Diving Into The Trenches
April 29th, 2022
Tackle target?
One guy JoeBucsFan.com draft guru Sean Sullivan has talked about a lot remains available for the Bucs when the draft re-opens again for Rounds 2 and 3 tonight at 7 p.m.
And he wasn’t on the list of potential targets Joe typed up in the wee hours last night.
Joe is referring to beastly Travis Jones out of the University of Connecticut. He stands 6-4, 325 pounds with only 13 percent body fat — think about that! — and became his team’s defensive leader with 48 tackles and 4 1/2 sacks amidst constant double- and triple-teams.
One of Joe’s favorite film gurus, Lance Zierlein (son of renowned offensive line coach Larry Zierlein, who worked for Bucco Bruce Arians in Pittsburgh and Arizona) fired off a Round 2 mock draft today and named Jones as the Buccaneers’ opening pick when the bell rings with the No. 33 overall pick. The Bucs got that choice in their trade-down with Jacksonville.
Despite playing a full 17-game season, Ndamukong Suh took the least amount of snaps in his storied career in 2021, more than 10 percent less than he played in 2020. At 35 years old, the clock is ticking on Suh, who remains a free agent.
The word on Jones is that he has the raw pass rush ability. Joe’s first choice isn’t defensive tackle at No. 33, as the Bucs should be able to get a good one later in the round. However, Joe will always stand and applaud drafting an interior monster.
General manager Jason Licht has Joe’s trust here.
April 29th, 2022 at 2:32 pm
Big Ugly.
Yes, please, if not this guy, another equally as ugly.
April 29th, 2022 at 2:33 pm
He sounds great. Just what we need. But I wonder if Licht will trade down again?
April 29th, 2022 at 2:35 pm
I like Jones, but I like Logan Hall (Houston) and DeMarvin Leal (Texas A&M) better for DT’s and they both seem like they can rush the passer better. However Jones looks like he’s got more bull rush. And the thought of Jones next to Vea (35 snaps a game at least) sounds pretty imposing.
April 29th, 2022 at 2:37 pm
I would love to get Travis Jones (along w/ the extra picks…which are in reality almost a round before the actual round picks traded)
April 29th, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Im all for it….we missed on Wyatt….so whose the BPA…as long as its not QB, we’re sitting pretty.
April 29th, 2022 at 2:40 pm
If we can somehow get Dean and Jones, I’d be stoked. I don’t see how that happens though-
April 29th, 2022 at 2:40 pm
Yeah, Logan Hall is a beast….raw but can be worked on….very tall and long which is what you want.
April 29th, 2022 at 2:42 pm
travis Jones 🙂
April 29th, 2022 at 2:45 pm
Him next to Vita would be dangerous. It is hard to double team two DL so this would really help free up our pass rushers and ILBs
April 29th, 2022 at 2:48 pm
Whoever gets this man is going to have a great player for a long time. If he was playing for georgia or alabama he’d be a top 20 pick.
April 29th, 2022 at 2:49 pm
we need to trade down a small handful of spots again
April 29th, 2022 at 2:49 pm
Chris Simms, who I think does a good job with scouting guys and giving his opinion, really liked Jones.
Personally I don’t see it, not in the limited ‘highlights’ I’ve watched. His ‘highlights’ are just offensive lineman mixing up protection, otherwise he’s most just standing there. He doesn’t get pushed, but also doesn’t create much push.
According to Simms, dopes like me that watch his film and aren’t impressed, don’t understand the defense being ran, and that fact he’s supposed to just take up space. Simms seemed like he thought the scheme pretty much wasted Jones talents.
Still, not sure I buy it. He have a 2-down run stuffing DT already in Vita, we don’t need another one.
April 29th, 2022 at 2:49 pm
Mentioned this in my past post…..Chances are high Bucs draft UConn Travis Jones. He is going to be a monster next to Vita Vea. Both are man-beast. You almost have to double team both of them.
I like Logan Hall, but Travis Jones has the beef. While Jones is raw in the pass rush, Jones and Vita will collapse the pocket and force the QB to the outside.
April 29th, 2022 at 2:54 pm
Pass rush > run stopper
April 29th, 2022 at 2:55 pm
@Rod Pretty much my thoughts exactly, but I’m just some uneducated guy, so who knows.
April 29th, 2022 at 2:57 pm
Rod Munch: watch his highlights from the senior bowl and tell me he just stands there. lol
April 29th, 2022 at 3:04 pm
I’d like to see us get a beastly d lineman. I’d also like to see the new beast on the field with Vea AND Suh once in awhile. With White blitzing.
April 29th, 2022 at 3:10 pm
Posey99 – OK, I did just that, and that was a lot more impressive than his game footage. He destroyed the offensive lineman that the Pats took in the 1st, just killed him. This one-on-one tape, at least the highlights are impressive.
