With The Eighth Pick In The 2018 NFL Draft …
December 5th, 2017
Your beloved Buccaneers are 4-8. It’s officially time to talk NFL Draft. Ugh!
Yes, as you can see below, the Bucs have the No. 8 overall pick if the regular season ended today.
It doesn’t, and Joe’s not rooting for the Bucs to lose. When the whistle blows on Sunday against the Lions, Joe will be yearning for not just victory, but a dominant victory before the home crowd.
What’s interesting about this year’s draft order is that No. 8 overall likely is the best the Bucs can do. The teams with better picks than the Bucs are horrid.
The No. 7 overall pick owned by the Browns is the Texans’ No. 1 overall pick. They, too, are 4-8 like Tampa Bay is. However, the Bucs lose the tiebreaker (for now) because they have a harder strength of schedule.
Maybe the Bucs can land the No. 7 overall pick by the end of the season, but that’s probably their ceiling, or basement, depending on how you look at it. If the Bucs dare to win a couple more games this season, they’ll probably be no worse than the 14th overall pick.
As for draft needs, the Bucs have many — too many.
Defensive end and cornerback appear to be priorities No. 1 and No. 1a. It would be quite a boon to Tampa Bay if Peyton Barber shows he can be consistently good and reliable this month. That relieve any pressure to snag a “franchise” running back.
Plenty of time for more intelligent draft talk after a full season of evaluating the roster and gauging its health. Yes, Joe hears the screams for a right and/or left tackle, but Joe has a yearning for a blue chip center. Lot of residual benefits with a pick like that.
Current 2018 NFL Draft order
1. Browns
2. Giants
3. 49ers
4. Broncos
5. Colts
6. Bears
7. Browns
8. Bucs
9. Bengals
10. Cardinals
11. Jets
12. Redskins
13. Dolphins
14. Chargers
15. Cowboys
16. Raiders
17. Lions
18. Bills
19. Packers
20. Falcons https://t.co/WA70ApiaZP— Charlie Campbell (@DraftCampbell) December 5, 2017
December 5th, 2017 at 12:53 pm
Hopefully trade down…we have more holes than draft picks
December 5th, 2017 at 12:53 pm
Realistic draft picks: DE Arden Key in 1st Rd, RB Bryce Love in 2nd Rd. Sign CB Malcolm Butler as FA from Pats. What u think Joe??
December 5th, 2017 at 12:57 pm
Start with the obvious, Dline and Oline. I hope it’s not Licht making the picks.
December 5th, 2017 at 12:57 pm
If Connor Williams is still on the board we cant pass him up. If hes gone, look into trading down and get more draft picks
December 5th, 2017 at 12:59 pm
It’s that time of year huh y’all? Another go nowhere season… ok well who’s making the picks and which new coaches “system” are we trying to fit this year?
December 5th, 2017 at 1:01 pm
I would rather them get Chubbs or the best center available.if you get the best center available then move marpet back and that takes care of 2 positions.start working talks with Grimes now.sign CB Butler,get rid of Ware and Tandy,keep Evans as starting Safety,trade BACK into the 2 Rd and get a DE.and pray for another Big Free agent DE you can sign in the off season.
December 5th, 2017 at 1:06 pm
@El Buc…agree about the draft best center and move Ali back
December 5th, 2017 at 1:09 pm
Don’t forget the offensive line.
December 5th, 2017 at 1:13 pm
Much to the chagrin of those who are “Totally Confident” in Loser Licht it will be another GM calling the shots.
December 5th, 2017 at 1:23 pm
I don’t have a problem with a new GM….but as of now am willing to give GM/HC/DC one more year….one more time
December 5th, 2017 at 1:24 pm
Got fix the trenches on both sides of the ball especially on defense. I wouldn’t go high on a CB this year unless one just fell in their lap. I think Ryan Smith has shown promise and would be fine with either a competent DC and/or a pass rush (I’m not sure which of the two is a bigger problem). Maybe bringing in s solid CB in free agency to compete would be the best route for now. They’ll definitely need a RB somewhere in the first 3 rounds even if Barber looks decent the next 4 games.
