With The Third Pick In The 2015 NFL Draft …

November 17th, 2014

The more Bucs fans watch the success of No. 7 overall pick Mike Evans, the more many salivate at the thought of what jackpot haul the Bucs could snatch on April 30, Day 1 of the 2015 draft.

Yes, Tampa Bay pounded Washington yesterday, and Joe always roots for a Bucs win when the whistle blows, but Joe’s happy their premium draft position didn’t take a big hit.

If the season ended today, the Bucs (2-8) would have the No. 3 pick in the draft. Tennessee, who hosts Pittsburgh tonight, also is a two-win team, but the Bucs own the draft tiebreaker now because the Titans have played a tougher schedule. Thank you, garbage NFC South.

In the great news department, Tennessee still has the Giants, Jets, and Jacksonville on their schedule.

The winless Raiders (0-10) own the No. 1 overall pick, and the Jags (1-9) sit at No. 2. Joe cheers for both teams’ promising rookie quarterbacks every Sunday.

It would be glorious if the Bucs could somehow be in position — trade up or otherwise — to land a true franchise-quarterback prospect.

69 Responses to “With The Third Pick In The 2015 NFL Draft …”

  1. passthebuc` Says:

    What happens when the bucs win 3 more games

  2. BoJim Says:

    Trade down and fill some holes. Maybe get Bryce Petty later.

  3. Harry Says:

    I just don’t trust L&L to draft a QB. My money says they go for a DE. I would be soooooooo pissed. If we don’t draft a franchise QB this year, I am DONE

  4. Harry Says:

    @passthebuc` Says:
    “What happens when the bucs win 3 more games…”

    You are exactly right. That is exactly the problem with the Bucs. They suck and suck every week and put us fans thru this hell, then they will go and play themselves out of a top draft pick. It is nice to see them win, but at this point, that does NOTHING for us.

  5. meh Says:

    I want Mariota, Gregory, or Scherff – in that order of preference – if we pick #3.

  6. 87ForJameisOrMariota Says:

    Waiting, waiting, waiting, and STILL waiting for that true franchise quarterback prospect. Yet some fans don’t want one. They’d be happy to go 6-10 just to get more wins. Then they will sit around next season, complain and wonder why they still suck.

    NEVER had a franchise QB for OUR Bucs….never.

  7. meh Says:

    I want a franchise QB, which is why I don’t want Winston.

  8. bucrightoff Says:

    No shot they draft a QB if McCown plays like this, or even 75% as good as this, the rest of the way. Lovie will demand defensive picks after an all offense draft.

    Sorry Jameis/Mariota mobs. Lovie is who he is. He thinks he can win a lot of games with Josh McCown even if no one else does.

  9. flmike Says:

    If we still hold the number three pick at the end of the season, they have to start making their play for Mariota and either his OC (Frost) or his HC (Helfrich) to come in as OC. Don’t forget, Chip Kelly has made it known he wants Mariota to run his offense in Philly, so there’s that to content with as well, if the Eagles have the picks to trade up into the top 3 to get him I have no doubt they will at least try very hard to do it.

  10. Chef Paul for Brandon Scherff Says:

    I would perfectly fine if our first rounder went to a LT, QB, or DE.

    We pretty much need the three most important positions on a football team. So we better snag one of those!!

  11. 87ForJameisOrMariota Says:

    Harry Says:
    November 17th, 2014 at 10:31 am

    “I just don’t trust L&L to draft a QB. My money says they go for a DE. I would be soooooooo pissed. If we don’t draft a franchise QB this year, I am DONE.”

    Like I said, never had a franchise QB and if they blow this chance to get one. I really might consider being DONE myself.

    Harry people don’t get it.

  12. Harry Says:

    @87ForJameisOrMariota Says:
    “…NEVER had a franchise QB for OUR Bucs….never.”

    You know, I wonder if any other NFL franchise that has been around as long as the Bucs can make that statement? That thru decades of existence, the Bucs have NEVER had a franchise QB.

