Scratch One Off The List

January 18th, 2020

Forget him… this year.

No matter what the Bucs say publicly, this team needs a rushing attack. Hell, Stevie Wonder can see it.

So Joe was hoping — but not holding his breath — that someone who wields clout at One Buc Palace would have an epiphany and select Clemson running back Travis Etienne in the first round.

Well, that won’t happen. This year.

Matt Connolly of The State reports Etienne, Clemson’s career-leading rusher, announced Friday he plans to stay in school rather than make millions in the NFL.

Man, that’s a crazy roll of the dice by the kid. Think Clemson might be the No. 1 rated preseason team this summer? They will have the nation’s top quarterback and top running back.

Anyway, Joe was hoping somehow the Bucs could get this stud. That won’t happen for a while so it is back to the draft board.

Think the Bucs could trade back and maybe get Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins?

36 Responses to “Scratch One Off The List”

  1. Dano Says:

    Bucs should draft Cam Akers.

  2. Adrnagy Says:

    Iโ€™m not a big fan of drafting another RB. Rojo should be the work horse. Imo bring in David Johnson or a vet with exp to compliment rojo.

    Imo.draft. Dline. Oline.

  3. Ateonetree Says:

    KAREEM HUNT!!!!!!!!!

  4. Joe in Michigan Says:

    Iโ€™d be looking for a draft bargain at RB, someone like A.J. Dillon of Boston College. It seemed like our second biggest problem was being able to get a yard on 3rd and 1, this article calls Dillon a โ€œbroken tackle machineโ€, but also says heโ€™s not much of a receiver. https://sports.yahoo.com/top-15-2020-nfl-draft-02108195.html
    Dillon, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, or Cam Akers in the 3rd to 4th Round range (Iโ€™d put Najee Harris in this category, but I believe heโ€™s going back to Alabama).

  5. Defense Rules Says:

    Fix the OLine so it provides better run-blocking, then find a quality bruiser to pair with RoJo. It’d be nice to develop a new ‘Thunder & Lightning’ duo.

  6. Stanglassman Says:

    Luke Eastering latest mock had
    1. Tristan Wirfs OT Iowa
    2. J.K. Dobbins Rb Ohio St.
    3. Ashtyn Davis S. WV
    4. Jorden Elliott DL Missouri

    I love the position groups and priorities. Dobbins in the 2nd would be sweet.

  7. Joe in Michigan Says:

    Ashtyn Davis, a Safety from Cal projected to go in the 3rd Round…Chris Conte was a Safety from Cal that went in the 3rd Round. Hahaha

  8. TDTB Says:

    Kinlaw rd 1

  9. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    I like Najee Harris from Alabama……a big back that can’t be stopped…..we might could hold and pick him up in round 3…..

  10. Bucs Guy Says:

    Depends on who we re-sign and FA, along with trading OJ for a 2nd and 4th, but I’m for
    D-Line in 1st
    RT and RB in the 2nd
    S or G in the 3rd

    With the comp 4th rd, trade 4th rd and normal 4th rd, we could use these to move up within the 2nd and 3rd rounds to get exactly who we want. This should help us to get 4 or 5 very good players in the first 3 rounds.

  11. Bucs Guy Says:

    I also like Kinlaw in the 1st (Brown will be gone) because I don’t believe Suh will be back. Unfortunately, DT isn’t deep in the draft this year, so if he’s not there maybe we go Tackle. I doubt he will be there, but I would be very happy with Wirfs.

    I’m concerned the top 3 Tackles and top 2 DTs could be gone at 14. I may be holding my breath that 3 QB, 1 LB, 1 CB and 3 WR go in front of us along with a DE or a reach for the 4th QB or WR. That should ensure Kinlaw or 1 of the top 3 Tackles is there still at #14.

    Najee Harris in the 2nd or Taylor (Memphis) in the 3rd or 4th for a big RB. Not sure who the best T would be in the mid-2nd round.

