Ian Beckles And Mock Drafts

February 4th, 2019

Mocks the mockers.

Don’t come at Ian Beckles with your mock drafts.

The former Bucs guard and popular local radio personality, in a recent edition of his podcast, “In the Trenches,” noted he’s starting to get in the offseason mood by brushing up on prospects entering the draft. Beckles recently watched the Senior Bowl practices and that careful study of them can offer more details than highlights of the actual Senior Bowl game.

But then Beckles went off on mocks drafts saying they are a joke and don’t ever mention a mock draft to him and insult his intelligence.

“I saw one mock draft where they said the Bucs were going to pick a running back out of Alabama. I mean, c’mon,” Beckles scoffed. “If the Bucs pick a running back in the first round I am out, alright? They have too many needs, that’s for sure and running back isn’t the first one, OK? We have a lot of other holes at a lot of other places.”

Well, running back is a pretty big need to Joe, but Joe gets Beckles’ overall points.

Joe’s just not a mock draft kind of guy. There is nothing Joe can learn from a mock draft he can’t learn studying players or monitoring position rankings. It drives Joe bananas guys like Mel Kiper change their mocks weekly.

Why change, unless a guy got injured? Stick with your convictions! If someone had to change their mock draft by the week, that tells Joe they are not the least bit concerned with accuracy, and if someone is not concerned with accuracy, then what’s the point? Why waste Joe’s time?

That’s why Joe is going to terribly miss Mike Mayock now that he is working for Chucky. Mayock had one mock draft and that is it! He released his a couple of days before the draft began, as he did as much research as time allowed and then cobbled together his mock based on his research, not because a web producer said he needed one each Monday by 10 a.m.

As always, Beckles welcomes feedback and encourages readers to forward Bucs questions by e-mailing him at IanBeckles@RadioInfluence.com.

32 Responses to “Ian Beckles And Mock Drafts”

  1. 813bucboi Says:

    yeah i saw that mock too….think it was DJ….a few mocks ive seen have us taking ed oliver or j. taylor….both would work imo….we have to go oline & dline in first 3rounds imo…..

    #REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!

  2. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    We may have an opportunity to trade down one or two slots and still get the player we wanted at 5…..I’m hoping that’s what happens because we have many needs and cap problems so we need draft picks to start.

  3. Sunday_44 Says:

    Try this one on for size LMAO
    5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma | If Bruce Arians wants a chance at a Super Bowl ring, this is the move to start off his stint. Murray is undersized but ultra-talented, and as long as he discontinues any serious intention to play pro baseball, this is the (pun intended) home run swing of the draft.

    What a joke. These guys have no clue!!!

  4. Defense Rules Says:

    @Joe … “they are not the least bit concerned with accuracy, and if someone is not concerned with accuracy, then what’s the point? Why waste Joe’s time?”

    Uhhh, just a guess Joe, but since all those who create mock drafts are in the media, and media folks seem to like to get their readers talking about ‘stuff’ they wrote, I’m thinking there’s a relationship there. Mock drafts get readers talking about the writer as well as about the content of what they wrote, and for them that’s surely a good thing. 813bucboi’s comment above … commenting on a mock draft … proves the point? So does your mentioning Mel Kiper in your commentary. As long as it works, they’ll keep doing it … regardless of how Ian Beckles feels about it.

  5. SOEbuc Says:

    I’m going with Jonah Williams over Taylor all day. Waay overrated. Taylor gets ran around, falls over, would have a lot more holding penalties in the NFL. Williams is a man beast and lines up the block perfectly. And how can you say no to any one of these projected top 10 players coming out of Alabama. That’s almost a guaranteed Pro Bowler. 2019 Quenton Nelson.

  6. SOEbuc Says:

    Sunday_44

    You get Kyler Murray and you’re going to have b!tch boy DJax 2.0 in your locker room except he’s gonna be your QB. Guy’s 5’11” and he was talking sh!t, trying to start some kind of fight with 6’4″ Sam Ehlinger when Sam was being a good sportsman and went to shake his hand after Texas won the Red River. Of course Sam could’ve stomped his pu$$y ass out, but he was the taller man and walked away. Happens a lot when you play for OU. No class.

  7. Defense Rules Says:

    SOEbuc … Huge Bama fan, but not an advocate for drafting Jonah Williams as a LT (too light) but he is an excellent OLineman. DT Quinnen Williams of Bama however is a different story (I’d love to see us get him, but he’s projected to go in the Top-3 it looks like). WalterFootball mocks that we will draft LT Jawaan Taylor, although they do admittedly say he’s not Top-5 caliber (would make good sense IMO for us to trade down a few spots to grab an extra 2nd round pick, then draft Taylor and pick up a DT, DE, MLB or RB with that EXTRA pick).