  13. Harry Says:

    @87,
    No, people just don’t get it. And my biggest concern is that those “people” includes Lovie

  14. lightningbuc Says:

    I’d love a franchise QB – I just don’t want one that rapes, pillages, and plunders the community he plays in, i.e. Winston.

  15. Patrick in VA Says:

    I was in the high draft pick camp before but I’ve had a change of heart. I would much rather they establish a culture of winning going forward. I’d rather have those who remain on the team be a part of that winning culture going forward and have the team establish their standard level of play much higher than it has been. If you have a terrible team with a bad locker room culture and hope for 1 guy to come in and right the ship then you have what they have in Washington. I’ll be happy with a #9 draft pick if it means that we come in next year and play at a high level. I’ll be happy with getting a QB prospect to put behind McCown for a year who may not be the most highly touted QB but one who fits what we’re looking to do and has a high ceiling.

    The heart and the passion that the fans have been calling for doesn’t come because we got high draft picks. It comes from having a winning culture and it comes when losing isn’t what’s expected. I’m officially changing my tune and onboard with winning as many of the rest of the games as we can and hopefully playing those higher tier teams down to the wire, if not pulling out a win even there.

  16. Brent Says:

    I’m for taking qb with 1st pick I like mariotta best. I just think this qb savior theory is a joke. I heard like 90% of qbs taken early don’t end up franchise qbs on cowherd show sounds right. If u get one your set. I don’t think we’re in a bad spot with mg and mcnown if we go a different direction. With an improved o-line and good defense we could win games now..

  17. JUNY Says:

    Joe, I think we have the 4th pick after the JETS – as it stands right now

  18. Skyline Crew for Mariota or Winston Says:

    If we stay at #3 I don’t believe we will have to trade up for a QB. I don’t see the Raiders or Jags taking a QB. I would worry more about the Jets and Eagles looking to trade up for a QB.

  19. Skyline Crew for Mariota or Winston Says:

    Juny, Jets are at #4. Currently the top 5 are as follows:

    Oak
    Jax
    Tampa
    Jets
    Tenn

  20. BFFL Says:

    You only draft a QB in the top 5 if he is a can’t miss. Otherwise history shows it is just too risky.

  21. The Buc Realist Says:

    What happens when the Bucs when 1 more game and Lovie is so excited he declares McCown the Franchise and extends his deal for 5 years!!!

  22. Phillip Says:

    I think Lovie knows he has to get a QB and can’t depend on McCown.. I mean it’s common sense… Going to be 36 (I think?) next year and his name isn’t Brady, Manning, Favre, or Warner.. He traded the house for Jay Cutler (while he was young) so I think he knows if he has a chance at a truly elite QB prospect he’d jump on it… It shouldn’t be his call and it should be Jason Licht since you know he has been around 2 of the 4 I just listed…

    Mike Evans ALONE should be enough of a reason to go get us a 1st round QB with POTENTIAL to be GREAT.. The kid is 21 and already maybe one of the top 20 WR in the NFL?

    Let’s create a potentially historic QB/WR combo like Manning/Harrison, Manning/Wayne, Warner/Holt, and Young/Rice…. Hundley/Evans or Mariota/Evans??

    Hundley or Mariota all day everyday!

  23. bucrightoff Says:

    Jay Cutler might be the Bucs starting QB next year. I’d give it about as good or better odds than Lovie drafting a QB. But Lovie needs to win next year, he’s not drafting a QB to start, so he’s absolutely not taking one with the first round pick. He’s not drafting a Qb for another coach to possibly develop. Gregory, Williams or one of the OLineman will be the call.

  24. Justin Says:

    Called Mike Evans in the 2014 draft, reassuring to know I was right..This year pass in Winston and draft Mariota if he’s available and IF and only IF there isn’t a lineman that isn’t around the top 5 (offensive or defensive). That’s going to dictate the success of this football team in the long term. Wiston, although talented, is nowhere near mature enough to be given control of a franchise. Maybe on a team that wasn’t in rebuilding mode, looking for leadership from the quarterback position.

