Detroit Lions: Five teams that should trade for Matthew Stafford

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs have a decision to make at quarterback.  Should the franchise go through another season with Jameis Winston at the helm or look elsewhere for an upgrade?

Recently Winston received laser eye surgery to correct his vision.  He apparently was unable to see the scoreboard during games.  He also said he struggled to identify his receiver’s downfield, likely explaining his 30 interceptions throw last season.  He was the first quarterback in league history to throw 30/30.  He totaled 33 touchdowns and 30 picks.  Generally, a quarterback who’d throw 30 interceptions would be pulled and benched long before he could reach that mark.

Don’t forget we were just a year removed from Winston losing his job to Ryan Fitzpatrick, who’s since moved on to Miami.

The Bucs defense gave up the 29th most points this season, and it needs plenty of attention this offseason.  They were first defending the run but 30th against the pass, which helped inflate the rushing statistics.

I have the Bucs ranked third for three reasons.  Mike Evans is a top-five receiver in all of football.  He’s a monster on the outside that hasn’t played with an above-average quarterback yet.  Just imagine Matthew Stafford throwing dimes to Evans.  Also, Chris Godwin has emerged as one of the leagues’ best in Bruce Arians’ offensive system.

In recent years, Arians has gotten tremendous production from his quarterbacks.  He filled in for Chuck Pagano during his illness with the Colts, he took a nearly worn out Carson Palmer and rejuvenated his career with the Arizona Cardinals.

As good as Matthew Stafford looked last season throwing 19 touchdowns in eight games before sitting out the rest of the year with a back injury, I can only salivate thinking of the production he’d have with Bruce Arian’s guidance.

If Winston can throw 33 touchdown passes in a season, Stafford would likely produce 50.