PFF: If The Bucs Need To Trade Up, Who Could Be Bait?
March 24th, 2026
The PFF tribe speaks.
Joe is a huge fan of Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. But as Joe has typed for months, Joe isn’t sure how in the world Styles gets past Dallas.
(Hey, Styles on the board after Dallas at No. 10, funnier things have happened, like a dude whose own father put a video on Twitter of his first-round-pick-graded son in a bong mask. That stunt cost his son tens of millons are dollars. And then there was the time Tristan Wirfs was the fourth offensive tackle picked. Joe’s just sayin.’)
So if the Bucs are hellbent on getting Styles, they very likely will have to trade up.
The PFF tribe is looking at each team’s best trade asset if the need to move up happens. For the Bucs, John Kosko says the monthly fee for that would be running back Bucky Irving.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: HB Bucky Irving
Given their lack of other tradable assets, the Buccaneers could consider moving Bucky Irving for draft capital. His strong rookie season makes him an appealing option, and the relative ease of finding productive running backs later in the draft supports the idea.With ongoing issues along the offensive line, reallocating value from the running back position could help address more pressing needs.
Joe doesn’t think trading Bucky is on the table.
For one, if he returns to his rookie production, Bucky is one of the best backs in the game. But Joe is more than confident opposing general managers saw Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht sign Kenneth Gainwell and bring back Sean Tucker. That either tells folks the Bucs think Bucky is damaged goods or something else.
At best, the Bucs aren’t 100 percent sure Bucky will return to his rookie ways. Otherwise, they probably don’t pay both Gainwell and Tucker.
Besides, the great Sage of Tampa Bay sports, Ira Kaufman, told Joe in a recent podcast that Licht absolutely should not trade next year’s first-round draft pick. If, Ira said, the Bucs go south this year, that 2027 is going to be very, very valuable in more ways than one.
March 24th, 2026 at 12:09 am
Trade Todd Bowles. Any team would be delighted to have the best defensive genius in the history of the NFL and its finest head coach.
March 24th, 2026 at 12:22 am
I am thinking that Bucky mighty have been a flash in the pan. Last season he got hurt and then it got into his head, hence the extended absense where everyone at OBP was very quiet. When Bucky finally came back he was not the “hot hand” which got Rachaad White all bent out of shape and then Bucky himself started to blame 4th string lineman for his problems getting Wirfs involved in calming the kid down. No one will give up more than a laate day 3 pick for Bucky unless he proves he could revert to 2024 form. If the Bucs thought he could, would they have overpaid for Gainwell; it seems like they maybe thinking ahead for life with Bucky not being a starter or setting up a running back by committee situation.
March 24th, 2026 at 12:36 am
Let’s get Reuben Bain
March 24th, 2026 at 12:50 am
Yeah, the Bucs should do what PFF says to do cuz those guys are never wrong.
March 24th, 2026 at 1:07 am
Sonny Styles is not cheap and is not a bargain, so Licht is not interested. Bucs get 4 wins 2026
March 24th, 2026 at 1:11 am
3.28.Evans Says:
March 24th, 2026 at 12:09 am
Trade Todd Bowles. Any team would be delighted to have the best defensive genius in the history of the NFL and its finest head coach.
****Lol!**** package Todd Bowles up with JPP ask for a 4th round pick but settle for anything just make it happen.
March 24th, 2026 at 1:44 am
Not a big fan of moving up in the 1st Rnd. The costs are usually prohibitive.
March 24th, 2026 at 2:44 am
Nope!
March 24th, 2026 at 4:32 am
Only if Sonny makes it past #10…
March 24th, 2026 at 5:16 am
Yeah, that trading up in the first round never works. Look at some of these failures:
Jerry Rice-49ers moved from 27 to 6 to grab him—Best receiver of all time
Patrick Mahomes—27 to 10 by the Chiefs—5 Super Bowl appearances
Julio Jones—27 to 6—an all time great for Atlanta.
Trent McDuffie—29 to 21—Andy Reid is at it again.
Lamar Jackson—Ravens trade back into Round 1—2 MVP’s
And let us not forget when Mr. Conservative gave up our #7 pick to move back to 12 in 2018. With our #7 pick the Bills took Josh Allen and we took Vea at 12. I love Vea, but the wise move would have Jason trading Jameis, when he was still worth something, and picking Josh.