  8. SCBucsFan Says:

    Beckles is an angry man. He yells at the sun because it shines too brightly.

  9. macabee Says:

    Just to pi$$ everybody off! lol. Good morning Joes!

    Bucs Mock Draft – V3

    Draft Strategy – Trade Down Twice

    I will look to trade down twice in this scrum of teams trying to get the best QB. There is no team before the Bucs that need a QB and to trade up before the Bucs will cost a premium. After QB Kyler Murray Joined Dwayne Haskins, Will Grier, Drew Lock and Daniel Jones in the draft, I am going to attempt to trade down twice in this mock draft.

    The Jags (7) will want to get Haskins, the top QB in the draft. The Broncos (10), Dolphins (13), or Redskins (15) will want to get the next best QB. All are QB needy teams. We will trade down with the Jags at #7 for a 2nd and 3rd round picks. I read now that GM John Elway is smitten with Mizzou QB Drew Lock. I also read that the Dolphins will release Ryan Tannehill. The forsale sign should be out well before the draft. We will trade down with the Broncos at #10 for 3rd and 4th round picks. Doesn’t matter who I trade with first or second, the price is the same. Please notice that I threw the trade values book out of the window when trading for a top ten QB.

    RD1 – CB Amani Oruwayrie/Penn State 6-1 203 4.52
    RD2 – OT David Edwards/Wisconsin 6-7 315 5.17
    RD2 – OG Ben Powers/Oklahoma 6-4 310 5.12
    RD3 – DT Gerald Willis/Miami 6-3 300 4.94
    RD3 – DE Charles Omenihu/Texas 6-5 275 4.83
    RD3 – ILB Tre Lamar/Clemson 6-2 255 4.72
    RD4 – SS Mike Bell/Fresno State 6-3 203 4.53
    RD4 – QB Tyree Jackson/Buffalo 6-6 245 5.02
    RD5 – OT Olisaemeka “Oli” Udoh 6-6 327 5.43
    RD7 – RB Ryquell “Rock” Armstead/Temple 5-11 223 4.56

    UDFAs

    CB Jordan Wyatt/Southern Methodist
    DT Armon Watts/Arkansas
    RB Devine Ozigbo/Nebraska
    DE Markus Jones/Angelo State

    Notes:

    *OLB Kendell Beckwith is now 18 months into his recovery and is expected to report for OTAs. ILB Kwon Alexander is reporting his ACL recovery is ahead of schedule and has a video of leg squats to show progress. He is ahead of schedule and expected to report to training camp. I did not then draft a LB replacement in the 1st round – Devin White/LSU.
    *OT David Edwards is drafted as a RT and primary replacement for RT Demar Dotson. I believe OT Donovan will be re-signed on a 1 year Transition tag at 12.1mil.
    *I now believe the Bucs will re-sign Adam Humphries and will not seek to draft his replacement WR Hunter Renfrow/Clemson in the 4th round.
    *Oli Udoh is a project draftee and will be developed much the same way as OT Demar Dotson.
    *Bucs can’t afford to spend an early round pick on another RB. They will continue to develop ROJO, but Barber needs help now. BA is partial to Temple players and will draft Rock Armstead or sign as a UDFA. Look for an affordable experienced FA RB as well. Todd McNair, Bucs RB coach played under Arians at Temple and was the running backs coach at USC, guiding Reggie Bush to a Heisman Trophy in 2005 – hoping he can help ROJO.

  10. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    @ Macabee

    I agree entirely but I don’t think we can get a 2nd, 2 3rds & a 4th for the trade downs….
    I’m thinking a 2nd one 3rd & a 4th…..

    We could actually trade down with the Giants also…..but, I agree….we are in prime position to find a trading partner who wants their pick of QB.

    Jason loves to trade so he can waste picks trying to “steal” players….he needs to quit getting cute with his second round picks and go with consensus picks.

  11. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    That’s why I do a Wishlist instead. I choose the player I like and hope we get some of them.

    Usually I get 3-4 on my list.

  12. Arian Nation Says:

    I love mock drafts.

    Anyone who expects them to be accurate in January or February is insane.

    What it does is educates the fans about these college players and makes the draft day more enjoyable. I like the draft better than Super Bowl.

    Quarterback lust always changes the draft order and improves your quality of choices as desperate teams move up to grab one.

    If you can create and monetize a Youtube video with a sponsor, with a few million views you can easily make $50,000 per video.

    Some Youtubers make over $1,000,000 a month.

