Day 3 Winner
May 4th, 2021
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
There are winners and losers in the draft over the weekend and we likely won’t know who those are for three or four years.
Of course, one could argue anyone drafted by Houston has one foot stuck in “loser” status already, especially if the poor sap is a defensive player; his career will be predicated on being coached up by lousy Lovie Smith.
So in sifting through the third day of the draft, Jared Dublin of CBS Sports really likes how Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht handled it So Dublin christened the Bucs as a “Winner” on Day 3.
Winner: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The defending champs did not enter the draft with many real needs, which allowed them to do things like drafting a pass rusher on Thursday who can develop behind Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaq Barrett, and a quarterback on Friday who can develop behind Tom Brady. On Saturday, they used some of their draft capital to move up and land Jaelon Darden, who really should not have lasted until the fourth round. Darden caught 31 touchdown passes during his final two seasons at North Texas, including 19 this past year. Bruce Arians said Darden reminds him of Emmanuel Sanders and John Brown — both of whom he coached — and if they get anything close to that type of production out of Darden down the line, he’ll end up being a huge steal.
Joe is eager to see this Darden go catch passes. To Joe, he looks a whole lot like DeSean Jackson. Only difference is, Joe’s seen highlights of Darden laying out for passes. That’s a far cry from Jackson in Tampa, who if he didn’t think he had a clean shot at pass, just pulled up and quit his route.
Wouldn’t want to strain a hamstring, ya’ know?
Man, just think how absolutely loaded this receiving corps could be if Darden pans out like Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians thinks. An embarrassment of riches.
May 4th, 2021 at 12:06 am
Jaelon is my fave so far….like Tryon too
May 4th, 2021 at 12:32 am
I like all the picks A÷
May 4th, 2021 at 12:50 am
How can Chris “Honey Hands” Wilcox not be everyone’s favorite with a nickname like that?
May 4th, 2021 at 1:11 am
I really like what we did in the draft. I hope this kid helps us I. Punt and kick returns. Also hoping our later rd picks will help out STs play. Our kicking games is good but coverage on STs needs to be a lot better. Prob our only weakness.
May 4th, 2021 at 1:17 am
Watch Darden and Toney highlights back to back.
Trask is going to love throwing to Darden for years to come.
And IF OJ continues to flash like he was starting to last year. OJ is every bit as good as Pitts.
So Trask is the benefactor of this pick as much if not more than Brady. All we need Trask to do is get with Darden and put in the work.
With our D being so young and experienced. A dynamic DUO appears to be on the come on the other side of the Ball. AND I really do think ROJO and KV are our backfield for the foreseeable future if Fornette decides to move on.
May 4th, 2021 at 1:44 am
Darden may be a replacement for Scotty when his contract ends. He might be asking for $6-7 million. That might be a bit much if we resign Godwin.
May 4th, 2021 at 4:22 am
Isn’t funny that only a few years ago everyone wanted Jason Licht out of Tampa age the 2016 draft. The only year they tried fitting needs into a place they weren’t ready for. Jason better be the GM of the Year. Go Bucs
May 4th, 2021 at 6:51 am
This may sound crazy but have Jaelon shadow AB in practice
Jaelon faster (obviously)
But similar in that smaller builds
Both have crazy quicks and can cut on a dime so jaelon can work on routes
Both spent time in slot and outside
Antonio got his shot as a rookie (since drafted later) as a punt returner to get on the field
And once they leave the practice field jaelon is not allowed within 50 feet of AB
😂
May 4th, 2021 at 7:00 am
Darden is a whole lot shifter than DeSean Jackson. He may not have the top end speed like DeSean but he seems quicker off the line and out of his cuts. I compare Darden to a smaller version of Tyreek Hill (Cheetah).
May 4th, 2021 at 7:52 am
Licht has done a great job drafting receivers in the later rounds…..Godwin 3rd, Darden 4th, Johnson 5th & Miller 6th
But my favorite is “tackles like a rattlesnake” Grant Stuard
May 4th, 2021 at 8:13 am
Grant Stuard will have a cadre of fans wearing wild hair wigs to games…
May 4th, 2021 at 8:17 am
Cobra
I could see that if he makes team and actually plays on sundays
Special teams of course
I could see shirts too “ big hair, dont care “
😂
May 4th, 2021 at 10:15 am
my favorite pick was the OL outta Notre Dame…
kid can play all 3 spots on the OL…
GO BUCS!!!!
May 4th, 2021 at 11:33 am
The Bucs know WR’s and O-Line. I knew they would take a flyer on both at some point in this draft, even though they are pretty well set. I like Darden’s shiftiness and can see him being a big impact player for the Bucs.
May 4th, 2021 at 12:39 pm
For the most part i liked what the Bucs did in the draft. Now to nitpick a little. Not crazy about Trask over Mills. But we’ll see.
May 5th, 2021 at 1:11 pm
Darden was brought in because of punt/kick returns.
Tampa Bay needs a kick return specialist.
Hope he becomes a great addition to the team.
May 5th, 2021 at 1:14 pm
Like Kiel Trask pick also.