Tampa Bay Buccaneers “Weighing” Option of Trading 2013 First Round Pick for Darrelle Revis
By Josh Hill
Earlier on Monday afternoon, ProFootballTalk.com reported that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were finally willing to part ways with their 2013 first-round draft pick in order to acquire injured cornerback Darrelle Revis. But almost immediately after that report surfaced, the Tampa Times and Buccaneers beat writer Rick Stroud suggested that report was erroneous and insist that the Buccaneers are still “weighing” whether or not give up the 13th overall pick in this month’s draft.
"The Bucs remain greatly focused on acquiring one of the league’s premier defensive players. In fact, the only thing holding up the trade for Revis is that general manager Mark Dominik still is weighing whether to part with the 13th overall selection in 2013."
There has been ongoing talks between the Bucs and Jets about Revis, but the talks haven’t been very progressive. The Buccaneers are offering their 2014 first-round pick while the Jets are saying Tampa Bay will not acquire the All-Pro cornerback without surrendering their 2013 first-rounder. Mark Dominik and the Buccaneers have refused to give up that pick, but it’s clearly not been ruled out.
The talks will hit a critical phase over the next few weeks as we inch closer to the NFL Draft. All indications are that if a trade gets done, it will happen before the NFL Draft and will happen well before the Buccaneers go on the clock. Tampa Bay wants to bring Revis in for a physical before finalizing any trade.
Because of this, a trade will not be done “on the clock”.
To add to the drama, Revis is due a $3 million bonus if he shows up for offseason workouts with the Jets. Revis wants to rehab in Arizona while it’s figured out where he’ll play next season. So far, it sounds like the first-round pick is the only thing holding up Revis’ trade to Tampa Bay. According to Stroud, the Bucs are willing to pay Revis $15 million per season, but haven’t spoken to any agents and won’t until a trade is agreed upon.
It appears as though we’re reaching the end of the Darrelle Revis sage, and nothing signifies that more so than the fact we are clearly in the be careful what you read stage of things.