Don’t Trade Down
April 10th, 2019
Draft strategy.
If somehow, someway, Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is on the board, one Hall of Fame general manager knows what he would do.
Joe knows there is a trade-down crowd out there. Always is, each year. And Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report believes the Bucs are ripe to raid a team for draft picks (or maybe starters) from a quarterback-needy team as the Bucs sit with the No. 5 pick.
Of course, if the leaguewide feeling is that the Giants are leaning toward a defender at six, Tampa’s pick at No. 5 could be just as coveted. Say a defender like Josh Allen or Alabama’s Quinnen Williams is still there at five—they could realistically be the top player on a team’s draft board and a prime target to trade for.
And if Williams is still on the board at No. 5, former Bills, Stinking Panthers and Colts general manager Bill Polian knows what he would do, and it wouldn’t involve a trade.
Last night while on “Late Hits” with Friend of Joe co-host Alex Marvez, a 49ers fan called and thought if both Nick Bosa and Williams got past the Cardinals who have the first pick, the 49ers could rake in a king’s ransom in a trade for the No. 2 pick.
This confused Polian.
“Why would you trade out with those two guys on the board,” Polian asked. Polian really likes both Bosa and Williams and in particular, Williams.
“Both have a chance to be outstanding players,” Polian said. “It would be hard for me to pass on Quinnen Williams if he was there.”
So it seems Polian’s advice to Bucs AC/DC-loving general Jason Licht is simple: If for whatever reason Bosa is still on the board or if Williams tumbles just a few spots, don’t dare trade back. Instead, go get one of them!
April 10th, 2019 at 8:17 am
I think Polian is on some of these shows as he also has a working relationship with the agents of some of these players; so he is getting paid to pimp the players whose agents he works with. That being said pretty much a dumb move to pass on Bosa and Williams if available but the bucs need so much due to the mismanagement that has occurred the pas 10 years
April 10th, 2019 at 8:35 am
With only 4 player…3 really as one seems will be a QB…..WITH ONLY 3 player taken if the Bucs can’t find a great player in this class we are in deep trouble…of course I get the trade down strategy too and am tempted …F’ the rankings a player like Cody Ford would be good at 5…however I go defense at 5…”In Licht We Trust” 🙂
April 10th, 2019 at 8:47 am
Licht needs to follow the KISS philosophy keep it simple stupid…. bucs are not smart enough to over complicate this with trades and other deals… every single time this team gets cute on draft night it blows up in their faces… minor league franchises like Tampa just need to take best player available that matches a need… with needs everywhere should not be to complicated.
April 10th, 2019 at 8:50 am
if those 2 arent on the board, draft ed oliver…..i doubt he last outside the top 10…..
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
April 10th, 2019 at 8:56 am
Give me a player with the potential to be in an All Decade Team, versus one pro bowler maybe two. If Q.W. is there at 3 I might want us to move up for him. But Cam in a trade package.
#ImintoReloading
Go BUCS
April 10th, 2019 at 8:58 am
^^^put Cam…
April 10th, 2019 at 9:10 am
I agree with Polian, take the quality player
April 10th, 2019 at 9:13 am
Agree.
If Williams or Bosa is there at 5 you run to the podium with your card and don’t look back. Williams in particular is one of the safest high picks in this draft.
Different story with Allen. Josh Allen’s bust potential is much higher than Williams or Bosa IMO. Allen relies mainly on speed, doesn’t have good hand work vs blockers, doesn’t have a variety of pass rush “moves” and has trouble disengaging when blockers get their hands on him. Those “issues” unless/until addressed, will cause Allen to be not nearly as effective in the NFL as he was in College.
I would look to trade down if Williams and Bosa are off the board. And if no good offers develop – I would select Devin White over Allen at #5 if both were available.
A stud every down MLB will make much more immediate impact for the Buccaneers from day one compared to a “developing”, situational pass rusher
April 10th, 2019 at 9:16 am
This is not the year to trade down especially if those two are there. If they aren’t I would still take Oliver. Licht has gambled and traded down but doesn’t turn those picks into anything anyway. Make the pick and get a more sure thing. D tackle is a major need based on Geraldine limited production and time to find his replacement
April 10th, 2019 at 9:25 am
Did anyone even notice Roquan Smith last year? Probably not because Mack and their other pass rushers were way more important to their success. NO TO WHITE AT 5!
April 10th, 2019 at 9:34 am
I would say those are the only 2 guys this applies to.
