Jaelon Darden Seems Perfect For Bruce Arians, Bucs
May 2nd, 2021
Bucs rookie fourth-round pick, receiver Jaelon Darden.
A lot of folks think of a slot receiver as a guy who may not be a burner, but has sure hands, runs crisp routes and can take punishment catching balls inside.
The posterchild for this was slot receiver Adam Humphries who had a nice little career with the Bucs.
When Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians was introduced to the team two years ago, at the same news conference, AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht said he would do everything in his power to re-sign Humphries, who was about to hit free agency.
Arians, however, didn’t want him. Arians is big on speed at the slot and he moved Chris Godwin there. What happened? Godwin blew up and is one of the better receivers in the game.
If Godwin, who the Bucs kept by franchise-tagging him, leaves next offseason, it seems to Joe that fourth-round draft pick Jaelon Darden has potential to beat out Tyler Johnson to be Godwin’s replacement.
Per the PFF tribe, Darden led the nation last year in touchdown passes from the slot position.
Of course, with Darden’s speed, he could play outside as well. But Darden’s future at slot is something to keep in mind. That, and how Arians told SiriusXM NFL Radio that Darden is “fearless” over the middle.
Jaelon Darden: 16 REC TDs from the slot in 2020 (led college football)
Slot machine š°
pic.twitter.com/KBnaA9CYapā PFF (@PFF) May 1, 2021
Enjoy the latest Ira Kaufman Podcast,Ā presented by Bill Currie Ford.
May 2nd, 2021 at 11:07 am
I hope that he has his head on straight… other than that he has a huge opportunity in his career!
I saw some stats on his drops in college, the other side of the coin is who was throwing him the ball. Brady will deliver him catchable bald.
Very excited about this kid !
May 2nd, 2021 at 11:13 am
Everything Iāve read has Jaelon as a humble extremely hard working kid with a chip on his shoulder because of his size.
I saw in his press conference that he is hyper focused on the mental side of the game because without it he canāt be successful. I like that. Overall a very intriguing pick and I hope his style of play translates to the NFL.
May 2nd, 2021 at 11:14 am
Fearless or not, heās about 30% less body mass than Godwin (donāt quote me on the math)….itās alot to ask of a guy that size to do the stuff an Arians slot guy is supposed to. Seems lazy to project him in the slot where heād be tangling with LBs and DEs on occasion
May 2nd, 2021 at 11:15 am
His future would appear to be on the outside in this offense, unless they have plans to use the slot the way the Patriots did
May 2nd, 2021 at 11:16 am
I thought I remember a story on Arians convincing Larry Fitzgerald to move to more a slot position than outside receiver knowing that Fitzgerald was not fast but could use his superior body positioning skills and strength to be effective in the slot.
May 2nd, 2021 at 11:29 am
One analyst said he can create separation in a phone booth
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May 2nd, 2021 at 11:45 am
Arians used Hines Ward in the slot.
Then when he moved from Pittsburgh to Indy, he moved Reggie Wayne from the outside to the slot.
When he moved to Arizona, he moved Fitzgerald from outside to more slot.
When he moved to Tampa, he took Godwin from more outside to more slot.
Feels like Wayne, Fitzgerald and Godwin have a little more bulk than high end speed to me.
I am ok with whatever these guys do.
May 2nd, 2021 at 11:46 am
Bucs should be favored in every game next year which will be another first
May 2nd, 2021 at 11:48 am
Darden I’d on the right team to be successful. This wouldntvhave been the case a few years ago. He should be able to use his speed to get in the right position to catch the well thrown ball from an accurate passer like TB12 or possibly Trask. Could you imagine Jaymiss throwing the ball to him? He may have actually gotten himself killed trying to catch one of JW’s errant thrown balls in the slot.
This kid should be pumped about his new opportunity.
LFG Bucs!
May 2nd, 2021 at 11:53 am
The good thing is he isnāt a finished product yet but what better room to be in to learn and soak it all up from ME13, CG, AB, scooter and gets some advice from TB12. Deff got a full season to learn. Soak it up young blood
May 2nd, 2021 at 11:59 am
Slow down, Joe. First, Chris Godwin aināt going anywhere. And this guy hasnāt even laced up a cleat yet. Letās just get to rookie camp before we anoint the guy a future starter.
