With The 7th Pick In The 2018 NFL Draft …
December 31st, 2017
GM Jason Licht
It’s official, your Buccaneers are partying like it’s 2014. That’s when Tampa Bay drafted Mike Evans with the No. 7 overall pick.
The Bucs own the 7th overall pick in 2018, courtesy of their meaningless (meaningful?) victory Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
It’s early, and Joe’s hardly in full draft mode yet. But a quick look says this might be general manager Jason Licht’s toughest first-round decision yet.
A beastly receiver was an easy call in ’14, once the Bucs decided they were going to roll with Josh McCown rather than draft a QB. Then in ’15, it was a choice between two excellent quarterback prospects. In 2016, cornerback was the right fit — with the wrong player, though thank the heavens Licht skillfully picked Vernon Hargreaves over CB Eli Apple, who went one pick before Hargreaves after the Bucs traded down.
And then there was 2017, when tight end O.J. Howard fell into the Bucs’ waiting lap after they had him rated much higher than where he went at No. 19.
Now at No. 7, man, that’s going to be a tough call considering Tampa Bay’s needs.
It’s the draft, so Joe has supreme confidence in Licht.
December 31st, 2017 at 9:44 pm
All I will say is trading this win with sliding 2 spots in the draft was worth it.
Barkley, Chubb, Key, Vita, OT or top CB
December 31st, 2017 at 9:45 pm
Here’s a hint Licht… you never draft a corner over a defensive linemen in the first round, UNLESS that corner is exceptionally talented. VH3 was not exceptionally talented, he’s undersized and wasn’t particularly fast, and sure Grimes is undersized, but he’s very very fast AND very very quick. I still have hope VH3 can bounce back since his rookie year wasn’t bad and he seemed to steadily improve.
But yeah, you take the defensive linemen in the 1st since you can always find corners in the 2nd and 3rd.
December 31st, 2017 at 9:46 pm
they don’t have a single keeper on Dline…. Evans might turn out but the rest in the secondary are total garbage outside of grimes… vh3 is a complete and total bust with no future. so, so many holes. marpet is the only keeper on oline… wow it’s scary scary thing roster with too many holes to fill in the next 5 years… they will waste winston just like dungy wasted 55, 99 and 47…
another year in the basement for 2018 reality sucks
December 31st, 2017 at 9:46 pm
I wonder what kicker Licht has his eye on for the 7th pick.
December 31st, 2017 at 9:47 pm
Barkley and Chubb will be gone. Key or Fitzpatrick. My money on Key.
December 31st, 2017 at 9:48 pm
Never considered a RB until yesterday….tuned into the last minute of the Penn game yesterday….never seen him run…ever….but listened to his post game interview…..this guy is Dungy high charterer and would be a HUGE leader by example….HUGE…
December 31st, 2017 at 9:49 pm
Tmax- the good news is that we should be able to address CB and DT in FA and maybe RB too.
December 31st, 2017 at 9:50 pm
AlteredEgo
dungy is an overrated ignorant fool… ask the gays and dog owners if they think he has high character…. how’d that father first BS turn out for him.
December 31st, 2017 at 9:52 pm
We don’t need a running back.not the way Barber has been playing.we need rushers,rushers,and more pass rushers.end.of.story.unless you want to trade desean to Oakland for beast mode?
December 31st, 2017 at 9:52 pm
USFBUC
none of the top tier free agents will consider this crapshow franchise with glazers running the show… bucs will get the leftovers who regress once arriving in tampa once again… not being negative it’s reality.
December 31st, 2017 at 9:57 pm
Will be curious to see who our DC is next year first.
We definitely need an upgrade there.
Then let’s see who we snag in FA. Couple of good potential
DE’s may test the market (Ziggy Ansah & Demarcus Lawrence).
Would take Lawrence if my choice. He’s a beast!!
Need to pick up veteran Corner & Safety in FA as well.
We have plenty of cap space and will have much more if/when we cut Drug Martin & Cancer Baker!! Try & trade GMAC and get younger on Dline.
I like McDonald still as rotational DT.
Need to draft DE in 1st round, CB in 2nd, RB in 3rd….
If trade GMAC, then use his picks on another DT.
December 31st, 2017 at 9:59 pm
Mike Smith will be the DC……They will actually get serious about bringing Ends into the team and it will be a gamble cause if they don’t get the right players the Bucs will be cleaning house.
