Grabbing A Right Tackle
March 4th, 2020
A lot of folks are pounding the drum for the Bucs to pick a right tackle early to replace Demar Dotson.
For those folks, this will be music to your ears.
Eric Edholm of Yahoo! Sports did a post-combine mock draft and he sees the Bucs, perhaps trading up from No. 14, to grab Georgia left tackle Andrew Thomas.
The Buccaneers have decisions to make at quarterback, which certainly could change this forecast dramatically. Are they in the market for a win-now vet there? If so, they’ll need to keep adding layers to a flawed offensive line, and Thomas would be the last of the top four offensive lineman before there’s a clear demarcation until the next tier. In fact, they might even have to trade up to ensure they get him.
Here’s the thing: If the Bucs are going to draft a right tackle in the first round, just a hunch that means he will move to left tackle after the Bucs get rid of Donovan Smith.
Joe honestly does not know if the Bucs are eager to run off Smith, who had his best season as a pro last year. Drafting a right tackle at No. 14 (or higher?) seems awfully high.
The thing Joe likes about this Thomas is that he seems intent on getting to the second level to take on linebackers after his initial blocks. And Joe also likes the way this Thomas tosses defenders.
March 4th, 2020 at 8:20 am
they can’t all be gone..if so, that means someone like Kinlaw or Love will be available to jump all over that OR trade down
March 4th, 2020 at 8:22 am
I would like to see Jensen cut save 10 mil. They can then draft a C in 2nd rd and use that 10 mil on a quality G in FA to replace CAPPA.
Cappa can compete with Dotson resigned at like 4mil or draft a RT to compete w Cappa. I believe he played T in college and his frame definitely suggest that.
All depends on what happens when FA starts who knows what positions & who the Bucs are actually targeting.. sHOULD be interesting
March 4th, 2020 at 8:29 am
Sign FA Conklin at right tackle. Leave the draft for Arians to pick a future QB
March 4th, 2020 at 8:32 am
Yep….absolutely need OL starter help
March 4th, 2020 at 8:33 am
We will need one for the left handed QB…. Tua
March 4th, 2020 at 8:34 am
We will need one for the left handed chucking Tua
March 4th, 2020 at 8:36 am
Sorry Joe but I hear JW wants us to “grab” a tight end.
March 4th, 2020 at 8:39 am
Buccaneers always reach in the first for “sexy picks” and o line in the first aren’t sexy picks. The battle is won and lost in the trenches. You can never have “too many” good linemen in the trenches.
March 4th, 2020 at 8:42 am
Conklin will be too expensive. We will have to overpay and BA has already said he wants to keep the D together.
March 4th, 2020 at 8:43 am
LT, 1st pick unless there is a stud DE, but trenches, safety and backup QB sgould be high on the list
March 4th, 2020 at 8:43 am
Put me down as being happy if the Bucs get a good Tackle in the 1st or 2nd Rounds. I do wonder if we might take Jonathan Taylor in the 1st, Isaiah Wilson in the 2nd. Not that keen on taking a RB in the 1st, after Cadillac Williams had 4 flat tires after a few years.
March 4th, 2020 at 8:49 am
We are going to hear all shorts of rumor and stories about how the Bucs want and are going to take a Tackle!!!! But word on the street is that the “real” plan is to trade up to around pick 10 for a Qb!!!!!!!!!!!! Which would be unfortunate, because when the full house cleaning happens next season, the new coach and new gm should get to choose their own guy!!!!!!!!!
March 4th, 2020 at 8:52 am
I wouldn’t be mad if they draft two OL in first two rds. Definetely in the first & what is available in second. Next a QB.
March 4th, 2020 at 8:54 am
You’d think people would learn from the Patriots successes and the Redskins failures when it comes to buying high on other team’s free agents… but sadly they don’t.
March 4th, 2020 at 8:55 am
this entire off season will go down as the worst in bucs history. when you have 3 of the dumbest groups of desperate people thinking short term based on the health of a washed up coach who has never won anything, bad things will happen. bucs always try and out smart themselves which results in oj the bum, vh3busts, asj, lazy d smith, overpaid backup marpet the list is never ending parade of failed picks, signings and regimes.
March 4th, 2020 at 8:57 am
OT in the first round is fine with me. If Kinlaw is available @ #14, ditto…
March 4th, 2020 at 8:59 am
It’s kinda funny. The same casual fans who complain about the coaching carousel and how Jameis Christ never had a chance because of it are predicting a housecleaning.