    Don’t be a hater, Beckles.

  13. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    I’m telling you…Jon Gruden is the guy to trade with. Give him DJax and he will give us a second rounder this year. He’s got the picks and Jackson fits the mold of what he wants in his system, just like the guys he had here.

    He’s probably the ONLY one who would over pay.

  14. macabee Says:

    ArianNation,

    We, Buc fans, get much to worked up over what is at this point pure conjecture and hypotheses. And I’m as guilty as anyone. But bottom line, we really know very little about what the Bucs will do on offense or defense.

    We have heard from website analysts or even listened to Bucs coaches on interviews that have to my knowledge, not called one player by name. We may infer as I have done on occasion as to what or who may be affected, but nothing that one could have with any degree of certainty.

    Keep in mind that all the O-Line talent that was on display in the Senior Bowl, not one Buc coach attended. They were all at OBP watching film of the players we have now – trying to determine who we keep and at what value. FO people attended but make of that what you will.

    They will certainly attend the NFL combine on Feb 26th – March 4th following which they schedule up to 30 player visits and attend selected player workouts and pro days. March 13th is the first day of the 2019 League Year and Free Agency begins at 4:00pm EST. When these events have transpired, only then will we begin to get a clearer picture (still not certain) of what the Bucs are likely to do on offense or defense.

    In the meantime, have fun prognosticating on what our 2019 Bucs team will look like, but try to have fun as your guesses like mine are probably not even close. Keep in mind there are likely to be some surprises. Last time I checked, Jason Licht still has total control of the 53 roster as I’ve not been told otherwise. Go Bucs!

  15. Arian Nation Says:

    Macabee,

    I love your double trade ideas and draft picks.

    It is all in fun.

  16. Iron Wombat Says:

    Mock drafts are easy disposable content. I prefer the dudes that will basically rank players by position, but if they were any good at picking players they’d be working in a NFL scouting department.

  17. Joe Says:

    Uhhh, just a guess Joe, but since all those who create mock drafts are in the media, and media folks seem to like to get their readers talking about ‘stuff’ they wrote, I’m thinking there’s a relationship there.

    The vast majority of guys doing mocks are not reporters nor journalists. They are analysts. Big difference. And yes, while some writers will do mock drafts, not many that Joe knows of will drum up a mock every week or 10 days.

    Personally, know Daniel Jeremiah cannot stand mock drafts but he’s forced to do them by Big Brother. He talked about this on NFL Radio years ago.

  18. Joe Says:

    easy disposable content.

    That’s a great line!

  19. 813bucboi Says:

    SOE

    j.williams is overrated….he had trouble with speed and power rushers that were just as talented as him….and he’s no where near q.nelson from last year….he isnt as powerful as q.nelson or j.taylor who is a beast in the run game….i think we trade down and get either ed oliver or j.taylor….both would probably be there at #10….

    #REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!

  20. Defense Rules Says:

    @macabee … “Last time I checked, Jason Licht still has total control of the 53 roster as I’ve not been told otherwise.” Macabee, stop trying to burst my bubble … my sole hope for a Bucs’ revival lies in my belief that Bruce Arians was hired by the Glazer Boyz with the express marching orders to ‘fix the Bucs’ and not to let anything (or anyone) stand in his way. In my little corner of the world, Jason Licht is simply signing the checks for the Glazers. Granted, the Glazers didn’t tell me that, but that’s MY dream and I’m sticking with it. Don’t be a dream killer.

  21. 813bucboi Says:

    macabee

    that trade down scenario would be great…..hate the 1st round selection tho…lol…

    #REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!

  22. Defense Rules Says:

    Oh and Macabee, I’m an advocate for trading down THIS YEAR also, UNLESS a generational talent falls into our lap at #5 (unlikely I admit). IMO it’ll all depend on who wants a QB & how badly they want him (several interesting scenarios there). Rather than picking individual players though, I tend to prefer to identify NEEDS first (and the Bucs have MANY), then prioritize those NEEDS next, and then try to see what can best be filled in free agency vs in the draft (some positions IMO do better with a veteran in there, such as us needing a veteran CB & Safety for their FIELD LEADERSHIP as much as anything). Fun exercises in any event.

  23. Defense Rules Says:

    Joe, interesting tidbit about Daniel Jeremiah. He’s one of my favorites.

  24. TOM Says:

    Way to early for mock drafts. But one of the worse I’ve seen is PR’s.

  25. Joe Says:

    Joe, interesting tidbit about Daniel Jeremiah. He’s one of my favorites.

    Jeremiah is very good.

