Mocking Gabe Jackson At No. 38
April 17th, 2014
Joe realizes there are plenty of BSPN faithful among us, people who believe that if a BSPN mouthpiece says something, well, it’s as if Moses is talking at Mt. Sinai. It reminds Joe of those old EF Hutton TV commercials of his youth.
So in the spirit of the BSPNites, Joe will reveal the latest from helmet hair draft guru Mel Kiper, who behind a BSPN pay wall revealed his latest two round mock draft this afternoon.
Kiper claims the Bucs will pass on a quarterback and a premier left tackle prospect like Jake Matthews and snag Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans with the No. 7 overall pick. Then, per Kiper, the Bucs will pass on QB Jimmy Garappolo to upgrade the offensive trenches with Mississippi State guard Gabe Jackson.
Round 2
33. Houston Texans | *Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
Let me be clear: This is the top-rated quarterback on my Big Board, a player I have rated higher than Bortles, Manziel or Carr. (It’s very close on the top three, however.) But my reading of the tea leaves in speaking with many evaluators around the league is that Bridgewater could drop if he slides past a couple of points early on. If I could project trades, I’d have someone taking him later in Round 1 having moved up. Obviously, he’s a steal at this point.34. Washington Redskins | Chris Borland, ILB, Wisconsin
Tackling was a huge problem for the Redskins last year, and adding one of the most consistent tacklers in the draft at a position of need makes sense here. I could see Borland in Round 1, too. He’s currently among my top 25 players in the draft.35. Cleveland Browns | *Davante Adams, WR, Fresno St.
At this stage the Browns have already drafted a QB and a CB, both positions of need, and here they take advantage of the great depth at wide receiver and get a player like Adams who could become a very good No. 2 behind Josh Gordon.36. Oakland Raiders | *Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida St.
If Jernigan had a better reaction time off the snap he’d go higher, and in terms of his ceiling he’s a really good value at this stage. The Raiders have needs everywhere, and a strong interior lineman here fills one.37. Atlanta Falcons | Dee Ford, DE/OLB, Auburn
The Falcons lack a pass-rusher defenses fear, and while Ford is merely adequate against the run, he’s a major menace as a speed rusher, and gives Atlanta a needed new look there.38. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Gabe Jackson, OG, Mississippi St.
When he’s healthy, the Bucs have one really good guard in Carl Nicks. But they don’t have another good one, and Nicks’ health can’t be assumed. Jackson is a good one.
Jackson has no baggage as a four-year starter with no massive flaws or baggage. At 6-3, 336, he’s certainly not size-challenged and he’s said to be an intelligent student of the game as the son of a high school coach.
Joe can’t argue with the Bucs beefing up their thin offensive line corps with Jackson. However, Joe would rather see the Bucs snatch a blue chip offensive tackle, if they’re not going to draft a QB in the first round. That’s not a sexy pick, but it’s typically a great move for a franchise.
April 17th, 2014 at 12:58 pm
I’d rather a 1st round tackle ..please!
April 17th, 2014 at 1:04 pm
The Bucs will NOT draft a QB in this draft!
McCown, Glennon, Kafka in 2014.
I actually think Kiper is right about the Evans pick. I guess it has something to do with the fact that I think that’s what they are going to do too. Even though Kiper is usually wrong.
April 17th, 2014 at 1:09 pm
Passing on Matthews would be a pretty big risk. Definitely looks like the most rock solid player in the draft, at worst he looks like a solid 10 year starter. At best he’s a 15-year All Pro anchor. Tough to pass those up.
April 17th, 2014 at 1:10 pm
Tackle?? WHY AN OT?????? There a few journalist and writers that have bucs going for a OT at first and now Joe at 2nd? Now if we get a OT/OG at 2nd that ok since GUARD is more of a need than tackle.
Why the hell will we get a tackle in the first round when we signed one in FA and also have a solid RT in Dotson? We will draft a OT to warm up the bench or the guy who we sign will warm the bench up??
I understand there are some uncertainties with our LT, but drafting a backup for him when we have HUGE NEEDS at other positions is just a dam waste and foolish. What about WR? LB? OG is a must. QB? CB? There are more uncertainties in the other positions than OT.