My point: If you think Styles is a difference maker, go get him. Take a chance instead of always moving back to maintain a .500 record. The only time Licht traded up, one spot, he took Wirfs.
The NFL Draft is always a crapshoot, so why not go all in once in a while?
Sometimes I think Licht drafts and trades to keep his job with a .500 record more than he wants to take risks to win.
March 24th, 2026 at 5:59 am
I agree with Nick Jannette if we trade up we need to go for Rueben Bain Jr. No question about it.
March 24th, 2026 at 6:41 am
The better move is trading back a few spots, picking up another mid-round pick.
March 24th, 2026 at 6:45 am
@JA: Mr. Conservative and Vea have rings, Alan doesn’t. I trust Mr. Licht’s judgement.
March 24th, 2026 at 6:59 am
Irving enough to land Styles? If so, I go like Usain Bolt to turn that one in. Then make some sort of deal to get a corner or a OLB. Sorry LVD.
Just don’t think there will be any takers because of the anemic offense we became last year.
Go Bucs
March 24th, 2026 at 7:16 am
As much as I give certain people in here crap about Sean Tucker (mostly because they have the audacity to compare him to a guy that’s going to get drafted 4 OVERALL) but I would be 100% good with him being moved in to a regular rotation with gainwell if they can somehow get Sonny Styles. If it guarantees a fire breathing beast roaming the middle of our defense and completely changing our identity of being SAWWWWFT, then hell yes . I’m not in to being emotionally attached to guys I don’t know 20yrs younger than me
March 24th, 2026 at 7:44 am
Grok says to move up to#5 it takes THIS year’s #1 and#2, and NEXT year’s #1
March 24th, 2026 at 8:55 am
Joe; Jason doesn’t think Bucky is damaged goods…he signed Steelers mvp well cause White dipped and needed his hopefully equal or better replacement and Tucker is a cheap one yr signing who knows the team and vice versa….it would be larceny if Licht DIDN’T sign a running back! Bucky goes down and u what have Ko as ur #1?? Stop it
March 24th, 2026 at 8:56 am
Anthony—
Bad analogy. You’ll have to do better.
Between Mahomes, Rice and McDuffie they have a total of 8 rings.
So you’re picking and choosing works both ways.
Many teams who move up get great players. That was my point.
And good luck trusting Licht. He backed keeping Bowles over Coen (or anybody) and landed an old Tom Brady when the rest of the league thought he was done. And I know there’d have been no Gronk and Brown without Brady.
With that, I’ll still give Licht some credit for Brady, but the rest? We’ve never even sniffed a Super Bowl.
March 24th, 2026 at 9:03 am
Trading down makes more sense than trading up
March 24th, 2026 at 9:34 am
JA… Now show us all the times when teams trade up and it blows up in their face. I guarantee you there a lot more of those than there are successes. Drafting is risky and similar to gambling. It’s easy to look back and see the success… hind sight 20/20. Allen was the third quarterback picked and Jackson the 5th. Redo that draft and the QB order comes out much differently. Rosen may not even get drafted.
Baker Mayfield (1st), Sam Darnold (3rd), Josh Allen (7th), Josh Rosen (10th), and Lamar Jackson (32nd)
Also, wasn’t it just last season that Atlanta traded up to get a felon and will have no first round pick this draft? Now, that move was hugely risky because that pick famously had behavioral issues, but Atlanta rolled the dice anyhow. Snake eyes. Licht would have never made that move.
Definitely not opposed to trading up and Styles seems like he’d be worth it but it’s always risky.
I think I’m more of a fan of trading down. We have multiple holes to fill.
