons following their 16-13 loss. It’s also true that the defensive unit has surprisingly emerged as one of the top units in the NFL, forcing three turnovers of Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder in the red zone. It’s the main reason why Tampa Bay is at the .500 mark six games through the season.

But while the Buccaneers remain in the thick of the playoff race — and will likely be until the very end of the season due to the mediocrity of the division — it’s clear that this team isn’t an actual true playoff contender.

Matched up against any of the NFC’s current projected playoff teams, Tampa Bay would lose easily. They proved that in their 20-6 loss at home to the Detroit Lions last week.

So given that the Buccaneers are in the same position that they were in last season — minus Tom Brady — what does Tampa Bay do?

Do they go all-in as buyers at the deadline and make a much-needed move for a viable running back considering their struggles with Rachaad White as the starter? The second-year back is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry, among the bottom eight in rushing average among qualified rushers. It’s also eerily similar to the pedestrian 3.7 yards per carry he averaged last season.

Or do they enter the deadline as sellers, looking to move a veteran piece such as Mike Evans as he finishes out the final year of his contract? Especially when you factor in that Evans is having one of the better seasons of any receiver in the NFL, posting four touchdowns through six games. Furthermore, his 77.2 yards per game is his highest average since the 2019 season.

The return on Evans could be hefty considering the need for playmakers by playoff-contending teams.

Or do they simply stand pat at the deadline, well aware that an acquisition for a running back probably won’t push the team over the top, along with wanting to retain Evans as they make a hopeful push for another one-and-done playoff appearance?

When looking at the market for running backs, it’s slim pickings. The New York Giants have already ruled out the possibility of moving Saquon Barkley, according to a report from Diana Russini of The Athletic. That means Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans — if the Titans are selling on the idea of competing for a playoff spot at 2-4 — may be the only notable name on the market. And even that scenario is a big if.

The Buccaneers are currently in the unenviable position of mediocrity. More likely than not, the team will enter the 2024 NFL Draft with a mid-round draft pick. In other words, they’re not a contending team and they’re not one of the worst teams in the league as many projected entering the season.

Baker Mayfield has done a competent job as the starting quarterback of the Buccaneers, but it’s obvious there are clear limitations despite Tampa Bay’s talented receiving duo in Evans and Chris Godwin.

The good and the bad of Mayfield was on full display during Sunday’s loss to the Falcons. While Mayfield drove the team down the field — including a huge 31-yard run — to get them into field goal range to tie the game at 13-all with less than a minute remaining, it came a drive after Mayfield threw an interception at the Falcons 11-yard line with Tampa Bay trailing 13-10.

And once again, the team’s ineptitude when it comes to scoring was on full display. The Buccaneers went 0-2 in the red zone — even worse than the Falcons’ 1-for-5 efficiency in the red zone — which has been a problem all season long. Tampa Bay entered the game with 42.9% efficiency in the red zone, which ranked 24th in the NFL.

Their 13 points scored was even lower than the 18.0 points per game they had been averaging entering the game, ranked 25th in the NFL.

When negating Mayfield’s 31-yard run, the Buccaneers averaged just 2.2 yards per carry. By comparison, the Falcons averaged 4.1 yards per carry largely without Bijan Robinson, who saw just one touch during the entire game.

In other words, this team has overachieved despite the lack of offensive execution and running game due to stout defense and Mayfield taking good care of the football. Mayfield’s 1.9% interception rate ranks among the top half of quarterbacks in the NFL this season.

The more likely scenario sees Tampa Bay either standing pat at the deadline or making a minor move — without give up a lot of draft capital — in a half-effort move to contend for the division title this season.