Hunting For Late-Round Receiver

April 15th, 2016
Worthy third-day target?

Worthy third-day target?

Yes, Joe has clamored for Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht not to forget the franchise, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. 

When the draft enters its second night, two weeks from today, Licht should learn from the Rams, a team that invested a No. 1 overall pick on a quarterback and then shamefully, irresponsibly, did not get him any weapons. Then they wondered why he did not fully develop into a top-shelf signal-caller.

Vincent Jackson, wonderful player, human and teammate he is, has a very short shelf life left. Mike Evans has developed K-Y hands, which may or may not be fixed. Louis Murphy may never be the same after offseason knee surgery. And don’t get Joe started on misplaced Calgary Stampeder Donteea Dye and his embarrassing 36.7 percent catch rate.

The Bucs, Licht specifically, simply cannot go through the draft without at least taking a stab at wide receiver. Jameis needs (more?) weapons.

No, Joe does not expect Licht to draft a wide receiver in the first round and maybe not in the second round, though Joe would not argue with such a move. So the third day of the draft likely will/should be it.

Eeron Banks, an analyst for Pat Kirwan and his underrated site, RealFootballNetwork.com, may have the answer to the third-day riddle for a wide receiver, and that is Tajae Sharpe of UMass.

If you’re looking for a dark horse receiver; a guy your team can pick up in the mid to late rounds, keep an eye on UMass’ Tajae Sharpe. He’s got good size at 6-3 and more than 200 pounds, and he has GREAT hands. At the end of the day folks, after we do all this analysis, if a receiver can catch, there’s a spot for him. And don’t listen to the level of competition argument on Sharpe. UMass is moving towards a full DI schedule and has played some strong competition, and it’s not like we’ve never seen a receiver have success out of the school. Ever hear of Victor Cruz?

Well, Sharpe certainly has the size. It seems he is quick enough. And judging by the video below, it sure looks like he can block. Perhaps a better project than Kenny Bell?

41 Responses to “Hunting For Late-Round Receiver”

  1. Miko Says:

    Boehringer!…

  2. briandorry55 Says:

    I like Sharpe a lot.

    I would love it if we took Sterling Shepard in the 2nd round.

    My favorite Day 3 guy is easily Rashard Higgins. Write it down. He will be a steal. Best route runner in the draft, reminds me of a young Antonio Brown.

  3. William Walls Says:

    UMass QB is no Jameis Winston.

  4. rayjay1122 Says:

    Going to the week 16 game at the Saints!!! Super stoked!!! First away game ever for me and will be in New Orleans for Christmas. Look out Bourbon Street!!!

  5. Joe Says:

    Look out Bourbon Street!!!

    Be careful. Bourbon Street has a way of fighting back. 🙂

  6. Lou. Says:

    Remember Ranell Hall?

    He was supposed to be the Second Coming of the Great Free Agent WRs.

    Now works for Cleveland. Never made the Bucs active roster.

    Wake me up when one of these “stories” does something — besides provide fodder for feature articles.

  7. Joe Says:

    Lou:

    Two of the best receivers in the league were third-day draft picks.

    It is not impossible.

  8. Defense Rules Says:

    With our 7 selections, my guess is that the Bucs will draft 5 for defense (DT, DE, LB, CB and S) plus 1 offense (OLine) and 1 ST (probably return man but possibly kicker). Although it’d be nice to pick up a WR because of VJax, Murphy and Bell all coming off injuries, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Licht fill that need with a FA (or 2).

  9. 813bucboi Says:

    love this kid…GO BUCS!!!

  10. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    If we pick up an additional 2nd round pick

    Tyler Boyd

    if Not

    Jakeem Grant in the 5th

    Grant reminds of Ernest Givings in the slot.

    Lighting Quick – Will snap your ankles in the open field

    My nickname for this kid is “YAC”

    Jakeem Grant
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3kYFzpxD-A

  11. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Joe

    U Should be all over Jakeem Grant as a slot receiver/KR.
    He’s your type of guy#explosive

    He’ll have the stadium rocking baby.

    *Excuse me started early today – playing Boston’s -“Foreplay/Long Time”

  12. Brent bull/buc Says:

    Oh boy more 5th or 6th round junk.

  13. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    These late round receiver picks haven’t worked out so well for us lately…..There was Herron, Clay & now, perhaps Bell.
    Lets either bring in a “bridge WR” like Roddy White or pick one in round 2 or 3 that is more of a sure bet. If not, we can pick one high next year.
    It would help this year if we get an extra pick trading down and or a pick for Glennon.

  14. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Tampabaybucfan

    Eventually Licht will pick his next Julian Edelman

  15. CreamsicleBananaHammock Says:

    IMO we absolutely HAVE to add a couple of weapons for Jameis this draft. I’m pining for a WR with our 2nd round pick but we will see I guess.

