“That’s How You Want To Draw Up A Defensive End”

March 16th, 2019

Sweat-talk.

Joe is on an edge rusher kick. And Joe won’t get off that until or unless either the Bucs find a likely replacement for Jason Pierre-Paul and/or trade out of the No. 5 draft slot — which frankly would not be smart.

One could argue JPP could be a cap casualty this offseason — which in Joe’s eyes would be downright dumb. This team cannot pull another Michael Bennett and run off a fantastic edge rusher like they did in 2013 without a replacement.

And if JPP survives the next round of salary cap trimming, he might not next year, which would be the final year of his fat contract.

As of now, the Bucs have a strong shot at beastly Montez Sweat from Mississippi State at No. 5. And former NFL scout and current talking head at the NFL Network, Daniel Jeremiah, positively loves Sweat. He dished on Sweat in a teleconference call prior to the combine.

Montez is — man, that’s how you want to draw up a defensive end, and that’s what you want him to look like. He is tall and long and explosive. I got a chance to see him up close there at the Senior Bowl. Unique ability to be able to bend and wrap at the top of his rush once he gets to the very top to be able to flatten to the quarterback. You can watch the Auburn game, he just completely takes it over in terms of just abusing that tackle. He’s got big-time get-off and burst. Now, I wish he would get a little bit stronger in the run game. He can get too high at times and can get pushed around, but I think in terms of which specific team, I think he’s going to be a top-20 pick. He’s going to be in the mix for all those teams that are looking for edge rushers. How early does that start? Probably — I would say probably around 8 with Detroit is where that conversation could begin. I could see Green Bay at 12 being a fit. Carolina at 16 would make some sense.

Of course, Joe wishes somehow, someway Kentucky edge rusher Josh Allen would fall to No. 5. For that to happen, there have to be two quarterbacks picked among the first four players selected and then a whole lot of hope and prayer.

Joe doesn’t believe the Bucs can afford to gamble and trade back and cross their fingers Sweat would still be on the board.

73 Responses to ““That’s How You Want To Draw Up A Defensive End””

  1. AlteredEgo Says:

    I’d take Sweat over one trick pony Josh Allen…

  2. Grt1 Says:

    Why not trade up to get your guy? Even if it cost you next years 1 . Hell trade up two spots and be done with it.

  3. Joeypoppems Says:

    Again, if Sweat runs a 4.6 we arent having this top 5 hype nonsense.

    Sweat and Rashaan Gary are the two most overhyped “top 5” prospects this year… which means Gruden will take one of them at 4 lol

  4. Mort Says:

    How do you guys get top five out of that? DJ says he shouldn’t go higher than 8!

  5. Bird Says:

    Joeypoppems

    Agree

    A new guy on our team did same thing. Brashaud Perriman from ucf. I went ucf so watched him play. He was solid. But I wouldn’t say great. Not 1st round material.

    At combine , He ran a 4.25 and got drafted in 1st round when he was expected closer to 3rd round. Late 2nd.
    ————-
    Still on the devin white bus if Allen , Williams and bosa gone.
    No question that Kyle Murray will be drafted in top 4picks. Likely 1.

  6. Joeypoppems Says:

    @Mort

    This was pre combine. After he ran a 4.41 many draft analysts, including Daniel Jeremiah, started mocking Sweat to the Bucs at 5

  7. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    No Sweat.

  8. Bird Says:

    The Shaquil barret signing is intriguing. It’s 4 mil and up to 5 mil if he hits escalators

    Walter football Gave us A grade.

    His numbers were down last year because they drafted Bradley Chubb and already had bad ass von Miller.
    PFF still graded at 75 out of a 100 I believe for 2018.

    2017 – The year before with no Chubb. he had 4 sacks and 12 qb hits and 2 FF he was given a grade of almost 83. Good against run too. He already won a super bowl and stated this offseason that he wanted to play for team with opportunity to start. So he has chip on shoulder. I like this pick.

  9. Andrew Says:

    49ers appear to be out on a DE OLB after dee ford and they have so many guys. Someone will be there for our taking.

