Time To Draft A Quarterback
March 19th, 2020
Are the Bucs going to play it smart, or will they play to win at all costs in 2020?
You could make a strong argument on either side.
Draft the best QB you can find now and let him sit in the perfect incubator, behind 43-year-old Tom Brady and alongside an impressive team of quarterback coaches. It’s a no-brainer, right?
Well, the Bucs may think, ‘Heck, we’ll draft a guy next year. This year is about going all-in to win in 2020. We want to use all early picks for quick-impact studs.’
There are merits to both sides.
But Joe was slightly annoyed the Bucs didn’t draft a quarterback in the late rounds last season. And Joe already has argued on the Ira Kaufman Podcast for the Bucs to invest heavily in a QB next month.
Former Jets assistant coach and personnel chief Pat Kirwan, top-dog host on SiriusXM NFL Radio, said yesterday (multiple times) that the Bucs should be dropping major draft capital on a quarterback immediately.
“Wouldn’t you draft, now again, I’m going to promote the [Jacob] Eason kid. Eason’s not ready to play, a 6-6 guy that has a cannon arm. Wouldn’t you like him sitting in the quarterback room behind Brady for two years,” Kirwan said.
Eason, out of the University of Washington, largely is viewed as a mid-to-late pick in Round 1. Joe’s not lobbying for Eason, per se, but Joe would applaud the Bucs drafting a quarterback early. It’s still the most important position in football and the Brady dream won’t last forever.
It’s a fun debate.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:12 am
I would like to see OT and DT in the first two rounds
March 19th, 2020 at 11:14 am
Lotta capital on Qb. I thought we found our answer?
March 19th, 2020 at 11:15 am
Agree with bucnole. Don’t think you can pass on the OL talent in the first round of this year’s draft. If Eason somehow slides to Rd 2, sure take him there but most likely wait to draft a QB until next year.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:16 am
Argument on both sides for sure………one could argue that we should draft a QB this year because it’s likely our pick next year won’t be as high…..It could also be argued that this would be a time to give up a future pick to improve our team now.
Forget the QB and go for a RT, RB, S & DT/DE…..this year……and not with later round picks. Worry about the QB next year……
My choice would be to select a future prospect in the mid rounds…..4th, 5th……and to focus on finding 3 starters in rounds 1-3……a RT, RB, S…..
March 19th, 2020 at 11:16 am
If Love is available in the late 1st round I would move up and pick him as long as we picked an OT with our #14 pick.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:17 am
The minute I heard Brady was coming, I said we better draft a QB.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:17 am
They could or they could just wait till next seasons Trevor Lawrence Sweepstakes.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:18 am
Yeah..OT in the 1st for sure, maybe decent QB in the 3rd..
March 19th, 2020 at 11:19 am
Florio now onto the Gurley trade discussions underway
March 19th, 2020 at 11:21 am
the bucs should trade next year’s 1st and a mid round pick this year to get back into the first. keep the current 1, 2, and 3 for guys who will impact the 2020 season
March 19th, 2020 at 11:22 am
As I said yesterday, I think Eason or Hurts should both be looked at and considered. Eason has the cannon arm, but Hurts is a dual threat running and throwing.
I think if we go OT in Round 1 we might be able to get a guy like Wills, Jackson or Jones at 14 (I think Wirfs, Thomas and Beckton will be gone by then), then in Round 2 get Eason or Hurts. The use our 3rd round selection and one of our 4th round picks to move back into the late part of Round 2 to get the best available RB….I like the big BC bruiser AJ Dillon here!
March 19th, 2020 at 11:22 am
No to Eason. He is a 1 Read Big Arm QB. That’s it.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:24 am
As much as I want the Bucs to draft a Tackle & RB in Rnds 1 & 2, IF Eason is there at #14 the Bucs NEED to pick him, then grab the best tackle remaining in Rnd 2 & the best RB remaining in Rnd 3. Like Kirwan said, Eason’s not ready to play, but learning behind Tom Brady, with the QB Whisperer as your HC, is an incredible opportunity.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:24 am
Anthony Gorrdon… Washington state…kid has the ” it” factor…he simply loves to win and Hates losing – major competitor.. that’s the type of unmrasurables you cannot teach nor coach up… Those qualities comes from heart, from a person’s inner being….
