Jason Miles
Tampa Bay Buccaneers star linebacker Devin White reportedly requested a trade on Tuesday in the hopes that it will help him earn a new contract with another team. But the The Pro Bowler, whose fifth-year option is due to pay $11.7 million in 2023, is not wanted by the Buccaneers.
Even though White says he wants a change of scenery, a trade is far from a lock given Tampa Bay’s preferences. What exciting destinations might White end himself in if he needs to be traded, though, and it comes down to that?
Could the Philadelphia Eagles, who lost two important members of their linebacker group, consider acquiring White through trade?
Would the Las Vegas Raiders try to trade for the Super Bowl champion if they needed a lot of defensive reinforcements?
Or could the Buccaneers’ star player be traded to a surprise team?
Right now, everything is just conjecture.
But it’s entertaining to consider what might happen to White.
We’ll proceed in this manner.
If the Buccaneers trade White, here are the best places for him to go.
Devin White of the Buccaneers’ potential trading partners
- Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders’ need for a defensive makeover is an open secret. The Raiders, who were 26th in points allowed per game and 28th in overall defense, have gained some depth through free agency.
Before being traded to the Miami Dolphins, standout cornerback Jalen Ramsey was linked to Las Vegas, as was free agent linebacker Bobby Wagner, who later joined the Seattle Seahawks.
Could the Raiders make a move for impact defender White, who is 25 years old and still has many productive years left?
The starting middle linebacker Robert Spillane’s contract may expire in 2024, giving the Raiders confidence to acquire Devin White through trade and sign him to a long-term contract.
- Buffalo Bills
The departure of starting inside linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to the Chicago Bears in free agency was a big blow to the Buffalo Bills.
For Buffalo during the past few years, Edmunds and fellow linebacker Matt Milano have established one of the strongest pairings at the position.
Since the Bills front management obviously priorities the position, they can’t be too confident in giving Tyrel Dodson, a three-year veteran with only five career starts, the starting middle linebacker role.
The Bills could definitely utilize one of their six first picks to select a linebacker.
Alternately, they may get Devin White through a trade and improve an already championship-caliber defence.
- Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles, who had just made it to the Super Bowl, watched as important players who had helped them along the way—defenders Javon Hargrave, CJ Gardner-Johnson, and TJ Edwards, as well as offensive player Miles Sanders—left in free agency.
One position group was impacted by the wave of free agency a little more than others, but the Eagles were still able to keep enough of their core to feel optimistic about their chances in the NFC in 2023.
Edwards and Kyzir White, two starting linebackers for Philadelphia, were lost.
Nakobe Dean, the Eagles’ third-round pick from the previous year, might be getting ready to take over as the starting inside linebacker, but it’s also possible that the former Georgia star isn’t quite ready for the position yet.
In addition, White is a versatile, experienced starter at linebacker with three seasons with 100 or more tackles and 20.5 career sacks.