    Remember that interview like it was yesterday. Jeremiah stated how he hates mock drafts and how he is ordered to do so many and that they aren’t accurate. When he was asked why NFL.com demanded he do so many mock drafts he replied, “Because so many people click on those things.” He got into hot water over that interview.

    Want to say someone with either “The Athletic” or “Wall Street Journal” did a story on why mock drafts get clicks over position rankings. It’s really a phenomenon.

  26. macabee Says:

    Gonna try to respond to BucBoi, Defense Rules, and Tom.

    BucBoi, I understand. The consensus is OT Jonah Williams, but many say he has short arms and only weighs 301lbs. They think he will move to the inside in the NFL. WalterFootball thinks OT Jawaan Taylor is the best OT in the draft. Take with a grain of salt! Bucs need a long man corner to cover for Blitz in 3-4 sets. Bucs need everything. Figured I had better shot at CB late than OT. Then I’ve confessed that I’m making this sp!t up, so please keep that in mind! lol.

    Defense, I agree but get two people to agree on the priority of those needs. Bucs need everything. Kinda like doing a mock draft. Ya think?

    Tom, It’s not to early for mock drafts. It’s way to early to put faith in a mock draft. The key word is “mock” as in mockery. Should never be taken as fact or truth.

    That’s the best I got fellas. Others may have better ideas. Go Bucs!

  27. 813bucboi Says:

    macabee

    all good bro….

    j.taylor could play all over the oline except C….his strength is power and has good feet for a big guy imo….i didnt see him get beat much and he dominated in the run game…..still not top 5 imo, but would have no problem taking him whether its #5, #7, #10….and as you noted j.williams has measurable concerns….he has great technique but lacks ideal weight, strength and arm length…..

    hopefully in a more aggressive man press defense our CB’s wont look as lost and clueless as they were under smitty….i think we have decent talent in the secondary and they’ll be coached up and put in position to succeed…..

    we’ll see…time will tell…..

    #REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!

  28. Gettinthebucs Says:

    We just need to take the best player available. Most of the freaks are on dline this year. Bosa, Allen, Oliver and White look like the real deals this year. Last year it was Barkley and Derwin James. Don’t draft for need draft for impact!

  29. SOEbuc Says:

    All I know is I’m not taking Jawann Taylor at any of our spots in the top 10, ESPECIALLY #5. All I know is I’ve watched the film on Taylor and j. Williams and Williams certainly seems to be the better. UF v. Knty. Taylor was falling down everywhere and arms looked like one of those inflatable tube men. It’s gonna be a big mistake if they go with Taylor over Oliver, Greedy, or White. Ed Oliver all day if we stay at five and I think that’s a much more solid chance than taking a risk at a rookie LT if it’s not gonna be Q. Nelson 2019.

    And I’ve come to discover that Walter Football mock is such BS. Couple weeks ago he had DeAndre Baker going #12 and Greedy going #20 (both a joke in themselves), now he has Baker and Greedy going 24 and 25. Not gonna happen. At least not with Greedy, who he had in his top 10 for a long a$$ time.

  30. stpetebucsfan Says:

    Ian is still peoed that Kiper trashed him before his draft. It’s personal for him.

    I enjoy the mock drafts. I agree with all they are to be taken with a grain of salt and I view this two different ways.

    Are the mocks predicting what the NFL GM’s will do….or are they stating what they believe they should do based on their analysis of talent.

    I like to read Joe and the posters here as well. I used to be on Greedy’s bandwagon but after reading the posters here I agree that we need to address the trenches.

    Unlike last year’s draft I do not see a lot of “generational” players. Perhaps Bosa, Williams, or Allen…after that it starts becoming a crap shoot real fast. Some excellent player for sure but impact players…maybe.

    Since we’re not going to trade up for one of the first three…I’m in the trade down group…and I’m a Bobby Beathard fan which also prejudices me.

    For me three easy picks and then a lot of very evenly matched guys. We need to fix the trenches and so any OL or DL will please me.

    Interesting to read the negativity about Taylor. I’ve only watched a few Gator games and so I’ll defer to them.

  31. JimmyJack Says:

    I don’t follow college football much so I enjoy reading mock drafts. I don’t read them for the accuracy but just to learn which players are rated where.

    And why should we care that you don’t like mock drafts? If ya ask me you are just too afraid to do one yourself because of how bad you would butcher it.

  32. Jonathan Lipnicki Says:

    Mock drafts are for entertainment purposes only and help the offseason go by in a more interesting manner. They rarely if ever are accurate. Unfortunately they need a running back in the worst way. Without a Barkley like talent available in this draft, the Bucs likely won’t take a flyer on a “potential” type guy.