“Sleeper”
March 22nd, 2018
Penn State RB Saquon Barkley.
If one long-time NFL scribe is accurate, the Bucs are or should be one of the top teams hot in the pants for the highest-rated running back in the draft.
And that would be Saquon Barkley of Penn State.
In going through possible landing points for Barkley, Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News says the Bucs are the No. 4 team most-likely to land Barkley.
The Bucs said bye to Martin and re-signed Peyton Barber as their default No. 1 back. That puts them in play for Barkley, and they might not have to do anything but wait their turn in order to get him with QB-desperate teams ahead of them.
Tampa Bay got wide receiver Chris Godwin out of Penn State last season, and Barkley’s skill set would allow its offense to take the needed next step with Jameis Winston, delivering both the balance and extra explosiveness. Barkley would be a no-brainer if he’s still available.
The Bucs also are sitting on eight overall picks, including No. 38 in the second round, so they could move up one or two spots to get him if needed. The Bucs have big needs related to their pass rush and secondary, but based on value and the best player who can immediately change their fortunes, Barkley blows away the other options.
Just before the NFL combine, the thought of Barkley landing to the Bucs seemed preposterous. Now, after the Jets traded with the Colts to move up to No. 3, it’s not a stretch to believe one of the following players could be on the board when the Bucs are on the clock at No. 7: defensive end Bradley Chubb, guard Quenton Nelson or Barkley.
If the Bucs do get Barkley, there isn’t a weakness at any offensive skill position. And if the Bucs still fail to score points with Barkley in the backfield, then Joe will guess some folks may have serious sitdowns with Team Glazer come January 2019.
March 22nd, 2018 at 6:14 am
No RT on roster, No LG, unproven Center and marpert switching positions again… what a dream scenario for a rookie running back.
March 22nd, 2018 at 6:18 am
Tmax you should just mash your keyboard when you post. Maybe you will eventually say something worth while.
Barkley would make that line look like them.Boys.
March 22nd, 2018 at 6:19 am
Alaskan Abdominal Snowman
Yeah ok
Just another delusional optimist living in denial
March 22nd, 2018 at 6:20 am
Its called being a fan. You should try it.
March 22nd, 2018 at 6:22 am
Lol. Typical low standard bucfan acceoting the basement life…Raise your srandards…
March 22nd, 2018 at 6:26 am
Need DE
Corner
OL
RB has to be secondary
March 22nd, 2018 at 6:41 am
My srandards are fine. Barkley would be wonderful! I just don’t think the value is there. Having watched him, I don’t see what the geeks see in him. I see him breaking a lot of little big runs without contact. I think he’s good not great.
That being said, the pick is and should be Nelson if he’s there. If not, and the big 3 are gone at 7…I’m with Joe. Trade down. Trade down. Trade down. The no.4 WB is still on the board. Sell that pick and take a second second rd pick at least. I’d consider Vea, Payne, James, or even McGlinchey.
I’m wayyyyyyy down on Fitzpatrick. Dude hates hitting. Allergic to it. AnyonenSaba says great over the top things about should send up enormous fluttering red flags. No thanks. Ward is too small and Joe has said it right. Why ruin another top draft pick CB (even if VH3 is a less than talented player and horrendous foreseeable mistake). In a trade down I could live with Davenport too I suppose
March 22nd, 2018 at 6:44 am
@ Snowman
tmaxcon spends most of his pathetic life complaining about losers on a losing football team on a football website. Now he acts like it’s a high standard.
Give up, you really can’t lose an argument with this winner, Snowman.
March 22nd, 2018 at 6:54 am
Barkley is a generational talent, not just another first round running back. He would put our offense at a whole new level. You can get your guard, DE, DT, in the next rounds, jump for joy if Barkley is there. Not going to happen, dreams go to die in Tampa.
March 22nd, 2018 at 6:55 am
peyton Barber
Charle Sims
One two punch !!!
March 22nd, 2018 at 7:01 am
I’d be happy with Barkley and a horrible defense next year. Then in 2019 we’ll have a new coach and GM and maybe a decent defense.
March 22nd, 2018 at 7:10 am
I think it would be a bad move to take Barkley. That first pick MUST be spent on one of the two lines. If you get Nelson, then it will help improve the running game. Just take a rb later. There are good options.