March 19th, 2020 at 11:25 am
i like eason and think he would flourish behind brady for 2 years
March 19th, 2020 at 11:25 am
First Pick: Right Tackle
Second Pick: trade back into the first round (ahead of the Patriots and take Jacob Eason.
I’ve been wanting Eason from the start.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:26 am
Personally, I believe Tua if going to fall to us in the first round. If that happens, tough decision.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:31 am
Look guys, finding a franchise QB is difficult. If you think the 5th best QB in a weak QB draft is the answer you will almost certainly be disappointed. As for Love, someone is going to reach for him before the Bucs pick at 14, let alone late in the first round. (I think every QB in this draft is a gamble and I suspect only Tua and Burrow have the chance to be the real deal). My god as Tampa fans we have never had a truly great franchise QB and you guys act like they are easy to find. Ignore QB this year. We just brought in a 43 yo immobile guy, albeit the GOAT, but if we don’t use that first rounder on an offensive tackle he won’t play more than a few games as a Buc because he will get maimed. It is win now time so don’t use any draft capital this year on what is most likely Glennon 2.0.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:32 am
5th or 6th round for a QB. QB from Iowa, Wash St or FAU. Forget Eason.
Keep Gabbert to hep teach the kid and cut Griffin.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:33 am
The sheep will nuts for drafting OT in the first, or trading for an OT!!!!!! But when a draft is deep in a postion. Usually there will be a robust secondary market for OT from teams cutting older , overpayed OT that can be had on the cheap!!!!!!!!! Also, that second round OT market free agent has experience and can play well THIS year, as a drafted rookie will have growing pains!!!!!!! If you are going to mortgage the future, might as well to try to maximize draft picks that can contribute right away!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 19th, 2020 at 11:35 am
I am in the draft a starting caliber QB early next month….hint if the Bucs trade down in the first they’ll be taking a QB ! 1st and sort the rest out as they go…
March 19th, 2020 at 11:35 am
Joe I would love your opinion on trading away next years 1st round pick if it nets us a second 1st round pick this year; this way we can draft OL and QB is RD 1 this year or OL and RB or OL and DL; then with our 2nd round pick we can draft whichever position we weren’t able to address in the 1st round.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:36 am
Jacob Eason reminds me of Drew Bledsoe.
Tom Brady claimed he learned a lot behind Drew Bledsoe.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:37 am
The Bucs needed to draft a QB regardless of the Brady signing. Who’s the backup? Exactly!
March 19th, 2020 at 11:37 am
Love’s ceiling is holding a clipboard. He’s also had off field problems.
Eason = Drunkenmiller. Big arm and size, not much else. Pass on both.
If you want an early QB go for Hurts in 2nd or 3rd. While he’s not my favorite, he’s a proven leader with performance at 2 schools. I would get a QB in the 5th.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:39 am
Who should we draft then Realist? A RB or WR then?
And yeah great plan – counting on other teams’ late season roster cuts for a starter at a premium position.
lol
GO BUCS
March 19th, 2020 at 11:39 am
trade a 4th to the redskins for trent williams or to the jags for cam robinson….
eason in the 1st….
raekwon davis in the 2nd….
GO BUCS!!!!
March 19th, 2020 at 11:42 am
Trade for a R. tackle, draft a future QB
March 19th, 2020 at 11:44 am
You dont pay 30 million for brady and draft someone that will sit the bench for 2 years with the first pick. That’s why pat kirwin is on tv not working in the nfl. Bucs need to go all in on a superbowl with this short window. Shore up the weak spots in the roster.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:47 am
are there any groomable FA’s?
I think we need brains, no matter the round/ranking followed closely with skills.
maybe bring in a vet on the cheap and draft next year.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:52 am
Joe, Which qb do you like from this draft?
so we let Licht know to stay away from that guy
March 19th, 2020 at 11:52 am
Eason early 2nd round
March 19th, 2020 at 11:53 am
Iowa QB….