March 24th, 2026 at 9:57 am
A small RB coming off a poor and injury plagued season is draft bait? What planet are you guys even on? Can you pass a drug test right now? Very questionable at best
March 24th, 2026 at 10:17 am
Don’t care what happens to other teams, or what has happened in the past. I guess we should never draft a tight end ever again because of OJ Howard TEN YEARS AGO. I guess we should never take risks again as a team. Earnhardt Jr should have never raced again after his dad died in 2001. I’m so tired of everyone being risk averse. This soft mentality is exactly why we get no funny movies or original IP’s anymore. Let’s do another remake or a shi brained marvel movie. Everyone is such a god damn robot
March 24th, 2026 at 10:47 am
I think the Bucs should strongly consider moving up this year, but not trade 2027 assets, so my guess is they would only be able to target someone that falls to the 9-11 range. Sonny Styles’ position may help him slide a little, but I think the name to keep an eye on will be Rueben Bain. Throw in a 3rd this year to jump up and get him makes sense to me. If we can’t get one of the top 3 Edges or Styles, trade back!
March 24th, 2026 at 11:15 am
depends who’s available at 15 (regarding trading down) and whether Bain is available at around 8 or 10 or whatever spot Licht targets to move up. could prolly trade up without dumping next year’s first, if he was so inclined. we have a lot of holes though, so if our choices at 15 are CJ Allen or edges that are ranked around 20+ or a guard, I say trade down. if you can get Bain or maybe even a top 10 LB, you gotta consider it
March 24th, 2026 at 11:36 am
KA——
You too, miss my point. Sure they’re risks.
But I’d rather take a chance than stay put, year after year after year …
Playing it safe almost guarantees you a .500 team.
And goin my way could get you a five win season. But when a risk pays off the fun rewards are soon to follow!
March 24th, 2026 at 12:03 pm
I would do anything but next years 1st round pick to get Bain. He would totally change our defense, regardless of Bowles.
March 24th, 2026 at 12:08 pm
Bucky was just a flash in the pan. Trade him.
March 24th, 2026 at 12:45 pm
@ KA: HUNDREDS of trade ups have failed, I believe you may be picking and choosing😁. I still trust Lichts judgement more than yours.
March 24th, 2026 at 12:47 pm
👆👆👆👆👆👆JA
March 24th, 2026 at 12:53 pm
Obviously Bucky had a phenomenal rookie season. Last years Bucky Irving has me a little worried. If he is still with the Bucs this year we will see if Bucky is back to his old self or was he just a one hit wonder. Bucky kind of gives off some Doug Martin vibes before he left Tampa. I hope for Bucky that is not the case and if it is hopefully the Bucs are giving him the help he needs to work through it.
March 24th, 2026 at 1:15 pm
Trade down and Select Kadyn Proctor from Bama!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
March 24th, 2026 at 1:18 pm
Would LOVE Styles…but love Bucky too. Bucky & Vega Ioane just as much. While 3rd and 28 was an embarrassment, it was one play. Baker was running for his life on EVERY play. Same reason – no holes to run & getting smacked down in backfield- Bucky was miffed. LB is a deep class this year. If Bailey, Bain, or Styles fell to 10 then convo would be worthwhile with Cincy…though would prefer a 2nd next year to our own proven explosive RB.
March 24th, 2026 at 2:34 pm
They want a true mike LB, which they do, and they need. That would be CJ Allen. He’d pair well with Anzalone. Picking a MLB who can run your defense for the next ten years is a bargain at pick 15. This defense clicked when White was a rookie playing great. Allen could be better. We need an edge rusher, but getting the QB of your defense, a guy who doesn’t come off the field we need more. We saw what the middle of this defense looked like with Dennis. Allen is the answer.
March 24th, 2026 at 2:56 pm
Jags need an RB and Coen has said Bucky is the best player he has ever been around….
March 24th, 2026 at 3:05 pm
Trade up in 2nd, trade down in first
March 24th, 2026 at 5:02 pm
Yes, if we could somehow manipulate to get Mesidor AND Hill Jr., I’d be happy giving up the rest of our picks. Just none for next year!
March 24th, 2026 at 11:17 pm
Why do we have the trade Bucky type thoughts going on. I don’t think anyone would take him anyway after several injuries, and much time off the field.
Love might fall to the Bucs, or a safety, CB or TE.
March 24th, 2026 at 11:18 pm
Why do we have the trade Bucky type thoughts going on. I don’t think anyone would take him anyway after several injuries, and much time off the field.
Love might fall to the Bucs, or a safety, CB or TE.
I agree, Mesidor is older but he’s shown he can get the job done.