April 17th, 2014 at 1:13 pm
@Joe
Why would you want another tackle, when the Bucs have two starting tackles already? and currently have no guards on the team (carl nicks hasn’t been healthy for two years).
April 17th, 2014 at 1:16 pm
I would not even be unhappy with Matthews in the 1st and gabe Jackson in the 2nd round. a good house starts with a strong foundation, we can go wide receiver in the 3rd and qb murray with our 5th pick and target wr’s in the last 2 rounds. as much as I would love to get a premier wr I think the smarter choice is re-establishing the o-line.
April 17th, 2014 at 1:17 pm
You Go Joe Says:
April 17th, 2014 at 1:10 pm
Tackle?? WHY AN OT?????? There a few journalist and writers that have bucs going for a OT at first and now Joe at 2nd? Now if we get a OT/OG at 2nd that ok since GUARD is more of a need than tackle.
Why the hell will we get a tackle in the first round when we signed one in FA and also have a solid RT in Dotson? We will draft a OT to warm up the bench or the guy who we sign will warm the bench up??
I understand there are some uncertainties with our LT, but drafting a backup for him when we have HUGE NEEDS at other positions is just a dam waste and foolish. What about WR? LB? OG is a must. QB? CB? There are more uncertainties in the other positions than OT.
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Or they could kick Collins or Dotson inside? It wouldn’t be drafting a backup, the OLine would simply be shifted around. Elite prospects are elite prospects. Most teams will have Matthews in the top 3 on their draft board. To get that kind of talent at 7, and then pass on it, is risky. The Bucs offensive line as a whole still looks very shaky. You still win in the trenches remember.
April 17th, 2014 at 1:18 pm
I think Joe wants Mathews because:
1. Dotson has improved but is not all-pro and we don’t know if he will continue to improve or still be a liability in the run game.
2. Collins has never started a full-season.
3. We have no depth on OL at any position.
4. Someone could be moved around to play Guard.
I would prefer a different position in the 1st than OT, but it wouldn’t be the worse move..
Darn close. Throw in that Collins can play right tackle in future years. –Joe
April 17th, 2014 at 1:21 pm
” That’s not a sexy pick, but it’s typically a great move for a franchise.”
Atta boy.
April 17th, 2014 at 1:26 pm
1987,
Try not to look at Kiper as being “wrong” about which team a player goes to, and look at his mock draft as more of a “Going by BPA, these guys should be drafted around what slot”.
April 17th, 2014 at 1:30 pm
There is no way the Bucs go into the 2nd round after taking a WR in the 1st and not take a QB. I would be shocked if they did that.
April 17th, 2014 at 1:38 pm
stevek …Kiper has said he’s doing things different this year. He said he’s not going to predict what a team should do, but what they will do with their picks.
April 17th, 2014 at 1:39 pm
than get ready to be shocked…..
April 17th, 2014 at 1:43 pm
No 1st round OT’s. Along with this draft being deep at WR, it is also deep in OL. They just signed Collins for the left side of the line for a good amount of cash. It does not make sense to use a 1st round draft pick for a RT. There are good quality OL to be had in later rounds. I would go after skill guys rounds 1 & 2, then address the OL anywhere from 3rd on down. That’s just me.
April 17th, 2014 at 1:44 pm
Luther Says:
April 17th, 2014 at 1:30 pm
There is no way the Bucs go into the 2nd round after taking a WR in the 1st and not take a QB. I would be shocked if they did that.
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Why would that shock you? Seriously to me there’s nothing even remotely shocking about not drafting a QB at all, let alone one in the second round.
I think there are a ton of people who’ve convinced themselves the Bucs are drafting a QB high. I think they’re in for some shock and disappointment (and naturally more anger).
April 17th, 2014 at 1:57 pm
@Bucrightoff
People thinking the Bucs want a QB high is exactly what Licht/Lovie want. They have done a good job as you can see. This will be a fun draft with a lot of tissues and tears.
April 17th, 2014 at 1:59 pm
Do not be surprised if OT Greg Robinson is there at #7. As interesting a specimen that he is, right now he is at best a right tackle or a Guard. He has all the measurables and potential, but he cannot pass protect or play Left Tackle in the NFL yet. And you know what Bill Parcells says about potential.
