Mocking The Bucs
April 13th, 2020
Fingered to join Bucs.
In the mind of one respected draft analyst, the Bucs won’t need to trade up.
Earlier today, Albert Breer of SI.com reported the Bucs are doing their homework with teams higher up the draft ladder about what kind of ransom it would take to trade up.
Breer also reported the reason why Tampa Bay wants to trade up is to land an offensive tackle. That suggests Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht doesn’t believe one of the big four will still be on the board at No. 14 when the Bucs pick.
But Dane Brugler of The Athletic doesn’t believe the Bucs will need to trade up for an offensive tackle. Brugler believes his No. 4-rated tackle will still be there, Georgia tackle Andrew Thomas.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
The Buccaneers know they have a window to win right now and the best way to do that is help protect Tom Brady. Right tackle is currently a question spot, but Thomas would give them immediate depth with the potential to be a high-end starter.
Thomas is a three-year starter for Georgia who started at right tackle for the Bulldogs when they beat Oklahoma in the 2018 Rose Bowl to advance to the national championship,where Georgia fell to Alabama in overtime.
Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian said Thomas is a “waist-bender,” which means he lunches when he is beaten off the snap, a major no-no in the NFL. Polian, from what his NFL sources tell him, thinks Thomas can be cured of this trait but if not, it is a major red flag.
Brugler pretty much confirms in Brugler’s 2020 draft guide what Polian sees and hears.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Georgia, Thomas was the starting left tackle in former offensive coordinator James Coley’s pro style spread. He put his name on the map starting every game as a true freshman and graded as one of the most effective blockers in the SEC the last three seasons. Thomas has dominant qualities in the run game, steering and controlling blockers once he gets his hands on them. With his tendency to wind up, lean and abandon his lower body fundamentals, he needs to shore up his pass pro technique, but he gets the job done on tape due to his anchor, toughness and girth. Overall, Thomas’ balance issues are the main concern with his pro transition, abandoning his mechanics and getting himself out over his skis, but he can maneuver his hips in pass protection and clear run lanes, projecting as a starting NFL tackle with fixable issues.
Based on what he has heard from NFL scouts, Bob McGinn, also of The Athletic, has Thomas as his No. 1 tackle prospect.
Andrew Thomas, Georgia (6-5, 315): His arm length of 36 1/8 inches tied for second longest among offensive linemen. “There’s not one negative about him,” one scout said. “He’s my third-best player in the draft. The guy’s just special, and he’s big, too. There’s a big difference between him and the rest. He’s more like (Jonathan) Ogden than (Walter) Jones or (Willie) Roaf. He’s not as good an athlete as Jones or Roaf. He’s tougher than both those guys were. He doesn’t have Ogden’s height.” He ran 5.17 seconds. “In any other year you’d say, ‘5.22 at 315, that’s killer,’” another scout said. “He’s patient. He redirects. He positions easily in the run game and stays on players. Light on his feet.”
April 13th, 2020 at 12:05 pm
I’d be very happy if they got him and then grab FSU Akers or the LSU Helaire RB in round 2
April 13th, 2020 at 12:13 pm
Let the draft play out….EVERY team knows the Bucs are looking a OT…don’t get played …ton of great talent at 14…even CJ the CB
I am firmly sit tight
or
trade down
April 13th, 2020 at 12:22 pm
It’s not just Brady. This needs to be for the long term if they are drafting one.
April 13th, 2020 at 12:22 pm
Bucs will get robbed if trade up. Teams know bucs are desperate to win now.
Let the best player fall. Trade down if possible.
Too much depth in this draft. Why worry ? We have the largest coaching staff.. and the best coaches per two face Arians.
April 13th, 2020 at 12:23 pm
Suddenly .. your thinking about the future?
DBS Says:
April 13th, 2020 at 12:22 pm
It’s not just Brady. This needs to be for the long term if they are drafting one.
April 13th, 2020 at 12:24 pm
His pass pro set is sloppy and he’s a one punch run blocker. I’m just not digging his tape at all.
April 13th, 2020 at 12:25 pm
Like I said , this draft is huge. Most important draft In 10 yrs. we sink or be good for the next 10yrs.
April 13th, 2020 at 12:29 pm
Adrnagy
If you were not so hung up on being butt hurt over Winston, you would know everyone has talked about this. Most of us have been saying get rid of Dotson. But then again?
