Bruce Arians Lays Out His Saturday Draft Goals
May 1st, 2021
Gone
So the Bucs landed a ferocious edge rusher who (hopefully) can produce, and they grabbed a quarterback (a freakin’ quarterback!) followed by a center/guard in Round 3.
Now what?
Joe asked Bucco Bruce Arians to state his Saturday draft goals last night.
“Yeah, we’re always looking for, you know, guys that can run,” Arians replied. “You know, speed, in any kind of category, whether it’s defensive backs who can be gunners. We need to improve our special teams. And for those guys tomorrow, we’ll be looking at guys that can fill roles but also can really also be really core special team players.”
Yes, the Bucs do need to upgrade special teams. It’s not much of a weakness, but for a loaded team, it is a weakness. Ryan Smith (pictured) is now on the Chargers.
Arians was talking gunner, but Joe hopes there’s also an eye at One Buc Palace toward returner.
Joe expects the Bucs to be forcing a load of punts next season.
May 1st, 2021 at 8:02 am
Agree with that priority. Hopefully someone to return punts in the group.
May 1st, 2021 at 8:05 am
I stole from somewhere else buy anyway:
Derrick barnes linebacker (inside and out) from purdue
Kenneth gainwell to return kicks amd become another rb
Michael carter NC who can return kicks and become another rb
May 1st, 2021 at 8:09 am
Joes
Great coverage of draft by the way…you guys are killing it!
May 1st, 2021 at 8:12 am
At this point I think corner is the top priority followed by inside linebacker for my 4th and 5th round picks. Get a gunner in the 7th
May 1st, 2021 at 8:20 am
Yup, I like the idea of a WR speedster who can be a KR, and if he can develop, be in line to replace Godwin, if God forbid, he’s not back in 2022. Extremely happy with the picks so far. It’s so nice to not have glaring needs, like at WR and QB and RB…and DE, and TE, and OL….and DL….and DB….and K….ahhhhhh.
May 1st, 2021 at 8:31 am
Avery Williams please. Tops returner in CFB. Has 9 return TD’s in total. Has 4 blocked kicks, 4.4 speed and can play DB (RB and WR as well if needed). Won a Soecual Teams player of the year award.
He’s the closest thing that resembles Clifton Smith that we could have at a position we have struggled w/ since Spurlock. Still hate Dante Wesley and the Stinkin’ Panthers for that cheap shot. Except, he is the DB version and can still play RB and WR as well, which he did in High School very well.
If we want to improve Special Teams, add to our ST’s, draft some speed and get a PR and KR in the process, AVERY WILLIAMS is the perfect candidate.
May 1st, 2021 at 8:35 am
Avery Williams, or Amon-Ra St. Brown in the 4th.
May 1st, 2021 at 8:39 am
A legit return game would make us elite and make the Fanman household very happy.
We definitely need some depth players here; LB, DB, TE…
May 1st, 2021 at 8:42 am
I was shocked by the QB pick. Was looking for D depth. But, upon reflection, it seems quite OK. Trask looks good. Approved by a raft of coaches and the GOAT so he will fit right in. Licht is doing fine again. I trust him these days/years. Looking forward to these last rounds too. Also, good coverage by Joe.
May 1st, 2021 at 8:43 am
Gonna be a rough day for our draft picks.
Its great to be drafted by the World Champs!
But man, how do you crack that roster?
We lost Ryan Smith and A. Adams.
We’ve replaced Joe Haeg already. Also apparently Blaine Griffin.
My guess for today would be Safety and Cornerback. Special team kinda guys.
And we could improve our Kick returners.
Guess we pick up a Vet DT.
May 1st, 2021 at 9:26 am
I’m thinking CB…..best one left…..trade up if we need to….probably do.
May 1st, 2021 at 9:27 am
Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Javian Hawkins aren’t bad options either for ST’s and speed element
May 1st, 2021 at 9:40 am
Bird – I mentioned Barnes from PU a few days ago for special teams and depth.
Hope we get him, he’s a great guy as well!
In BA I Trust!
May 1st, 2021 at 9:48 am
I’d like to see either/both Avery Williams or D’Wayne Eskridge to pump up the return game.
May 1st, 2021 at 10:28 am
Cobraboy,
Eskridge has already been drafted. Seahawks
May 1st, 2021 at 10:45 am
I’m on the Avery Williams train as well. Besides a returner, dude blocked a bunch of kicks. Special team weapon who can come and play DB when teams go 4/5 WR
May 1st, 2021 at 10:56 am
I was originally hoping for a cornerback personally in the 1st three rounds but I trust our group of experts at One Buc’s Place.
I know prior to the draft we talked about getting a defensive tackle that could play for us not only this year but going forward.
Here is what I see on that front:
Only 5 defensive tackles have been taken (Christian Barmore, Levi Onwuzurike, Milton Williams, Alim Mcneill, Osa Odighizuwa) as it was a bad class of defensive tackles.
There are 9 guys at defensive tackle that are playable guys in my theory left.
Bobby Brown III
Tyler Shelvin
Jay Tufele
Daviyon Nixon
Jaylen Twyman
Marvin Wilson
Marlon Tuipulotu
Tommy Togai
Jonathan Marshall
Maybe one of those 9 guys at end of the 4th and then the special teams speed gunner in the 5th round.
May 1st, 2021 at 11:05 am
Geno711,
You’re missing maybe the DT player that could make the most sense. Khyiris Tonga. He’d play more in the Vita Vea role as a backup (where as a guy like Khalil Davis, who they like thus far, would be more the backup role to Suh. And Nacho gives you that flexibility for both spots.
Bobby Briwn is just manly, Shelvin is a unicorn at his size (just doesn’t offer the pass rush capabilities as much as Double V does) and Daviyon’s 70 something yard INT return for a TD was impressive given his size. Marvin just seems lost between what size and weight he wants to be play at. His stock has actually gone diwn I think.
May 1st, 2021 at 11:16 am
Troy Vincent Jr from LSU is someone id like to see the bucs take today.
May 1st, 2021 at 11:17 am
Kary Vincent Jr*
May 1st, 2021 at 11:24 am
You are right. I was just putting in a quick group and should have included Khyiris Tonga.
If we draft one of these 5 to 10 guys (depending who Bucs like and who is left), I would expect some solid but unspectacular play from him.
May 1st, 2021 at 12:03 pm
No way Avery WIlliams makes it to the bottom of the 4th.
May 3rd, 2021 at 6:32 am
Joe thinks he smarter than Arians. A freakin Quarterback, at least we have someone concerned about the future of this team. So glad Joes not the GM.