The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made it clear earlier that by today's trade deadline they were going to be sellers. The Bucs wanted to part ways with different players from 2013 and before. It is clear that the Bucs think getting rid of those players will change the team into a winning team. The Buccaneers were trying to clear up some cap space therefore were sellers and not buyers at the deadline. They made two trades on Tuesday, one involving safety Mark Barron and one featuring linebacker Jonathan Casillas. This was the only activity the NFL trade deadline had and it didn't occur until the end.
Before the deadline, Vincent Jackson, Doug Martin and there was even a thought about Dashon Goldson too. Vincent Jackson was too much money and a veteran so teams weren't interested. Also, Doug Martin had a trade in place to head to Miami. That trade was reported but never went anywhere. Instead of trading Goldson, the Buccaneers traded another safety Mark Barron instead.
Mark Barron was the number one pick for the Buccaneers in 2012. He was a safety out of Alabama and at the time was going to be a superstar. After his rookie season, he was barely noticeable. Sure you could blame the defensive alignment but he just wasn't very good. So the Buccaneers decided today to trade him to the St. Louis Rams for two draft picks a fourth and sixth rounder in 2015.
Finally, Linebacker Jonathan Casillas was traded to the New England Patriots. The Bucs gave up a sixth round pick to go along with it. In return, the Buccaneers received a 2015 fifth round pick. The Buccaneers have depth at the linebacker spot so Casillas wasn't a big deal. Actually, the last few weeks he has been injured and Danny Lansanah stepped up to take his place. Lansanah ended up out playing Casillas and ultimately made a trade because of it. Finally, the Patriots have injuries at that spot so Casillas will be needed.
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht on the two trades they made today
"We have a lot of respect for Jonathan and Mark as players. We appreciate their hard work and what they did for us here. In some of these cases, we find a partner where they feel their services are needed more there then they are here, and that's the case here. We wish them the best, and nothing but the best."