Hilarious.
March 4th, 2020 at 9:04 am
We really have no choice. Unless we sign Conklin or Bulaga (which I highly doubt we will) there is no other option except drafting a RT. If we are looking for a starter we better use our #14 pick. We shouldn’t be drafting a RT in the later rounds expecting them to be starter quality.
March 4th, 2020 at 9:09 am
If you recall the 2019 playoffs…all teams had very solid lines on both sides of the ball
March 4th, 2020 at 9:12 am
“Drafting a RT at 14 seems awfully high”.
Nonsensical statement. If you can draft an elite player, you do it. Every year, tons of guys get drafted in the first round and are busts. I believe the bust % is like 50% in the first round. OL is important, you’re only as good as your weakest link. And RT is our weak link. Grab an elite right tackle!
March 4th, 2020 at 9:13 am
unless they plan of taking a left handed qb
March 4th, 2020 at 9:14 am
Nothing wrong with donavan smith.Fans of losing teams just live to point a finger at high draft pick players to blame for the losing ways instead of the real problems.
March 4th, 2020 at 9:15 am
Joe, you are kinda speaking out of both sides of your mouth. You would sign Conklin a RT who will command 14-16 million per season. On the other hand you wouldn’t draft a RT at 14 because you feel that is too high. Hmmm. First it’s a fallacy that Thomas is only a RT. Secondly this doesn’t preclude the bucs from keeping Smith. Smith has no guaranteed money next year. You know that means a decision will be made next season
March 4th, 2020 at 9:15 am
sign conklin….
if not, draft isaiah wilson the RT from UGA…..he’s prejected to go in the 3rd round….
GO BUCS!!!!!
March 4th, 2020 at 9:17 am
I watched a few Georgia games last year and wasn’t overly impressed with Thomas. He’s good not great and not worth that high of a pick.
Would still love to see us draft OL/DL rounds 1-2.
March 4th, 2020 at 9:20 am
We have an adequate LT under contract, is the sentiment that he should be replaced?
March 4th, 2020 at 9:25 am
Best available player or trade down
March 4th, 2020 at 9:52 am
No kickers!
March 4th, 2020 at 10:01 am
If the Glazer boys are serious about a run for the SB this year they need a “proven” RT. Conklin is that and more. The draft gives you a could be,would be, should be Hopefully good player. Why gamble when you can sign a sure thing!
March 4th, 2020 at 10:07 am
Unless you can get the beast from Louisville in the first round grab one on the third day of the draft.
March 4th, 2020 at 10:31 am
It would be foolish to move forward in the draft for a quality OT. By the time the Bucs pick at #14 there will be 4 QB’s taken, 2 DT’s, 2 WR’s, 1 safety/LB, 1 CB, and 3 OT’s. That leaves the Bucs with a stud OT if they want him.
Wirfs is the most desirable, closely followed by Mekhi Becton, then Wills from Alabama. Many mocks agree that the Bucs select Andrew Thomas at #14. I think Josh Jones OT from Houston is equal or even better.
I would be very happy with that pick but I would be happier with an extra 2nd round pick. If they could find an eager partner like Philly at #21 and #53 or Jax at #20 and #42.
I would even listen to Las Vegas with Chucky and Mayock at #19, #80 and #81.
Philly may be lusting after Ruggs (4.27 40) especially if they suspect Jerry Jones wants him.
The Raiders may jump if Justin Herbert falls to the Bucs spot.
The Bucs can select Josh Jones and grab a pass rusher and quality RB later like J Taylor from Wisconsin, Cam Akers from FSU and Gross-Matos from Penn State.
March 4th, 2020 at 10:53 am
Formerly Tampa 2 Says:
March 4th, 2020 at 10:01 am
If the Glazer boys are serious about a run for the SB this year
dude you are by far the dumbest person ever to post on jbf and that says a lot…. think what you wrote… super bowl run for a team with more holes than swiss cheese, unproven defense half of which are still in diapers or wetting the bed and you are talking super bowl run this year… LOL so delusional pal… get back on your meds or turn yourself in…. they have not even sniffed the playoffs in 13 years and have not won a meaningful game in 18 years. lol… you are some kind of stupid my friend. wow they have head coach with ZERO post season success, unsettled qb situation, no offensive line and the only defenders that matter are unsigned lol… your hatred and jealousy of jameis has turned what little brain you may have had into mush!
asking Gisele to move to tampa so brady can join the worst franchise in sports history would be laughable…. you might as well ask her to clean a port o let toilet at the state fair with her tongue….
