The NFL has become a very fluid league where players can sign massive contracts one year and be cut or traded the next. More often than not, the situations that lead to those types of drastic decisions are more money-related rather than player or off-the-field issues that one may think rationalize such a knee-jerk reaction.
Now, as such a flexible league, players are, of course, assets to teams. PFF went through each team’s roster and decided who was their best trade asset. In the case of the Bucs, their writer John Kosko identified running back Bucky Irving as their best trade piece in the hands of general manager Jason Licht.
He made the argument for Irving, writing, “Given their lack of other tradable assets, the Buccaneers could consider moving Bucky Irving for draft capital. His strong rookie season makes him an appealing option, and the relative ease of finding productive running backs later in the draft supports the idea. With ongoing issues along the offensive line, reallocating value from the running back position could help address more pressing needs.”
Irving did not have the sophomore season that many people had expected after a breakout rookie campaign. Irving now heads into 2026 with high expectations once again, as the new offensive coordinator was able to maximize the usage of Bijan Robinson when he was in Atlanta with the Falcons.
Not saying Irving will be Robinson in terms of production, but he should have a better chance to be the running back everyone knows he can be.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: What is the Bucs most valuable trade asset in 2026?
Reporting by Andrew Harbaugh, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