Then they go into the full 11-on-11 practice snaps and he sort of just eats up space.
I’m still not really sold on him, but at least his 1-on-1 tape looks good if we play the Patriots.
April 29th, 2022 at 3:14 pm
Yes! Grab Jones. He’d be a bad ass on his own, but paired with VV we could have a pretty damn fearsome interior line, maybe even more so than with Suh in there. As Joe points out, because of his age, Suh’s snap count was fading. The two young guns could really get after it and open up the edges for our LBs.
April 29th, 2022 at 3:14 pm
I still remember my first week at Yale….
Me: “Hey, who do we play football against this weekend?”
Friend: “We’re playing UConn”
Me: “Yukon? Why the hell are we playing a Canadian team?”
April 29th, 2022 at 3:17 pm
I hope this is our pick. No doubt.
April 29th, 2022 at 3:21 pm
Think Logan Hall is more of what they’re looking for in terms of pass rush… But Jones and Vea lined up next to each other wouldn’t look bad.
April 29th, 2022 at 3:22 pm
I would put Jones before L. Hall.
I also like the CB Booth out of Clemson.
TE Trey McCride with our 2nd pick in rnd2?
April 29th, 2022 at 3:31 pm
Zero issues with this pick! Plus, I still think Suh comes back on a smaller deal.
April 29th, 2022 at 3:34 pm
I love all the uneducated Bucs fans that claim Vita Vita is just a run stopper. Munch has made this claim many times before.
He’s not just a run stopper, he’s a pocket collapser. There’s a difference.
April 29th, 2022 at 3:35 pm
Rod, I agree he’s not a perfect prospect but it is nice to see him destroy 1 on 1 top talent. He has some Aaron Donald type nastiness though and I love that.
April 29th, 2022 at 3:37 pm
The more a read about all the possibilities the more I think a move a few more spots could work out well. However if we stay put I’m happy with one of the DTS or corners left. A fee names in there I quite like that could come off boards soon
April 29th, 2022 at 3:38 pm
I will be the outlier and wonder if Nakobe Dean from UGA makes sense with this first pick tonight.
I don’t see Lavonte playing another season after this.
Dean was arguably the best defensive player for UGA last season. Not a Dawg fan, but I live here so I saw it all last season.
Saw this, not a terrible take-
“You know who he is? He’s (former Falcons Pro Bowl LB) Jessie Tuggle. Same size and quickness and talent to go get the ball.” — Executive for NFC team
I keep hearing we need to load up for Tom, but we retained all of the WR’s (I know CG out for a while), I believe Gronk will return, we kept the 3 RB’s we should have. Picked up a statistically better version of Marpet, have an opportunity at RG., Stennie doesn’t suck.
Maybe pick up a TE in the end of round 2, depth the rest of the way.
Dean is an on field missle, and our offense didn’t blow the playoff game for us against the Rams.
Pistol
April 29th, 2022 at 3:39 pm
13% BODY FAT = MAYBE WHEN HE WAS 8/yo
Does anyone ever think to research these wild draft claims?
Watch his senior bowl highlights. Chunkers has a HUGE gut which is counterbalanced by his fat ass.
After you watch TJ’s tape, compare it Logan Hall’s highlights. I’ll save you the trouble. There’s no comparison. Logan Hall is a monster.
April 29th, 2022 at 3:39 pm
SPACE EATER! Imagine being the guards & center being tasked w/keeping Vea & Jones from annihilating the A-gaps play after play. Imagine trying to pull a G and leaving back side of the play open to one of these XXL human beings from violating your backfield, LMAO imagine the RB thinking he’s got a cut back lane then POW! Smelling & Epsom salt at the least, might have to bring the medical tent on the field of play.
April 29th, 2022 at 3:40 pm
I think Jones is more NT than DE. I see the need, but I’m not convinced Jones is a fit.
April 29th, 2022 at 3:41 pm
13 percent body fat gives me Aaron Donald vibes
April 29th, 2022 at 3:43 pm
Nobody else has mentioned him, but check out Demarvin Leal. We could maybe get him with the 3rd rounder, which *could free us up to get Booth/Dean at #33 and maybe Dulcich at #60. Leal plays inside and the edge.
April 29th, 2022 at 3:54 pm
Trade down a few spots to a qb needy team. Pick up a few more picks
April 29th, 2022 at 3:59 pm
I can’t imagine how I will be unhappy with this draft and for the first time ever I know little about any other than a few.
I would like to see a TE in the mix.
April 29th, 2022 at 4:01 pm
“Watch his senior bowl highlights. Chunkers has a HUGE gut which is counterbalanced by his fat ass.”