  12. Mr. Reality Says:

    RBs typically don’t have a long service life, and too often top round picks at the position don’t work out. Yes, there are exceptions. But I’m a biigger advocate of taking the more enduring players like OL/DL/DB/LB early as we expect they will be with us longer. Even at the QB position it’s harder to predict anymore. Fans get hyped at a big producer in college (QB, WR, RB) and that excitement has a halo effect going into the draft. Hold power and take that boring OT who will reap bigger dividends over many years. Agreed, the Bucs need a rushing attack, but I’d rather draft RBs in later rounds.

  13. alaskabuc Says:

    Way to piss in my Cheerios this morning Joe, damn he would have looked good in red and pewter, well as good as you can in those @ss ugly alarm clock jerseys. Personally I think CEH22 would be a better all around running back than Dobbins, and can be a 3 down back, but either would be an instant upgrade for us.

  14. NOLES Says:

    Dano

    I agree.. Cam Akers in 2nd or 3rd. It will all depend on how the run on RBโ€™s go in the draft..

    I believe Cam Akers is a COMPLETE BACK…

    He is also pretty fresh & wasnโ€™t overworked. Imagine what he could do w Mike Evans & C GODWIN stretching the field…

    Now if we have a chance to draft a top C & Rt w 1st 2 picks i am all for that as well. Then go RB in 3rd or get one in FA… Not sure the Cards will cut David Johnson.. Why was he benched bc he wasnโ€™t producing but maybe BA can squeeze the last bit he has left.

  15. SammyRebel Says:

    Man Joe I was hoping weโ€™d get him too but seems this offseason has a lot to offer at the position so letโ€™s see what AC/DC loving Bucs GM Jason Licht does

  16. Brandon Says:

    There’s far better RBs out there. Dobbins, the Okie St. RB, Swift, the LSU RB, even AJ Dillon all have the look of a good starting RB in the NFL. Etienne runs out of control, has poor balance, and doesn’t break arm tackles. He’s nothing to lose sleep over.

  17. Lunchbox Says:

    Check out Xavier Jones out of SMU. Dude almost never goes down with first contact, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but he’s got some moves like Barry Sanders. NO I’m not saying he’s Barry, but he’s got some moves.

  18. Hodad Says:

    Joe, Arains doesn’t want a rushing attack. His offense is bombs away, mix some run plays in to keep the defense honest, that’s all he cares about as far as running the ball. Sorry, that’s no longer how teams win in the NFL. The more you throw, especially with Jameis, the interceptions will always be a problem. My prediction, they franchise Jameis for one more year, we end up 9-7 next year, and there will be a total house cleaning after that.

  19. AwShbucs Says:

    Najee Harris and Chuba Howard are also off the board. Which sucks because I was really hoping for Harris in the 2nd.

  20. Jeagan1999 Says:

    A.J. Dillon from Boston College would be a great addition to this team. Watch some tape of him and you will think you are looking at Derrick Henry! A back over 6 feet tall, who weighs almost 250lbs just should not have the kind of speed and moves that Dillon has!

    Like the GREAT Mile Alstott, Dillon is a true RB, not just a FB in disguise. Like Alstott he runs with great power and is also a fine receiver out of the backfield. But unlike Alstott, who pretty much lived his life between the tackles, Dillon has the feet, moves and speed to bounce runs outside, run over smaller LBโ€™s and DBโ€™s and the speed to run away from people.

    Keep an eye open for this kid at the combine and in the draft!

  21. Josh Brown Says:

    REGGIE CORBIN FROM ILLINOIS!

  22. BUC IT Says:

    Joe I don’t understand how you continue to double down on a QB who threw 30 INT’s. I mean dude threw 30 INT’s. Can everyone let that sink in….. Sure I would love another RB to go along with Rojo but we need to draft a QB with one of our top 2 picks. Then we could use OL help or a safety.

  23. Chesapeake Bucco Says:

    Hodad, why would there be a total housecleaning after 9-7? Especially after all the FA signings about to happen! This staff and team are being built for a 4 year run.