December 31st, 2017 at 9:59 pm
cancer93 has ZERO trade value…. 30 year old, injured, fragile, overpaid, unproductive, quitters and career losers have no value…
December 31st, 2017 at 10:03 pm
Tmaxi pad: I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again… I feel bad for your ex wife and kids and I’ll even go as far to say the few friends you have. You must be so much fun to hang out with!
December 31st, 2017 at 10:04 pm
I’d actually have no issues with the Bucs building a team totally around offense, if they had someone in place that did more than play for FGs and lead the league in punting from the opponents 40. If you had a Steve Spurrier kind of coach, the kind that isn’t afraid to go for it on 4th down, who isn’t punting inside the other teams 50, then having a truly high powered offense can do wonders.
December 31st, 2017 at 10:06 pm
I hope that at #7 Licht drafts somebody that puts his hand in the dirt
December 31st, 2017 at 10:11 pm
Great win, but it cost us with our biggest need DE. Chubb wont be there when we pick.
December 31st, 2017 at 10:15 pm
Bear in mind the last 4 games played (after jameis shoulder got better), Panthers, Atlanta, (even ghastly turnovers against Detroit)..(and also in GB) in all those Bucs (in 4th qtr) had chances (despite many bad Buc plays) to earn those as wins.. but defense couldn’t hold.. Draft for that side (I know I still also think RB)… but it tells you that they compare close to the teams in the playoffs… The guys on the OL will play better (Hold their blocks) when they start believing… maybe I’m drinking the koolaide.. but that was a great finish against N. O. tonight
December 31st, 2017 at 10:15 pm
It comes down to the Colts and Browns (4th pick). Browns (1), Giants (2), Broncos (5) and Jets (6) most likely all are going QB. My belief is Colts ate going T for protection of Andrew Luck. Who knows what the Browns will do with the 4th pick??
So what did the Bucs lose by winning today? The Bucs lost the ability to trade down and get extra picks. If the Bucs lost, they would have picked 5th with Denver and the Jets right behind them. Assuming both of them want to go QB, there may be someone like Arizona, Buffalo, Washington (if they don”the keep Cousins), Cincinnati, or Miami that is desperate to move up in front of those 2 teams to get who they want as their franchise QB. There even could be someone like SD or NO looking to replace their aging superstar QB.
Bucs may still get Chubb or the guy from LSU. My recommendation is DE IN 1st, OL in 2nd (or trade up to late 1st), RB in 3rd, CB in 4th (or trade up to late 3rd). Get both a DE, CB and OL in FA and the draft. Also a DT if possible. You can always get a RB in the 3rd., but it’seems difficult to find stud DE or OL after the 2nd.
December 31st, 2017 at 10:16 pm
Tmax, hope you’re wrong on Smitty staying as DC.
Definitely better ones out there.
Gus Bradley only signed 1 year deal and he is available now.
Still would luv Rex Ryan, or even Colts HC that just got fired.
Hmmm, how’s bout Del Rio?!
As far as GMAC goes, he DEFINITELY has trade value for a playoff or near-playoff team. I know you hate him, and I agree that he disappears too much, but he still is disruptive. 2nd & 4th round pics I’m thinking.
December 31st, 2017 at 10:18 pm
Quenton Nelson
December 31st, 2017 at 10:18 pm
Wouldn’t mind seeing Bucs make an offer for DC to Brent Vennable, Clemsons current coordinator. That guy is impressive and good motivator.
December 31st, 2017 at 10:20 pm
Mike Evans should never have been drafted ahead of Aaron Donald.
December 31st, 2017 at 10:20 pm
Minkah Fitzpatrick!!!!!
Are you all listening???? MinFitz for the Win!!!!
December 31st, 2017 at 10:20 pm
How’s spence’s shoulder, because picking at 7 means no help is on the way
December 31st, 2017 at 10:22 pm
Get rid of Baker, Martin, Ayers and Simms. Should free up $20M.
Keep Fitzpatrick, Grimes and McDonald. I know these 3 are older, but all still can play. Keep Fitz and Grimes forv1 year and McDonald for 3.
Only got to resign is Camp Brake. Bucs will keep DJAX whether people like it or not because there is too much dead money tied to him if you cut him.
December 31st, 2017 at 10:25 pm
Darn autocorrect. Only got to resign is Cam Brate.
