Wilkerson Trade Not Dead (Yet)
March 31st, 2016
Jets reportedly still shopping.
Bucs fans hungry for a pass rushing specialist and hoping the Bucs can get a starter for backup quarterback Mike Glennon are doing all sorts of black magic in the dark of night, hoping upon hope the following is true.
The Jets, desperate for a quarterback, are still shopping defensive tackle Mo Wilkerson, who was franchise tagged for $15 million after recording 12 sacks last season. That’s the word from Brian Costello of the New York Post, who claims the Jets trading Wilkerson appears dead publicly but is alive behind the scenes.
Despite general manager Mike Maccagnan saying they are not “actively pursuing” a trade for Wilkerson, a source said Wednesday that the Jets are indeed shopping him around.
There is skepticism around the league as to whether the Jets can find a trade partner who will be willing to surrender the draft picks the Jets are looking for (the starting price surely includes a first-round pick in this year’s draft) and agree to the contract Wilkerson is looking for (more than $50 million guaranteed).
There is a possibility the Jets could try to acquire a player to lessen the draft-pick compensation. With Ryan Fitzpatrick still a free agent, it could make sense for them to target Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon in a deal involving Wilkerson.
Joe finds it difficult to believe the Jets would trade Wilkerson even up for Glennon, himself in the final year of his rookie pact. If this were ever to happen, first there is the no small matter of getting Wilkerson to put pen to paper on a new contract. Second issue would be additional compensation demanded by the Jets.
The Bucs, coming off their fifth-straight season in the basement of the NFC South, don’t have a whole lot of inventory to sweeten the pot outside of draft picks.
March 31st, 2016 at 7:14 am
Don’t see this one happening, but a man can always dream
Can’t see the bucs giving up there 1st Rd pick for a guy on a one yr deal. Jets are gonna want a WHOLE lot for Wilk. And I don’t know if it’s worth it.
My proposal would be Glennon and a 2nd rounder with maybe a 4 or 5th to go with it. But both teams areally gonna want that player to assure them there gonna sign a long term deal.
March 31st, 2016 at 7:42 am
I’d rather get a decent draft pick for Glennon…..but if we could get Wilkerson to sign a long-term contract and didn’t have to give up more than a 2nd rd pick & Glennon…..OK
March 31st, 2016 at 7:42 am
‘ If this were ever to happen, first there is the no small matter of getting Wilkerson to put pen to paper on a new contract. Second issue would be additional compensation demanded by the Jets.’
…………………
This plus $50mil guaranteed spells……NNNNNNOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 31st, 2016 at 7:43 am
Before I go to Wet N Wild I would like to know what Pablo thinks about this.
March 31st, 2016 at 7:53 am
The Jets are in the same boat as the Bucs are with Glennon – last year of deal and high chance of the player walking. That fact changes the “value” of the players on the market.
Quarterbacks are in such high demand that Glennon’s value is actually a lot higher than most of you seem to recognize. (And I think he’s not much better than average, by the way.)
Straight up or not all, and then only if Wilkerson gets signed.
March 31st, 2016 at 8:00 am
Absolutely not. No way, uh uh. We’ve got an expensive DT already. Give me a high draft pick plz and thank you.
March 31st, 2016 at 8:36 am
Nope build on our own, draft pick for Glennon!! Or use him to trade down in the first, get a better draft pick. Couple of QB hungry teams that may be okay with moving a few later spots.
March 31st, 2016 at 8:37 am
Screw that
Get a guy through the Draft.
Way too much dinero for a potential Da quan repeat
March 31st, 2016 at 8:40 am
Unproven draft pick plus Glennon for a proven all pro 26 year old sack master who can play inside as well as DE? No brainer, trade and sign Wilkerson to long term deal. Here’s why, if the Bucs somehow have Bosa fall into their laps at number 9, first there’s no can’t miss picks, NFL draft history is littered with top ten busts, especially coming from the Big 10, then even if he turns out to not be a bust, even if he’s just average (7-9 sacks a season) he’s eventually gonna want to get paid that same $50 mil guarantee, give me the proven guy for the #9 and Glennon.