March 19th, 2020 at 11:55 am
Jalen Hurts
March 19th, 2020 at 11:56 am
I can’t agree that getting the goat in his last few years and not trying to win now equals playing it smart. That’s like using your time with a hooker to plan your wedding.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:59 am
2019 Buc MVP for me is the Gay kicker!! If he would have made a couple more kicks that would have gotten us in the playoffs, Winston would still be here possibly and Brady wouldn’t!! Everyone needs a Gay Kicker!! Matt Gay you are the True MVP!!
March 19th, 2020 at 12:01 pm
But Totally…what if the hooker is the future wife? Not me or mine…mine was a good EIU girl… but each to their own.
March 19th, 2020 at 12:02 pm
Pass on Eason… He ranked #76 out of 92 NCAA QBs with throwing accuracy while under pressure. Every pass in the NFL will be thrown under pressure.
I don’t care how strong his arm is. Remember a guy named Jamies Winston?
March 19th, 2020 at 12:02 pm
TB was brought in to win now. We need to push all chips in. Draft and free agents. Our window will close soon. The goal is to win the super bowl go ALL-IN
March 19th, 2020 at 12:04 pm
Negative on this weaker first round QB class. Tom Brady is going to turn weak ass Pac-10 Jacob Eason into a force. If Eason can make it to the second round I’m all for it, but if not we should look into one in the third possibly.
March 19th, 2020 at 12:04 pm
QB and Edge rushers are so important, that’s probably all I’d use a first round pick on ever.
March 19th, 2020 at 12:16 pm
We should take one of these top 4 O-Lineman. These guys are all studs that will be anchors in the NFL for years. And if it looks like they all about to get picked in front us, move up using that extra 4th.
March 19th, 2020 at 12:18 pm
Agree w The Marine!! Would take more than a late 4 however!
March 19th, 2020 at 12:29 pm
They have already gone the route of tanking (‘suck for the duck’ which then drafted the bust) and that blew up historically in their faces… So now they still need a young talent at QB for the future… Best get a good one as soon as one is available or end up forced to take that scrub is available…
I do think Eason would be a viable option and hope better than those of Bucs past…
March 19th, 2020 at 12:33 pm
Nix the Brady deal and do the smart thing(really hard for Licht and Glazer) and do whatever it takes to draft a generational talent in Joe Burrow. Bucs would be set at QB for a decade or more. Whatever price you pay to get Burrow and sign him to a 5 year rookie deal will seem pretty darn cheap as QB values continue to rise as they always have and will.
March 19th, 2020 at 12:35 pm
Mark lol. In that case you got other problems
March 19th, 2020 at 12:36 pm
Licht needs to do the right thing and draft best available RT/ DE in the first 2 rounds. Then, if available in the 3rd he can draft Fromm. He may not have the strongest arm, but he doesn’t stare down receivers and makes good decisions with the ball. If he spends 2 years working with TB12 he will be a stud!
March 19th, 2020 at 1:06 pm
If our QB is 43 we should probably have an insurance policy / developmental guy behind him lol.
I duno a ton about these QBs honestly but in the Oregon / Washington game I thought Eason just looked like a better QB than Herbert and more built for the NFL game. The stats on him throwing while under pressure are concerning though.
Jordan Love is intriguing as a prospect – but I’d be shocked if we go QB R1 vs a potential starter on the O-line/D-line.
The good news is there is no need to reach on a QB in the draft in any round and we should only take one at good value. Worst case it’s Brady/Gabbert/some late round flier and maybe we look at the 2020 class harder.
March 19th, 2020 at 1:17 pm
eason over love
March 19th, 2020 at 1:21 pm
Anthony Gordon or John Morgan will be around until late in the second round. Either of them would be worth a look, as would Fromm and Hurts.
The big thing is not to reach too far while grabbing one. After Tua and Burrow, they are all a first round stretch.
Trade down and grab one of the top 5 safeties in 1. Gain a second round pick and use those for RB and QB
Round 3:RT
Round 4:IDL
March 19th, 2020 at 1:21 pm
We have to support Brady during these 2-3 years. One of the top 4 OTs are a must. Which, at this point, I think means trading up. Get ahead of the Jets and we’re good!
March 19th, 2020 at 1:25 pm
Trade #45 in the 2nd and that 4th round compensatory to the 9er’s for their #31 pick. Lock Eason up for 5 years.
March 19th, 2020 at 1:38 pm
First this is such a relief!!! A thread where peoples opinions are not directly wired into their emotions. As Joe suggests there is merit to both arguments.