  10. rrsrq Says:

    We have seen Jason pass on Derwin James when we just knew that would be the pick while he was there. We have seen Jason trade up for a kicker. We have seen him trade up for small school offensive lineman. The obvious picks of OJ Howard and Mike Evans and Jameis were easy, even taking a chance on Noah Spence (Yannick Ngakoue) and Ronald Jones (Darius Guice), best possible players at a position of need. So I will not be surprised want JL does. I still think Devin White will be a top LB for 10 years. I think there will be decent edge rushers into the third. The way Bowles plays defense, you do not know if the blitz is coming from Buccannon, Evans, VHIII, LVD or White. Edge is important, that is why they signed the guy from Denver. By the way did I mention pressure from Spence, Nassib, JPP, GMC, Vea

  11. BigMacAttack Says:

    Licht’s gonna screw it up somehow, rest assured. Punter yo

  12. Buc4life Says:

    I would love Sweat, but we need D. White to be the new leader of our defense. We can’t spend another year with McCoy as our leader and running him out last during pre-game starters. We need a culture change and our vocal and game leader need to be this pick.

  13. Ndog Says:

    So let’s get this straight your pinning over a guy that 8.5 sacks last year in college? This is clearly Lee who has no idea what he is talking about. And of those sacks 2 of them came against STEPHEN F. AUSTIN, 2 came against Kentucky, 1 against Louisiana Tech and exactly zero came against Bama, Texas A&M Arkansas, or Auburn. In fact against Bama with a quality OL he had exactly 5 tackles. This guy is all athlete, little football player.

  14. “That guy” Says:

    With the 5th overall pick in the 2019 nfl draft Tampa bay picks……

    Lieutenant Dan!

  15. Ndog Says:

    So let’s get this straight your pinning over a guy that 8.5 sacks last year in college? This is clearly L ee who has no idea what he is talking about. And of those sacks 2 of them came against STEPHEN F. AUSTIN, 2 came against Kentucky, 1 against Louisiana Tech and exactly zero came against Bama, Texas A&M Arkansas, or Auburn. In fact against Bama with a quality OL he had exactly 5 tackles. This guy is all athlete, little football player.

  16. 1sparkybuc Says:

    Defensive QB should be the highest priority. White power in its proper perspective. Knowing what play should be called and where 11 defenders need to be is more important than any one single player. Don’t trade down. Get White.

  17. Arian Nation Says:

    Arizona will pick Murray, the 49ers will not pick DL, they have too much invested in it already with the addition of Dee Ford.

    The Jets will pick Q Williams and Gruden will grab Bosa or J Allen.

    There will probably be a surprise trade in the top four but it shouldn’t effect the Bucs too much. Nick Bosa might even fall into their lap.

  18. passthebuc Says:

    I now understand all the Bucs moves over the last few years. They are going to bolt from the NFL to the AAF. They still won’t go in as favorite to win the league championship.

  19. passthebuc Says:

    bigger need for 2 OL first

  20. DooshLaRue Says:

    Walterfootball has Josh Allen falling to us.
    That made me smile.

  21. AlabamaBucsFan Says:

    I would say trade a few spot down and pick up an extra 2nd or 3rd round pick from a qb hungry team but Licht has a horrible track record on the 2nd pick (kicker Aguayo, DE spence and CB Stewart). Why trust him this year.

  22. Joeypoppems Says:

    My projected Top 5:

    Ari – Kyler Murray
    SF – Nick Bosa (even with Dee Ford) or trade
    NYJ – Quinnen Williams or trade
    OAK – Montez Sweat or Rashaan Gary (because its Gruden)
    TB – Devin White (yes, over Josh Allen)

  23. Joeypoppems Says:

    Nick Bosa and Quinnen Williams are the only players I think the Bucs will take over Devin White.

    White has all the intangibles they seem to be looking for plus its still the biggest need. The pick makes too much sense

  24. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    The good news…..very good news is that we have an opportunity at #5 for a great player…..probably White….but could be Williams, Allen or Bosa…

    What is this Montez Sweat $hit?…….I’d take him only in a trade-down situation.

