Tampa Bay Buccaneers Free Agency: Is Mike Wallace the Answer for Receiving Woes?

As the days go by, Mike Wallace continues to be looked at by many teams, but a suitor has yet to make a match. The Bucs are not one of those teams, but should they?

Recent struggles with the receiving unit have put the offense in unattractive positions, which include a decent but not fully capable running back and a young QB that lacked confidence.

Freeman is the future of Tampa Bay. This should come as a shock to no one. When all cylinders are clicking, Freeman looks like a top-five QB. Operative words being "all cylinders."

You see, the receiving unit was disappointing this year. Very disappointing. Many fans and analysts expected them to come back even stronger than 2010. After all, they did show that they can be very good and reliable for Freeman.

For some reason in 2011, they just disappeared. Mike Williams was expected to be the huge star, but he never came. Of course, maybe someone else would step up? Nope. Nobody could fill the void of being Josh Freeman's No. 1 receiver. 

Kellen Winslow took the dishonorable title of "most overpaid tight end in the league" after he got a huge contract and failed to perform. So there goes two of the most able receivers.

The depth at the WR positions pretty much ends there. Arrelious Benn? Preston Parker? I'm sure they are all good people, but it is apparent that the Bucs need a lot of help in the receiving area. Help that is not there. Yet.

Mike Wallace is one of the best young wide receivers in the game, and was immensely helpful to the Steelers. He has the speed and experience that this Buccaneers desperately needs. Just think about what could happen.

I can see it now: Freeman drops back in the pocket, eyes scanning the field, Mike Wallace is going deep, Freeman spots Wallace and throws a long one straight into his hands. Touchdown Buccaneers.

Nice thoughts, but here is the problem. Wallace demands too much for the Bucs. In addition to the money, the Steelers want a first round draft pick for Wallace. This is where the happy thoughts crash and burn.

Simply put, the Bucs have too much at stake to give up such a valuable pick for a wide receiver. Tampa needs a lot of help in different areas, so a wide receiver that costs the first round pick is not worth it.

It makes even less sense when you hear that Vincent Jackson is also considering going to Tampa Bay. He could also be the receiver needed, but he doesn't even require something like a first round draft pick.

While it was a good thought, Wallace just isn't meant for a future in Tampa Bay. The Bucs simply have too much on the table and cannot afford to lose their pick.