The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are serious about improving their pass rush. Per ESPN the New York Giants traded defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul and a 2018 fourth-round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for third- and fourth-round picks in 2018, it was announced Thursday. Even with free agency slowing down in the NFL, teams are making moves to improve their rosters and draft positions.
This is another move the Buccaneers have made this NFL offseason.
“Pierre-Paul, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, had 68 tackles, 8 sacks and 2 forced fumbles for the Giants in 2017 after signing a four-year, $62 million deal last offseason,” the story reads. “He carries a $17.5 million salary-cap hit for the 2018 season, which is tied for third among all defensive players.”
It’s a move the Buccaneers made on top of bringing in defensive end Vinny Curry, who signed a three-year deal last week, and tackle Beau Allen, both formerly of the Eagles. Gerald McCoy anchors the other tackle position.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers now have one of the better defensive lines in the NFL and could help the team take a step back toward a playoff run in 2018.
Tampa Bay had the fewest sacks in the NFL last season with 22 — the team’s lowest total since 1994, when they had 20. The Bucs’ pass rush also ranked last when it came to pressuring opposing quarterbacks (22 percent).
Despite battling injuries this season, this was the first time the 29-year-old played in all 16 games.
“We appreciate everything Jason has done for the Giants,” general manager Dave Gettleman said. “He was a fine player for us, and he helped our franchise win Super Bowl XLVI. We wish him well in the future.”
Pierre-Paul played college football for the University of South Florida and was drafted by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. With the Giants, Pierre-Paul made two Pro Bowls and won Super Bowl XLVI. He has 58 career sacks. Per ESPN.com, his 39 batted passes since entering the league in 2010 is second in the NFL only to J.J. Watt (46) during that span.