On Friday, at the end of the first free agency work week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a transaction of a different kind, trading fourth-year wide receiver Arrelious Benn to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Buccaneers swapped Benn and a 2013 seventh-round pick for the Eagles' 2013 sixth-round pick and a conditional pick in the 2014 draft. Tampa Bay owns eight picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, one each in Rounds 1-3 and 5 and two each in Rounds 4 and 6. The extra fourth-round pick was acquired in last year's trade of Aqib Talib to the New England Patriots.
In his three seasons with the Buccaneers, Benn caught 59 passes for 862 yards and five touchdowns. He also handled kickoff return duties for part of the 2012 season, averaging 23.5 yards on 13 runbacks. Benn's top statistical season came in 2011, when he started 14 games and caught 30 passes for 441 yards and three scores. He caught just four passes in 2012, ceding his starting spot to free agent acquisition Vincent Jackson, and spent the second half of the season on injured reserve after sustaining shoulder and knee injuries.
The Buccaneers have had a busy week of roster reshaping after the start of free agency on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the team signed unrestricted free agent safety Dashon Goldson from the San Francisco 49ers. On Thursday, the Bucs announced a series of moves, including the signings of linebacker Jonathan Casillas and wide receiver Kevin Ogletree; the re-signings of running back LeGarrette Blount and defensive tackle Corvey Irvin; and the release/failed physical of linebacker Quincy Black.