  25. Buc Neckid Says:

    Key Word is “Franchise” Quarterback with the Top 5 Pick
    Winston is Playing up to that but Living his way out of it.
    But
    Is Mariota’s Play up to it?
    or is he just a System Guy?
    Best Pick might be a OL Stud that anchors and plays for the next Ten Years

  26. NewTampaChris Says:

    If Winston or Mariota are available, I’m all in. I have no idea if either can play in the NFL but it’s time. I’d be pulling a Josh McCown and weeping if we go to training camp only with 12 and 8 as our QBs.

  27. gatrbuc17 Says:

    IF ANY of you were to STOP BIOTCHING about a franchise QB for long enough to realize how bad our OL is……………………………………………
    Then you might know our actual problem
    Carolina has a “FRANCHISE QB” with a Horrid OL too
    How is that working out for them????????????????

  28. RastaMon Says:

    LOT

  29. gatrbuc17 Says:

    WE SUCK IN THE FREAKIN TRENCHES PEOPLE
    WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  30. nate Says:

    Draft pass rushers now we have 3 with that new kid… imagine ifmour whole dline ciuld rush the passser!

  31. HawaiianBuc Says:

    I am completely against tanking, and I never have and never will want us to lose. Teams that tank are going to be cursed. We’re already cursed enough. I would much rather see our players and coach’s develop and build some momentum than lose and further develop a losing culture. Also, the more I see, the less sold I am on Mariota or Winston. I’m not saying they won’t be good, but I don’t think either is a slam dunk (I think Winston would be if he didn’t do stupid things). Neither QB we have now is the answer, but at the same time it’s very difficult to survive a wasted premium pick on a QB. I would just rather win and end up where we end up in the draft.

  32. ToesOnTheLine! Says:

    Agree with the “we suck in trenches” group. As unpopular a sentiment as this may be I believe the team needs to draft impact players on both lines next season to bolster that up before even thinking about throwing a rookie QB into the current mess. If Glennon and McCown can’t get it done in 2015 then they can address the QB position in the 2016 draft, but at least the kid will (hopefully) have some protection and a run game to help him out.

  33. WalkdaPlank Says:

    Serviceable/above-average O-linemen can be found in the later rounds and FA. Franchise Qb’s rarely are. Guys like Brady and Kurt Warner come along maybe once every few decades.

    This O-line needs to be bulldozed…….again. But we need a QB like Winston/Mariota. Because McCown will not be here in a couple seasons, and Glennon is probably best suited for the backup role. Bucs should strike now while they have a chance. Not wait till they have a good system missing a QB to lead it.

  34. Bruce Cadieux Says:

    Why has Lovie never had a “franchise QB?” He’s never had a draft pick capable of getting one. Nobody can say he doesn’t want one. He attempted to trade for Jay Cutler, hoping it would cure the situation. He has tried to get a franchise QB, despite constantly picking in the late teens/twenties.

  35. Patrick in VA Says:

    @WalkdaPlank – you do realize that both of those QBs you said only come around once in a while were either undrafted or drafted in the sixth round right?

  36. Buctebow Says:

    Just win, I don’t care how they do it. It would be nice to pick up some Oline help in FA, draft the franchise and then pick up a couple DE’s in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

  37. Patrick in VA Says:

    @WalkdaPlank – Had to re-read what you were saying a couple times but I saw what you were saying eventually. Sorry about that. Disregard the previous post.

  38. Buc1987 Says:

    @Harry…I just went into a tirade with my wife telling her that, if they blow this chance to take one of those QB’s in the first then I am absolutely effing done with this team. I might be a little cranky, because I only got 4 hrs of sleep, but I don’t think that’s it. I’m DEAD on serious. I will FINALLY be done with this team and I mean it. If they are picking in the top 4 and trade down or pick up a O-lineman or DE that’s it for me. Check Craigslist everyone after the draft. I have a massive Bucs collection of stuff that I will be selling dirt cheap if they pass up on a QB in the first. I have a very large man cave devoted to nothing but Bucs. Hats, license plates, blankets, 7 jersey’s, rookie cards of Sapp, Lynch, Brooks, a large creamsicle flag, a large new logo flag, car window flags, stickers and decals that have never been used, coffee cups, glassware etc…

    I’ll also dump about 15 Bucs t-shirts, a cold weather snow hat, and 3 pairs of shorts at the local thrift store. Im going to purge myself of everything Buc.