I have not followed the QB’s closely this year because it seemed to me that Burrow was the clear class and the other guy I like that much Lawrence is not coming out yet.
I largely agree with TDTB’s statement about the difficulty of finding a solid QB when he’s rated 5th best…but not because of the low ranking.
FINDING A FRANCHISE QB IS A CRAPSHOOT PERIOD.
5 years ago JW and MM were touted as “can’t miss” prospects and the only argument was who should go first. And how did those top two picks work out?
I do not have enough space to document all the first round QB picks who have largely busted.
And the wild card in this discussion is Gabbert. How comfortable does BA feel with him if TB12 goes down? IMO that comfort level will drive how desperate we are as well as looking at next year’s group of college QBs who seem to be better than this year’s bunch.
So…I love most of the draft strategy of you guys and we seem to be largely on the same page.
As for me….I would go into this draft with at least that extra 4th round pick to throw into the pot with 14 if we could move up several spots to get Beckton or Wirfs. In fact I might give up both 4 rounders if it made the difference.
Then take Cam Akers in the second unless you’re CERTAIN you can get him in the 3rd…and I’m not even an FSU guy. By the way UF guys I like Perrine as well but I give Akers the edge in fitting in with Brady.
That would leave us with four more picks..and LIchts UDFA magic to address everything else.
Before D.R. gets me banned from here…lol..if we do not resign SUH that upends my plans totally because we might have to use a second or even a first if we think a draft pick is going to replace SUH. I just don’t see it. Pay the man!
Use the draft to pick up that tackle and the RB on rookie contracts.
March 19th, 2020 at 1:54 pm
I for one would wait til day 2 or 3 to draft a QB. Maybe a kid like Morgan from FIU in late rounds. Concentrate on OL.
March 19th, 2020 at 2:03 pm
It’s a 2 year window, that’s it. Go all in now to win another championship. After Brady retires in 2 years, time for a rebuild. Trade off what you can to start a rebuild.
March 19th, 2020 at 2:32 pm
Whatever QB Joe does lobby, lets just hope Bucs draft the total opposite. Joes track record on QB’s is laughable. As is his excuses for how terrible Winston is a QB and the excuses he has made for him as a human being. I stopped being a Tampa fan the second we drafted him after being a lifelong fan and I couldnt be happier to be back as a Bucs fan. First, Joe didn’t make excuses and the archives are here. Second, if you stopped being a Tampa fan, the second Jameis was drafted, then why were you allegedly reading Joe’s commentary??–Joe
Brady or no brady just as long as Winston is gone.
I’m finally eating a W
March 19th, 2020 at 3:01 pm
Justin Herbert, please.
Move UP in the draft, if necessary.
Then, OT, and a FAST pass-catching RB. (Not convinced ROJO is that player)
Reasoning:
If TB 12 is the QB, that will add slants, and outlet passes, as part of the “rushing attack”, since these short passes are such high percentage throws for a talent like Brady, in other words, lots of 2nd and 4’s etc. after a short completion on 1st.
tickrdr
March 19th, 2020 at 3:02 pm
Still in moderation, I see.
tickrdr
March 19th, 2020 at 3:28 pm
As much as I’d like us to draft an offensive lineman in the first round I think if you take a step back and ponder the fact that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to develope our future QB under the tutelage of Tom freaking Brady you may change your tune like I did.
Couple points:
1) We will have a much ower draft choice next year.. so we have a better shot at a higher quality QB this year.
2) There’s no guarantee Tom plays more than one year – Draft a signal caller now and let him soak up the knowledge until the window is closed and we no longer have the QB whisperer and the GOAT molding this pick.
3) Our guys WILL fight harder to protect Tom in the pocket because he will keep them accountable. Their game will be raised so not as much pressure to draft OL with our first selection.
If we play this resurgence smart then this is the perfect dream scenario to groom our guy and set us up for more than just the next few years.
I would prefer to take our chances on trading up for Justin Herbert. I feel his IQ, measurables and talent would be a great student under TB12. If we don’t then I hope we shoot for Eason out of UW. I live an hour north of Seattle – the kid can play.
Thank you Joe’s for keeping the people sane with football talk during this time.