Did you type that from your couch? Jk you’d think Hall would be a lot of faster than him if that was the case
April 29th, 2022 at 4:03 pm
If seattle wants to trade up from 40 to 33 he maybe still be available.
April 29th, 2022 at 4:04 pm
In the next 100 picks, Bucs have FIVE (2nd Rnd – #33, #60, 3rd Rnd – #91. 4th Rnd – #106, #133). Excellent chance that all 5 could become key rotational players this year, but that none may end up starting.
Positions where key rotational players could help? DT, Edge, ILB, CB, TE. Could probably throw in Safety, RB & WR also, but those first 5 positions would be my preference in priorities.
LOTS of talent still available in all those positions. Just a matter of finding the best fits when our time comes to pick. Here’s where JL earns his money.
April 29th, 2022 at 4:06 pm
I think it might be Logan Hall.
April 29th, 2022 at 4:07 pm
Travis Jones would be a very solid, and IMO far less risky pick, than Logan Hall.
The quickest way to the QB is right up the middle, and a tandem of Vea/Jones collapsing the pocket backwards forces the QB right into our edge rushers.
April 29th, 2022 at 4:08 pm
I hope the Bucs have been chatting with Malik Willis this afternoon 😎
and JL’s receptionist is telling the Seahawks he’ll return your call in a few minutes.😊
April 29th, 2022 at 4:10 pm
I’d rather have a 3-4 end type as opposed to a nose. I’m good with vita and nacho. If it was later in the draft sure but not at 2nd round
April 29th, 2022 at 4:27 pm
^Yeah, someones trading up for a QB….we better jump on it and tell them it costs everything you have left LOL!
April 29th, 2022 at 4:36 pm
Trade back and then trade up. If we can get 3 picks in the 2nd we will get some very good players.
April 29th, 2022 at 4:37 pm
As I predicted, Licht is getting phone calls about the #33rd pick.
That’s the strategic value of having the very first pick on Day 2, and having the very first pick on Day 3. GMs who are infatuated with an undrafted player will offer value on both days.
April 29th, 2022 at 4:39 pm
Bernhard Raimann
April 29th, 2022 at 4:41 pm
Trade down 5 or so for a third…..George Pickens/Jones/Logan Hall or Ebiketie, we’ll have another 2nd and two 3rds
Alontae Taylor
Brian Robinson Jr
Ed Ingram
Matt Araiza
D’Marco Jackson
the football Gods are smiling on us 😀
April 29th, 2022 at 4:44 pm
Maybe Licht has an eye on a player to pick first that is off most teams radar allowing him to trade down and collect more picks. Or a major trade .
April 29th, 2022 at 4:45 pm
Why not both? I can easily see the Bucs coming away with two DT’s in this draft.
April 29th, 2022 at 4:46 pm
i’m getting itchy for a draft pick already…!!
#LFG
April 29th, 2022 at 4:53 pm
Really hoping for Brooks. After reading on here and film, really think he’d be awesome for us. Then DT
April 29th, 2022 at 4:56 pm
@ MadMax
“Trade down 5 or so for a third…..George Pickens/Jones/Logan Hall or Ebiketie, we’ll have another 2nd and two 3rds”
That would be nice. But we only got a 4th and a 6th for trading out of the first round 5 picks.
I doubt we would pick up a 3rd for moving back 5 spots in the 2nd.
We would be lucky to get another 4th rounder for 5 spots…
April 29th, 2022 at 5:00 pm
Sam Williams DE Ole Miss.
April 29th, 2022 at 5:05 pm
BradyBucs – it’s true, I do call him a 2-down run stuffer, you know since he only plays about 45% of snaps, mostly on 1st and 2nd down. However as a run stuffer you’d think he’d have a signature 3rd and goal or 4th and 1 stop, and he doesn’t (not that I remember, I’m certainly open to being wrong there).
Vita has excellent highlights, if that’s all you watch, he looks all-world. But from play to play, he can disappear a lot if the other team isn’t running, and if the other team has a long drive he’s always being pulled near the goalline, which is when you need him most.
I really do like Vita, I think he’s a good player – but I’m not onboard with him being a great player. Great players need to play more than 44% of defensive snaps. I still contend if Vita got down to around 320-325lbs, that’s when he’d become a truly all-around monster (I don’t buy he’s 350lbs, I’m guessing he’s more like 370lbs). I don’t think losing the weight would hurt him in the run game at all and he’d be a lot more effective in the pass game, and could play more snaps.
April 29th, 2022 at 5:05 pm
@ DR
I agree. We are looking for helpful cogs in the wheel.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bucs move down a few picks again with pick #33.
Plenty of solid LBs, DBs, TEs, IDLs and RBs in the middle rounds.
