Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ezekiel Elliott trade should be on the radar

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers should explore making a deal to obtain running back Ezekiel Elliott amidst his contract dispute with the Cowboys.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense has plenty of weapons to make a run for the NFC South championship. There is concern, however, about whether Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones will be able to power the running attack. Maybe the Buccaneers should inquire upon the availability of Ezekiel Elliott.

In the first preseason game against Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay threw for 390 yards. They ran the ball for 89 yards on 22 carries. Jameis Winston added to that as he scrambled for 10 yards on the first drive of the game. The running backs managed a meager 79 yards. Dare Ogunbowale led the Buccaneers with 34 yards on 10 attempts. Elliott would definitely elevate the rushing game.

Elliott is holding out of Cowboys training camp in an attempt to get a contract extension. Dallas seems to be content to play this season without him. Elliott should be on the radar for Tampa Bay.

In his career, Elliott has run for 4,048 yards with 28 touchdowns for an average of 4.7 yards per carry. He has caught 135 passes for 1,199 yards for an average of 8.9 yards per reception. Elliott would give Winston another weapon out of the backfield.

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Elliott is due $8 million on the fourth year of his rookie contract with his fifth-year option looming for next season and, of course, the desire for an extension that has led to his holdout. Could Tampa Bay make a deal to obtain him? How much would it cost them?

The Buccaneers could send Cameron Brate and Barber in exchange for Elliott. Brate and Barber will incur a salary cap hit of $7 million and $2.125 million, respectively. Brate could become the future Dallas tight end to replace Jason Witten.

To replace Brate, Tampa Bay could sign free agent Antonio Gates for one year. Or they could be content to run with O.J. Howard as their sole focus at the position. The numbers translate across the board and it is a win-win for both teams.

Bruce Arians appears to be happy with his running backs, though. Carmen Vitali of Buccaneers.com does not necessarily agree with Arians. Vitali makes the following observation:

"Are any of them all-around complete backs on their own? Maybe not quite."

Elliott would fit the description as an all-around back. He should be on the radar for the Buccaneers and, if the opportunity to make a trade comes around, Tampa Bay should be ready to negotiate.