December 5th, 2017 at 1:28 pm
Hopefully its not Licht screwing up another personnel move……licht has led this team to absolutely ZERO identity and no direction and it is time for a change he has flattened this franchise during his tenure
December 5th, 2017 at 1:29 pm
Licht has been fairly solid job in the draft when you look at his top 4 rd draft picks from each draft. His problem is he hasn’t been all that great in free agency and left too many holes unfilled going into several seasons.
December 5th, 2017 at 1:29 pm
A center? You’ve been crucifying Jason Licht all season long and now your first article is about drafting a center? Such a joke. You had it right the first time. There is top 10 talent at defensive end, corner back, safety, tackle, and guard. Take Chubb, Key, Fitzpatrick, Derwin, Connor Williams, or Quenton Nelson and call it a day. Easy decision. But don’t waste time looking at a center.
December 5th, 2017 at 1:30 pm
Why trade down….we have done this 2 years in a row and it didn’t work! best player available for positions of need!
December 5th, 2017 at 1:34 pm
Virgil….Licht’s firing would be the least upsetting going forward….Mark Cotney has only had 2 suit dry cleans this year
December 5th, 2017 at 1:35 pm
We wont
But we should be looking at QB with that first pick.
December 5th, 2017 at 1:40 pm
Capt’n excellent long term strategy …the investment will pay off in a future QB trade of whichever one the Bucs decide they don’t want
December 5th, 2017 at 1:42 pm
altered ego well played
December 5th, 2017 at 1:43 pm
Sign:
Ziggy Ansah – DE and / or
Demarcus Lawrence – DE
plus
Malcom Butler or Trumain Johnson- CB and
re-sign Grimes – CB
plus
sign BPA OG and RT to replace Sweezy & Dotson
Draft – DE/DT/OG/RB/CB
Ideally trade back and try to get 5 picks in top 4 rounds hitting those positions.
I may sound crazy but I’m ok with D Smith still at LT lol. Not seeing an elite LT prospect this year in the draft and maybe just Nate Solder in FA- but quinton nelson could slide right in at LG and be an instant bad4ss like Marpet was. You’d also have a trio of young guys who could gel forever in D Smith / Nelson / Marpet all playing next to each other on that side.
Between that and 2 FA signings the O-line could go from average to mediocre to being a top unit.
Then round 2 / round 3 should both go to D-line in that case – with a DT & DE. Between those 2 guys / an Ansah / returning Noah Spence – somethings gotta give right?
Trade up in R4 for your RB and draft another in R6 – and go with Barber and those dudes.
10 super bowls in a row
December 5th, 2017 at 1:46 pm
Licht’s first 4 round draft picks:
2014
Mike Evans
Austin Seferin-Jenkins
Charles Sims
No 4th rd pick
2015
Jameis Winston
Donavan Smith
Ali Marpet
Kwon Alexander
2016
VH3
Noah Spence
Roberto Aguayo
Ryan Smith
2017
O.J. Howard
Justin Evans
Chris Godwin
Kendall Beckwith
December 5th, 2017 at 2:01 pm
if you are thinking the bucs will take an OL in the first round you are out of your damn mind.. you mean to tell me the #1 issue when you watch games this year is OL? some of y’all need a drug test asap
December 5th, 2017 at 2:02 pm
“The teams with better picks than the Bucs are horrid.”
As if the Bucs aren’t?
December 5th, 2017 at 2:08 pm
The reason the bucs are a losing franchise right now is because jason gump has not built up the interior lines of this team, should have let licht go to tennessee because that guy is building a winning franchise
December 5th, 2017 at 2:17 pm
“AC Says:
December 5th, 2017 at 2:01 pm
if you are thinking the bucs will take an OL in the first round you are out of your damn mind..”
Agree as is. That’s why FA will be important. If they can land 2 DEs and a CB then it opens up more possibilities. Still need to draft a DE in the top 3 rounds regardless for depth. If we don’t sign any FA DE then I hope we grab 2 early
December 5th, 2017 at 2:17 pm
Trench Warfare!!