  39. ToesOnTheLine! Says:

    @ WalkdaPkank

    I agree to some extent, yes serviceable OG’s and DT’s can be found in FA. What I’m saying is the Bucs (IMO anyway) would be better served drafting an elite LT and/or elite DE first, see how Glennon and/or MCCown perform with (hopefully) with a better line pass protecting and opening holes for the RB’s as well as a D line that can get to the QB every week giving the current QB’s more opportunities with the ball from generating more turnovers and 3-and-outs. I realize it’s more of a long game approach, but if Glennon and/or McCown play poorly next year then we’ll probably be picking early on day 1 in the 2016 draft and can get a QB who will have a solid foundation of skill players as well as blockers around him.

  40. Patrickbucs Says:

    Fisher for KC was a can’t miss lineman as well as the Rams pick from Baylor. There is never a guarantee at any spot healthy or not.

  41. Patrick in VA Says:

    @87 – I’ll tell ya what, don’t worry about posting it on Craigslist because if they don’t get one of these over hyped QBs in the first round this year then i’ll know that they’re serious about building it the right way and i’ll be onboard with investing in getting my man cave set up with Bucs gear.

  42. gatrbuc17 Says:

    Anyone that would be “done with this team” because of decisions that are made are not true fans
    Spoken by a fan since 1976. I know what 14 straight losing seasons is like

  43. iamkingsu Says:

    If it’s not WINSTON I’m fine with a O line or d line pick or just trade down. Winston is the only can’t miss qb prospect in this draft. I’m not interested in changing a system to fit no damn marriotta. You win championships with physical teams so I’m fine with o line or d line

  44. Chef Paul for Brandon Scherff Says:

    I refuse to believe it, 87. No way. Get some sleep, drink some coffee and poke the wife where it feels good. You’ll come back to your senses!!!

  45. iamkingsu Says:

    Lets get this clear Tom Brady has 3 super bowls because of Defense not because of his arm now. Franchise qbs will win you a lot of games but not necessarily the super bowl

  46. RastaMon Says:

    Winston is surrounded by tOP talent that is always a mismatch….so why does he screw up so much ?….That is what I see in Winston…the NFL will chew him up and spit him out !

  47. gatrbuc17 Says:

    RastaMon just Nailed IT!

  48. WalkdaPlank Says:

    @Patrick in VA – Yea I just meant that late round finds are not common, not star QB’s in general. No worries.

    @ToesOnTheLine – well, say we do draft OG and/or OT in the high rounds, pass on a QB. Maybe another pickup or two on the lines from FA and this team will be primed for a par or even winning season depending on QB play. With good lines alone a team could go anywhere from 5-11 to maybe even 10-6 depending on schedule. Any RB can run behind a good O-line, and an average QB can look like a good QB with all day to throw. If we get bad QB play but good O-line play and decent defense, this team will finish in the middle of the road. Hard to draft a Franchise QB at No.10-20 overall. It’s just my opinion that we should strike now, as the Bucs will almost certainly be in position to draft a stud QB. I won’t complain if we go O-line with the first two picks, but then again McCown will be gone soon and Glennon is a questionable starter to say the least.

  49. iamkingsu Says:

    What’s so great about marriota besides the fact he can run 4.5 in the 40?? Those big windows he be throwing into. His miniature receivers just run free. The nfl is a whole mother animal. Just watch the windows jameis throws into they’re are nfl throws folks!