March 4th, 2020 at 11:05 am
Spot on Ghost! No need to move up in the first this draft, but there may be good options to move down. Philly seems the most likely to be all-in and want to move up for an impact player. At that spot, I’d be happy with OT, edge, or safety. I think if we move up, there will be much more value to moving up in the second. There’s going to be some great players there that drop just because teams are picking based on need. Josh Jones might be one of those players.
March 4th, 2020 at 11:08 am
The O line is just OK, we definitely need to get one of the Tackles if one is left at 14. No trading up, too much cost. Dot is a great quote but clearly he’s over the hill. 10+ years in the league and he led the Bucs in false starts, time to move on. If there isn’t a Tackle there when we pick then I hope we go pass rush. GO BUCS!!
March 4th, 2020 at 11:11 am
formerly tampa 2 the kings of losing 10 to 9…..
dude I am still laughing over your super run this year post. damn dude thank you so much!!!! I have not laughed this hard since bucs got rid of cancer93 and replaced him with suh…. you seriously need help my man. super bowl run bucs lol damn that takes some serious imagination to picture the bucs in the super bowl. elf lord bonzi should consider hiring you as a creative consultant.
March 4th, 2020 at 11:27 am
Tmax, That was in a JBF article earlier in the year. But that said, I really want you to know how intimidated I am by your name calling. It really shows who and what you are. As for Brady, If you look back at my posts you will see that I hope Brady goes somewhere else and Arians might somehow trade Winston for Carr with Chucky. But of course why let any facts get in the way of your trash talking mouth. I was once an a..hole like you on JBF when posting as Tampa 2, but I did realize what an a..hole I was and took a couple of years off JBF. Maybe you should realize what you sound like and take some time off too.
March 4th, 2020 at 11:33 am
Joes, the argument about RTs not being as valuable is out dated. The highest paid lineman in the NFL is a RT. The eagles won a super bowl with Lanw Johnson at RT drafted 1st overall. The patriots RT is their highest paid lineman. Drafting a RT in round one is a good move and is not a reach based on position.
March 4th, 2020 at 11:37 am
“Drafting a right tackle at No. 14 (or higher?) seems awfully high.”
Not when the league is desperate for O-lineman and paying them at a premium.
We’ve seen multiple OGs go top 5/top 10 now. Ryan Ramcheck – RT for the Saints – is one of their best cornerstone draft picks of the last few years and went R1. Conklin went R1.
And RTs get paid. The Raiders gave a 4 year $66M deal on to Trent Brown to play RT.
RT>>>RB in terms of value in todays NFL market.
2020 NFL Premium positions in terms of most paid / most valuable if they are truly elite players:
QB ($30M+)
DE / DT ($20-24M+)
OT / WR ($14-17M+)
CB ($12-15M+)
Give me Kinlaw or one of the top OTs in R1 please. No need to overthink.
March 4th, 2020 at 11:40 am
Actually top OGs are now getting paid like top CBs so I’d throw them in that mix as well.
S only being paid a premium if they are a hybrid S/LB/CB like Derwin James.
ILB was weird with Mosely making $17M – so they may have more value now.
But in terms of building a team – front 7 on defense + o-line on offense is how you build a succesful core. Not with TEs & Ks & RBs & CBs which have been emphasized by Licht/Glazers/Dominik/whoever is running this crap franchise
March 4th, 2020 at 11:48 am
Formerly Tampa 2 Says:
thanks buttercup… i’ll try and see the unicorns and butterflies through the feces the glazers have been fielding for the last 18 years….. no one should ever be intimated by smack talk on a sports entertainment blog lol…. a little sensitive are you….
have a wonderful day!!!!!!
speaking the truth and living in reality will always trump feelings even in a oversensitive PC culture!
March 4th, 2020 at 12:27 pm
It’s already been put out by BA that he doesn’t like drafting oline in the first round and certainly not up for one. I think he’s pretty straight forward on those types of questions. If they do trade up a couple spots it needs to be for Kinlaw.