    The great news is our worst pick at 5 just may be exactly what we need….a MLB

  25. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    It’s clear to Joe has all you people brainwashed. Show me a 3/4 bed defense that featured a dominant DE at any point over the last 20 years. I’ll be waiting. Dlinemen in 3/4 schemes are space eaters more so than rushers. The pressure comes from the olb mainly and the blitz packages of the lb unit as a whole. Can’t wait to see y’all comments draft nights😊.

  26. Wausa Says:

    I watched Sweat plenty this year.
    He is not overhyped at all. He was a dominating player that teams were chipping to help slow him down.
    If the Bucs stay at five I want them to either draft Allen or Sweat.

  27. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    I’m watching a football life right now “Kevin GREENE”. He and Greg Loyd were the featured rushers in that 3/4 scheme not DEs. But hey ain’t nothing wrong wit wishful thinking. See you soon Devin White.

  28. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    139 sacks over a 3 year period(Greene and Loyd lead Steelers). If anything point out to me the mean rushing olb coming out. DEs are just not the focal point of a 3/4 scheme.

  29. Bucsfanman Says:

    I’m not big on drafting Sweat either. It’s the “big 3” or trade back. Why aren’t the Clemson DTs rated higher? Those guys dominated all year. Q is the guy but what about the Clemson DTs? Any thoughts?

  30. Kalind Says:

    A LB holds no value at 5. You’re reaching. The classic case of bad drafting (see Aguayo). If you want White (or sweat) move back to 8 or 9.

    Or, as I’ve said: scare the poop out of the NYG that you’re selling to the skins or dolphins and just take the Giants second and move back to 6. Still pick up a draft pick (2nd) and get whoever you were going to get anyway

  31. SkBucsFan Says:

    The Bucs need to hit on their picks consistently. The first round pick shouldn’t hurt us regardless of who is picked. The good teams know that’s the crucial game changing picks are rounds 2 through 4. Based on Lichts round 2 history I am pretty sure we will be screwed again. He has proven time and time again that he is incapable of finding quality players in latter rounds.
    Trade Licht!

  32. THETRUTH Says:

    Joe can’t build a team if we just keep replacing positions we have filled already.
    We get rid of JPP (proven) now we waste pick or FA ( which is crapshoot) and HOPE he can do the same

    Oh build team by filling position of need to help those players who are proven.

    Soon you will be calling for mike Evans

    You should be question why Golhston is on team every day instead of writing to move JPP and MC coy daily.

  33. Smashsquatch Says:

    Sweat plays stiff, his draft position will outweigh his performance thanks to his 40 time. Too many so called experts focus on workout stats over game tape. No sweat passing on Sweat.

  34. stpetebucsfan Says:

    Doosh

    And not just Walter Football. Over half the mocks I’ve seen have two QB’s in the top 4 which means we have to get one of the top three and the majority pick Allen as the guy we land.

    Someone talked about trading up…something I’m not usually fond of…but those same mocks have White going anywhere from 8th to 17th…basically right around 10. If we had a player or draft picks to trade up and get White what a draft that would be.

    Imagine perhaps the best edge rusher and a dominant force in the middle. You would have to go back to the Sapp/Brooks draft to exceed that. Hey a guy can dream can’t he.

  35. Pickgrin Says:

    Does Sweat’s tape from College show he is worthy of the #5 overall pick?

    HELL NO!

    You don’t pick a player in the top 5 of the draft just because he ran a fast 40 time – Geez…..

  36. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Kalind Says:
    March 16th, 2019 at 9:39 am
    A LB holds no value at 5. You’re reaching. The classic case of bad drafting (see Aguayo). If you want White (or sweat) move back to 8 or 9.

    Or, as I’ve said: scare the poop out of the NYG that you’re selling to the skins or dolphins and just take the Giants second and move back to 6. Still pick up a draft pick (2nd) and get whoever you were going to get anyway

    My thoughts exactly but you will never get a 2nd to move down 1 spot……more likely a 4th…..maybe a 3rd if we are lucky.

