A Perfect Match?

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The NFC South is an offensive juggernaut. Every team can seemingly score from anywhere on the field. Drew Brees, Cam Newton, and Matt Ryan have haunted the Buccaneers secondary for several years now, but the Bucs now find themselves in the mix of outstanding offenses. Fitzpatrick has this offense rolling with the exception of the first half of Monday night’s game. The big question is can any of the defenses in the NFC South actually stop someone?

The Buccaneers have lost Vernon Hargreaves III and Chris Conte for the season. They are loaded with potential talent in the rookie class, but do we really want them going up against Newton, Brees, and Ryan? There is a guy out there who would elevate the defense immediately, and his name is Earl Thomas. This superstar is unhappy with the contract situation in Seattle and has made it clear he wants out. He’s is in the last year of his contract. Would it be wise for Tampa Bay to make a pitch for him and try to sign him to an extension?

The Buccaneers have two tight ends right now who are elite. O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate are nightmare match-ups for opposing defenses, but Howard is the guy who seems to be receiving more of the offensive attention from our quarterbacks. My theory is that the Buccaneers call up the Seattle Seahawks and offer Cameron Brate.

This would be a win/win for both teams involved. The Buccaneers get much-needed secondary help and the Seahawks get a pass-catching tight end who would help Russell Wilson. Brate is under contract until 2023 after signing a $40.8 million-dollar extension with the Buccaneers. The hang-up on this deal would be the fact that Earl Thomas seemingly wants to be a Dallas Cowboy.

Earl Thomas has been the glue of that Seattle Seahawks defense since 2010. He has only played in less than 15 games twice in his career (2016-17). He is a ball hawk, collecting 28 interceptions in the past 9 seasons. He also has 660 combined tackles. Thomas would help the young secondary develop as well.

In his 5 years with the Buccaneers Cameron Brate has recorded 132 receptions, 1,590 yards, and 18 touchdowns. But this year he has been living in the shadows of OJ Howard. He has 3 receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown, all stats from the game against the Steelers. Brate is a durable tight end who has chemistry with Jameis Winston, but the Buccaneers love the athleticism of Howard.

Although I believe that the Seahawks and the Buccaneers could trade the two stars straight up, the reality is that it would probably involve some draft picks to make this a done deal. The Buccaneers would probably have to give a 3rd or 4th rounder to the Seahawks. The Seahawks would probably get away with giving a 5th or 6th rounder. This is a fantasy trade, but the addition of Earl Thomas could be exactly what puts the Buccaneers over the top in the 2018-2019 NFL season and could get us back to the playoffs.

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