March 4th, 2020 at 12:29 pm
*certainly not the one to trade up
March 4th, 2020 at 12:30 pm
Only way to sign Conklin is to use JPPs money. That aren’t happening on my watch. I’m on board with trading up and getting this guy in the article.
Or you could sign Conklin and JPP and go with a rookie QB. That idea just makes me wanna hurl. But if that’s your plan you better tell me who your new HC is cause then we are in total rebuild.
March 4th, 2020 at 12:33 pm
Oh and guys. This Kinlaw guy is not going to be avialable at 14. Not a chance. Id put that dream to rest if I was y’all. Spare yourself the dissapointment now.
March 4th, 2020 at 12:35 pm
I get what Joe is saying, a tackle with the versatility to play either side. I’m not trading our 2nd Rounder to move up for anybody, we’re not one player away and we’ll get a good player at 14. There will still be good Tackles in the 2nd and 3rd Rounds, there is some depth at that position this year.
March 4th, 2020 at 12:36 pm
And if it’s not a rookie, whether it’s Jameis or not, they need to break the bank on a 25-28 year old boss and I have no problem with that what so ever.
March 4th, 2020 at 12:40 pm
Bring in a RT that you can run behind then trade this useless OJ and get a real TE that actually do his job and block. Now you can run behind RT/TE pairing all freaking day……..Now ya gotta find a RB who can get the job done…….But the RT will be the hardest of all of them to find.
If you gotta trade up to find that guy the Bucs shouldn’t blink an eye. Make it happen. It will transform that s team. So long as you don’t have OJ still here to ruin it………Even if you still gotta rely on RoJo to churn out the yards I bet he can get the job done.
March 4th, 2020 at 12:51 pm
Andrew Thomas …the one RT that graded the worst out of all the big name tackles at the combine and we’re gonna trade up to get him? what a joke. If we’re gonna trade up it should be for OT Tristan Wirfs
March 4th, 2020 at 1:25 pm
Joe, Thomas dominated the LSU edge player that Sean Sullivan raves about. Would like to hear what he thinks about that.
March 4th, 2020 at 1:46 pm
Why is drafting a tackle at 14 high? Offensive line is arguably the most important position group after QB. Your entire offense succeeds or fails based on how good your offensive line is. If the right tackle is the best player in the draft, you take him at 1.
March 4th, 2020 at 2:06 pm
It’s bizarre in my opinion that so many JBFers will comment day after day that we NEED to improve the running game AND defense for Jameis to be successful, and yet aren’t willing to pony up for what it takes to do that.
Improving the defense is easy: re-sign our own UFAs, add a veteran Safety and improve our depth. No reason in the world that we can’t build this defense for $90-$95 mil this year.
Improving the running game necessitates THREE changes from 2019 IMO. First, improve the OLine because if the big fellas can’t run-block then you’re screwed. Second, get a quality starting RB to run behind that line (preferably one who complements not duplicates RoJo’s skillset). And third, improve the play designs & play-calling so it’s not so danged predictable (too many times our running plays didn’t have a snowball’s chance in he11 of succeeding because of when & where particular plays were called).
I think our best approach to do that is to draft a Tackle in Rnd 1 then draft a RB in Rnd 2. Later on (in Rnds 5 or 6) grab another OLineman to develop IF there’s one there that catches our attention. Please don’t overthink it Jason. This isn’t rocket science. Create a ‘budget’ for the various offense & defense position groups and stick to it. Overpay and some other position group will suffer & become ‘the weak link’.
March 4th, 2020 at 2:16 pm
Bucs HAVE to get a RT, and if I’m running the team I’m thinking of that RT as being my future LT since Smith might be too expensive to keep when his deal is up. Not that I want to run off Smith, he’s a solid guy, it’s just expensive to have vets on the o-line.
So draft a RT who is clearly can play LT, then let them learn the game for a couple of years, make sure they’re actually good, then switch their position while they’re on their rookie deal. A 1st rounder on a top flight OT would be the path I’d go – but obviously it depends on the board and how things fall.
March 4th, 2020 at 2:29 pm
DR I agree with that but let’s pretend things shake out how this article suggests. The top Tackles go quickly and the only way to get one in Round one is trade up? Gotta give up your 2 d round choice now. What do ya do? If it’s me I’m pulling the trigger.