Personally, I want Dline to be taken. If they don’t address Dline, McCoy should request a trade so he can maybe get a ring before retiring.
March 22nd, 2018 at 7:15 am
I’d move up for Barkley but not to 1……move to 4 or 5 would be costly but affordable. Use next year’s #1 and this year’s number 2 perhaps.
Barkley is the only player I’d trade up for…..sort of a Julio Jones situation.
As for Tmax…..I tried leaving him alone and not responding to his constant negative diarrhea but that doesn’t work…he continues no matter what.
I guess he gets off on it….a puzzling perversion for sure.
March 22nd, 2018 at 7:19 am
Barkley could be the next Walter Payton on, and off the field, you don’t pass on a generational talent like that.
March 22nd, 2018 at 7:24 am
I wish we could get Barkley.
March 22nd, 2018 at 7:25 am
Comparing “the Great” – Walter Payton to anyone is sacrilegious.
C’mon now.
March 22nd, 2018 at 7:29 am
I get it – some ya’ll haven’t lived long enough – to watch some of the greats live.
Maybe then – you would know difference from great – and decent talent; when U see it.
March 22nd, 2018 at 7:47 am
This dream could come true
March 22nd, 2018 at 7:48 am
The bucs being the bucs losing that 5 spot by winning that saints game really hurt the team as usual, but go get nelson and then draft guice or michael or chubb the rb, you have seen how RBs outside of round 1 have done in the league, dont trade up and grab barkley
March 22nd, 2018 at 7:52 am
Moving up to go get a running back? Licht can’t be that stupid.
March 22nd, 2018 at 7:57 am
Tampabaybucfan:
Agree with trading up to 5, maybe 4. You are right he is a generational player that would impact all phases of the team and sell tickets. This old nonsense about trading down to get more picks is ok, but you often get marginal rotational players who take time to develop. He is a plug and play and we would still have enough picks and cap space to fill a few need holes. I Say grow a pair and aim for the best for a change.
PS This Tmax dude is a piece of work. I just skip over his drivel everyday.
March 22nd, 2018 at 8:00 am
no to trading up in the first…..
March 22nd, 2018 at 8:07 am
Barkley is a once in a lifetime type of player. The scouts are comparing himctocBARRU SANDERS….. Bradley Chubb isn’t going to help our offense to stop being one dimensional to opposing defenses. Does anyone really think that opposing defensive coordinators stay awake at night with the likes of Payton Barber in the backfield?!?! Lol the kid is good but lacks the explosiveness Barkley would bring. Adding Barkley to our offense would automatically transform us into a high scoring offense leaving our defense in a good spot because they wouldn’t have to be great but decent. However their are still very good options besides Chubb on defense that we need. Our secondary besides grimes is in desperate need of help. But if my the grace of god Barkley is there and we can get him you cannot pass him up. We did the same thing to a WR by the name of Calvin “Megatron” Johnson and please people tel me how that turned out? Does anyone remember who we picked instead of him ?
March 22nd, 2018 at 8:07 am
Barkley would be great to have on our team, it’d solidify our offense for next year. Their daily objective though would be to score at least 28 points a game. Why? Well trading up would most likely mean trading away picks to get Defensive Tackles and Ends which we badly need since our Defense was constantly giving up yards and generating 0 pressure on the QBs. Along with that, Cornerback is another position at best would be graded as a C-. Barkley’s talent makes it worth giving up a lot, but honestly Barkley is probably gonna be the 1st pick of the Draft.
March 22nd, 2018 at 8:11 am
Gaines Adams was our pick in the 2007 draft. Oh and I forgot to mention also Adrian Peterson was in that same draft class….Gaines Adams was a ghost on the field and is now one off the field RIP.
March 22nd, 2018 at 8:12 am
Darnold going to be #1, then barkley, depending on trades but man cleveland would be outstanding if they grab their QB at 1 and then come back at 4 and grab bradley chubb and bookend him with myles garrett that defense is going to be crazy, love if vegas pops them at o/u wins at 5, take the over and every savings $ you have…..again the bucs winning that last game really was not smart in a long term plan which the bucs are still 2-3 years away
March 22nd, 2018 at 8:23 am
manning has about 3 years left in him…giants feel they can prolly make another run with manning…they will add barkley to their backfield…so everyone chill out…we will get the next bust in the draft…chubb
March 22nd, 2018 at 8:26 am
barkley is going to new york at 2 or 3 if he doesn’t go number 1…it’s good for the league for him to go to new york…it’s all a racket – so if he doesn’t go number 1, the league will force one of the ny teams to take him….remember…it’s all a racket $$$
March 22nd, 2018 at 8:27 am
Haha not without trading up Joe
March 22nd, 2018 at 8:29 am
Now I don’t know who this “Vinnie Iyer” character is at Sporting News, but like any online columnist I suppose they can write whatever to create click-bait for their employer, so..so be it.