December 31st, 2017 at 10:27 pm
Picking 7th overall how is that a tough pick. If a stuff defensive end is there go get him, I’m done watching waste forest round talent. Upfront offensive line defensive line and corners kamara was the saints 4th pick, there is no reason to draft a running back with the first pick
December 31st, 2017 at 10:27 pm
Los Angeles Rams, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars has ended their playoff drought. The Cleveland Browns (15 years) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ( 10 years) are the last teams with a decade long drought.
December 31st, 2017 at 10:28 pm
That should be motivation for next season.
December 31st, 2017 at 10:32 pm
How about Del Rio as the DC?
December 31st, 2017 at 10:39 pm
Whew, tmaxcon needs to chill going into the new year, I’ve been rooting for this team since 1976, this year was better than about a dozen or more years I can remember. We have gotten away from what won us a SB, a strong D-Line with superior backers. Our secondary wasn’t great back then, but they didn’t have to cover for 5 minutes at a time. By the way, the Tampa 2 wasn’t named for the offense. Invest in what wins games, the D, speed kills.
One other thing, while drafting O players early may seem sexy, the winningest team that everyone hates drafts character, attitude and athletic capability. Their leader was drafted in the 4th round, his back up that just led a resurgence at SF late as well. Bring the D back 1st!
December 31st, 2017 at 10:41 pm
Mike Smith will do a good job if Jason Licht get him some decent players on defense. How many good defensive players has Licht added to this team during his 4 seasons as GM. The Bucs only drafted one defensive player during Lovie 2 seasons with the team. Mike Smith was hired into a bad situation and licht hasn’t made it any better with his defensive draft picks and defensive free agent signings.
December 31st, 2017 at 10:46 pm
Bucs would have picked 3rd if they lost since tie breaker is based on strength of schedule and the Bucs were above Indy & Houston so the win cost them 4 spots in the draft. Could have traded down from 3 to 7 and picked up and additional 2nd or 3rd round pick.
December 31st, 2017 at 10:47 pm
Wow, so many on this site are filled with bitterness. Reminder: you don’t have to be a Buc fan. Your unhappiness is not going to change anything other than your health. Do yourself, and the rest of us a favor, go do something that makes you happy.
December 31st, 2017 at 11:05 pm
We needed that lost today. I said we would win. Chubb will be gone and we needed him to start brilding that Defense. But..its a Buc Life and I still got that sinking feeling with our present Defensive coordinator. Oh well, its like we buc fans have been sayin repeatedly for the last 10 yrs or so……there is always next year.
December 31st, 2017 at 11:05 pm
If Barkley is on the board it’s a no brainer.
December 31st, 2017 at 11:11 pm
Well, we still have the combine and a few more bowl games to judge some guys…..but Chubb is the pick if he’s still available. Never know, we got lucky and had Howard fall in our lap….NS%& feel to us in the 2nd.
So Chubb or Key, or trade down and pick up Vita Vea! If we get our rusher, DT Harrison Phillips could be a good pick in the 2nd. Then a CB in the 3rd.
December 31st, 2017 at 11:13 pm
*NS57…..already drinking, sorry lol
December 31st, 2017 at 11:19 pm
Jason Licht D-Line draft picks
2017 Round 7, DT Steven Tu’ikolovatu
2016 Round 2 , DE Noah Spence
2015 none
2014 none
How can a DC build a defense with drafting like this?
December 31st, 2017 at 11:20 pm
And look at all of the All-World D-Linemen that he pass on.
December 31st, 2017 at 11:56 pm
I would be more in favor of trading back from 7 maybe even twice to the bottom of the first round, if it gets us two more second round picks. We need a lot of big bodies on this team, one DE isn’t going to be enough.
January 1st, 2018 at 12:06 am
Left tackle….or defensive end.
January 1st, 2018 at 12:12 am
B-Rad, you are right, our strength of schedule was better, that means we get the worse pick, not the highest. We never had a shot at 3 or 4. The browns already had the 4th pick locked up before we kicked off.