  37. Red86 Says:

    Prefer Q. Williams or Wilkins, but would be fine with Sweat over Allen. Sweat look like a Julius Pepper, while Allen reminds me of Noah Spence. We should be running a 34 if Allen is drafted. But, Sweat can play both very well IMO.

  38. Joeypoppems Says:

    “A LB holds no value at 5.”

    Saying this days after Kwon just got $13.5M per year coming off a torn ACL and after CJ Mosely got $17M per year from the Jets… I would agree with that if these things didn’t just happen.

    Teams overpaying for LBs = Teams value LBs.

    Plus on a side note, I really don’t think the Giants will draft a QB. I think they go Edge at 6 and WR at 17.

  39. DB55 Says:

    Adrian Clayborn is available I think he got 2 rings. Lololol

  40. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    Save all that goofy @$$ value at 5 noise. It’s about perfect fit at 5 which Devin White is because of is speed,coverage and ability to blitz. What do you folks think BA means when he says “this is a attacking defense”. 3/4 schemes attack the QB because of constant blitz packages. This ain’t rocket science,actually elementary.

  41. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    Watch Shaq Barret video,the man in a two point stance every down. Mark my word the first snap off next season JPP will be in a two point stance. The same way BA Chandler Jones when he snagged him from the pats.

  42. Guzzie Says:

    Jamaal Stanley…..JJ Watt

  43. Guzzie Says:

    That’s it though

  44. HolyBuc Says:

    Ex-Buc Stephen White has a good analysis of Montez Sweat’s game check out his twitter handle @sgw94. Sweat isn’t just a workout freak if you think he is read about it from someone who actually knows how to breakdown game film.

  45. BucEmUp 7 Says:

    cutting JPP would be just stupid. You thought fans didny go to the games? That will turn the tvs off as well

  46. Anonymous Says:

    I think Allen will be there at 5. I think Cardinals and Raiders will both draft QB’s and Bosa and Williams both go too.

    Then the question is, do you listen to offers from other teams that want to move up?

  47. rrsrq Says:

    Why Devin White, simple: Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara and Devontae Freeman (Brian Hill)

  48. webster Says:

    I havent posted here in a long time because i was so tired of the negativity and stupidity. I come back and i see the same thing. Do some of you even watch football? Sweat coming into last year was viewed as a mid to late 1st round pick. He measurables (40 time, bench, jump etc) at the combine and his production put him as a bonafide top 10 and a lot say top 5. This guy had 10.5 sacks two years ago and 12.5 sacks last year. How anyone of you fools believe he is not worthy of the 5th pick shows your ignorance and shows you only know about guys who got the national media hype. Sure mississippi state does not get much national attention but sweat is a complete monster. The bucs would be wise to draft him if allen, williams and bosa are gone. Sorry you uneducated fans did not get the memo. Im back on my break from here because i see nothing has changed. Smdh

  49. johnnybuc Says:

    lol falling for the combine warrior. wasn’t even close to being a top 10 pick before the combine . tape shows a totally different player than his workout shows. can’t bend the corner well enough to be an elite pass rusher in the nfl. guys like bosa , allen , burns , polite or even ferrell or much more natural pass rushers than sweat is

  50. Jeagan1999 Says:

    I think Allen will be there for us at 5! I believe the Cards and the Raiders both draft a QB, and Bosa and Williams are both taken in the top 4.

    Then the question becomes…do you listen to offers from other teams that want to move up to 5?

  51. Owlykat Says:

    Trade down and still get White and take Lindstrom with extra pick. 2d Pick Greg Little Ole Miss OT, rated 2d best Tackle in the draft by Lindy’s, to replace Dotson when injured or retired and to pressure Smith and allow BA to teach him discipline and consistency by holding him accountable despite his guaranteed 27 million dollars, 3rd Pick Snell Jr. to back up Barber as Power Back and perfect Third Down Back, 4th Round Best DE, Fifth Round W.Va.’s Top TE and Fullback; an Alcott Clone at 6’3” and 274 lbs; soft hands like Brate with over 300 yards in the air last year, 6th Round Buffalo College’s QB with accurate powerful arm, 7th Round Ga.’s WR and punt returner 4.4 time in 40 and can play gunner too. (We have lost two receivers and only added one)

  52. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    D@&$ Guzzie,you got me. I forgot about JJ😊.

