Another Safety Heading To One Buc
April 10th, 2018
Coming to One Buc Palace.
For the longest time Joe has maintained Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht would likely add a safety.
Think about it: Last offseason Licht added three safeties. He signed J.J. Wilcox and T.J. Ward and drafted Justin Evans. Wilcox was traded to Pittsburgh just after Licht signed Ward, who after getting weed whacked was sent packing by the Bucs.
Evans of course became a starter.
If Licht, Joe reasoned, wasn’t happy with his safeties last year, he surely isn’t happy now since two-thirds of his additions are gone. It is with that backdrop that Mike Garafolo of NFL Network brings word the Bucs are bringing in Texas A&M safety Armani Watts for one of the team’s 30 allotted team facility visits.
Now when it comes to safety, Joe senses a pattern. For the Bucs fans who revile fan favorite Chris Conte as the second coming of Sabby the Goat, these folks are convinced the Bucs will draft Derwin James or this Minkah Fitzpatrick at No. 7. Slightly more reasonable Bucs fans who don’t consider Conte an embarrassment think the Bucs may draft a safety later in the draft. Maybe.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com believes Watts is likely a second day draft pick.
April 10th, 2018 at 12:50 am
Just what the team needs. Reunite Watts and Evans. The two of them both went to Texas A&M.
Evans is much more a Free safety
Watts is more Strong Safety.
But both can cover and play Run support.
Much smarter than Fitzpatrick or James.
April 10th, 2018 at 1:02 am
I am fine with Watts in the 4th.
April 10th, 2018 at 1:15 am
Minkah can be a #1 CB in the NFL …
But yeah, we have much, much bigger “needs” than a starting safety … I’d be fine with Watts in the 4th
April 10th, 2018 at 1:21 am
James & Fitzpatrick doesn’t look special. Don’t see Eric Berry or Earl Thomas caliber talent in them. They’re being overrated by fans & media. Can’t draft at 7th overall.
April 10th, 2018 at 3:00 am
If we can somehow pull off a heist with Buffalo for those two first round picks and they draft M. Rudolph and steal him from the Dolphins and Cardinals, which will be a great steal at #7 imo, then there’s no way we don’t draft Fitzpatrick at #7 Joe. He’s gonna still be there if we trade down with the Bills or Cardinals because Rudolph is that wild card QB those teams are trying to trade up and get. Think about it for a second man we know Darnold, Mayfield, Allen, and Rosen will be the big four selected and the Browns are sold on Barkley and signed Carlos Hyde, their hometown hero from the Ohio State University, to be a power back opposite of Barkley and the Giants onow for sure they are drafting Chubb, I mean they pretty much told everything by trading JPP to us in the first place. Gettleman literally said it when he traded JPP in their presser. The Broncos have said that they are drafting QB as well. Dolphins are not as QB hungry as everyone thinks they may end up resigning Cutler because Adam Gase is really in love with Cutler determined for success with him as well so I see them stealing C. Ridley early in the draft and the Cardinals maybe drafting L. Jackson being unable to accumulate a trade up to draft a QB. The Bears are looking going to draft Ward and the Colts are drafting Q. Nelson that’s for sure. 49ers are looking for defensive line help in the draft as well as linebacker as they would like have their defense back dominant again so I’m thinking Vea, Payne, or Smith. Once #12 comes around we Fitzpatrick as a corner with the other Buffalo pick still in mind thanks to a trade down scenario.
Rd. 1# 22 would go our way once again as D. James will still be available after an surprising run of first round RB that take N. Chubb and D. Guice away from us leaving for us to settle for James showing up the secondary. The Cowboys are drafting Sutton from SMU and the Chargers will pass for more help on defense. The Ravens will draft an offensive lineman as well. So we get to the Patriots. I say we trade our 2nd, and the two sixth rounders for their two first round picks, maybe even throw in Djax but it’s unlikely knowing Bellichick I think they would be fine with two sixth round picks to trade up off of.
Now that we got the Patriots first two picks in the first round which are #23 and #31 here’s what I got. Rd. 1 #23 we grab Mcglinchey to play LT and move D. Smith to RT and play D. Dotson as a swing TE in jumbo formations with Brate and Howard on the field. Rd 1#31 I say we get our RB in Michel but we not finished at that position in the draft. Kerryon Johnson comes to us as well as we find a trade partner to get back in the second round to get him if not coming from a deal with the Titans or something. We draft Himes late in the seventh round and a complete draft that will be over after the first night. C’mon Licht I know you got this work man. Draft day strategy priorities Joe that’s what’s being written but not maximum possibilities
April 10th, 2018 at 6:24 am
Conte isnt a disaster but he isn’t a starting safety. You harp about the corner play…it’s hard to play corner with no rush and damn near impossible with no safety help either…a playmaker at safety such as Derwin would make the secondary stronger…after all this is a team sport
April 10th, 2018 at 6:47 am
I don’t revile Conte at all. In fact I think he is underrated not overrated given that fact that the offense last season couldnt sustain drives nor generate pass rush while on defense.