May 2nd, 2021 at 12:08 pm
Hopefully he is the answer to our return game as that is his best chance to make the team and play. If that happens he would be a great change of pace player to have on the bench and the more opportunities he gets the more comfortable he will get playing at this level.
May 2nd, 2021 at 12:09 pm
Arian’s offense will continue to evolve, but I don’t see Johnson and Darden as competing players. They have very different skills and situational applications for making contributions. I think good coaches find a way to use both effectively. They both can win…if they develop.
May 2nd, 2021 at 12:17 pm
Green and gold til the Glazers are out!
May 2nd, 2021 at 12:23 pm
Very good pick Scooters the burner now you add another good route runner to go along with Evans,Godwin,Johnson and maybe a year more of Brown plus he’s probably the second fastest receiver behind Miller.
May 2nd, 2021 at 12:27 pm
All of our draft picks had excellent college stats and have nice talent, but the big question is always ‘How will that translate to the NFL?’ For some (Ryan Leaf anyone?) it doesn’t translate at all. For others (Suh & JPP as examples?) it translated extremely well. Some of that had to do with coaching to be sure, but even more-so I think it’s the individual player’s DESIRE TO BE THE GREATEST AT HIS POSITION that makes all the difference in the end. And yes, Tom Brady is very possibly the greatest example of that BTW.
All 7 of our draft picks are starting off with the same advantages. They were drafted by the Super Bowl champions and will be surrounded and encouraged by the best. They’ll all have excellent coaching from this point on. The rest is up to them. Personally rooting for ALL of them to make it and to make it BIG. Time will tell.
May 2nd, 2021 at 12:41 pm
King C. a bunch of wankers storming the pitch today will do nothing. Now you want to switch back to green and gold? The Glazers should show up in Rowdies jerseys then and really get your knickers ruffled.
May 2nd, 2021 at 12:56 pm
HAHA LATech is hardly the Rams, Saints, Packers, or Seahawks… How about the kid catch a couple punts first before replacing Chris Godwin, Joe?
May 2nd, 2021 at 1:11 pm
Wow
Can i make it to 4 hours moderation?
Sweet
May 2nd, 2021 at 1:17 pm
Hopefully we finally found our kick returner. Also was very productive last year with over 70 catches and 1100 yards…
I hope he can put on a few pounds and stay healthy.
Overall I really liked our entire draft… KJ Britt was a steal in the 5th round as well.
May 2nd, 2021 at 1:34 pm
That’s a good line.
May 2nd, 2021 at 1:37 pm
Calm down. Joe trusts Arians. There are all kinds of receivers who went to smaller schools who are good. Ever hear of Antonio Brown for example? The receiver Arians compared Darden to, Emmanuel Sanders, went to SMU, not exactly a Big Ten or SEC school.
Chris Godwin will be a free agent next offseason. Not saying anyone will “replace” him but if Godwin (for whatever reason) wants to play elsewhere, it is out of the Bucs’ hands unless they pay out through their arses and noses.
Never knew it was a sin in the NFL to cover yourself in case you lose players in free agency.
May 2nd, 2021 at 1:44 pm
I just thought he was special teams guy if he can help the return game that’s a win his elusiveness looks good
May 2nd, 2021 at 1:48 pm
Best receiver of all time, Jerry Rice went to a small school. Mississippi Valley State.
May 2nd, 2021 at 1:48 pm
Darden will be an impact player for the Bucs, both on ST and as a gadget type player they can rotate in and out of the game.
May 2nd, 2021 at 1:51 pm
King C, this is an American football site and the Glazers are the cheese right now. Off you go.
May 2nd, 2021 at 2:15 pm
Gonna make his mark this season as a return man and the occasional gadget play. Should be fun watching him on those quick WR screens. I donāt worry about the size, seems like he is shifty enough to avoid the big hits. Man it would nice to have a true threat in the return game. Nothing, except for a defensive score, changes the momentum of games like a big kick/punt return.
May 2nd, 2021 at 2:25 pm
Woah, pump the brakes on Darden replacing Godwin. LOL. The dude is tiny. Tyler Johnson is more of a Godwin clone.
May 2nd, 2021 at 2:27 pm
Speed is great, but as Cheetah found out, double coverage and physicality can derail speed.
This isn’t some small town college team Darden’s going to be playing against on Sundays. I could see him and Scotty being clones of each other more than anything else.
May 2nd, 2021 at 2:33 pm
Darden is no Godwin but he does bring a new dimension to this offense. He can turn those quick screens and end arounds into big gains plus he’s so quick he’s virtually uncoverable 1-on-1 in the red zone.