1st Round Pick
• Quenton Nelson, LG, Notre Dame
Followed by (Later Round Picks)
• Frank Ragnow, C, Arkansas
• Maea Teuhema, RG, Southeastern Louisiana
• Or Will Clapp, G, LSU
Reserve Judgment until after – Senior Bowl | East-West Shrine On:
• Desmond Harrison, OT, West Georgia
• Brandon Parker, OT, North Carolina A&T
December 5th, 2017 at 2:17 pm
We have to get the best pass rusher available at where we draft, FA’s DL for this team are always mediocre at best, and we don’t have 17 million laying around to sign Calais Campbell. I think Ryan Smith will get better with a freakin pass rush, but without it, it does’nt matter who is in the secondary. Why could Xavier Rhodes glue to Julio, Vikes have a pass rush that they built through the draft. Maybe you draft toward a different defensive scheme. After that you go get a RB, possibly Rashaad Penny, great compliment to Barber, 2027 rushing yards, 2698 all purpose yards. Why draft a QB when you just spent the #1 pick on one 3 years ago, this is not Jamarcus Russell or Ryan Leaf, I would rather keep Fitz or sign Kap. 3rd round if you did not get a solid Rt tackle in FA, go get the best tackle in the draft. (guards and centers are available in FA but I would rather see us build through the draft. Trade back into the third and pick up the best CB//Safety available, if you can scout, like they did Evans, they will find the right person. You gotta hope VH#3 becomes a solid nickel.
Last but not least, get somebody from the U on this team, it’s my bias and they are always better pros than they are college players.
December 5th, 2017 at 2:23 pm
Free Agents
• RG – Zack Martin
• DE – DeMarcus Lawrence
• NT – Bennie Logan
• DT – Sheldon Richardson
Note: I would add Ziggy – But Detroit has a ton of capspace.
But If the Lions moves on – of course add Ziggy to the Mix.
December 5th, 2017 at 2:29 pm
Upgrade the interior
LT Donovan Smith | Leonard Wester
LG Quenton Nelson | Frank Ragnow
C Ali Marpet | Joe Hawley
RG Zack Martin | Maea Teuhema
RT Demar Dotson | Caleb Benenoch
Plus add a development tackle.
• Desmond Harrison, OT, West Georgia
• Brandon Parker, OT, North Carolina A&T
December 5th, 2017 at 2:30 pm
They don’t need a QB, Jameis will be fine BUT based on what I’ve seen Jameis may not be the QB that everyone thought he would be but he’s at least average. They may have to build the team in a different direction and become more of a run first team and take some of responsibility out of Winston’s hands.
December 5th, 2017 at 2:30 pm
LUV
Trench warfare is the theme for sure man.
I honestly would be fine with this team completely just loading up on the lines and ignoring CB/RB/S; as long as they kept Grimes one more year. I think Grimes/Smith on outside and VHIII as nickle can hold it down once we have an actual pass rush.
December 5th, 2017 at 2:36 pm
Move D Smith to LG and Marpet back to RG. Get a LT as #1 priority and a C as a lower priority. Demote or don’t resign our other interior linemen. Make do with Dotson 1 more year at RT. After LT, it’s DE and a CB to compete with VH3 & R Smith. We will have $$$ to spend but we don’t have the luxury to pursue a top RB and unless it’s an elite guy, it would not be a clear upgrade on our group now.
Move to a 3-4 / 3-3-5 D and stand up Spence, assuming he heals. This puts Swaggy in his best (non-movement) role and 93 to end. Gholston makes a great 3- end. Ayers not so much but beggars can’t be choosers; do it anyway.
CB becomes even more important if Grimes retires (perish the thought). Ward won’t be returning. I like Evans at FS and Conte at SS.
December 5th, 2017 at 2:49 pm
Fix the Offensive Line.
#ProtectWinston
December 5th, 2017 at 2:52 pm
@Luv
Zack Martin won’t be a free agent until 2019.
And I don’t think there is any responsible reason to try and bet on Dotson to have another decent season next year.
December 5th, 2017 at 2:53 pm
@luvmybucs,
you have the right idea brother. I love it!!! Overload in the Trenches. This team is soft in the trenches, that’s the problem.