The only way I pass on Quinnen is if i was 100% sure that I could get Jefferey Simmons in the 2nd round. And since nobody would be 100% sure then there is no passing on Quinnen
April 10th, 2019 at 9:36 am
Unless the Bucs get a fantastic offer I would stay at five and either draft Allen, Oliver or Williams(no way Bosa makes it past three).
April 10th, 2019 at 9:39 am
Wrong.
The last time the Bucs got a cant miss DT – he proved to be great – and the Bucs still started a decade of futility. You always take advantage of the teams trading up for a QB. Always.
April 10th, 2019 at 9:45 am
@Doctor_berto
Roquan Smith had 121 tackles, 5 sacks, and an interception. He was 3rd on the team in sacks. He had a big impact.
Its fine for not wanting White. The positional value argument might be outdated
April 10th, 2019 at 10:06 am
I have to ask…why is Jeffery Simmons not being talked about?
NFL website claims he is compatible to Ndamukong Suh.
I understand he had some behavior incidents…including punching a woman in 2016. I cannot stand a man who hits women, but what if he is there when we pick in round 2?
Should we take him?
April 10th, 2019 at 10:09 am
I agree on taking Bosa, Williams & possibly Oliver at 5, otherwise trade down.
April 10th, 2019 at 10:11 am
Anonymous Says
“Wrong.
The last time the Bucs got a cant miss DT – he proved to be great – and the Bucs still started a decade of futility.”
That is only because the Bucs failed to build around him. He was the only Dlineman worth spit for a decade. If you build around a guy, things will be different.
Case in point…we built around Warren Sapp.
April 10th, 2019 at 10:12 am
^ Bonzai
“compatible to”?
I think you meant “comparable to”
Hopefully that is not the case because Suh is garbage.
April 10th, 2019 at 10:15 am
BucsFIRE
did suh stand you up for a date or something????? He’s ten times the man cancer93 is…..
April 10th, 2019 at 10:29 am
JOeyP right on the guy was in on 151 tackles and is like white as he runs sideline to sideline and played in the toughest division in college football at a high level
April 10th, 2019 at 10:45 am
This is not that hard. If two QB’s are taken, the trade down option will not be as valuable, one of the big 3 will be there and the pick is easy. If one QB is taken, the Bucs are in a power position. There is a hunch that the Giants could take a QB at 6. Licht should leverage this and auction the 5th pick for a first round pick exchange this season, second round pick and a first round next season. There is a chance the Bucs will need a QB next season (even if Jameis blows up, he will be a UFA after this season), two first rounders might be helpful.
April 10th, 2019 at 10:48 am
Been saying one thing for a long long time, regardless of who affirms it or not.
QUINNEN. WILLIAMS.
Get it done Licht.
April 10th, 2019 at 11:26 am
I guess the Joe’s don’t pay attention to other local sources. If QW drops somehow to 5 the Bucs will be sprinting up to turn in the card. However, I don’t think the same can be said for Josh Allen. It’s about VALUE…
April 10th, 2019 at 11:31 am
Nick Bosa, Quinnen Williams or Ed Oliver – in that order. Josh Allen, as Pickgrin illustrated above, needs a LOT of work. Watch the tapes guys. Full games, not some dumb highlight reel. Full games of these guys. I’m way down on Josh Allen. I’d take Devin White over him all day long. BUT, one of those three I mentioned first. Ed Oliver would be a home run IMO.
April 10th, 2019 at 12:02 pm
mort
i agree….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
April 10th, 2019 at 1:12 pm
Roquan Smith 121 tackles 5 sacks 1 Int as a rookie I’d take that all day if white could do this
April 10th, 2019 at 2:49 pm
t.max
I didn’t mention 93. – I will say that Suh is a loser mercenary who plays only when he wants to and has never accomplished anything.
April 10th, 2019 at 3:33 pm
the course of action is determined by circumstances at the moment of the pick.
April 10th, 2019 at 4:15 pm
I totally agree with Polian.
I was in favor of the trade down last year, but not this year. Not if one of those blue-chip d-lineman are still available. No way,
April 10th, 2019 at 10:54 pm
@BucsFIRE
Tablet auto correct got by me.
I don’t care for Suh myself…but that;s because of his demeanor.
I honestly know nothing about these players in this draft…and am trying to force myself not to do the research.
I have a second wedding (renewing vows) to plan for that weekend…hoping I can sneak in some draft TV at the right moments.
April 10th, 2019 at 10:55 pm
So far as trading down…I say wait for the moment and decide, but have a plan just in case.
April 10th, 2019 at 10:56 pm
R.O
What’s the downside to Allen?