Buccaneers Urged to Trade for $26 Million Former First Round Pick
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have hit the midseason point of the regular season with all of their goals very much still intact, and then some.
After surviving one battle after another, the Buccaneers are now 6-2 despite missing large chunks of their starting lineup for large chunks of games — thanks in large part to the brilliant play of quarterback and NFL MVP candidate Baker Mayfield.
With Mayfield, the Buccaneers have more often than not performed like NFC contenders on offense. On defense, it’s been another story. Not a bad one, just different.
On defense, the Buccaneers have been keeping their heads above water. They’re ranked 16th out of 32 NFL teams in total defense and done so without an elite edge rusher, an aging middle linebacker in Lavonte David and a middling, overpaid secondary.
Any infusion of talent — especially in the front 7 — would be welcome.
ESPN’s Ben Solak thinks that could come in the form of a trade with the Miami Dolphins for talented inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who currently leads the NFL with 85 tackles.
In Solak’s scenario, the Buccaneers would send the Dolphins a 2026 fifth round pick and safety Christian Izien in exchange for Brooks.
“A smooth coverage linebacker with great instincts and field sense, Brooks is one of the few linebackers in the league who can truly be trusted to carry a tight end down the field, or drop into the intermediate middle and not get bamboozled by route combinations or quarterbacks’ eye fakes,” Solak wrote on October 28. “Coverage linebackers in their athletic prime are rare and impactful players, and such a player is sorely needed in Tampa Bay.”
The NFL trade deadline is November 4. The Buccaneers have a bye in Week 9 and return to action at home against the New England Patriots on November 9.
Brooks Could Be Bucs’ Long Term Solution
Getting Brooks could end up being a formidable, long term solution for the Buccaneers — especially if David decides to retire after this season.
Brooks, 6-foot and 240 pounds, has been a tackling machine since the Seattle Seahawks drafted him in the first round (No. 27 overall) of the 2020 NFL draft.
He was a part time starter as a rookie in 2020 then became a full time starter in 2021 and he’s on track for his fifth consecutive season with over 110 tackles.
Brooks, who led the NFL with 109 solo tackles in 2021, signed a 3-year, $26.5 million free agent contract with the Dolphins in March 2024 and is under contract through the end of next seasons.
If the Buccaneers trade for Brooks and he turns out to be a good fit, it wouldn’t be a stretch to see him signing a similar deal to the one he’s on. The market for inside linebackers isn’t that robust and doesn’t usually re-set itself in a meaningful way.
Bucs Haven’t Gotten Great Results From Dennis
In 2023, the Buccaneers drafted SirVocea Dennis in the fifth round and while he flashed early, he missed 17 games due to injuries over his first 2 seasons.
While Dennis has become a full time starter in 2025, he’s also a liability in pass coverage. He currently ranks 70th out of 80 inside linebackers with a 45.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
Garrett Crochet Sets Red Sox Playoff Record with 11 Strikeouts in Game 1 of Wild Card Series, Tying 103-Year-Old Record Held by Smoky Joe Wood
In a historic performance during Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, Garrett Crochet made his mark on the Boston Red Sox record books, recording 11 strikeouts in a single playoff game. This impressive feat not only helped the Red Sox secure an early advantage but also tied the 103-year-old franchise record for strikeouts in a playoff game, set by the legendary Smoky Joe Wood.
Crochet’s dominant outing on the mound was a sight to behold. The 24-year-old lefty was in complete control, using a combination of power fastballs and sharp breaking balls to stymie the opposition’s offense. His ability to generate swings and misses throughout the game was a key factor in Boston’s 3-1 victory, putting them in a strong position to advance further in the postseason.
“It’s a special feeling to be mentioned alongside Smoky Joe Wood, a pitcher with such a rich legacy in this organization,” Crochet said after the game. “I just went out there and tried to do my job, focusing on each pitch and executing. The energy in the stadium was incredible, and I’m just happy I could help the team in a big moment like this.”
Crochet’s performance was a significant part of the Red Sox's success in Game 1, and it quickly became one of the most talked-about performances in the postseason. The 11 strikeouts matched a record that had stood for over a century, showcasing Crochet’s potential as one of the league’s rising stars.
Manager Alex Cora was full of praise for the young pitcher, highlighting his composure and effectiveness in the high-pressure environment of a playoff game. “Garrett was outstanding tonight. To tie a record like that in your first postseason appearance is remarkable,” Cora said. “He showed incredible poise and execution, and we’re excited to see what he can do in the next games.”
With Crochet’s historic performance setting the tone for the Red Sox, the team is now looking to build on this momentum as they aim for a deep playoff run. As the Red Sox continue their postseason journey, all eyes will be on Crochet, whose dominant pitching has already earned him a place in the team’s storied playoff history.