#ProtectWinston
December 5th, 2017 at 2:57 pm
That will give Licht 4 out of 5 years drafting inside the top 10, McKay, Allen nor Dominik ever was given that luxury of talent to choose from…
December 5th, 2017 at 2:59 pm
O-line and D-line. PERIOD!
#BuildtheTRENCHES
December 5th, 2017 at 3:01 pm
Lord Cornelius
No Doubt brotha – we gotta be super aggressive upgrading the trenches.
Unfortunately we must cut few guys – maybe even let a few guys walk.
For the complete revamp – but tough choices must be made.
After a few cuts/trades – we’re in the same ballpark as Cleveland $100M+ in cap space for 2018.
So we should still have plenty of room to add.
• CB Malcolm Butler
• CB Vontae Davis
And Either
• RB Jeremey Hill
• RB Isaiah Crowell
December 5th, 2017 at 3:02 pm
MarineBucsFan
Yes Sirrr!!!
December 5th, 2017 at 3:05 pm
Best pass rusher available
December 5th, 2017 at 3:06 pm
Any of you guys hoping for Free agents signing here,
Its not gonna happen.
Our Franchise QB has shown a chronic lack of good decision making.
Despite tons of talent, the team cant play consistent offense
Both Coach and GM are firmly planted in the hot seat.
We are about to begin yet another long rebuild.
Even if we draft a DE, they take several years to develop.
And, repeat after me. “ If you cant rush the passer, you cant win in the NFL”
Everything that decent free agents avoid.
Sorry- But help is NOT on the way
December 5th, 2017 at 3:10 pm
Offensive Line Coach: Bill Callahan
Asst. Offensive Line Coach: Cameron Norcross
Defensive Coordinator: Gus Bradley <-Gruden Discipline
• Defensive Line Coach: Karl Dunbar
• Linebackers Coach: Ken Norton Jr.
• Defensive Backs Coach: Dennis Thurman
Note: If you can’t acquire Karl Dunbar – Snag Craig Kuligowski.
December 5th, 2017 at 3:14 pm
Excuse BOSS
Defensive Coordinator: Gus Bradley <-Gruden Disciple
December 5th, 2017 at 3:18 pm
Blake_Bucsfan
Thx – replace him w/Andrew Norwell
December 5th, 2017 at 3:27 pm
Whoever it is LUV, they better not coach scared. With Smitty, I’d be more apt to cut him some slack if he were selling out on defense every week. I mean, I know we don’t have the horses but if you’re going to go down, you might as well punch them in the face repeatedly!
December 5th, 2017 at 3:31 pm
@Bucsfanman
So you would be “cutting him some slack” if he blitzed and got burned and blown out in the first quarter???????? Some how I don’t believe you!!!!!!!
December 5th, 2017 at 3:36 pm
CHRISTIAN WILKINS! CHRISTIAN WILKINS! CHRISTIAN WILKINS!!!!!!!
December 5th, 2017 at 3:44 pm
1. Minkah Fitzpatrick is the best secondary player in the NCAA. Can come in and play next to the rising Justin Evans or drafted as a top CB.
2. Connor Williams would be a dream to get this offensive line moving in the right direction.
3. I’m going with Chubb in a 4-3 and Key in a 3-4.
4. Trade down for picks.
December 5th, 2017 at 3:48 pm
Matt Miller wrote an article about 1 prospect each team is showing interest in.
The prospect for the Bucs? Alabama CB/S Minkah Fitzpatrick. He also notes that the Bucs apparently love LSU RB Derrius Guice as a mid 1st round pick.
I LOVE Guice, RB1 for me, but Idk if thats the right choice in the 1st round. Gotta be defense or OL. Would prefer a pass rusher unless Chubb is gone, but people are raving about Fitzpatrick.
I wouldnt hate that pick.
December 5th, 2017 at 3:56 pm
By far the biggest investment is in Winston….makes me think you have to go “cant miss” LT/offensive line in the 1st. The Bucs have to see what they have in Winston by the end of his rookie deal. From that point on, draft d-line. You can always find serviceable linemen but finding productive d-linemen is nearly impossible.