It’s very difficult to find starting caliber Tackles. The RB position is easier. I would trade up for the T and use free agency/later rounds to find a couple RBs and load up.
Might not be a bad plan to find a Tackle in FA and not have a glaring need in the draft. They are freaking expensive though and it might be tricky to keep it under CAP.
March 4th, 2020 at 2:49 pm
I happily support drafting a OT in the 1st Round.
I vote trade down and get an extra 2nd or 3rd if possible.
Pick up DL/LB, OT, S and a QB in the first 3 rounds.
March 4th, 2020 at 2:52 pm
JimmyJack – I don’t really agree with you having to trade up to get a T, there’s plenty of tackles that fall and frankly one thing Licht has done right is getting O-linemen, even the booger eater turned out well and that was a huge reach. Now to get a true generational talent, sure, you have to trade up for that – but you have to get top 5 or top 6, and that’s way too expensive. Plus you’re only trading up like that to get an LT, not an RT, and Smith isn’t going anywhere, yet.
The Bucs can stay in place and get someone, or trade back and still get one I think. If the value is there I’m taking one in the first mainly because I want that 5-year contract, plus they should start from day 1 or shortly thereafter depending on how Dotson is doing/feeling in camp. Also they need to keep Dotson around as a backup at worst, and hopefully he’d be willing to teach the new guy how to play in the NFL.
March 4th, 2020 at 3:06 pm
Rod…….If there’s 5 or 6 Tackles they like that’s great.But for the sake of argument let’s pretend thoughts match what the National pundits say that there is a steep dropoff after the top 4. Let’s also assume, like Joe hinted, if they take one of them 4 the plan would be for them to take over at LT in 2021.
Your plan sounds great cause then they could trade down even and still get their guy. But if you narrow the field, consider those top 4 generational types then it complicates matters.
And yes, I agree you only trade up if one of them 4 is a future elite LT…….But if we don’t address RT in free agency and are only comfortable gifting the Top 4 a starting job. We might just have to trade up in desperation which is a scarry thought
March 4th, 2020 at 3:29 pm
JimmyJack Says:
“Only way to sign Conklin is to use JPPs money. That aren’t happening on my watch.”
~~~~~~~~
AGREED 100%
You could not possibly have put it better, my friend.
March 4th, 2020 at 5:31 pm
JimmyJack – I’m not actually disagreeing with you that much, I’m just saying I’d rather sit still and see what happens since I still think you can get someone late in the 1st or the 2nd that can start day one. That’s really been Licht’s strongpoint so far – getting Smith and Marpet, as day one starters in one draft, then even having Cappa work out in year 2. Two solid starters and one pro-bowler, that’s really got for a two 2nd’s and a 3rd.
So on the oline I actually trust Licht to handle it. Same at LB.
March 4th, 2020 at 7:51 pm
Yeah but Rod Munch now your not playing the game. Your not allowed to pick outside those top 4 tackles to play this version of armchair GM hahaha.
Actually what your saying is pretty interesting. I’ll commend you for not being generic. The funny thing is people on this board will lose their minds if Licht don’t grab one of them tackles in favor of somebody else and get a Tackle later. These boards will be especially entertaining if something like that happens…..Even though the track record is pretty good like you said.
March 5th, 2020 at 5:46 pm
If we lose Jameis and can’t move up to get Justin Herbert in the first round, I would also be happy with FIU’s star QB, James Morgan, from the East West Shrine Game who can be gotten from the 4th to the 5th round. He is tall and cool in the pocket and a rocket for an arm and is also mobile. I would get him even if BA brings in a veteran QB to start. Otherwise, Jones would be fine at OT and we could get him trading down in the first round and pick up an extra second pick. Trade off Howard for another second pick. Get a mobile Safety, Kyle Dugger, with the first second pick, OG Shane Lemieux, OR, with the second one, and with the third one DT Davon Hamilton, Ohio State, 327 lbs. ,
In the third round take the Boston College Big Back, A.J. Dillon, and in the fourth round pick up Morgan the FIU QB, and with the other 4th pick take Kyle Markway, best blocking TE, and In the 5th round RB Lamical Perine, 218 lbs., to replace Barber. In the sixth round an excellent special teams player, WR Michael Swain, with great hands and quickness who can also run back kicks and can play slot receiver in reserve. As an Undrafted player sign Michigan OT Jon Runyon to keep as a reserve OG.