March 31st, 2016 at 8:42 am
Dear Jason Licht,
Do not let the Bucs get bent over by the Jets again. Please.
Sincerely,
Bucs fans everywhere
March 31st, 2016 at 8:48 am
Pass on Wilkerson draft picks more important. Just give Glennon to anyone that will give us a 3rd rounder be done with it.
March 31st, 2016 at 8:53 am
Mike, Gerald’s contrast will be over by then. It’s the only way to have good talent consistently. You have to stagger the positions with high paid good vets and good up and coming young guys you draft in their rookie contracts. Can’t blow our wad on half a defensive line and have no cap space for the other key positions.
March 31st, 2016 at 9:03 am
FLMike has it right… 26 yr old all pro versatile dlineman don’t grow on trees. I laugh at the he’s too expensive crowd. Bucs are always carrying cap money over from and consistently have one of the lower payrolls in league that is directly correlated to basement finishes. Wilkerson hands down would be best defender on team. GMC is not durable nor is he reliable so stop with we already have a stud dlineman. GMC is good not great . Wilkerson is great…. licht would be a fool not to try and make a deal. Plus if GMC has another injury filled season with his traditional disappearing act he can be sent packing with minimal cap impact next year.
March 31st, 2016 at 9:15 am
Folks, don’t forget, by 2020 the salary cap will be around $200 mil. thats only 4 years, the average increase in the cap has been $11 mil per season since 2011. Wilkerson could be the Bucs Reggie White in terms of giving the team legitimacy. The Packers were a joke before White signed on, but that signing gave them legitimacy in the league and for other elite other players to take them seriously when they came calling the next season.
March 31st, 2016 at 9:23 am
For a guy like Wilkerson I say you make the deal no kid coming out the draft is better than Wilkerson not a DE or DT. If the Bucs can draft one of the talented DE with the first pick and pair him up with a front that would be considered the best line in football the kid will have a wealth of knowledge to tap into. Just imagine this line up.( DE)DeForest Buckner or Joey Bosa (DT) Mo Wilkerson (DT) Gerald McCoy (DE) Robert Ayers. Can’t forget guys J Smith and Will Gholston double digit sacks would not be a problem and at the same you wouldn’t have to address CB position early because D-Line will put great pressure on QB
March 31st, 2016 at 9:52 am
And when you make the deal and he does not work out with all he is expected to do? I can tell you who the first one on this board is that will be crying.
March 31st, 2016 at 9:58 am
Been awhile…. Wassup joes?! Glad you guys are now talking about Mo…in free agency I was saying that he was our missing piece… The bucs have the money I don’t think that’d be an issue… You’d have a bigger issue slotting him next to McCoy when he first outplays GMC and later when he takes over as leader of the defense… But first, trade the heck out of mike glennon if this deal is even near the table!!! Get MO here Licht!!! We get this guy everything we complain about with GMC is gone!!
Now you’re talking about who or what draft pick we can trade GMC for next year as he gets up in age, salary and injuries and we save ourselves the eventual draft pick two years from now…
March 31st, 2016 at 9:59 am
I’d rather have Rankin at a rookie contract than Wilkerson.
However, a Wilkerson/McCoy combo in the middle is a game-changer for the D.
March 31st, 2016 at 10:07 am
BucsFan20
You must be worrying about 8 failing at his next stop or his new teams fans not making all the same excuses to justify is average to below average play that some bucs fans make.
March 31st, 2016 at 10:08 am
If I’m Licht… I get Mo here… Trade MG8 for a 2nd rounder..: Extend Mo 4 years and give all the guarantees upfront, team options for year two and three that seem crazy now but would look good against another rising cap… Draft edge rushers at bpa at rounds 1 and 3… Calculating the 2nd I just got for Mike glennon I draft I’d use both of those on safeties… I’d give you a swing offensive lineman at 5… An absolute burner wide receiver who can grow at 6th… A linebacker with crazy upside and measurables at Sam who was overlooked…
Your welcome. I just fixed the Bucs.