  50. iamkingsu Says:

    @Rastamon
    Because he throws with anticipation and that’s what happens when you throw to freshmen miniature receivers and anticipation is what you have to throw with in this league. And as far as him screwing up so much. You must be referring to off the field because I for some reason can’t recall him ever losing a game in college lol

  51. Brent Says:

    You take a potential franchise qb if there is one.. Easiest way to be consistent winner. If your not sure then trade down and just load up on o-line guys and add a couple defense guys. Are skill positions might be ok. Simms/Rainey, Evans/Jackson/asj. If we get a good o-line these guys can shine. I think mg mcnown combo is serviceable. They just aren’t franchise elite qbs.

  52. iamkingsu Says:

    @joe
    Can you please get these folks to admit that they just don’t like jameis for non football reasons. Because last year while blowing everybody out by 50 and playing hangman on the sideline late in games the narrative was if you get it to the 4th quarter they never been in a close game so they won’t know how to react. Now this year it switches from oh they can’t keep pulling off these comebacks lol. Sometimes you have to call a duck a duck

  53. RastaMon Says:

    I don’t like Jameis for his off field issues…and I don’t like Jameis for his on field issues…… for every great play he makes,as a result of superior talent and mismatches…. Jameis makes bonehead throws trying to be a hero…Jameis will be humbled in the NFL and I don’t think he will be able to recover from being humbled…the NFL will BREAK Jameis…wasted draft pick for the Bucs….check out Trent Dilfers College stats

  54. SeattleBucsFan Says:

    Win now, trade up the board later!

  55. 87ForJameisOrMariota Says:

    Surround Winston with ANY pro caliber WR’s and he will dominate. Period.

  56. "that guy" Says:

    i want to see them go o-line or MLB high in the draft, DE if their is a good prospect, and ALL of the rest on CB and S. winston is a bust in the nfl.

  57. bucrightoff Says:

    Some of you are in for crippling disappointment. Root for McCown to be unspeakably awful because if he plays bad or ok the rest of the year, he’s Lovie’s guy in 2015. No QB to be drafted in the 1st, perhaps no QB to be taken at all. I’m sure no one will be demanding Lovie be fired if it happens…

    The trenchmob is going to win. You can’t defeat us. We have the guy making the picks on our side. How can we lose? #thetrenchesareeverything.

  58. StPeteBucsFan Says:

    @Hawaiian Buc You are correct! Tanking is for losers. We need to develop some winners here. We already have a PhD in losing.

    And with their first round pick the Bucs select…

    Mark Barron
    Doug Martin
    Adrian Clayborn
    Daquan Bowers…OK only a 2nd rounder but still an amazing bust!
    Brian Price
    Arrelious Benn
    Josh Freeman!!!
    Aquib Talib
    Dexter Jackson!!!!!(2nd round)
    Gaines Adams
    Arron Sears (2nd round)
    Sabby Piscatelli (2nd round)
    Jeremy Trueblood (2nd round)
    Cadillac Williams
    Barrett Ruud
    MICHAEL CLAYTON 1ST Round

    And how is this for shrewd draft day maneuvering

    1 Kenyatta Walker T Florida Traded 21st overall pick and 2nd-round pick to Buffalo for 14th overall pick

    And so with a record of drafting excellence like this I have to ask all of you why the hell you’re getting so excited by the draft?

    The major reason the Bucs suck right now is because of the draft. The late Gaines Adams and Kenyatta Walker may take the cake for busts but if you want to know the choice that set this franchise so far behind it’s easily the pick of JFro.

    When you go all in with a “Franchise QB” then you are all in!!! If you make a mistake like we did horrifically with JFro it can set a franchise back several years. A bust at franchise QB can destroy a franchise for years. This is why my excitement for a QB in the first round is tempered by the cold hard facts.

  59. Phillip Says:

    Ya I don’t see the Colts having any bad karma right now when they CLEARLY tanked for Luck…

    What good will a bottom 8 draft pick be if we somehow made the playoffs?? This team is clearly BAD and needs an upgrade in numerous positions… Higher the draft pick the higher potential of the player and ALSO the better chance of trading DOWN (with our 2nd round pick of course 🙂 ) and collecting more picks…

    Just go through the starting QB’s in the NFL currently and you will see why a HIGH draft pick is needed… Over half the damn league was drafted in the 1st round and a couple more with a top 10 pick in the 2nd round… Ya guys slip in the draft to the end of the 1st but we are less likely to get the QB the franchise wants if more teams are in front of us.