January 1st, 2018 at 12:52 am
We should pick, in order:
Saquon Barkley (he’ll be gone by the #4 pick though imho)
Bradley Chubb (I have a feeling he’ll be available)
Quenten Nelson (he’ll certainly be available imho)
Minkah Fitzpatrick (he’ll certainly be available imho)
Arden Key (he’ll certainly be available imho)
January 1st, 2018 at 1:37 am
NFLNut, don’t even bother looking at particular players in the draft now. Some rated as top 10 will fall out of round one and others will climb. If you really like those guys and it’s your opinion that we should take one, that’s different. Just don’t look at mock drafts to form your opinion on players like a lot of people do, especially this early. I’ll watch games of guys after the combine and the offseason games soI know what guys to look out for to form my opinion. There’s just too many guys for me to watch this early on. I hear everyone saying names of people they’ve never seen one game of. Not saying that’s you, I just thought I’d put that out there. Barkley sounds great but I’ve never seen him play. If he is still thought of as a top 10 pick after the combine I’ll watch some of his games.
January 1st, 2018 at 1:44 am
^ I’m a fan of all 5 of those guys … especially Saquon and Minkah!
January 1st, 2018 at 1:54 am
NFLNUT, that’s cool. I haven’t watched any college football games so I’m not in the know! Lol! I’ll post about players after the combine so I know who to watch.
January 1st, 2018 at 1:55 am
Chubb will be gone. Take minka or OL.
January 1st, 2018 at 7:57 am
I don’t understand how we are picking ahead of the Bears when we have the same record and we beat them head to head…..
January 1st, 2018 at 8:05 am
Just keep doing what you do Jason Licht and get us a really good football player with that 7th pick. DE or OT would be preferable but first and foremost – just get us a great player who loves the game and will work hard.
January 1st, 2018 at 8:17 am
and tmax – that Dungy comment is about as low as it gets.
“how’d that father first BS turn out for him.”
I actually feel sorry for you. You obviously feel really bad about yourself – publicly directing such a low and hurtful blow in writing towards a very good man.
Shame on you and please get some professional mental help.
January 1st, 2018 at 8:45 am
I love Saquon Barkley. But Peyton Barber looks good. If Barkley is available, take him. Chubb is the best player for us but will likely be gone. I feel Quenton Nelson would make a lot of sense for us too. But watching tape, I became enamoured with DE Marcus Davenport out of UTSA. 6’7, 260 former WR that can do it ALL. Look at the short 45 sec film studies on this guy too. Youtube it, there are maybe 3 or 4 of them. The bull rush, speed to power, rip move were all on display. The most impressive was his closing speed and discipline. This guy can even cover very well. He is a football junkie I’ve read and it shows. I think after the Senior Bowl and combine that this guy may be rated as high as, if not higher than Chubb. And he isn’t just long and athletic with speed….he has a HUGE motor and violent nature. I see he has put on weight too so I think he will be around 270 by the time the draft comes.
January 1st, 2018 at 10:43 am
I live in PA and Penn State is my college team. I knew Godwin was going to be special coming out. Barkley will be a well. But if you look at his stats, there are other college RBs that look better.
I know this will sound crazy, but as the draft approaches, draft gurus will call for Barkley to fall. He may just be there at #7.
Barkley or DE for my dream pick.
Sign FA DE Ezekiel Ansah
January 1st, 2018 at 11:17 am
Anyone saying..”oh we can pick one up in FA” just go punch yourself in the nuts now
January 1st, 2018 at 11:20 am
It has to be a pass rusher.
January 1st, 2018 at 12:16 pm
Watching michigan vs my gamecocks…..they have a DT Maurice Hurst, built like Aaron Donald and they say hes one of the best. Im liking him too if we trade back and no DE worth that spot is sitting there.
January 1st, 2018 at 2:06 pm
Good news – Jameis has the last laugh on everyone that criticizes him with a great win. Bad news – Bucs went from 5th to 7th in the draft – ugh!
January 4th, 2018 at 11:07 pm
DE Chubb in round 1
RB in round 2 (Sony Michel maybe)
RB is deep and a great one will be there in round 2
DB in round 3
Then OLine and more D.
That’s how I see it, of course free agency changes things.
If you don’t know the DE Chubb from North Carolina State, check him out, look at the stats, look at the video. He is a beast with pass rush moves. He’s big. He can play against the run and pass and he has a relentless motor.
I’m going to be screaming to draft him in round 1 for the next few months.
No RB or DB is worth picking over him
January 4th, 2018 at 11:11 pm
PA Privateer
Yes to DE Chubb
Absolutely no to a RB at no. 7.
There are lotta good running backs in this draft they can get one and round two that should be much better than anything on their team now. Sony Michel from Georgia should be there in round two
Signing Ansah would be great!