The Mentality Pick
April 13th, 2018
UCF cornerback Mike Hughes should hit a lot of marks in the Bucs’ front office.
General manager Jason Licht has a renewed focus this year on ensuring that every new Buccaneer is the right guy from the neck up.
Licht even said he prefers guys that don’t have “the five-star virus.”
For those who live in fantasy land or were without access to Bucs football last year, Tampa Bay is beyond desperate, as of today, for a starting cornerback in this month’s draft.
The Bucs had a solid pass rush and the No. 1-ranked run defense in the NFL back in 2012, yet the pass defense was the worst in the league and nearly set an NFL record for yards allowed.
Why? The cornerbacks.
Ryan Smith isn’t very good and he beat out Vernon Hargreaves last season to start at corner. Javien Elliott wouldn’t make many NFL rosters. And mighty Brent Grimes turns 35 soon and battled injuries through last season. Josh Robinson can’t get on the field and last year’s versatile standout, Robert McClain, is unemployed.
So where will Licht find a starting cornerback in the draft, assuming he doesn’t find a quality body soon?
Perhaps that’s nearby at the University of Central Florida. Their stud, Mike Hughes, has no five-star virus. He transferred out of junior college and only played one season (2017) for UCF, where he was a force on an undefeated team. (And he was one heck of a kick returner.)
Film guru Greg Cosell, whose work at NFL Films for 30+ years has been exemplary, says Hughes has the talent and the desired edge.
“He’s got very good balance and I think he uses his hands well disrupting routes off the line of scrimmage. There’s a physical toughness to him, which coaches love. I mean, he latches on to receivers; he pushes them to the sideline,” Cosell told the Ross Tucker Podcast.
“You know I thought he played bigger than his size. He’s not a big guy, but I thought he played physically and aggressively, and he’s very composed as a press-man corner. There’s just, you know, when you watch tape, you can see a competitiveness to a guy. And I think he’s a competitive guy and I think that always plays well at corner.”
Licht says he likes players who have battled their way up the ranks, and the GM has a ramped up emphasis on toughness this offseason. Hughes hits those marks.
Joe, though, is leery of Hughes’ lack of big-time experience, which means he would likely need extra coaching up by a Bucs defensive backs staff that has a negative track record with rookie corners.
Still, at this point, Hughes would be a welcome addition because instantly he likely would be the Bucs’ second best cornerback in a division of QB greats.
Joe has seen mock drafts with Hughes as an early second-round pick, as well as in the middle of the first round. Former Texans and Redskins general manager Charley Casserly says Hughes might be the best cornerback in the draft.
$20 all-you-can-eat buffet kicks off at 6 p.m. and runs all night long. Be there!!
April 13th, 2018 at 12:07 pm
Unless I’m reading this wrong Tampa had only 27 sacks in 2012 which was 3rd worst in the league. So no we didn’t have a good pass rush at all. We haven’t had one for like a decade.
Schiano they tried to build from the back and we saw the results. Secondary talent doesn’t mean sh1t without a good front 7.
April 13th, 2018 at 12:07 pm
I believe that our day 2 pick will be a RB though so I can’t see us being able to get Hughes
April 13th, 2018 at 12:09 pm
With Schiano*
And yes our line was more talented in general than it was last year – but still not a good pass rush.
It’s even more damning when you consider we had a #1 run defense and the #32 pass defense; meaning we faced a lot more passing situations in general and still couldn’t get 2 sacks a game; when 3-4 on average is what top teams are doing.
April 13th, 2018 at 12:11 pm
I prefer Joshua Jackson if we go CB. Fits our scheme/style and just looks like a baller and has size
April 13th, 2018 at 12:16 pm
Agreed LC. We need some size to match up against these behemoth WRs we’re seeing.
Plus, ONE year against top tier NCAA competition? Color me skeptical.
April 13th, 2018 at 12:24 pm
The probkem.is that these coaches have no.confidence in the corners. Playing 12 yards off the ball in a zone scheme is a joke. It gives the wr plenty of time to get up to full speed and cut into the gap between the corner and safeties. It’s the same crap offenses have been running against us for years and the same reason they can’t develops a young corner. Move them up within 5 yards or less, but the wr at the line, disrupt the timing. Everyone always uses the excuse that our corners are not good enough to press but until I see them try that argument is useless. It can’t be any worse than what they are which is dead last.
IT’S THE COACHING!!!!!!!! FIX THE DEFENSE AND THIS TEAM HAS A SOLID SHOT AT THE POSTSEASON!
April 13th, 2018 at 12:42 pm
LC
Nfl.com shows Bucs rush defense as # 10. Just goes to show you how misleading stats are. Bucs D is not top 10 in anything except stinking up the joint.
Point is why would teams bother to run against us? When you play 12 yards off the receiver, a high school QB could have a QB rating of 100+. We were top 10 in rush defense, just for that reason.
April 13th, 2018 at 12:46 pm
Why would we need a CB who is good to very good at press coverage? Our DB’s are always 5-7+ yards off the line of scrimmage.
April 13th, 2018 at 1:00 pm
If he is a second round pick that would be OK.
April 13th, 2018 at 1:04 pm
@jmark
The #1 rank refers to 2012 when Joe is stating we supposedly had a pass rush.