May 2nd, 2021 at 2:58 pm
Bucs need a decent kick/punt returner. JL went and picked Darden even though Bucs were the last team to choose in each round. How sweet that is! š Sure beats finishing last in the division and the league. Now, has Licht signed his UDFAs yet? He has a true 6th sense there.
May 2nd, 2021 at 3:10 pm
People must not watch our offense much to think Darden is going to play early down slot receiver. That is a blocking position in BA offense. Look who heās put there through the years and who he plays most for us. Iām sure if Darden is a player, theyāll find a role for him though.
May 2nd, 2021 at 3:45 pm
“Slow feet dont eat” (Jaelon quote)
Im glad we got a burner for KR/PR….and dude can break ankles, Im loving this pick!!
Thumbs up Mr. Licht, you found a sleeper.
May 2nd, 2021 at 4:04 pm
I think this guy is more a PR/KR guy who can be the 6th WR, and provide some injury/AB suspension insurance as such in 2021. What he is for whom is anyoneās guess (and simply just that) in 2022 and beyond.
Brady was excited over this guy though, thatās probably the only opinion I care about.
May 2nd, 2021 at 4:35 pm
There is speed and then there is quickness…..Scotty Miller has a 40 time faster than Darden.
Miller 4.36…..Darden 4.40
But all you have to do is watch the tape to know that Darden is much quicker & more elusive than Miller.
I will love seeing Darden on screens & end-arounds.
May 2nd, 2021 at 4:43 pm
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May 2nd, 2021 at 5:14 pm
Top-end speed rarely translates into a dominating WR in the NFL with Tyreek Hill being the exception.
John Ross had a ton of hype after running the fastest time at the combine his year with an insane 4.22. Ross has had some injury issues so how his career turns out is still unknown, but he certainly didn’t ‘dominate’ NFL Defenses.
What’s more important than speed is SEPARATION QUICKNESS and SHIFTY AFTER-THE-CATCH running. Darden possesses BOTH.
Darden has that top-end speed but he’s also very elusive (like Tyreek) and that’s what makes him so dangerous.
The big question is whether his small size will be an issue in the NFL.
May 2nd, 2021 at 5:20 pm
As others have said, at his size, I think he’d be used more on the outside a la Scotty Miller, as well as on slants (maybe from the slot).
Sounds like they are really hoping he’ll be a return man though. He okay at it in college, so it will be interesting to see if he can get better in the NFL.
May 2nd, 2021 at 5:20 pm
*He was okay at it in college,
May 2nd, 2021 at 5:27 pm
first things first, let us get this kid returning kicks and punts and see how that goes any blowout games let him and Trask play, we need to rest our starters much more than we did last year.
May 2nd, 2021 at 5:57 pm
@SK Bucs fan – still dreaming of an errant JW pass to the slot, the errant JW got his slot Adam Humphries paid and Chris Godwin had his best year in the slot with JW throwing to him the ball. But that is old news, the GOAT is in Tampa, receivers stats are Down but the wins are up, thatās what matters
May 2nd, 2021 at 5:57 pm
Somebody mentioned size and (30% body mass than Godwin. But take a look at the size of TB12′ slot receivers for 20 years in NE…and all were very, very successful. And with the 6’5″ WRs, TB12 has been just as successful (eg Moss). Note: TB12 didn’t have many over-the-top WRs in NE…one of the reasons he was so excited about working with AB. When TB12 worked with good WRs- that were truly up for getting better every game -their careers trended upward…Deon Branch comes to mind. Edelman was a QB, and came into the NE franchise by working special teams. So, ask yourself this question: Why was a guy like Edelman so successful? Yup, that’s what ya gotta do. Just sayin…
May 2nd, 2021 at 6:09 pm
With how crowded the wr room is, I feel it is safe to say this guy will get very little production for years to come.
May 2nd, 2021 at 6:12 pm
Defense Rules,
It would really be something if all seven of our picks make the roster and actually contribute something of worth for our next Super Bowl run. Even better if they are all here next year also.
This was our “We really don’t know how to act!” draft after so many years of picking at the other end of the rounds.
First looks say it could be a solid draft. Time will tell indeed.
May 2nd, 2021 at 6:54 pm
IMO barring injury or some fantastic showing from UDFAs…all 7 should make the roster….here’s why.