April 13th, 2020 at 12:31 pm
everyone chill and realize there will be no NFL Season in 2020
April 13th, 2020 at 12:53 pm
Ardnagy
You’re just assuming TB is only playing for two more years. What if he plays five more? Why the hang up with just a two year run? Nobody knows. Especially you. Because you’re on a need to know basis, and they won’t be letting you know either way.
Now get some Preparation H for that ass chap.
April 13th, 2020 at 1:00 pm
Hey, DD changed his moniker, sweet! You know, the only thing worse than a troll is an uncreative troll. And my goodness, these season deniers are one uncreative bunch. I’m amused at those who are so lonely and so uncreative that they spew out the same mindless, completely uncited word salad day after day and then intermittently change their names when called out as the trolls they are. Sucks to be them. Oh no, it really does DD. Any rebuttal merely proves my point.
April 13th, 2020 at 1:15 pm
If it’s between this guy and Javon Kinlaw, I’m going with Kinlaw since a lot of folks have him rated as the best defensive tackle. Also, what happens if Isaiah Simmons is still there at 14? He is rated higher than Devin White was last year from everything that I have read. There are almost always players who fall farther than expected, so hopefully we don’t pass up a great talent just to fill a need with a project with above average potential.
April 13th, 2020 at 1:40 pm
Buczilla – im with you. I’m all for filling the positions of need, but there are exceptions when it would be more prudent to take the all-world type player. Just filling holes is dangerous too when you’re letting the 5 star guys go to other teams. If Simmons is there somehow, or hell even CeeDee Lamb or Jeudy or Kinlaw, then im not going to cry if they grab the game wrecker.
April 13th, 2020 at 1:46 pm
@gofortheface30 … ” Just filling holes is dangerous too when you’re letting the 5 star guys go to other teams.” Normally I’d agree with you, but not this year. If Brady gets sacked 47 times and takes 106 QB Hits like Winston did last year, he’ll never make it through the regular season, much less the playoffs. FIX THE TRENCHES FIRST, then worry about weapons.
April 13th, 2020 at 1:48 pm
I posted this already, but trading up is usually a bad move. See if one of the 4 are there, and if not, take Josh Jones. He should be in the top tier.
DanTheMan, already said this, but go live in the mountains where no one has to hear your negative BS. And you can put your money where your mouth is: when there is a football season, you don’t get to watch it, so then you will sorta be right that there isn’t a 2020 football season… For YOU!
April 13th, 2020 at 2:18 pm
What I’m starting to wonder about…If the Bucs main targets are off the board at 14, trade back like some of you have talked about, picking up another 2nd Rounder…With our 1st Round pick, we take Grant Delpit out of LSU. Reasons I think this is possible:
1) Delpit was a leader on a National Championship team
2) The Bucs saw all of his tape of a great 2018 season (5 INT’s, 5 Sacks) while scouting Devin White
3) He supposedly ran a 4.39, he looks to be that fast on tape
4) He’d fill the Tyrann Mathieu role on our defense, a do-it-all Safety who is bigger and faster than the Honey Badger (he ran a 4.5)
5) He’s good friends with Devin White, who will vouch for him
They say he’s not a good tackler, which bothers me. I’m thinking about what the Bucs might do, not necessarily what I want them to do. Could Delpit last to the 2nd Round? Some people seem to think so.
April 13th, 2020 at 2:45 pm
I think if they trade back…..they go o-line, o-line, then best of RB, QB, S from that point on. I think the line gets an injection of talent similar to the secondary last year. Draft two quality RTs….let them beat out a vet and each other to block for Tom Brady. Competition is the greatest motivator….anointing rookies a starting job sets the entire unit up for failure.
April 13th, 2020 at 2:47 pm
“Bill Polian said Thomas is a “waist-bender,” which means he lunches when he is beaten off the snap”
I really hope he ‘lunges’ when he is beaten of the snap. If he ‘lunches’ then he would be eating entirely too much in a game
April 13th, 2020 at 2:57 pm
Buczilla
Agreed on Kinlaw over Thomas. Kinlaw could be a big young piece to the rising young defense. Best DT are usually taken up top and hopefully we’ll have pick #32 next year. He kills it in the 3-4. Learning from Vea, Suh, JPP and our LB corp his rookie year. Suh/Kinlaw could be a great run/pass rotation. And of course that could be great depth on the inside dline. Could close the door at an important DT position which will be needed in the near future.