December 5th, 2017 at 4:19 pm
You guys are nuts… You don’t need a running back or corner back in the first round. Defensive end and running back should be on Deck for this the first 3 picks, I say 3 because multiple d lineman need to be picked and a we need another strong safety. Pass rush makes every corner better
December 5th, 2017 at 4:33 pm
Here is the problem, we need to revamp both lines add talent in the secondary and there are only so many good picks. We won’t be a true contender for likely 2-3 years at best. All the fantasy plans for free agent acquisitions are laughable. These are to line free agents who would likely choose everyone but Cleveland over coming to Tampa especially if the coaches are back as it will likely be their last year here. Seriously, free agents would rather play for the Giants and 49ers. Last year while we were considered an up and coming team was out chance to get a few FA players. After this year we will only get more check collecters.
December 5th, 2017 at 4:37 pm
How’d I rank our draft priorities (trenches need to be built back up my mean nasty football players who can get after people both ways):
DE/DT
OL
CB
RB
Safety
Kick/Punt returner
December 5th, 2017 at 4:43 pm
Man …it would be nice if we could get Chubby at DE. But He will be long gone by the time we pick. Trade up? Nahhhh..we got to many needs.
December 5th, 2017 at 5:30 pm
Yup, Chubb will be gone, but Im starting to like Arden Key more anyway. Hopefully he’ll be there when we pick.
December 5th, 2017 at 6:47 pm
when they do Jason Licht’s life story, Will Ferrell will get the part.
December 5th, 2017 at 7:23 pm
Licht won’t be making the pick, stop showing his picture with draft articles. It only brings up bad memories.
December 5th, 2017 at 8:18 pm
While we’re at it, what does the 2019 draft class look like?
December 5th, 2017 at 8:42 pm
1st priority = DE (1 FA + 1st or 2nd draft pick)
2nd priority = OL (1 FA + 2nd or 1st draft pick)
3rd priority = S or CB (Fitzpatrick or 3rd draft pick)
4th priority = RB (4th ou 3rd draft pick)
Perhaps, another Secundary FA
Resign Grimes
If we accomplish this “shoppping list”, we’ll make the playoffs.
Pass rush + Pass protection = Winning season
Pass rush + Pass protection + Improved Secondary + Decent Running Game =
Playoffs
Add smart coaching, one more good draft in 2019 and we can dream about Super Bowl. Not easy, but is it impossible? I believe we can do it.
Go Bucs!!!
December 5th, 2017 at 8:58 pm
^^^^^
Last offseason’s narrative was “Weapons for Winston and we make the playoffs”. People wanted to trade future picks away because we would be picking at the end of the rounds for years.
The fact is this franchise is a 6-10 franchise until they consistantly prove they arent.
How about we see this team not have a losing record for consecutive seasons before penciling them in to the playoffs in May.
December 5th, 2017 at 9:02 pm
The Bucs will have a Top-5 pick in the 2018 NFL draft. They sill have New Orleans, Atlanta, Carolina left. And those teams are fighting for the division or a Wild Card berth. Jason Licht will use that pick and draft a LInebacker, if the Glazers don’t fire him.
December 5th, 2017 at 9:03 pm
**still*
December 5th, 2017 at 9:51 pm
Still need corner backs still need sacks still need online fire the gm that makes majority of his important decisions over wings and beer
December 5th, 2017 at 9:52 pm
O-line*
December 5th, 2017 at 10:03 pm
this is a weak draft for olinemen unfortunately.
Until we build up our o-line considerably, it would be foolish to waste a 1st round pick on a running back.
But I can’t wait to have this argument again for the next 5 months.
December 6th, 2017 at 2:20 am
Capt Tim,
I agree with you %100 regarding the FA market. It doesn’t seem to sink in to a large number of Buc fans that FA’ s are free to choose the best place for them to go. The carousel of coaches and the persistent losing seasons are not the best advertising among players or agents. Add that to Tampa as a place to live isn’t as appealing to younger players as we’d like to believe.
In your perspective, how much of a factor would Gruden be in changing the dynamic of the team’s ability to attract and sign FA’ s?
December 6th, 2017 at 6:55 am
SOME slack Realist! At least it shows aggressiveness.
