Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Whether the New York Jets have put trade talks involving All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis “on hold”, or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have cooled on the deal due to the Jets’ asking price, the Bucs need to have a contingency plan in place to bolster their lagging secondary.
Reports have come in from both sides as to the whos and whys the proposed trade is sitting in limbo, but the bottom line is that it’s doubtful that will happen now.
If the Jets are indeed looking for three draft picks–including the Bucs 13th overall pick this year–then it is a bit too high to ask for Revis as-is. If the Bucs were getting a completely healthy Revis, then no question that would be a fair asking price. As it stands right now, the Pro Bowl defensive back is still undergoing rehab from last season’s knee injury.
Tampa Bay has to do something to solidify what was an awful pass defense in 2012, and getting Revis can’t be counted on given the current climate. The good news for the Bucs is that even if they stand pat with the number 13 pick, they could still have their choice of possibly three different top cornerbacks, one of whom could eventually end up being as good or better than Revis.
The chances that Florida State‘s Xavier Rhodes might still be there at 13 are about 50/50. Right now he’s projected to go around tenth, but with draft day trades and surprises, to see him fall three spots wouldn’t be unheard of.
Now if the Buccaneers were willing to give up a few draft picks for Revis, it’s a sure thing they’d be willing to give up at least one to move up far enough to guarantee getting Rhodes, who outside of Alabama‘s Dee Milliner, is probably the best pure cover corner in this year’s defensive back crop.
The beauty of all this is, the team they would have to more than likely make a deal with to move up far enough to get Rhodes? Yep…the New York Jets. Perhaps the deal has already been discussed, which would not be surprising at all.
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Michael Collins is a Rant Sports Senior Writer, and Atlanta sports columnist. Follow him @GaSportsCraze on Twitter and here on Facebook