April 13th, 2020 at 3:21 pm
If there’s no right tackle we like trade back or take the best running back.
April 13th, 2020 at 3:22 pm
I doubt Kinlaw will be there.
April 13th, 2020 at 3:37 pm
DantheTanMan Says:
“everyone chill and realize there will be no NFL Season in 2020”
.
.
So, how tan are you?
April 13th, 2020 at 3:45 pm
…..Bill Polian said Thomas is a “waist-bender,” which means he lunches when he is beaten off the snap…..
Seriously, no lunching on the field. Eat some snacks before hand, and then a good dinner afterwards.
April 13th, 2020 at 3:56 pm
I’d be thrilled with Thomas at 14! Dude is a beast who will help in both run and pass blocking. Then get (in no particular order) a RB, DE and a young QB for TB12 to groom! Maybe a slot receiver in the lower rounds.
April 13th, 2020 at 4:09 pm
Guys the trade up makes sense. The trade up article says trading up to nine. And says the #10 & 11 picks are teams looking for Tackles.
What if there’s only one Tackle left when 9 rolls around? If that’s the case you make a move if that’s what you want as your top choice.
Aot depends on how high they are on specific Tackles. Sometimes you gotta go get the guy you need.
April 13th, 2020 at 4:13 pm
Besides we made really good picks last year. They earned the benefit of the doubt no matter what they do.
If they gotta trade a second rounder cause there’s a Tackle they think is that good I’m all for it. Especially if it’s a Top ten guy. You don’t trade up into Top Ten unless you believe your getting a elite player. I’m all good with elite players. Especially where they are trenchmen.
April 13th, 2020 at 4:18 pm
Joe in Michigan…….I’ll admitt I never watched Delpit til the National Championship but I came back thinking he was totally overrated. His insticts were bad. He couldn’t get off blocks. He got beaten in coverage and yes he couldn’t tackle and took really bad angles.
I won’t cry if we pick him since I only saw him once but he looked flat out bad in that game. He did have one nice sack on the first series though.
Before then he was being touted as a 1st rounder. Now he’s going in the second round. I think I see why.
April 13th, 2020 at 4:34 pm
Rd 1 – CJ Henderson
Rd 2 – Taylor or Swift or Dobbins
Rd 3 – trade for Trent Williams
Rd 3 – Best WR available
April 13th, 2020 at 4:35 pm
I wouldn’t necessarily want to come away with a Safety in the 1st Round, would rather have a trench guy.
April 13th, 2020 at 4:35 pm
Licht has proven he can get offensive lineman in the 2nd and 3rd, why in the world would you trade up when you need those picks to get things like WR depth where the Bucs have complete garbage behind the starters?
If anything Licht should look to trade down, pick up an extra 2nd rounder, and then you can get a legit 3rd WR, which is an absolute must, and perhaps a couple of tackles. One for now, and one for after next year when you likely can’t afford to keep Smith – and in any case it gives you additional depth.
No RB’s however, we already have a 2nd rounder invested at RB and there’s a ton of vets sitting out there that can be had for nothing and vet min salary.
April 13th, 2020 at 5:48 pm
My preferences in order for the 1st round
Wills
Thomas
Becton
Wirfs
Trade back
I love Brown and Kinlaw, but there’s very good DT value available in the 2nd and 3rd round. After Jones and Cleveland (both later 1st rd picks), OT talent drops off significantly so you must get your OTin the first or possibly 1 or 2 others early in the 2nd.
April 14th, 2020 at 2:15 am
Just looked at some trade mocks. And seriously, we all know how trade ups for QB’s and WR’s are always going to happen. If we trade up to #9 and Simmons and Wills are both still there, man thats going to be a hard choice….think Im going with Simmons…can you imagine our D with a bigger faster version of Derwin James? My gosh! We will have an elite D! KEEP THE OTHER TEAM FROM SCORING!!!
But hes going top 5 more than likely. So Wills just might be there and I’ll take him. He’s a RT and will probably never be anything else, but he’s a very DOMINANT RT. His foot work and technique and speed at the position are the best in this draft class.
But if we stay put at #14, I think Thomas will fall to us and Im fine with that too. Experience at both RT and LT, so that will be a plus. He can be coached up so I just brush off the waist bender stuff. BTW, this mock had Wirfs going #16.