March 31st, 2016 at 10:12 am
@cobraboy I love rankins but he may go lower than expected… He either mocks to us or low 1st
March 31st, 2016 at 10:15 am
Plus if and when cardale goes undradted… He’d be jameis’ perfect backup… Licht said he loved osu just not who!!!
March 31st, 2016 at 10:27 am
I fully agree with CrustyCrab. How many hyped-up draft picks have hit the NFL and then fallen on their face. I mean, Gaines Adams didn’t just flop, he actually died! Which means, you just never know.
Getting MoWilk is getting a PROVEN, VERSATILE ALL-PRO. And who says that QB pressures have to come from the ends. With MoWilk and Gerald (no longer double-teamed) screaming up the middle, J. Smith, Gholston, Ayers and our #1 Pick at DE will have much more success.
With this souped-up pass rush, the addition of Grimes and a post-Lovie resurrection of Banks and Verner should be more than sufficient.
I give the Jets Glennon, this years second rounder, and our extra sixth rounder. Remember, we were probably the deepest team at DT last year, but with McDonald and McDaniel not signed and the oft-injured Akeem Spence, all we have is Gerald.
Pay the man!
March 31st, 2016 at 10:50 am
You guys are hilarious…
You all will say, “keep Glennon. it doesn’t make sense to trade him for an unknown commodity of a draft pick. he’s more valuable as a backup than a draft pick” and then in the SAME BREATH turn around and say, “it’s stupid to trade Glennon for a proven DE”
It’s idiocy like that why i’ve stayed out of the comments section lately.
March 31st, 2016 at 10:51 am
We can make this deal happen with Glennon and McDonald for Wilkerson plus cutting Johnson. This would give us a monster tandem up the middle which I think makes the DE position slightly less important. This move would let the Bucs focus on the secondary and linebackers.
For the Jets they are far more likely to be able to sign Glennon to a new contract it also reduces their payroll. If they can get Glennon to a long term deal then they at worst have one of the better backups in the league. For the Bucs they have to make sure that they can get a long term deal down that works for their long term numbers.
March 31st, 2016 at 10:52 am
He is a proven quantity draft picks even in the top ten are still gambles.
The key for both teams, but especially us if the traded players agree to a long term contract. As somebody pointed out in the story otherwise we’re just trading one player who will leave at the end of the year for another.
But even if we can’t get a long term contract at least we’d get a year’s play out of Wilkerson and that’s something to consider as well. Assume the worst. Say we make the trade and we get Wilkerson on his current final year. Even if we knew we weren’t really planning to pay him the monster dollars at the end of the year he would still have plenty of value for us.
I would certainly give up MG8 for just a year’s rental from Wilkerson. Perhaps as one poster suggested we give them MG8 our number one in return for their number two. That would mean we give up MG8 and drop about ten spots in the draft. Not too steep for a year’s play from Wilkerson. He could be a true difference maker for us. And we would at least have a good look and the inside edge if we wanted to resign him. And in a contract year can you imagine the havoc Wilkerson would wreak in the NFC South?
I get planning ahead…and Licht’s three year outlook…Joe keeps pointing out we’re not yet competitive…BS…we have the QB…we have an improving quality OL in front of him…the second leading rusher in the league..complimented by a great receiving back..Our WR could still turn out well..FA and draft help may be needed..I agree with Joe there…
I’m for winning NOW. Scrw building for a couple of years!!! Wilkerson could fill this team’s biggest need…a quality pass rusher who will make those around him even better. Let’s freaking WIN THIS YEAR!!!
March 31st, 2016 at 10:53 am
Yeah, I’m confused by the “heck no, get a draft pick” crowd. At 26, he’s young and PROVEN. I’d give up #9 for that alone. Who’s better in this draft class? And proven? “What about the money?” You ask. Who cares, you’re going to have to pay performers anyway. If you make the trade and sign an extension, you’ve got a guy for at least 5 years that will definitely make an impact on the D-line.
March 31st, 2016 at 11:00 am
The Bucs have done too well with drafting under Licht for us to give up picks but Mo Wilkerson is one of the top 5 DL in the NFL.
