Bucs GM Jason Licht Isn't Opposed To Trading Up In 2023 NFL Draft

Tampa Bay hasn't been afraid to get aggressive during the draft and move up to select a prospect that the franchise believes in.

In the same vein, the team is also willing to stay patient and trade down instead of making a short-sighted move.

Ahead of the final couple of rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers are weighing their options. The team enters Saturday without a pick in the fourth round which is something that General Manager Jason Licht acknowledges is gnawing at him.

"It's killing me. No [I would not be opposed to trading up]. Sometimes it's good to be patient. I think over the years, I've learned a little bit how to contain myself a little bit there in the room," Licht said on Friday evening. "I've got some help there. We have a diverse group of men and women working in there – some of them are a little extra aggressive and some of them are a little bit more willing to tell me to settle down. It's a perfect mix. I was going to move up here for YaYa – I was worried about a few teams – but we stayed put so I was able to keep our picks, which I'm excited about."

Could the Buccaneers make a move on the final day of the festivities in Kansas City? It wouldn't be a surprise based on recent history.

Tampa Bay traded up two spots to select former Louisville defensive end YaYa Diaby in the third round on Friday. Flip the page back to last year and the Buccaneers made three trades throughout the draft, including trading out of the first round and moving up in a deal with Buffalo for offensive lineman Luke Goedeke.

Don't get too patient on Saturday. Licht will be working the phones in the event that an opportunity presents itself.

Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the offseason.

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