I have Fitzpatrick in my top four as I feel hell be a game changer at free safety for the buccs…free safety is the second most critical position nowadays behind edge rusher in today’s defense. Fitz can play an corner position as well in the box. Yes, we have Evans but Mike Smith is on record that you can never have wnough safeties, and he is right…fitz will likely be bpa if nelson barkley and chubb are off the board. Remember, we took oj howard as bpa even with cam brate last year…
April 10th, 2018 at 7:00 am
Buc4life- I somewhat agree with your take other than the same could be said for safety play when the corners can’t cover.
Some disagree but I just don’t see either of the top 2 safeties as a “generational” player. At #7, it better be a safety for the ages.
April 10th, 2018 at 7:29 am
You guys do realize Evans plays Free Safety? If we are drafting a Safety, it will likely be a Strong Safety. This the post about Watts and the interest in James. Please try to follow along.
April 10th, 2018 at 7:34 am
JabooBuc Says:
April 10th, 2018 at 7:29 am
You guys do realize Evans plays Free Safety? If we are drafting a Safety, it will likely be a Strong Safety. This the post about Watts and the interest in James. Please try to follow along
————-
Speaking of following along, see my previous comment above.
April 10th, 2018 at 7:45 am
#Repost
Been braggin about this kid for awhile now.
Hopefully we can add him to the mix.
#Repost
LUVMYBUCS Says:
May 14th, 2017 at 9:40 pm←
Early Watch List (2018):
• Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame (6-5, 325) ←
• Armani Watts, Texas A&M (5-11, 200)
• Mark Andrews, Oklahoma (6-4, 250)
• Donovan Wilson, Texas A&M (6-1, 205)
• Ralph Webb Vanderbilt (5-10, 200)
• Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State (6-4, 250)
• Jaylen Samuels, NC State (5-11, 220)
April 10th, 2018 at 7:50 am
LUVMYBUCS Says:
May 2nd, 2017 at 1:30 pm ←
Hopefully next year Jason & Staff – will draft his commrade – Armani Watts
Armani Watts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET8mTfknPrA
April 10th, 2018 at 7:59 am
Thanks for the vid LUV. It got me pumped up!
Only thing about this kid that I question is how will he hold up? He’s kind of smallish for his playing style. Love those hard-hitters though!
April 10th, 2018 at 8:10 am
I hate comparing any prospect – that hasn’t done jack spit in the league to a HOF’er. But this kid reminds of a younger, albeit less skilled Brian Dawkins.
Don’t get wrong, Armani Watts is far from a perfect prospect.
There’s tons of stuff to clean-up in his game.
But Wow, there’s alot to work with here.
April 10th, 2018 at 8:11 am
Bucsfanman
Your welcome brotha
April 10th, 2018 at 9:23 am
Que5…
James and Fitzpatrick don’t look special, and are being over hyped by fans and media? I beg to differ buddy. Fitzpatrick is a very gifted player in the seondary , and James as well. Both are being hyped by most media ( NFL SCOUTS) professional people who get paid to evaluate players, and fans who like you watch hames and highlight reels. I think James is a better fit for our Bucs because he plays SS and we have a younf FS already in Evans. But we all have our own opinions for sure but I strongly disagree with yours sir. However I also am not as high on Ward at CB as most i think there are 3- 4 CB’s in this draft that are equal if not better than Ward IMHO. However at 7 I also see about 5 players who I believe are worthy of a #7 pick based on our needs, so if we stay at 7 and the ” big 3″ are gone by then, I see only Fitzpatrick, James as worthy players based on our team needs. Yes even though I personally am not sold on Ward I guess he can be also thrown in the mix. But if we can’t trade back and I hope we don’t move to far back ( 12 is about as far back as i feel comfortable) then James IMO makes most sense at 7. I just believe at 7 we need someone who is going to be a every down contributor. If they chose someone like Vea, I dont see him being as much of a need at DT after our free agent hauls. Draft can’t get here soon enough so we can start talking about something else already lol.
April 10th, 2018 at 9:29 am
he’ll work…..keep an eye out for marcell harris too…..injured last year but was one of the better safeties in the SEC before his injury…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
April 10th, 2018 at 10:01 am
I like this Armani Watts….i know he’s a little small but so was Troy Polamalu. And since we need a SS, he would fit the bill.
But dont sleep on Jesse Bates…. a little taller and can high point that ball.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&=47QKLON7Rgo
If we keep our late round draft picks and miss out on Armani and a 2nd rd CB, Jesse Bates and CB Nick Nelson are my 4th and 5th rounders to watch.
April 10th, 2018 at 10:55 am
For a 6th….S Troy Apke. Penn state.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg00y0H9lok
Ran a 4.35 40 at the combine but hes still projected to go late. I like his teammate Marcus Allen too, another 4th to 5th safety.
April 10th, 2018 at 12:37 pm
Who says we need a strong safety? You’re allowed to have two hybrid free safeties such as Evans and a Fitzpatrick for example who can play both positions on the field at the same time…
April 10th, 2018 at 3:56 pm
1st Bidding War with NE, AZ, MI, BU Trade back with Buffalo: get 12,22 and next year 2nd & 3rd round
Then trade pick 12 with NE and get their picks 31, 43, 63
Draft
22 – Joshua Jackson CB
31 – Darius Guise RB
38 – Will Hernandez OT/OG
43 – Sony Michel RB
63 – Arden Key DE
96 –
April 10th, 2018 at 4:50 pm
Yeah they need to draft a Safety in the later rounds to back up Tandy!!!! Go Bucs.!!!