The NFL trade deadline is October 29 and rapidly approaching, but unlike in the NBA or Major League Baseball, trades are few and far between normally in the NFL. Still, 2019 has already seen a blockbuster trade go down with the Jaguars shipping All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the L.A. Rams for two No.1’s and a fourth-round draft pick. The Rams also traded cornerback Marcus Peters to Baltimore.

Twitter and social media has been very active in the last week or so, with rumors of teams wishing to rid themselves of high-salaried players and looking to stockpile draft picks, while also mentioning teams looking to upgrade their roster.

Bucs TE O.J. Howard – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Buccaneers have been mentioned in a few of the rumors including possibly shipping tight end O.J. Howard out of town, while there is also speculation that Tampa Bay could be in the market to acquire Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson – a potential move that PewterReport.com endorses.

Our sources have told us the Buccaneers have no intention of trading Howard, who is in his third season in Tampa Bay, despite a lackluster start to the 2019 campaign. Howard had struggled to find his place in the new Bruce Arians and Byron Leftwich offense, but inside the building, the coaching staff and front office feels it is only a matter of time before Howard’s numbers – and potential – start meeting to eventually mesh.

Sources have also told us a trade for Peterson is also highly unlikely – for a number of reasons.

First, the Cardinals have not shown any interest in moving their eight-time Pro Bowler. That doesn’t mean they won’t listen to offers, but if Ramsey cost two first round picks, the asking price for Peterson would likely involve at least one No. 1 draft pick and another premium pick, something the Buccaneers have no desire to give up at this point. If Tampa Bay was just a cornerback away from making a serious Super Bowl run then it might be more likely to pursue Peterson, especially based on the relationship between the star defensive back and former Cardinals and the current Bucs coach.

Peterson is also due just over $12 million in 2020 and would carry a cap hit of $13,184,588. That amount of money could be used to sign a free agent offensive linemen or two quality cornerbacks next March.

That doesn’t mean the Buccaneers wouldn’t consider adding Peterson if he were to be available, especially if the asking price dipped to a second- or third-round draft pick, however the scenario is unlikely especially with Peterson closing in on 30 years of age.

Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson – Photo by: Getty Images

A player that could help the Buccaneers shore up their injured and inconsistent offensive line is Washington Redskins tackle Trent Williams, who has been holding out all season. William is a bargain at just under $14 million in 2020, but most likely would want a new deal before reporting to any team that were to acquire him.

Like Arizona with Peterson, there has been no confirmation that the Redskins want to even move Williams, however draft picks talk. And with the price the Texans gave up to the Dolphins to bring in left tackle Laremy Tunsil – two No. 1’s and a No. 2 – it is possible the Redskins could be coaxed into making a deal to ship out Williams.

So far the Buccaneers haven’t been connected to any trade rumors for Williams, and with over $10 million per linemen invested in left tackle Donovan Smith, left guard Ali Marpet and center Ryan Jensen, it’s unlikely the Bucs would want to invest in another high-priced lineman. The Cleveland Browns, who are desperate to protect quarterback Baker Mayfield, have been speculated to be the front runners if Washington decides to move on from Williams.

Tackle Trent Williams – Photo by: Getty Images

Broncos pass rusher Von Miller, Carolina quarterback Cam Newton, Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green, Jets defensive end Leonard Williams, Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs and Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins are a handful of other players who have been rumored to be possibly moved before the trade deadline, but the likelihood the Buccaneers would be interested in acquiring any of these are very slim as most are due huge salaries in 2020 and beyond.

In the Madden video game world the Bucs would sign Peterson, trade for Williams, and even add another proven wide receiver like Green or Diggs. But in the real world of the salary cap and draft capital, don’t look for Tampa Bay to be active between now and the October 29 deadline.

As previously mentioned, the 2-4 Buccaneers aren’t just one player away from a Super Bowl run, and the price to add a player that might help them get from 7-9 to 9-7 is most likely deemed to be too much by the organization.