Coming off a weekend in which they accumulated over 500 yards of offense, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are reportedly testing the market to see if they can add an additional weapon at wideout to complement a burgeoning running game.
CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports the Bucs are making a push to land a veteran receiver, and would be willing to move one of their corners -- either Johnthan Banks or Alterraun Verner -- at the right price. He notes that the big contracts on both could make it hard to deal, though it could land the Bucs a veteran such as the Chicago Bears' Alshon Jeffery or San Francisco 49ers' Torrey Smith, the latter of whom was connected to the Philadelphia Eagles this week.
Last week, the Bucs placed veteran Vincent Jackson on injured reserve with an ACL injury. In five games this season, the three-time Pro Bowler had 15 catches on 31 targets for 173 yards and no touchdowns.
Earlier Wednesday, ESPN Buccaneers reporter Jenna Laine suggested Verner, who has been benched recently, could be a potential trade target for a team in desperate need of a corner, noting he's "likely to be available" but his contract might be tough to move.
Verner signed a four-year, $25.75 million deal with Tampa Bay in 2014, with $14 million guaranteed. He is making $6.75 million this season, and is set to make $6.5 million next season before hitting free agency in 2018. But the former Pro Bowler has taken a slide this season, from starting outside to the slot to not even playing.
Laine's take: It's worth noting that Banks, a former second-round draft pick under former general manager Mark Dominik, started under Greg Schiano but was benched upon Lovie Smith’s arrival. He was a healthy scratch Sunday against the 49ers, which was very telling.
To this point, the offensive skill players the Bucs have brought in once this season started have played under Dirk Koetter in Jacksonville or Atlanta -- Cecil Shorts III, Jacquizz Rodgers and Antone Smith. That’s not to say he wouldn’t bring in an outside player, but system familiarity has played a huge role in who the Bucs have chosen to bring in.
-- Brendan C. Hall