I find it (and so should all) REMARKABLY interesting how THIS Bucs fan said not 2-3 days ago on a prior RB thread the VERY thing that this Vinnie Iyer guy is now writing about which was never publicized or publicly surmised about in the draft press, in his #1 spot on this list. That IS…that Elway having played all that time with Terrell Davis and seeing Davis’ influence on Elway’s 2 Superbowl titles in Denver, that Elway would like to take a shot @ #5, or even move up a spot or two.
Man, like Vinny Curry’s targeting well before FA on here before anyone or anything else, now people trying to telepathically steal these draft-savant scenarios…..shoooot, to see what others (unforeseen) will say/do next Buc faithful…..TUNE TO This Buc fan’s TAKES. It is what it is.
Washington at #13 continues to really concern THIS Bucs fan, as I could very likely see them pull a stunner for the attention-seeking chip that is Dan Snyder, and Bruce Allen to a lesser degree, for that matter. And the Giants…continue to be a 60/40 perhaps 70/30 good bet to just take Barkley if they are not BLOWN AWAY by an offer for that pick for a QB team. Dolphins might consider it too, but not as rabidly as Washington–if fits their retarded DNA.
Jason has a plan, the plan just better be MORE aggressive than any would forecast. Bottom line, he doesn’t go after #5, period, regardless of team.
Go Bucs! Go Barkley! Go Bold! Go Primetime!
March 22nd, 2018 at 8:33 am
the fact is the experiment with these london games has simply not gone away…that’s actually a big problemo…and our owners are like london dudes – with man u and all…so the league has bigger plans regarding the london picture…can anyone say the “brixton buccaneers”…
“well get used to it punks”…said clint eastwood
March 22nd, 2018 at 8:38 am
I’d LOVE to have Barkley on our team. That being said, if we traded up in the first round for someone it had better be Chubb..
March 22nd, 2018 at 8:44 am
@Hodad … “Barkley is a generational talent.” Chubb is a generational talent. Nelson is a generational talent. Got it.
Let’s see. Jameis is a generational talent. OJ is a generational talent. GMC was a generational talent. How about instead of collecting ‘generational talents’ we start building a more balanced T-E-A-M.
March 22nd, 2018 at 8:49 am
Dusthty Rhothdes
Exactly.
The way I say…
Top-7 Mock<strong
1st. Cleveland Browns — Sam Darnold, QB, USC
2nd. New York Giants — Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
3rd. New York Jets — Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
4th. Cleveland Browns — Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
5th. Buffalo Bills (trade) — Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
6th. Indianapolis Colts — Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C. State
7th. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
Sid-note: Buffalo’s looking to move into the Top-5.
March 22nd, 2018 at 8:49 am
Adam,
Mexico, Canada and China and the UK is countries that have been in almost every discussion that includes expansion. The 40 team expansion plan is rumored. Adding 8 additional franchises, is not accomplished by moving an existing team from point a to b.
London dudes……Lol…
March 22nd, 2018 at 8:50 am
Honestly, I think it should be Davenport. He is very similar to Ansah but with more experience
March 22nd, 2018 at 8:52 am
Ok.. heres the deal. Number 1 will now be a QB. Cleveland didn’t sign Carlos Hyde with intentions of drafting Saquon at 1.
Giants at 2… Possible, however, most likely is they will trade out or draft Quentin Nelson. I don’t see them drafting a QB, but if anyone trades to that slot, it is for a QB. Look for Buffalo to get itchy here.
Jets at 3.. No doubt QB. No way they make this trade without targeting a QB.
Browns at 4, Not sure how Saquon slips past here. Seen mocks with Minkah picked here. Other option would be a trade out (I would just see what it would take if I was Licht, but probably way too steep a price)
Broncos at 5, If Quentin Nelson is here, he will be the pick for the Broncos, if not, they will be looking to trade out. Chubb will not be the pick for Denver.