  53. Owlykat Says:

    Then look at how our LB roster would look: Nassib Green White and our Denver Free Agent sacker as our starters and Developed Noah Spence, Minter, Cichy, and Bond as our backups. That frees up Bucannon to play Safety and also later be available to backup LB too. At Safety we would start Justin Evans and Bucannon and have Whitehead and Stewart as reserves along with Isaiha Johnson. Hopefully we will sign Claiborne CB to start with Davis at CB and VHIII at Slot CB as our starters and Ryan Smith and D’vante Harris as backups. Hope we will also get Adams back to backup CB or Safety and play Special Teams. So we are almost set now.

  54. Stanglassman Says:

    NOSBOS Stanley-
    Bowles defense is a one gap 3-4 like the Texans and Denver not the traditional 2 gap space eater DL. This defense deploys everyone to penetrate, disrupt and get after the Qb or whoever has the ball. That’s why the coaches keep telling the media it doesn’t matter if they line up with 3 or 4 DL. I’m reading some of the old cardinals and Jets blogs to get more familiar myself.

  55. JimmyJack Says:

    I’m putting White on the back burner. He is plan B in my warroom.

    Plan A is Q or Allen/Bosa. This is becoming very realistic since Arizona might be going QB. A trade up in the Top 5 for another QB looks about 50/50 right now.

    And enough with the trade down nonsense. Nobody gives a rats ass about the #5 pick right now except Tampa fans. If somebody wants to trade up they call the 9ers…..then they call the Jets then they call Gruden……..All the teams are rebuilding and one of them probably moves.

    If teams are looking to trad #5 pick is least desirable because it might be too late. There’s a off chance nobody wants to do a trade but it seems slim since NFL teams will pay a premium for a franchise QB.

  56. JimmyJack Says:

    Or as Jeagan said Los Vegas could be going QB at #4. This ups the odds for us to land Q or Bosa……..new odds 55/45

  57. Anonymous Says:

    Why would the Buccaneers cut or trade the only player to get 10 or more sacks in a season in his second season with the team? Why? Is this more of the “Joe writes about what interest Joe” why would us getting rid of our best DE we have had in a decade? Because he makes to much money? If that was the case then we should not have paid the 20+million to the “franchise ” QB we have seen his previous production and performance. It is no were near the production of JPP it is not. So why again I’d this the third post about the Buccaneers getting rid of our best DE? Slow news day or what?
    GO BUCS!!!!!!

  58. Arealbucsfan Says:

    I’m tired of this whole leader non sense. Kwon was a awesome leader and what did that lead to? It’s time to get talented players in here. I personally want Josh Allen but would also love Sweat if Allen is gone. We can the ILB from Georgia in the 2nd and I would be ecstatic

  59. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    Thanks Stang..

  60. Anthony Dickson Says:

    I like Montez Sweat as an athlete but he’s got a lot of polishing when it comes to his technique, he plays too stiff & upright and doesn’t quite have the bend that elite pass rushers need at the next level. I agree, Josh Allen is the better pass rusher right now.

  61. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    My question to Josh Allen fan club. Is there even another player in the nfl from basketball U Kentucky??? Please pass on these wiry DEs if you’re gonna go that route make sure they’re in the mold of that guy Hardy the headcase that use to play for kittens.

  62. D1QB Says:

    Johnny,

    Hate to ruin your dreams of a career in scouting, but Bosa can’t bend the edge.
    And that isn’t going to drop his draft value

  63. D1QB Says:

    Anthony,

    I’m guessing You don’t understand how the end plays in the 3 4…..