If the Rams trade out or Atlanta takes Mack at #6, Robinson will be there. Jake Matthews is not a sexy pick, but he can play every position on the line at an NFL level. BTW, Fisher at the Rams has never taken an OT in round one in his NFL history.
April 17th, 2014 at 1:59 pm
Jackson would be a great addition to the team, but I think 38 might be a little too high…I’ve seen him in other mocks going to the Bucs in the third round. My own guess…1. Evans, 2. Van Noy, 3. Gabe Jackson.
April 17th, 2014 at 2:00 pm
McCown is old by NFL standards and has NEVER played a full season. Glennon has more playing time than McCown…think about that for a minute. I’m not saying the Bucs don’t need OL help, they obviously do, but to ignore the QB position high in the draft is just inexcusable.
The problem with QBs who are “just” good enough is that they win just enough games that you don’t have a chance to get playmakers high in the draft. If we don’t get one this year, that is exactly what I see for the next few years. So yes, I would be shocked if the Bucs don’t pick a QB.
For clarification in your comment, McCown has a lot more playing time than Glennon. –Joe
April 17th, 2014 at 2:03 pm
Guard with the 38th pick of the 2nd round?? Not!! Would it not be highly possible to get the WR, DE, or QB we desire with our 1st rd pick and then trade out of our second round pick to recoup another 3rd or 4th Rd pick in exchange for a lower 2nd round pick and still then be able to get this kid Jackson or another good guard in the lower part of the 2nd or 3d round? I would not waste such a high second round pick on a gaurd, especially since we have only six total picks in this purportedly deep draft. There are other solid gaurds, or college tackles who could be converted to guard, that can be found even in the 3rd round, that would duly suffice our needs!
April 17th, 2014 at 2:08 pm
In my own mock, I have the Bucs taking Gabe Jackson in the 2nd round. Jackson is a road-grader ala Carl Nicks. I have since learned that Tedford is looking for lighter more agile pulling and down field blocking Guards for his new offense. I don’t quite know what to believe. Big secret, you know!
April 17th, 2014 at 2:11 pm
@Luther
Right because there is absolutely no good players in the middle to late part of every round.
April 17th, 2014 at 2:37 pm
Did not the Saints get our current All-Pro/All-Hurt guard, C. Nicks, in like the back of the 5th round? Things that make you go hmmm… As long as he has been doing this, Kiper is still as clueless as the rest of us at assessing player talent versus NFL teams own assessment of player value and talent in their own system.
April 17th, 2014 at 3:13 pm
If the OL and WR classes are deep, then why don’t we go defense with our first pick?
April 17th, 2014 at 3:37 pm
@Couch 1st – 3rd round are starters so you can find players in later rounds but they are generally not impact players. Huge difference.
April 17th, 2014 at 4:35 pm
If Watkins or Evans aren’t there @ 7….I would trade down if we can….we can still pick up a good OG & WR in round two or three……a trade down my put Ebron on the board for us.
I don’t think both WRs will be gone at 7….and either player will start and be a big boost to our offense no matter who our QB is.
April 17th, 2014 at 5:13 pm
You build from the “inside-out” and Matthews and Jackson makes a lot of sense. Good receivers will be available in the later rounds and a solid offensive line will keep our quarterbacks upright!!! GO BUCS!!!
April 17th, 2014 at 6:26 pm
The only ppl who like bspn are fans of the yankees dodgers and especially the red sux beacause bspn spends all their time KISSING THEIR A$$ES! Sorry had to get that out. GO TAMPA BAY!!!
April 17th, 2014 at 6:34 pm
TBBF…I see we are both on the same page. Except for me I want Evans over Watkins.
April 17th, 2014 at 6:54 pm
@87
I’d be happy with either…we need some heavyweights on offense…I think our defense will be fine……
April 17th, 2014 at 7:29 pm
given Kiper’s success rate last year, this guarantees that we won’t draft Mike Evans or Gabe Jackson.
April 17th, 2014 at 8:19 pm
SAMCRO Says
“I’d rather a 1st round tackle ..please!”