Tryon, Trask & Hainsey are a given…..depth & backups.
The other 4 were drafted (IMO) to replace specific players.
Darden/Mickens
Britt/Cichy
Wilcox/Ryan Smith
Stuard/Andrew Adams
Adams/Cichy & Smith are gone & Mickens $920K is not guaranteed
May 2nd, 2021 at 7:05 pm
Man, Joe. Are you seriously that dense? Arians likes big slots. Always. Godwin, Fitzgerald, Ward. These dudes better be tough and able to block a LB. Darden? Seriously? Where have you been the last two seasons? If Darden is to play offense he would be the 3rd WR… the outside guy. Perriman, Miller, Brown… please pay attention.
May 2nd, 2021 at 7:08 pm
Tampabaybucfan
Stuard was drafted as a LB, not safety.
Also, to the others.. Darden ran 4.46. He’s more quick than fast. Not a sprinter.
May 2nd, 2021 at 7:50 pm
I realize he’s a LB….but he has played some Safety…& depth & ST pieces don’t always get matched by position.
May 2nd, 2021 at 8:11 pm
Checked into Stuard’s background….he played Safety in HS…..and at Houston until his Senior year……then moved to LB…
His speed compares to Adams 4.54…..Stuard has run a 4.52….
He very well could be looked at as a possible Safety…..(a big one)
But, we will see.
May 2nd, 2021 at 8:50 pm
Trading up for Darden was our all-in move. It was a bold move to ensure we got a return specialist.
I do actually like this as a longterm move as well if he can become a quality reciever. It keeps a position of strength strong and gives us better flexibility in future drafts(if he pans out).
Right now this pick looks like it has the best chance to give us a bigtime impact in 2021. Exciting stuff!!
GO BUCS!!!!
May 2nd, 2021 at 8:55 pm
Tbbf Usually I dont think it means much when a guy played other positions in HS but when you factor in his speed you might be onto something…….Plus we have Bowles whose not affraid to move guys around and even create positions for guys like the moneybacker position.
But Id guess it mught be a while before we see Stuard taking live snaps. Hes probably way far behind in developement as a 7th rounder.
May 2nd, 2021 at 9:02 pm
Joe:
You do know Arians wants large receivers at the slot that are able to block linebackers and even sometimes defensive linemen?
I am a big fan of the pick, but if the Bucs put him in the slot to block an NFL defensive lineman on a run play we may never get to see Jaelon Darden again.
May 2nd, 2021 at 9:23 pm
Ocala.. Darden will never be asked to block a linebacker as part of a designed play
May 2nd, 2021 at 9:50 pm
I would expect Darden to not even line up as a reciever til he first prooves himself as a returner. Let him focus on that. We got plenty enough good WRs here that can hold down the fort. And I dont expect Scotty to forget how to run a go route. It kinda puts us into a great situation where we can bring guys up slowly…….Unlike most NFL teams that rely on rookies to step in and contribute Day 1
May 2nd, 2021 at 9:51 pm
Jaquez Green anyone??? LOL, JK…… OR AM I?????
Love the guy though. I am rooting hard for him!!!
May 2nd, 2021 at 10:25 pm
Godwin takes the big hits and keeps on ticking. I love Godwin play.. Darden won’t last long playing slot. Use him the way the Chiefs use their small quick receivers. Lots of motion, screens, quick outs, crossing routes, etc. Classic slot routes thru the middle that Godwin runs will get the kid killed. Scotty has straight line speed to blow by defenders on deep routes. Darden will be a shifty darting change of direction with instant acceleration type receiver.. More of a jitterbug like several of the Chiefs receivers. Miss a tackle on Darden and its off to the races. End around plays would suit him too.
May 2nd, 2021 at 11:13 pm
I want to see him take a screen that normally goes to Scotty. I have a feeling that is gonna be AMAZING to see!!!
May 2nd, 2021 at 11:15 pm
With Gronk CG and ME blocking…. Oh and let Stuart play FB for that play!!!
May 2nd, 2021 at 11:25 pm
I heard Darden can even handle a few throws. Former QB. Darden to Scotty, running free, sounds fun.
May 2nd, 2021 at 11:30 pm
JimmyJack with the FANTASY of the DAY!!!
May 2nd, 2021 at 11:56 pm
IT WOULD BE FUN IF…… The Fans got to call a play a game…. The Team would decide when to run it….. I want to see Darden to Scotty…..