Jason Licht Again Confesses He’s Looking To Trade Down
April 17th, 2026
Looking for a trade partner.
When the Bucs personnel people gather to go through the draft, they go through so many possible angles it would make your head spin.
If Team-A picks this guy then Team-B picks that guy, then Team-C trades out and then Team-D pulls a fast one and picks… Joe’s head is spinning for days on end.
You’d drink heavily too if you went through those options for 10-14 hours a day.
Bucs general manager Jason Licht was asked this week if he’s looking to trade down. Licht said that in many of the dry runs he and his staff have been through, trading down comes up often.
“In a lot of scenarios that we’re working through, yeah,” Licht said about trading down. “You have a group of players that you say, ‘No matter what, if this player’s there, we’re taking [them].’ “If there’s a group of three, then maybe you go back one or two to make sure that you ensure you get one of your three, but the part of that that makes it difficult is you’ve got to find a trade partner.
Of course, Licht doesn’t want to get caught dancing with himself. You can’t trade back if you can’t find someone to trade up.
“But the part of that that makes it difficult is you’ve got to find a trade partner,” Licht said. “It’s not as easy as it sounds. Sometimes teams just don’t want to move up. They don’t want to give up picks, and I understand why.”
The only way Licht wants to give up a draft pick is if he gets a Tristan Wirfs or Jason Pierre-Paul in return. Joe can’t say blame Licht.
So yeah, Licht wants to trade back. That’s no secret. The trick is, who wants to trade up?
April 17th, 2026 at 3:49 am
Smart man
April 17th, 2026 at 4:47 am
He’s been holding that “For Sale’ out for the past month lol. Hoping he finds a taker, even if the trade isn’t a home run win for him. So much talent and value to be found in those 2nd-4th rounds, but obviously every other GM realizes that too. Only takes one though… stayin’ hopeful.
April 17th, 2026 at 5:00 am
If Sadiq is still there, im sure we’ll find a trade, just dont drop too much….i think baltimore at 19 will grab Ioane….maybe the panthers would want him (Sadiq)…well, unless we want him (Sadiq), but if not, then we switch with the panthers and still grab Ioane.
April 17th, 2026 at 5:07 am
I call smokescreen and he’s looking to trade up for a day 1 impact player.
April 17th, 2026 at 6:01 am
I always want a round one trade out or back but never more so than this year. If McCoy and/or Sadiq are there at 15 I think it could happen. OT or WR needy teams at the back end of round 1 might get jumpy if there is an early run on either of those positions.
I’d be looking for 2’s, 3’s, 4’s and a bunch of 7’s throughout this draft. There are enticing borderline draftable defensive talents I can’t trust to be lured to the Bucs over other teams offers. Most of the guys who go late sixth or in seventh are disappointed because they already have UDFA deals lined-up with teams of their choice.
The Steelers have 12 picks and need an OT and weapons for Rodgers and it looks like Carson Beck down the line. They have 3 rd 3 picks, 2 rd 4 picks and 3 rd 7 picks. I’d take a bouquet of those picks for #15.
The Patriots have 11 picks and needs similar to the Bucs. Four of their picks are in rd 6 though which aren’t terribly enticing.
The Jags also have 11 picks and no first rounder. They have 3 rd 3 picks. They should send the Bucs one of those for free for Coen at least. I’d take satisfaction in fleecing them in a trade.
Speaking of teams to fleece, the Dolphins have 4 rd 3 picks and need multiple franchise pillars. They might stay nuts and trade the Bucs a haul for #15.
The 49ers have 4 rd 4 picks and need an OT. Lynch is easy to get on the phone on draft day for Licht.
The Iggles have 2 rd 3’s, 2 rd 4’s and 2 rd 5’s. They could want Faulk, Sadiq or a WR bad enough to trade.
The Chiefs could be baited to take McCoy or Sadiq at 15 if they are there. They only have two extra rd 5’s but them landing McCoy would and Delane would be a bold coup of a draft move.
April 17th, 2026 at 6:11 am
if there is a group of 3 hes willing to trade down for and he doesn’t care which one he gets it doesnt really say much about them.
April 17th, 2026 at 6:12 am
I don’t see why any sane GM would want to trade up to 15
You will get the same type of player at 45
None of these guys stand out after the top 10-12
If you’re drafting for needs, you have a host of players with similar skills
It don’t make sense to trade up for a reach
April 17th, 2026 at 6:25 am
I’ve been blessed to have a fairly long life, at least marked by the years. We learn lessons, in time. “Joe’s head is spinning just thinking of doing this for days on end”. Sounds stressful. One lesson I’ve learned, in time, is alot of stress could be avoided by remembering something. That something is that you don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. Simple. You draft the most decorated defensive college football player in history! Duh! If he’s available to us, and we miss, bullwhip everyone in sight responsible for overthinking the process. It’s the most important position on our defense and we just lost a franchise legend in that spot. Get him. I’m good with McDonald, too, but only if we can get him and JRod. See? Keep it simple Jason.
April 17th, 2026 at 6:34 am
And do you know that warm feeling you get when you’re feeling that anything more is just icing on the cake? Draft McDonald and JRod and anything else WOULD be just icing on the cake. And the warm feeling would turn into a warm and fuzzy feeling.
April 17th, 2026 at 7:12 am
If Sadiq is available Bucs WILL take him-If Sadiq is NOT available Bucs will trade back.
April 17th, 2026 at 7:17 am
Jets(2nd & 16th), Browns(6th & 24th), Dolphins(11th & 30th), Cowboys(12th & 20th), & Chiefs(9th & 29th) all have 2 first round picks.