Except we need a guard, not a tackle.
April 17th, 2014 at 8:29 pm
Buc1987 Says
“I actually think Kiper is right about the Evans pick.”
He’s actually not. Lovie Smith refuses to pick a WR with his first round picks. Absolutely refuses. And he didn’t need a QB in the first round with the Bears because they traded first round picks for one.
Also, consider this…some of these guys that are suddenly ranked to go higher are there because some media guy mocked them. Before that, they were not even mentioned. Evans is one of those guys. So is the LB.
Here’s how I think it will play out:
I think they have a BPA list. I think they plan to draft offense with one condition…that Clowney does not fall to us at 7.
If that does not happen, then they go offense and it will NOT be a WR (especially not in this draft that is so deep). Nor a OT. And there are no OGs ranked that high.
We KNOW it will not be a RB. It could be a TE, except they addressed that already.
Really, the only thing left is QB. It is obvious. Now, maybe some people would rather go with a WR, but then you have to ask, are you saying what you wish. or what they will actually do?
QB in round 1.
WR in round 2.
OG in round 3.
April 17th, 2014 at 9:26 pm
It’d be really hard to go wrong with a stud O-lineman. L&L have left giant holes on the O-line. As well as WR. I would be fine with either @7. After all, if your Mancrush doesn’t have anybody to block for him or anybody to get open for him he won’t last long in this league, or any QB for that matter.
April 17th, 2014 at 9:48 pm
“Lovie Smith refuses to pick a WR with his first round picks. Absolutely refuses.”
Bonzai…you say this as if Lovie himself said it. Just because he never did so in Chicago(draft a 1st rnd WR) does not mean it won’t happen here. There could have been different needs and circumstances while he coached the Bears. It means nothing to me.
It’s a deep draft for WR’s but there are only 3 true game changers imo. Evans is one of them.
Also many national analysts(I don’t always trust them) believe QB is not a need for the Bucs. You, Joe and Eric have made it very clear that those analysts are wrong. In this case I think the analysts that say that are right. Glennon backs up McCown in 2014 imo. I don’t see QB as a need right now(I think L&L agree) and some fans including you are going to be shocked when they don’t take one in this draft.
The answer to you’re question is, both, yes I think that’s what they will do (Evans) and what I want them to do. I’ve stated I’ll also be happy with O-line or trade down many times before.
Prior to letting Williams go, WR was a GLARING need now it’s become an EMERGENCY!
L&L will draft WR @7 for the Bucs not the Bears.
April 17th, 2014 at 11:28 pm
There is a reason you don’t see Kiper much on ESPN or NFL Network anymore. Jon Gruden outshone him during last year’s Draft. Kiper is more mouth and ego than an accurate analyst of football players. He has no clue to what L & L are going to do. Jackson doesn’t even match Tedford’s speed in space up tempo offense. Nix, if healthy, can play well in any system, but Jackson doesn’t fit. Besides, we also need a MLB. 1. QB, 2. MLB–MAX from Mich. St., 3. DT Jay Bromley, 5. Guard fm LSU 6. WR, 7. WR. Then as teams cut WRs sign the best one in FA. Look for Chase Daniel OL from our Practise Squad to train at G. & C. and be a very flexible backup. Then lock up McCoy and David to long term contracts, move Foster to SLB, and then the Bucs can shake and bake this year!!!
April 18th, 2014 at 9:53 am
I wouldn’t be unhappy with Matthews at 7. He can play anywhere on the line and he would be a starter.
April 18th, 2014 at 10:48 am
Bucs have gone first class with new GM, HC, DC, OC, etc. etc, even new uniforms. While all the buzz and positive zen is flying around It’s also time for them to bring in the new face of the team with their first pick, one of a new leader that will inspire hope in the organization, the players, the fans and the media. They can’t wait until next year or the year after to “find” their franchise QB, their draft position will most likely be worse, not better. No, it must be now while the mo is on their side.
That new face can not be a guard, not even a WR. It must be a QB. Manziel, Bortles, Bridgewater, Garoppolo, Carr, yada yada. It doesn’t matter, whichever Lovie and Tedford believe in, so will we. Just do it.