Tampa Bay sent defensive lineman Reuben Davis to Arizona on…
Tampa Bay sent defensive lineman Reuben Davis to Arizona on October 13, 1992, for a 1993 third-round pick that became No. 60 and Lamar Thomas. Davis then played 27 games for the Cardinals with 20 starts over the next two seasons. Thomas appeared in 36 Tampa Bay games but started only twice and caught 25 passes, giving Arizona the stronger direct return.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- player Reuben Davis
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
- pick 1993 third round pick (#60-Lamar Thomas)
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
Arizona added defensive-line help during the 1992 season by acquiring Reuben Davis from Tampa Bay for a future third-round selection. The pick became No. 60 in the 1993 draft, where the Buccaneers selected Miami receiver Lamar Thomas. Tampa was exchanging a veteran for a younger offensive prospect, while Arizona was buying immediate snaps for its front. Both sides received players who reached the field, making the outcome a matter of role and duration.
What Each Team Received
Davis became an immediate Cardinals contributor. He played 11 games with five starts after the trade in 1992, then appeared in all 16 games with 15 starts in 1993. Thomas played 36 games for Tampa Bay over three seasons but started only twice, catching 25 passes for 387 yards and two touchdowns. His later productive seasons with Miami are excluded because they occurred after his Buccaneers tenure.
How the Value Developed
That team-specific boundary changes the evaluation. Thomas had a respectable NFL career, but Tampa Bay did not receive the best portion of it. Arizona, by contrast, received almost two seasons of substantial starting work from Davis immediately after the trade. A third-round pick is meaningful compensation, so the Cardinals do not earn an extreme grade, and Tampa did get some receiving value. The direct contribution still favors Arizona clearly.
Final Verdict
Arizona Cardinals Win. Arizona earns a B for securing 27 games and 20 starts from Davis at a position of need. Tampa Bay earns a C because Thomas made the roster and contributed, but not at a level that justified giving up the veteran once his later Miami production is removed from the comparison. The verdict therefore flips from the earlier Tampa Bay lean to Arizona.