Colts at 6, Probably Chubb.
So How I see the picks in front of the Bucs
1. QB
2. QB
3. QB
4. Barkley
5. Nelson
6. Chubb
or
1. QB
2. Nelson
3. QB
4. Barkley
5. QB
6. Chubb
If this happens, the Bucs, should try to auction the pick to whoever wants the next QB.
I would really like Barkley in a Bucs uniform. I think he will be the next truly special back. Better than Elliot, or Fournette or Gurley. But I just don’t see a way without giving up next season’s first round pick the Bucs can get to him.
March 22nd, 2018 at 8:55 am
Tnew,
Why do like Barkley over fournette, gurly..etc.. ..
March 22nd, 2018 at 8:56 am
My mock draft:
Your Picks:
Round 1 Pick 7: Nelson, Quenton, OG, Notre Dame (A)
Round 2 Pick 6: Hubbard, Sam, DE/OLB, Ohio State (A-)
Round 3 Pick 5: Chubb, Nick, RB, Georgia (A+)
Round 4 Pick 8: Settle, Tim, DT, Virginia Tech (A+)
Round 5 Pick 7: Hill, Holton, CB, Texas (A+)
Round 6 Pick 6: Nelson, Nick, CB, Wisconsin (A+)
Round 6 Pick 28: Mataafa, Hercules, OLB, Washington State (A+)
Round 7 Pick 37: Lawler, Justin, DE, Southern Methodist (A+)
March 22nd, 2018 at 8:56 am
Note: Denzel Ward Attended Nordonia High School. 33mins away from First Engery Stadium.
March 22nd, 2018 at 9:01 am
To bad our line is mediocre
March 22nd, 2018 at 9:01 am
Luv My Bucs, right on, the thing I could see the browns doing at 4 is maybe grabbing fitzpatrick because their DC is a really creative guy and could use fitzpatrick all over but on same thought having chubb annd garrett as book ends could make you do alot of creative things…..bucs getting nelson in round 1 then grabbing guice in round 2 or michel would be perfect, but then the bucs need defense for the rest of the picks, maybe go back into round 2 again this year, if he did it for a kicker then defense would make sense
March 22nd, 2018 at 9:06 am
DJ
I can respect that.
March 22nd, 2018 at 9:21 am
I hate the idea of taking a RB in the first round. Let alone in the top 10. AND he isnt even the best RB in this class.
Im actually fearing that Barkley is there at #7 and the bucs pick him.
March 22nd, 2018 at 9:35 am
Pray for a trade down grab an extra 2 draft
1st DE Davenport after trading down to Miami, Buffalo or Arizona
2nd DE Josh Sweat or Arden Key physical specimens both should be available
2nd RB Chubb, Penny both should still be available
3rd top CB or G available
4th top S, CB, or G
5th-7th BPA. hopefully WR Antonio Callaway 1st round talent questionable character, he’s got Tyreek Hill potential
March 22nd, 2018 at 9:51 am
The Bucs need OG, RT,RB on the offensive side of the ball.
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:00 am
U could get a Bo Scarborough in the 5th
When healthy If barkley is a 10 Bo is a 9.7
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:03 am
Buccaneer bonzi says should trade McCoy so he can go get a ring… Is he paying your rent or something? Why would you want him to go get a ring ? What in the hell has he ever done for this organization to warrant a fan of the bucs to hope he gets a ring somewhere else? You sir, are not a true bucs fan and for you to think you are is laughable to me..
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:06 am
Someone earlier said they didn’t understand the fuss about Barkley? To each his own but, that guy looks like a video game to me; with speed power and agility- truly unbelievable at times! He even returns kicks. If he is there at seven you absolutely take him but, in order for him to be there at 7 that means that 4 quarterbacks were takin ahead of the Bucs and I don’t see that happening.
Guice will not be there in the 2nd and Michel, for me is hard to evaluate as he appears to run through a lot of huge holes; but admittedly, unlike some of the GM’s here, I don’t watch games for a living and may not have seen enough of him.
Do not trade up, it’s too expensive! This all just means the top 3 players, Barkley, Chubb & Nelson, will have JUST been missed and we reach for a vastly inferior talent at D-line which has always been “the plan”.