  64. Stanglassman Says:

    There about a half dozen UK players in the NFL. The most well know is Lb Wesley Woodyard and Wr Randel Cobb. There another few Lbers, DT and OL. Not that many and not know for producing DEs.

  65. cmurda Says:

    @Grt1. You don’t burn next year’s round 1 pick to move up a few spots. You take the best available at your pick or if there is a guy, we are in love with that we feel we can get later, we trade down. Under no circumstances, should we trade up. Man, it’s a good thing that some of you aren’t GM’s. For all the hate Licht deals with, can you imagine how bad of shape we would be in if we had these armchair GM’s leading the draft. I like Sweat but not at #5. If we are going to reach a bit, let it be for an overall better talent and position of need in Devin White. I’m in the trade down just a few spots if possible and get White boat unless Quinnen or Josh slide to us.

  66. MadMax Says:

    Im still seeing Sweat go in the late teens to mid 20’s in some mocks….and the one mock who has us taking him at 5. Im fine if we did that because i know what ive seen and trust my instincts, but White would be a better fit at 5-7, and we trade back into the first for Sweat. Give up next years’s 1st for Sweat if he’s still there past 20.

    Ive been hoping this plays out since ive been draft talking and watching prospects back in november. It could happen guys….we didnt see OJ Howard dropping like he did! Say goodbye to Bradburry though if we do this.

    WHITE AND SWEAT WILL FIX THIS D!!!!!!!!!!

  67. Bucs Guy Says:

    If none of the big 3 remain at #5, I would prefer to trade back. However, that takes someone willing to move up. The only ones I see as options are Miami and maybe Cinncy — unless Denver gets an idea to do so. I would be OK moving to #10 if Denver wants to trade up, but not back to #11 Cincy or #13 Miami.

    If the big 3 are gone and you are stuck at 5, go for Ed Oliver. Then you can dump GMC in the offseason. If you trade back, get Devin White. I would be OK with White at #5, but Oliver is a better value.

  68. MadMax Says:

    And Im not giving up on Chase Winovich, bottom of 2nd to mid 3rd if we go LB first and Bradbury 2nd.

  69. Joe in Michigan Says:

    Although Devin White is a great player, I’m hoping for Bosa, Q, or Josh Allen at number 5. We can take an ILB in the 2nd or 3rd round, depending on if we actually get a starting caliber RG before the draft. Remember, Kwon was a 4th round pick that started his rookie year.

  70. Stanglassman Says:

    The Ringer’s mock today has the Bucs passing up Josh Allen (drops to#8) to take DL Metcalf. Not gonna happen.

    With the Dolphins trading away Tannehill they’re more likely to make the move up to 5 or below 5 to get their Qb. Doubt they’re going to put all their eggs in The Brock Osweiler basket. Should be some really good player and compensation at #13. The ringer has Devin White lasting til #15. Even if he’s not there most if not all of; Lb D. Bush, OT Cody Ford, J Williams, Dillard, Edge Brian Burns, Ferrell R. Gary, DL Ed Oliver will still be available #13. It would be nice to have an extra #2 (48th overall) and #3 (#78th overall) an inexpensive way to fill some holes long term.
    Orlando Apollos vs Az Hotshots tonight at 8 on NFLnetwork

  71. MadMax Says:

    ^^ ok, lets play the Metcalf angle….if he comes in and is lights out, its cheap and we say bye to Evans in one year, which frees up a lot of cash next year. Not Happening! Maybe if we had a decent D! But we dont.

    But imagine, Evans one side, Metcalf the other, Godwin the 3rd…..sombich, someone gets the dm ball!!! Too much for that DC to plan for! Its beautiful, but its not happening lol.

    And that same mock has us passing on Allen AND White dropping to 15? HAHAHA, bunch of nonsense, but fun though. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

  72. admin Says:

    Over half the mocks I’ve seen

    You are an intelligent guy. Why do you put so much stock into those things? They have zero relevance on the real draft.

  73. Doctor_berto Says:

    Trade back in first to grab Oliver or Sweat then try to trade back into first to grab devin bush.