Chin approved.

Joe loves, loves, loves how it seems the Bucs went best player available in last night’s first round and also bagged an elite edge rusher who has such widespread respect. [read more]

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The pick is in! And The Sage is all over it and the ramifications. Enjoy!

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Oklahoma edge R Mason Thomas devours former Alabama QB Jalen Milroe. Thomas and other strong rookie defenders remain on draftable tonight.

All kinds of good defensive players still looking for an NFL home, waiting to be drafted tonight. [read more]

New Bucs edge Rueben Bain poses with NFL strongman Roger Goodell Thursday night in Pittsburgh.

Get your virus shots up to date. Rueben Bain said he’s contagious. [read more]

Christmas came early for the Bucs.

Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht didn’t come right out and say it, but he and his staff were a little caught off guard that pass rusher Rueben Bain, the Miami Mauler, fell in their lap last night. [read more]

Aced it.

Jason Licht aced the test. All his labor pulling all-nighters, zig-zagging across the country and interviewing hundreds of players paid off. [read more]

Welcome to your Morning Cup of Joe, an eye-opener to help Joe’s readers ease into their busy workday with a few football links, wacky news and a pleasant distraction. [read more]

Miami edge Rueben Bain.

*IF* new Bucs edge rusher Rueben Bain can overcome the obstacles he will face his rookie season with the Bucs, it will be obvious he is a good football player. [read more]

What a great story told tonight on SiriusXM NFL Radio the moment after the NFL announced the Bucs drafted University of Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain at No. 15 overall. [read more]

Flash poll posted at 11:20 p.m. Poll closed at 4 a.m.

Bucs great must be smiling.

First off, new Bucs edge rusher Rueben Bain is not Warren Sapp. He may never be Warren Sapp. [read more]

History and good sense won out.

The Kenyon Sadiq fantasy ended abruptly for some Bucs fans. [read more]

New Bucs edge Rueben Bain.

Newest Bucs edge rusher Rueben Bain traveled to Pittsburgh to be at tonight’s draft. Even though he was far away from his new home Thursday night, Bain already has Bucs connections. [read more]

Bucs GM Jason Licht.

In his pre-draft media availability, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht half-jokingly said if he couldn’t trade down, whomever he and the Bucs ended up with at No. 15 would prompt Licht to stand at the same podium moments after the pick and say, “We got our guy.” [read more]

Happy fanbase.

Joe has been polling fans for weeks on what they wanted in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Two answers always were the most popular. [read more]

Miami edge Rueben Bain.

So normally, “this Joe” would be ecstatic about the Bucs getting an edge rusher at No. 15. [read more]

Raise The Flags!

Sound The Alarm!

The Bucs bagged a talented edge rusher in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. [read more]

Bucs coach Todd Bowles and Bucs GM Jason Licht in the Bucs’ war room Thursday night. (Photo courtesy of Bucs media relations.)

Hear ye, hear ye! The NFL draft is finally here!

After months of guessing, gabbing and grousing about who picks whom and where, Round 1 is upon us. Soon we will find out who the Bucs pick —  when we return to Pittsburgh right after these messages.

Or the Bucs could trade back. Some well-plugged-in reporters get that vibe. Joe feels like that’s the Bucs’ preferred option.

Comment here all night to fight and gnash your teeth about what the Bucs should do — and don’t do. Have fun!

And as always, Joe kindly asks readers, please do behave.