    In Licht I Trust

  16. CrustyCrab Says:

    The Bucs will move to 15 and pick up a extra 2nd and 5th round pick and that will draft Ogdah

  17. Archiefresh Says:

    I wouldn’t mind if we traded down to the raiders or Titans or maybe even further down and selected Corey Coleman. Kid looks sharp and could jump

  18. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Aaron Burbridge is a intriguing late round prospect as well

  19. Bucsfanman Says:

    @LUV- You’re speaking my language with Tyler Boyd! He’s the perfect slot guy with lots of potential. He returns kicks too.

  20. cspann Says:

    @LUVMYBUCS

    No one is talking about Grant! That little dude is super shifty and fast! He is exactly what we need

  21. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Bucsfanman
    cspann

    Tyler Boyd
    Jakeem Grant
    Cyrus Jones
    Josh Ferguson

    Would be great additions to the team

  22. Guzzie Says:

    Mike Thomas from southern Miss, played for OC Todd Monken, 6’1 200 and has Velcro hands and really good at acrobatic catches, hopefully we can get him in the 5th, also would like to see an actual FB drafted late like Dan Vitale or baby Gronk, not waste late rounders on big RBs looking to switch like Iseofa or Lane

  23. Buc1987 Says:

    Tyler Boyd.

    Sold!

  24. Jeffbuc Says:

    All I noticed in that highlight was jaylon smith he was everywhere. If he falls to the second or third round wouldn’t mind that draft pick.

  25. BigMacAttack Says:

    I’m with you Joe and I wouldn’t mind a wr in round 2 or 3. They are game changers.

  26. BucsFanFromSaintsLand Says:

    Joe Says:
    April 15th, 2016 at 2:46 pm
    Look out Bourbon Street!!!

    Be careful. Bourbon Street has a way of fighting back. 🙂

    Bourbon St. is actually undefeated…lol

  27. unbelievable Says:

    @Lou, Rannell Hall was an URFA that we had on the practice squad until he was cut to make room for the RB coach’s son. I though he should have gotten more of a look, but no one claimed he was the “second coming” of anything…

    As for this guy Sharpe, I think there are much better options we can target on day 3 as some others have mentioned. Also, that video was painful to watch.

  28. Tom Edrington Says:

    And just think, all these people here have abandoned their crush on Kenny Bell…..so sad!

  29. gotbbucs Says:

    Yep, late round wide reciever should help with Winstons development. I’m sure the kid will jump right in and produce within three or four years.

  30. SB with Jameis Says:

    Miko Says:
    April 15th, 2016 at 2:25 pm
    Boehringer!…
    ………………………
    This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

  31. James Walker Says:

    Ugg…no thanks.

  32. William Walls Says:

    In no way have I given up on Bell. But he sure does have a ton to prove in a short amount of time.

  33. SB with Jameis Says:

    GOOOOOOOO LIGHTNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  34. SB with Jameis Says:

    Living in Mountain time sux for chat with Bucs fans in Eastern time.

  35. DallasBuc Says:

    Thin-skinned Joes

  36. DallasBuc Says:

    Guess only praise without humor makes it through the careful filters. Enjoy that

  37. the real Bucobruce Says:

    No no no,please get the German randy moss!

  38. DemBoysFromDaBay727 Says:

    I think we will find a guy in the 4th-7th rnd range. Its not that hard to find a productive guy.in the later rounds IMO. There’s plenty of them out there, you just have to do your homework.

    Theres so many talented athletes out there these days and that’s why I think we are seeing deeper drafts every year. It’s not worth spending a top pick on a receiver these days unless you are in dying need of one or there is a first rnd talent like Treadwell that falls to you.

    We already have our number one. But we do have to start shopping for V-Jax’s replacement soon because this is more than likely his last season in the pro’s. And i can’t think of a better WR that we signed then him. Maybe Galloway, but Jax has been mr. reliable. besides last season he never missed a game for the bucs, and thru all those terrible offenses and teams he was on, he always put up good numbers no matter who was throwing to him. Best FA signing in the last ten years. Again, Galloway is the only other guy you can mention but he was injured alot and he was more of a deep threat than anything, where Jax did everything, from the deep ball to slant routes to blocking, he was good at all of it.

  39. MadMax Says:

    Well, Im still in huge favor of us drafting Pharoh Cooper. Most regulars know Ive been pushing for him. He’ll probably go in the 3rd but if he does fall to the 4th, you better grab him fast. He’ll be another golden 4th rounder like Kwon was. He’s also made some plays as QB….hows that for some creative trickery. Trust me, he can throw.

  40. DemBoysFromDaBay727 Says:

    I think Pharoh Cooper would be a awesome pickup in the 4th rnd. Don’t know if the bucs would be willing to spend a 3rd on him but I think he’s a steal in the 4th. Especially in the 5th.

    That’s why I say that u don’t need to a top 3(round) pick to find a talented & productive receiver. there are plenty of them in the later rnds. You just gotta do your homework.

  41. DaRealistBucFan Says:

    Yes that it let’s waste another late rd pick on wr’s that won’t make our roster cough cough Robert Herron, caelin clay, Solomon Patton, cause you know that’s obviously worked out for this regime before. Good idea Joe I wonder why I didn’t think of that.