If the big 3 are gone then trade back. If we can’t do that then we should select a quarterback and hold him hostage for a kings ransom.
I’m so glad J-miss decided to throw his first perfect deep-ball on the last play for the win. It will hurt HIM for years!
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:09 am
To me, it’s not the big three but big four (Barkley, Nelson, Chubb, and Fitzpatrick). I don’t see the first three listed being on the board unless the Buccs trade-up….possibly to the Jets Why would the Buccs pass on Minkah at seven?? Free Safety is arguably the second most important position on defense in today’s version of the NFL…
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:14 am
And this is why you take Minkah at seven if the other three are off the board. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHmdoPB3SN4
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:17 am
we just got JPP from the Giants… What the…
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:19 am
Duke..
Seemed like every game, the number one game plan versus Penn St was stop Barkley, yet still he managed production.
His Freshman year, vs Ohio State. A defense that had Marshon Lattimore, Raekwon Mcmillan, Garreon Conely, Vonn Bell, Eli Apple, Tyvis Powell, Malik Hooker, Joshua Perry, Darron Lee, Adolphis Washington and Joey Bosa, all he does is run 26 times for 194.
So he’s produced versus very top end competition.
HIs style can fit into multiple blocking schemes so you don’t have to zone block or power block.
WOOOO. interupt this post. Bucs acquire JPP
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:26 am
Focus on trenches
If Indiana Hoosiers can hold Barkley to 2 yds/ carry 2 years in a row,
what can NFL defense do? -Barkley is quality, but not worth top 10 1st round pick. Trenches and secondary are higher priority. You just need enough run game to keep defenses honest – this is a passing league
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:29 am
Like what Light has done so far. Still need running back, corner and safety. Bucs should be very competitive in 2018. However, they are in one of the toughest divisions in football so not sure if they make the playoffs or not in 2018. They should be AT LEAST a 500 club though and I can’t see them getting blown out of games this season. Kicking alone cost them 3 games last year. That should not
be a problem in 2018.
March 22nd, 2018 at 12:44 pm
Tmax, go watch some tape bro. Our OL was not the be all and end all of our running woes last year.
Try 2 years ago when Ali was at RG and was dominant as a no name school div 3 kid.
And lol at calling other fans delusional.
March 22nd, 2018 at 3:48 pm
Tnew,
Thanks for the answer. I appreciate your perspective although I don’t share your opinion as of today but I am open to the possibility that I don’t know all the facts. I asked because either I’m not seeing the same thing or possibly missing something that you and a majority of folks do see.
I didn’t watch Barkley play so I’m at a distinct disadvantage from the people who watched him wk in and wk out. You mentioned Ohio state and it was his first season that’s the stand out. Although, a good portion of his yards were acquired by a few plays its impressive.
The problem I have is why wasn’t that performance v Ohio state repeated in his next two seasons. The idea that teams game planned to stop him isn’t that accurate or not that easy to demonstrate. Christian Hackenburg was the marquee player that first year and teams tyres to stop him. After he left, the team was not running the ball more than before. They are a pass first and often team. Barkley didn’t get the task of carrying the team. I think this because of the splits and Barkley’ s role as a weapon vs a RB.
If you think that it’s tuff to run against big ten defenses that only explains a few things, it begs more questions to me.
I guess my mind is grappling with the kids ability and how it would be utilized by the Bucs. I don’t care about how the other teams will play him. My biggest hurdle, and if you think you can make a case please do, is the all world top 5 talent flexible enough to remain that and produce all pro level if he’s put in an inflexible system that expects him to be a traditional (loaded word) or say work horse back.
I don’t believe that He’s close to being a gurly fornette type back. McCaffery more likely but without his inside game.
Why is He not labeled a gimmick back? To me, that isn’t a negative but that’s not shared by many people out there in Buc nation.
Help me out T
March 22nd, 2018 at 3:51 pm
Alan,
How bout Rutgers. Iowa state, Michigan and Michigan state. Ohio state yr 2-3.
March 22nd, 2018 at 7:28 pm
Bo Scarbrough is not getting enough love from anybody I would take him over any back in the draft and that includes Barkley, and we can get him in the 4th possibly
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:55 pm
Mike,
Your absolutely right! I didn’t notice it !
Why, because of the constant banging of the drums for the same few players. Over and over the same 6 guys. Kinda drowned out the other guys.