Instead of waiving CB Johnthan Banks, the Buccaneers traded him to the Lions

One day after informing cornerback Johnthan Banks he would be waived, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have announced that they have traded him to the Detroit Lions. The Buccaneers will receive a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2018 draft.

It was widely reported Monday that the Buccaneers had informed Banks he would be waived, presumably to make room for running back Mike James, who was signing with the team to shore up depth at the running back position due to injuries to tailbacks Doug Martin and JacQuizz Rodgers.

Banks seemed to confirm the news via Instagram.

Instead, Banks is headed to the Lions, where he will be reunited with his college teammate, cornerback Darius Slay. Slay and Banks played together at Mississippi State.

Banks was a second-round pick in 2013, and he started all 16 games for Tampa Bay that season. He started 14 games for the Bucs in 2014, and just seven games last season. This season, Banks has played in five games with no starts.

Over those first two seasons, though, Banks seemed to be living up to his draft status. He had seven interceptions and 15 pass deflections in his first two years in Tampa Bay.

This offseason, the Buccaneers placed an emphasis on the secondary, signing veteran cornerback Brent Grimes and drafting Vernon Hargreaves III in the first round. Despite his draft status, Banks was buried on the depth chart in Tampa Bay.

Slay has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Banks could have an opportunity to step in and contribute immediately in Detroit.

The Buccaneers were willing to part ways with Banks with nothing in return, but with this trade, they at least have the opportunity to get something in exchange for the former second rounder. For the Lions, it’s a risk-free way to take a chance on a player who could help shore up the Detroit secondary.