    The Bucs and Freeman failed(ya it’s on both for his failure) doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try again guys…

    No one intelligent has EVER said we shouldn’t draft lineman… That is literally what the 2nd-7th round picks and FA are for so stop acting like if we drafted Greg Robinson, Jake Matthews, or Taylor Lewan our O-line would be set.

    What’s more likely to happen??

    We sign Ben Grubbs, Jon Asamoah, and other linemen who become FA and are actually GOOD or…

    Andrew Luck, Matt Ryan, or Matthew Stafford are available for us to sign as a FA?

  60. bucrightoff Says:

    Free agency has absolutely torched this franchise for years, and people are still saying we should pursue players in it? Depth, bargain bin signings? You bet. Getting starters? Holy christ have we not learned the lesson yet?

    There’s some kind of quote about doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results…

  61. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    Winston will be great here. Not only because he’s an incredible QB, but, it will also be entertaining to watch his detractors complain and moan, and complain more.

  62. Mike10 Says:

    … or a top MLB/DE

  63. Couch Fan Says:

    Like I said, never had a franchise QB and if they blow this chance to get one. I really might consider being DONE myself.

    —————–

    Good you wont be missed.

    And btw, a rookie QB wont be the magic remedy this team needs. Especially when people like you will tear the kid down the first time he doesn’t look so much like a “franchise QB”.

  64. ddneast Says:

    Harry, you sound like the type of Bucs fan that has never gone to a game.
    The Jets had one franchise QB back in the 60s. Since then, nothing. How about that one.
    How about the Bears. I don ‘t think anyone would consider Jim McMahon a franchise Q B.
    The Rams. The Cardinals. The Eagles. The Falcons. Sorry, Mattie Ice has won one playoff game, Big wow.
    Should I go on.

  65. Brent Says:

    @ddneast Warner mcnabb him hart. I like ur point though.

  66. 87ForJameisOrMariota Says:

    ddneast says :

    “The Rams. The Cardinals. The Eagles. The Falcons. Sorry, Mattie Ice has won one playoff game, Big wow.
    Should I go on.”

    The Rams = Warner The Eagles = McNabb

    Please do go on and add some more teams…. this should be good.

  67. 87ForJameisOrMariota Says:

    BTW I’m not a Matty Ice fan, but he’s better than any QB the Bucs have ever had in it’s history.

  68. DayOnePaul Says:

    We go into this 2015 draft with the exact same needs as we went into last year’s. We need a couple of Offensive Linemen, pressure on the QB, a Corner, a running back with size, and a speed receiver. With the exception of the last few games by Mike Evans, none of those positions were addressed. Had we brought in rookies at those spots in 2014, next year they would have had their rookie year under their belts, and a Mariota or a Winston would have some weapons around him to help him develop through his rookie season. Now we are to bring in a 22 year old QB and watch his spirit and his body be broken down once again? Bad scouting and worse planning Light & Lovie! And “Director of Scouting” and “Head of Pro Personnel Department” Dennis Hickey? I’m through with his results, as all of you real Buc fans should be too. Look around the league. Bad ownership has bad teams, virtually every year. Good ownership has winning teams, virtually every year.

  69. White Tiger Says:

    Sadly, I don’t think you’re ever going to see a QB drafted that high in Tampa Bay. Especially if Josh McCown continues to show improvement and Mike Glennon can be put forward as the QB of the future.

    The Glennon mob will get their wish as soon as the o-line is solidified and the defense becomes elite. Lovie has buried him on the roster until then.

    ‘Scoring defense’ is the term Lovie is waiting to begin using with some consistency…

    I really hope I’m wrong, but history and experience are tough to ignore…