I would not give up a 2nd, but I’d give them Glennon and a 6th for a straight up trade or Glennon and a 3rd if we are able to sign him to a 4 or 5 year deal.
March 31st, 2016 at 11:00 am
I don’t think there’s much substance to making this deal because the Bucs cannot pay two premiere interior players over $110M guaranteed.
You can draft a guy to give you production and value. You trade for this guy and he will soon (like next year) be looking for a PAY DAY!!!
March 31st, 2016 at 11:04 am
Even if we don’t sign Wilk to a long term deal, we could still likely get a 3rd round compensatory draft pick if he leaves via Free Agency.
March 31st, 2016 at 11:06 am
I’d rather get a 3rd round comp pick for a guy that can play the whole season vs getting a 3rd round comp pick for a guy you hope never takes a snap.
March 31st, 2016 at 11:07 am
If were licht…I would trade glennon and whatever draft pick they want…at that point we would have a lot of flexibility…if we gave them a 1st then draft William Jackson in the second and deione jones in the 3rd…if we can convince them to take a second then draft vhg in the first and deione jones in the 3rd…either way we would have a cb, lb and proven dt/de…that would be an upgrade at all 3 levels of the defense…sign big mo to an extension and watch the w’s pill up…GO BUCS!!!
March 31st, 2016 at 11:18 am
stop with the 3rd or even 4th round comp pick for Glennon it’s not happening. Look at the formula. The exact formula is not published but enough stat geeks and nerds have reversed engineered the formula NO WAY will bucs being receiving a 3rd or 4th round comp pick for Glennon. Google is your friend. Playing time is heavily factor and Glennon has not played in a year in a half and hopefully will not play a single snap this upcoming season. Post season honors is also a factor He has never even sniffed a playoff game much less received an honor. The only factor that will help bucs is the fact that backup qb’s are being overpaid…
March 31st, 2016 at 11:20 am
@tmax,
I’ve BEEN saying that. i just put it out there to appease the same people that think we’re getting a first round pick for Glennon. not likely, but the (absolute) best case scenario.
March 31st, 2016 at 11:22 am
Architek Says:
March 31st, 2016 at 11:00 am
I don’t think there’s much substance to making this deal because the Bucs cannot pay two premiere interior players over $110M guaranteed.
If GMC is hurt, disappears or simply is not a good fit he can be let go next year with very little cap hit less than 600,000 … Wilkerson is an upgrade over GMC and more durable…. The bucs can’t afford his salary demand excuse simply does not fly with the expected salary cap increases and the fact they only have a few big contracts all which are loaded in the first couple of years thus easy to get out of if player does not perform.
March 31st, 2016 at 11:24 am
celly
very nice… yeah it gets pretty comical when it comes to trade values and draft pick values of some players. there will be a lot of BUTTHURT 8 fans come draft day….
March 31st, 2016 at 11:38 am
TMax says:
“The bucs can’t afford his salary demand excuse simply does not fly with the expected salary cap increases and the fact they only have a few big contracts all which are loaded in the first couple of years thus easy to get out of if player does not perform.”
Here’s the thing TMax. I’m fan land and Madden you can debate this sort of stuff but trust me when I say the goal and performance markers for coaches are to maximize GMC abilities and or tailor the system to his strengths.
That said, you can draft a player to give you production and a fraction of the salary. This is a deep interior class.
March 31st, 2016 at 11:51 am
Architek
your points are valid that being said, building around an injury prone DT that has missed 17 full games and parts of 8 others and who is always s nicked up is a gamble just like drafting any player is a gamble. Wilkerson is a beast GMC is not. He’s a fine player but there are always excuses injuries, no de, no coaching etc…. Wilkerson plays hard and with passion I am not saying GMC does not play hard but he does not get the same results during critical times in the game. Pro bowls mean nothing. meaningless first half sacks mean nothing. When the game is on the line or it’s 3rd down you rarely hear GMC name called. I can not support a player that is always hurt and does not get butthurt when other teams come into his house and embarrass his team which has happened over the last 3 years. I said it before GMC is a good player but not great Wilkerson is young, durable and PROVEN… I don’t hate GMC but he can be upgraded.