March 19th, 2020 at 3:28 pm
Cause I enjoyed watching Winston fail and hear your hilarious excuses for him and then get angry at the way you disrespected the woman that made accusations and call it a “hassle” or other shameful descriptions. Would love for you to come face to face with those girls father or BF’s and watch slitter away to the hole you came from
March 19th, 2020 at 3:55 pm
Get Anthony Gordon in round 3 or 4. This kid is so under appreciated. Give him 2 years to learn from the goat and watch TFO!
March 19th, 2020 at 5:33 pm
The future is now. Jameis is so young we can always get him back at a fraction of his current cost in a couple of years. Try it all over again. lol
Trade up for OT in the 1st round, using draft picks from next year and the year beyond. Then draft safeties, running backs, edge rushers (or more OL, my preference) and at the very end look for best quarterback available. Tall and smart preferably. Kind of like the way Brady came in….
March 19th, 2020 at 5:39 pm
Believe it or not I think Eason is the best quarterback in the draft he drops dimes. watching highlights on all quarterbacks he has the best pinpoint accuracy.
March 19th, 2020 at 5:52 pm
THat’s a hard pass on J. Love or J . Hurts
March 19th, 2020 at 7:56 pm
@Caleb Lee:
Excellent post, and couldn’t agree more with your thinking, and for the exact reasons you laid out so beautifully!
tickrdr
March 19th, 2020 at 8:13 pm
Anthony Gorrdon…
Young man has the “it” factor. Loves the game of foot ball…
You can probably pick him up early 4th maybe late 3rd.
Go watch some of his play… Kinda reminds you of Maholmes
March 19th, 2020 at 9:25 pm
Unless its a 3rd or 4th on Gordon, i seriously dont see us investing a draft pick on QB now.
OH my head hurts…too much partying after landing Brady….just woke up and going back to bed….have to work tomorrow
March 19th, 2020 at 9:45 pm
W/o knowing Wonderlics & just reading body language of the QB crop…I could easily see Licht/BA infatuated by James Morgan/FIU as a Day3 target…But I think GB may like him a little more than TB. (Home Town)
If our FO had any stones, it would move a couple assets to jump up & take Herbert. (Knowing that takes the 2020 & 2021 1st Rd picks & then some).
If TB12 plays to lofty expectations…The Bucs will have Late Rd Slots in 2021/2022 drafts. Meaning, FO would have to trade up to take the Next Guy regardless….#14 in 2020, may be the best starting point for the next couple yrs.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:43 pm
Robert Says:
March 19th, 2020 at 11:47 am
are there any groomable FA’s?
I think we need brains, no matter the round/ranking followed closely with skills.
maybe bring in a vet on the cheap and draft next year
_____<
Not free agents, but vets that might come cheap. Josh Rosen has tools and has played under Leftwich. He has talent and could be saved by sitting under Brady. Jacoby Brissett is a FA next year. He might be available for next to nothing. He's already played under Brady. He has all the tools. Maybe Mitchell Trubisky could be the guy with more seasoning. I'm not a Nick Mullin fan but also a possibility. Philip Walker of the XFL has great tools. He could be worth checking into.
March 20th, 2020 at 12:26 am
I’m not sold on Eason in the first round. His college resume is not impressive and you would be gambling on physical traits alone in the first round. I’d take a chance on Herbert and maybe even Tua at 14, but not this guy. If he’s there at the very end of the first round then maybe we trade back in? There is usually at least one quarterback each year drops further than expected (Lamar Jackson and Drew Lock spring to mind), so maybe we’ll be the team fortunate enough to get a steal later in the draft.
March 20th, 2020 at 4:03 am
The Bucs are all in on winning, right now, the last thing they should be doing is worrying about a QB 3 years from now.
Spend your picks on where we need help.
March 20th, 2020 at 8:48 am
Man all this Brady stuff is going to hurt us in the next year are 2 . Why don’t yall realize this guy is 43 years old when the season starts . B.A. is destroying this team and yall still don’t see it . What makes yall think that Brady is going to come in here and ball out ? He can’t move the last superbowl run he had Gronk and he looked bad the hold playoff run . He threw only 3 touchdown the hold post season that year . And last year he was trash and led by a Defense .