They all pick before us and after us.
There’s probably some overlapping interests in prospects amongst those teams and with others, us included.
Only takes one team to like a player enough to panic, and when you’re picking twice in the top 20. What’s giving up a 2nd/3rd round pick in a pick swap type of trade package?
Lichts’ been vaguely making it known he’s open for business.
April 17th, 2026 at 7:24 am
Looking to trade down? The Steelers are looking to trade up. If you could get them to throw in Herbig or Freimuth you could pick up a young impact player and then you can draft anybody you want, And yeah they are talking about trade both of those guys and maybe TJ. But TJ means they would have to open up the bank and that is not likely, Never the less the Bucs and Steelers have enjoyed friendly relationships over the years and something good just might be possible.
April 17th, 2026 at 7:43 am
I agree with MadMax, Sadiq is the bucs’ Rosetta stone to trading down, so it’s kind of stupid to not feign some interest in him. By announcing your eagerness to trade down, you’re driving down the asking price. Imo, putting out feelers on who’s interested in Sadiq is a better route. Well that, and not resigning a glass ceiling TE to top dollar knowing a generational TE is a good probability in the draft for you. But that’s the epitome of Licht’s guile. Slap your back and call you brother, hoping that’s enough to get an invite to your daughter’s wedding. Dullard
April 17th, 2026 at 7:48 am
Every GM has his draft board
And I’m sure the top players on their boards are in the top 10-12
So if they are anxious to draft that player
It seems like they will move up to 10-12 to secure that player
Instead of waiting for that player to drop below 12
If a player drop to 15, he’s a middle of pack player
They probably think they get a similar player at 45
April 17th, 2026 at 8:01 am
I gotta say I really hope in a trade back we take Malaki Lawerance from UCF.. He just seems like a guy who could take off leaps and bounds. If he were an Ohio st. Prospect he’d already be talked about in the top 20 no doubt.
April 17th, 2026 at 8:12 am
Planting seeds in the mind of teams that have two picks…I like it.
April 17th, 2026 at 8:16 am
Joe, serious question. Why don’t you sell merch? Set up a bunch of print on demand items, no inventory or overhead, just a little extra cash flow. If you make a “Munch was wrong again” shirt I would buy one. I would also buy a “king of Newport Richey” shirt.
April 17th, 2026 at 8:38 am
Terrific idea!!!!!!! Perhaps some ramblings with RAMDOM WORDS ALL CAPS and lots of exclamation points!!!!!!!!
T-shirts that say:
boycotting this season because _______.
The answer to Fire Todd Bowles. Now what was the question?
Jason Licht is better drafting than me. (This could be a booby prize for most adamant pre-draft position that ended up completely wrong.)
Never Heard of Bo Jackson. So what, Boomer?
Put a Jersey On
Eat a W at Hooters
April 17th, 2026 at 9:11 am
been saying it for 2 months now…
trade down, select IOL with our first pick and defense the rest of the way….looks like Licht is thinking the same thing!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
April 17th, 2026 at 9:13 am
I bet Cowboys grab Bain, they have a proud history of having thugs on their roster
April 17th, 2026 at 9:13 am
It’s because he is enamored with Jacob Rodriguez of Texas Tech and thinks he will be there in the mid-20’s. He is the ONLY pick that can be made from 15-30 that would be a bonafide upgrade and definite long-term starter in the NFL in an area of need.
April 17th, 2026 at 9:14 am
813bucboi Says:
April 17th, 2026 at 9:11 am
been saying it for 2 months now…
trade down, select IOL with our first pick and defense the rest of the way….looks like Licht is thinking the same thing!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
——–
You’ve been saying the wrong thing for months now.
April 17th, 2026 at 9:15 am
Usedtocould and Tampa2ATL thank you for making me laugh . I would buy a shirt “ With their first pick of the 2026 Draft , The Tampa Bay Buccaneers pick Sidney Sweeney. “
April 17th, 2026 at 9:15 am
Had meant to mention McCoy –it’s been 15 months since his ACL and he’s not letting anyone see him run or cut. Scary spending a 1st on that
April 17th, 2026 at 9:22 am
Depends on how quickly the offensive linemen go. Chargers have a huge hole at guard and Lions have a huge need at tackle. I think there is a good chance the Bucs can trade down.
April 17th, 2026 at 10:11 am
Brandon Says:
April 17th, 2026 at 9:13 am
It’s because he is enamored with Jacob Rodriguez of Texas Tech
LOL…talk about somebody being WRONG!!!…lol…
GO BUCS!!!!
April 17th, 2026 at 11:50 am
We’re looking at you Browns & Cowboys… maybe even Steelers or Eagles.
Come on… do it!
April 17th, 2026 at 2:11 pm
Just keep trading down.
Draft warm beer.
April 17th, 2026 at 5:31 pm
If he’s looking to trade down, he thinks his BPA is not the consensus BPA for the range at which he is picking. Maybe it’s J-Rod? We should also look at moving up and landing Styles.
April 17th, 2026 at 8:38 pm
If you can trade back and get an extra 2nd, or maybe even a 3rd for a small move, then yeah – take it. But I think it’s going to be hard to find someone that wants to pay to move up unless someone like one of the offensive tackles, or one of the WRs slides – at just about any other position if someone slides, the Bucs would take them.
April 17th, 2026 at 8:48 pm
Draft 7 different farm animals, they’ll understand assignments as well as anyone else Todd coaches.