March 31st, 2016 at 2:02 pm
Please, no more trade with the Jets…haven’t we learned our lesson??
March 31st, 2016 at 2:11 pm
@tmax- Although the GMC rant was a bit tiresome, I have to agree that bringing in Mo is a significant upgrade to the d-line as a whole. Mo is THAT good. You make this trade if you can. Think about it, 2 premiere DTs.
What? You draft a DT/DE and, hopefully, in a year or 2 he can be an impact player?
March 31st, 2016 at 2:35 pm
Bucsfanman
it maybe tiresome but it’s accurate.
March 31st, 2016 at 2:56 pm
Harlembuc
I’m with you fam. Just said the same thing about cardale a few days ago. Agree with you on Mo too.
March 31st, 2016 at 3:05 pm
He’s a big, well-paid easy target. I get it. Let’s not let that overshadow the rest of the D’s incompetency last year also. He wasn’t the only guy not making plays. For accuracy’s sake.
March 31st, 2016 at 3:25 pm
Sign him and get Glennon outt’a here! I would totally be on board with this and think we would be fools to not to try and get ths done! No garauntees with draft picks but I can garauntee Wilk will crush it and get 9-10 sacks a year
March 31st, 2016 at 4:00 pm
The best way to look at this and the deal to be had (IMO) is this.
We trade MG and our #9 pick for Mo and the Jets 2nd Round Pick.
Mo is a better deal than a #9 Pick. And we get a 2nd rounder for MG.
Simple as that!!!!!!!!
March 31st, 2016 at 4:34 pm
The Jets actually sound interested and if we can get a first round pick for Glennon by only having to give up a number one this year, we should pull the trigger. The reason why you make the trade for Wilkerson is Gerold McCoy. If GMC can stay healthy and produce this year, we will have one of the most dominate DL in football. If GMC has another injury plagued year, we need to start asking the tough questions whether he is worth the $95,200,000 contract with an average salary of $15,866,667? GMC is 28 years old and has just a small window left in his prime. It could very well be time to move on and there is no better replacement than Wilkerson. If we decide to keep GMC there is still room with cap money. We are under the cap by $15,795,430. Players like Cherilus (4.5), McDonald (2.5), Johnson (2), Myers (1.75) and of course Glennon (1.65). Total – $12,650,000. If we need more cash cut one more player, Verner and draft a CB in the first round. If not we are stuck with GMC until we can draft a replacement.
March 31st, 2016 at 4:39 pm
The Jets need a QB and some cap relief. The Bucs need help on the DL. A straight up player swap along with new contracts is the only thing I would agree to. We need to build through the draft, not trade away our picks.
March 31st, 2016 at 4:42 pm
That right zilla…. The best value for MG is going to be a package deal… You can prolly even use him and our 2nd in a trade to the Browns and get two top ten picks!!!! That would be bad ass and be better than getting Mo on a one year deal…
However the Browns are a poorly run team…. They would probably feel ripped off… lol
March 31st, 2016 at 5:23 pm
do it now! while winston is still under his rookie contract,we could afford it.
March 31st, 2016 at 5:27 pm
bucs could also essentially trade one year of glennon for one year of wilkerson, with both players at risk of being free agents at season’s end. glennon starts and markets himself, and wilkerson auditions for a team that can afford to guarantee him $15-16mil a year for 3 years, after which they can cut bait with either wilkerson or mccoy at no cost if they need the space for a QB megadeal in 2019 and beyond
both franchises would be highly motivated to lock down their guy long term after the trade, and if it didn’t happen in preseason they’d have time before free agency to try to get it done
April 2nd, 2016 at 12:55 am
I’d love to see something work. 2nd rd pick and Glennon, I’m thinking about it. 3rd round pick and Glennon, there’s no need to think about it. Wilk is a stud. You never know with a draft pick. This wouldn’t be an average trade. This is a 26 year old stud who is coming off a 12 sack campaign while also playing inside much of the time.