December 6th, 2017 at 6:55 am
Might be time to trade Gerald McCoy and get another 1st round pick. Then use those 2 1st round picks for DE and OT. Spend a 2nd rounder on the best RB available. In Round 3 go back for another DE or DT. And round 4 best available Guard. Trade or cut Desean Jackson….Godwin is a capable #2, sign Brate and Humphries to extensions.
December 6th, 2017 at 7:06 am
Look at our schedule, right now we are 8th, we could move up easily to 4th if the teams in front of aren’t tanking. Unfortunately none of them need a QB with the exception of Giants and you don’t know what the Browns are gonna do, so if we move in the top 4, we could trade down for a team that needs a QB and stack picks. I will say it again, don’t sleep on the defensive linemen that will be coming out of Auburn, Miami and of course Clemson.
December 6th, 2017 at 8:01 am
Joe is right about where the Buc will probably pick; the “pessimistic but accurate about Licht” poster Lakeland is saying top 5 but for that to happen all those 3 win teams would have to win 2 games for the Bucs to move up that high as the Bucs have a stronger strength of schedule compared to teams like the Bears, Denver, and Colts so that even if they get an upset win to go 4-12 they would still pick ahead of Tampa and those qb needy teams are probably flipping into tank mode right now and that includes all the teams in front of the Bucs except for Houston (if Watson makes a recovery), Chicago and possibly SF if they decide Garropollo is their guy while Denver, Cleveland, the Giants, and Colts all could be looking at qbs next year so let the tanking for position begin like the Titans/Bucs in that race to 2-14…. Bucs simply are not lucky enough to have the other bottom feeder actually win enough to move Tampa up the order……
So the Bucs lose out and they’ll likley pick 7th or 8th; if they somehow beat Detroit (very doubtful) or the Saints (only if the Saints are locked into a seed in the playoffs and rest their first 2 strings, possible) then 5-11 could slide the Bucs behind teams like the Fins, Cards, Bungles and out of the top 10 to 11 or 12th. Worst case scenario, they go 6-10 (about as likely as Gruden going to play for Phil Fulmer) and pick around 13 or 14….. Hopefully a 5th win does not recreate a scenario that happened in the Megatron/Joe Thomas draft where the Bucs meaningless win over a bad Brown team cot them 2 draft spots and either one of the above mentioned players but this is the Tampa Bay Bucs and with all things associated with One Buc Place; whatever can go wrong definitely will!…..
December 6th, 2017 at 9:16 am
Joe’s,
I see at least 3 teams the bucs could leapfrog for the draft, Texans, Bears, Colts, Broncos. I don’t see the Bucs winning another game do you? The Packers tried to give us that game and we still managed to blow it. This coaching staff has done nothing to develop players, who is better this year as a result of coaching?
Every team we play has post season aspirations and or battling to win the NFC South. We will 100 percent loose the rest of the games, the only team we have a chance of beating is the lions, but what do you think Matthew Stafford will do against this crappy defense? Don’t get me wrong, I still watch the games and in no way am I rooting for the Bucs to lose, but they are simply not playing at a level to beat anyone at this point. I wouldn’t pencil in a win against any team in the NFL including those picking before us, would you?
December 6th, 2017 at 1:27 pm
Chubb and Chubb. One in the 1st the other in the 2nd,… cannons
December 6th, 2017 at 1:43 pm
***************
I don’t think we’ll win another game this year but I do think the Broncos will win 2 more, so … here is how I see the draft unfolding:
1. Giants (trade w/ Browns): Sam Darnold
2. Jets (trade w/ 49ers): Josh Rosen
3. Broncos (trade w/ Browns): Josh Allen
4. Colts (trade w/ Cardinals): Baker Mayfield
5. Browns (trade w/ Bears): Lamar Jackson
6. Bucs: Bradley Chubb or Minkah Fitzpatrick or Derwin James or Quenten Nelson or Connor Williams …
Now THAT would be one fun 1st round!
But, even if there are NO trades, I’d see it going:
1. Browns: Josh Rosen
2. 49ers: Saquon Barkley
3. Giants: Sam Darnold
4. Colts: Arden Key
5. Bears: Calvin Ridley
6. Bucs: All the same dudes and trade option(s) available to us!
***************