  24. Man of Constant Sorrow Says:

    Bucs already have small backs in RoJo and Barber. If they’re gonna spend a high draft pick on a RB, it should be for a bigger back like Alabama’s Najee Harris Jr.

  25. Gofortheface30 Says:

    Shut it noles fans, no one wants any of your crap players from your crap team. Thanks for nothing by the way for Roberto and Jameis, nothing but stress. Go worry about spring football so you can start getting ready for your upcoming 6-6 season

  26. stpetebucsfan Says:

    Jeagan

    Thanks for that heads up. Like everyone I was thinking perhaps Najee Harris.

    But Dillon seems even better. Whomever we take I want a beastly bruiser…not just because of what Derrick Henry has done this year but because that is the hole in our running game. We need a complimentary back for ROJO. Remember Thunder and Lightning?

    I want to be able to line up on 3rd and short and say…stop this! There is something demoralizing to another teams D if you can line up and cram it down their throat.

  27. NOLES Says:

    Gofortheface

    Your right the NOLES are not very good these days but donโ€™t put that Aguayo pick on FSU alumns.. Lol… i would have NEVER PICKED Aguayo in the 2nd rd or at all….

    Jameis was the right pick in that draft.. i assume your a Gator… they have given us GREAT players like Jacka$$ Green, the HUMAN turnstyle Kenyatta Walker, Reidel Anthony & Vernon Heargraves..

    Meanwhile FSU has provided the BUCS with the likes of Derrick Brooks, Warrick Dunn, SB MVP Dexter Jackson, Brad Johnson heck even Greg Spires is better than that ambulance chasing Brad Culpepper..

    Just bc we think Cam Akers is good doesnโ€™t mean we are HOMERS. I am a BUCS fan & want the best players regardless of school…

  28. Cgmaster27 Says:

    @gofortheface how about you shut it clown. Akers broke dalvin cooks rushing record. I remember you all tallomg about taking howard over him. Id day its clear as day dalvin was the better player and still is. So again, shut it, when us noles fand want your opinion, well ask for it.

  29. firethecannons Says:

    Check out A.J. Dillon from Boston College, kid could likely be had in later rounds. He is a mauler at 250lbs not much catching ability but good speed. The draft network has a write up under draft prospects.

    Just looked at the comments before I was about to post–Jeagan 99 beat me to it! same page–Dillon might be a good later round RB pik

  30. Bucs Fan Since โ€˜76 Says:

    I wanted Etienne badly. Heโ€™s a three down back with an incredible, explosive first step, and great vision, which is exactly what the team needs, both for balance and to help reduce Jameisโ€™s TOโ€™s. Itโ€™ll be interesting to see where Dobbins and Taylor are projected as we approach the draft, but drafting either of those backs would be a paradigm shifter for NFC South DCโ€™s, much more than OL IMO. Imagine having to game plan for our 3 WRโ€™s, 2 TEโ€™s, and game breaking RB. Good luck with that…11-5 in our grasp.

  31. cgmaster27 Says:

    @Noles I think it’s hysterical how the anti Nole brigade thought any of us Noles fans wanted Agauyo at all, let alone in the second round. And to even question the jameis pick when the alternative is sitting on the bench in Nashville is laughable as well. You can all most smell the Gator in his comment.

  32. TBUC North Carolina Says:

    Iโ€™m as big of a Gator fan as there is, outside of Mr. 2bits!! Give me Cam Akers !!

  33. TBUC North Carolina Says:

    With the RBโ€™s that are surprisingly staying in College a trade up into late rd 2 might be needed for Akers

  34. TiredBucsFan Says:

    I think Akers would fit nice here. In a perfect world would rather get Hunt in free agency, but the money wont be there.

  35. ManzielMadness Says:

    Iโ€™m a Gator fan.. would take Akers in a second… also wouldnโ€™t mind Dobbins or Najee

  36. ManzielMadness Says:

    Kareem Hunt in FA would also be tempting.