But either way agree – our pass rush / pass D has been terrible the entire last decade basically
April 13th, 2018 at 1:10 pm
LC
Gotcha, my bad….
April 13th, 2018 at 1:12 pm
I’m a big Hughes fan. No way I’m taking a corner in rounds 1 or 2 tho unless licht trades back and gets another 1 and 2. Too many other positions need players worse. Need another pass rushing DE before a CB. You got it lord cornelious, corners are nothing without pressure. I think there were thousands of passing yards in the super bowl. Olines were dominating and the super bowl corners were getting toasted all game. Trade back and get 4 guys in first 2 rounds! DE, OG, RB and then maybe CB. Or safety
April 13th, 2018 at 1:32 pm
Didn’t he get kicked off the UNC FB team? Better have confidence he’s a team guy. I would rather pass on him anyway.
April 13th, 2018 at 1:46 pm
So if I’ve got this right Joe, y’all want Nelson in the 1st Rnd, meaning that we’d HAVE TO pick up a RB in the 2nd Rnd (to get a decent starter). We have NO 3rd Rnd pick, so now we’re into the 4th Rnd. Out of curiosity, why this teaser? Hughes won’t make it to the 4th Rnd, and our Rnds 1 & 2 are already spoken for from everything I read. Reality tells me that Hughes won’t be a Buc.
April 13th, 2018 at 1:57 pm
Its hard to be “physical” when you can’t catch the guy you are supposed to be covering. 4.53 speed at the CB position looks and performs a lot better in college than it does on an NFL field.
If the Bucs are drafting a DB in rd 2 – let it be Jaire Alexander please…
April 13th, 2018 at 2:38 pm
LC
I agree….gotta continue the offseason trend….building the trenches with with quality players and depth….
but if im not mistaken, hughes played man…..smitty loves off coverage….that’s like missing oil with water…..
if we pick him, as joe has said, i’ll light a candle for his soul…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
April 13th, 2018 at 3:22 pm
From Orlando and ucf
Kid can ball for sure. I will be honest and. Not act like typical homer. He did come out of nowhere so 1 year playing at high level would make me hesitant with our position coaches. . He is physical for size- no question.
But one of those guys that works hard at his craft so his ceiling could be high with right system /coaching
April 13th, 2018 at 3:45 pm
No. What Joe wants — if Barkley or Bradley Chubb is not available at No. 7 — if for the Bucs to trade down with a quarterback-hungry team. With those extra picks, hopefully the Bucs can get the following combination in any order: running back, defensive end, guard. If any of the three are selected, Joe’s of the mind it would be a haul: Marcus Davenport, Will Hernandez, Isaiah Wynn, Sony Michel, Nick Chubb, Derrius Guice, Royce Freeman, Ronald Jones, Kerryon Johnson.
Joe hopes from that list if the Bucs trade down they can get as RB, DE and a guard.
April 13th, 2018 at 3:54 pm
@ darin
The draft does not work that way. The bucs would be foolish to draft a defensive end just because you preceive it as a bigger need. If the end prospects at the time of the pick are not graded better than the cornerback, then you pick the cornerback. You dont draft an end just because its a need if the value is not there. Its has already been stated that this is not a good draft for ends anyway. Licht stays true to his board as the successful gms do.
April 13th, 2018 at 4:09 pm
Why in the world would Joe want to reach for Davenport in the 1st rd when there will be so many better and “safer” prospects available in the range he is likely to be selected?
Aside from Chubb – this year offers a terrible crop of pass rushers. Especially if you need a 4-3 DE.
Take what the draft gives you – don’t reach for need – geez.
April 13th, 2018 at 9:32 pm
Screw Nelson in the 1st. Yes, he’s a long tern difference maker. But We’s tryin to win..NOW!! If Chubbs gone. Barkleys gone..May the football Gods give us a trade down please!!!
AMEN.
April 14th, 2018 at 1:46 am
Draft him. Bring in his national champion experience.
That’s right. UCF is the REAL National Champion.
April 14th, 2018 at 5:21 am
Hughes is wrong. Too small and unproven. Need to trade down at least once if not twice in first round. Look to add big CB’s in third and later. Kevin Tolliver, Holton Hill have right size and speed, but have had behavior challenges. Age and a job should help them mature. Also have my eye on JC Jackson from Maryland via JC and UF.
April 14th, 2018 at 6:51 am
Renewed !?
How do U not take into account heart desire and brains ?
It all makes sense mow
April 14th, 2018 at 11:34 am
Thumbs down on Hughes. Smith with more speed and a year of NFL experience would beat out Hughes! Get a bigger, faster, tougher CB if you are going to pick up one in the draft. I still prefer dumping Sweezy and getting the best free agent CB Licht can find. That leaves us to get a RB, G, DE in the draft. If Licht won’t dump Sweezy, then move Tandy to CB where he starred at WVa.; he has plenty of NFL experience, is a proven ball hawk, tough, fast, loves to study film, and could be a backfield Coach on the field using communication to get it all in sync. Then get a later round Safety to sit on the bench and play Special Teams! Oh Tandy is a good tackler too and can blitz and play in the box if needed.