April 29th, 2022 at 5:09 pm
This is who I’ve felt they’ve been targeting all along. I wouldn’t be mad at it. The dude has put in the work and transformed himself into a beast. Some of his combine numbers and Senior Bowl stuff are just mind numbing create your own player in Madden vibes.
April 29th, 2022 at 5:10 pm
For what it’s worth, listening to various podcasts, the Pick Six podcast, which is a fun listen – Betting markets are saying that Willis is going to be picked at #34, although they don’t know what team, but likely Seattle. It’s like -250 money that Willis is picked at #34, that is pretty remarkable, almost insider level type of information since it means someone is trading to #34, and it also means the Bucs are not moving from #33.
At #33 the betting markets have the Bucs likely taking Logan Hall.
The scouting on Hall is all over the place. Some places talk about him as a 1st rounder, while others have him as a developmental type of player and a 3rd round talent. I watched the limited highlight films available and wasn’t impressed – but you shouldn’t make decisions off highlight films since, for all we know, the idiot making the highlight film is an idiot.
April 29th, 2022 at 5:16 pm
Logan Hall is very disruptive. I can see him lined up along side Vea. As far the O-line, hope Jason can draft Faalele. Biggest player in the draft.
April 29th, 2022 at 5:19 pm
@Marine, trust me, they want that pick….its gonna cost them a 3rd or we’re using it.
April 29th, 2022 at 5:21 pm
Their 2nd and 3rd….excuse me.
April 29th, 2022 at 5:23 pm
Rod … Interesting; I think we’ll stick at #33. I think they’ll go with the beef from UConn though (Travis Jones) as opposed to Hall (at 6’6″ & 278 lbs I think he’s more of a DE as opposed to DT; so does Walter Football). No doubt we could definitely use someone like that, but the priority right now is inside IMO.
Of course, with several potentially great ILBs & CBs left, Bucs MAY decide to go that way. I’m thinking though that Todd Bowles loves him some run-stuffers & pass rushers, even before the ILBs & CBs. You never know though …
April 29th, 2022 at 5:24 pm
Keep it mind there’s a good chance Suh is gone and Hall isn’t going to replace Suh. Stopping the Run is priority number 1 for the Team.
April 29th, 2022 at 5:24 pm
If it’s hall that’s two Uh guys on the squad—
April 29th, 2022 at 5:26 pm
Supposedly Seattle is trying to move up to 33 & probably draft Willis. Bucs should consider it because if they are gonna Hall there’s a chance he’d be there in there 40s also. They could get some extra picks again if they trade down some more.
April 29th, 2022 at 5:28 pm
Marine Buc … ‘Helpful cogs’? Let’s see, we have the Gravediggers on the back end and the Helpful Cogs up-front? All that’s left is to nickname our ILBs & OLBs the ‘Tweeners’ and we’d surely strike fear in the hearts of our opponents before every kick-off.
April 29th, 2022 at 5:30 pm
Still bummed we didnt trade up when that Fl State guy dropped.
Dont know if he will be any good or not. Its just very exciting when your team likes a guy enough to trade up. Last time we did that in the first it was 100% the right move.
If you can take Licht on face value he got what he wanted with the trade because he had said this depth of this draft is where the value is…….Might have to pay close attention. The Bucs might be trading up in these middle rounds. We done wuite well trading up on day 2 as well. Marpet and Cappa come to mind.
April 29th, 2022 at 5:30 pm
I’ve left messages but have not received any call backs from Jason …
April 29th, 2022 at 5:31 pm
Tight end Greg Dulcich would be good pick with #60.
April 29th, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Brady needs to float retiring again. Drive that #33 trade value up!
April 29th, 2022 at 5:36 pm
Said y’all wanted Andrew booth jr had a chance to get him whoever looks like us saints got two good picks so far can’t wait for the season
April 29th, 2022 at 5:57 pm
I don’t think the siren is sounding loud enough about the current state of our defense. I love what the Packers did yesterday. They’re fortifying their defense so Rodgers doesn’t have to carry the entire load. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want our team completely resting on the arm of a 45year old QB, and I guarantee to you Brady doesn’t want it either. He knows the importance of having a good defense. We need an infusion of talent, especially with the interior DL. We need an interior pass rusher! Not to mention, another good corner.
April 29th, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Who’s for drafting a kicker in the 2nd round again? Brilliant.
April 29th, 2022 at 6:07 pm
@ DungyDance
lol…
Not only did we draft a worthless kicker in the 2nd round. We traded away a 3rd round pick in order to move up to draft that worthless kicker.
That’s a double nut shot buddy.
Ouch!
April 29th, 2022 at 6:11 pm
@ MadMax
I hope your right.
Maybe if a QB lacking team is desperate we could get more than a 4th.
But I highly doubt it.
April 29th, 2022 at 6:14 pm
I think the key to getting a good extra picks is what are other teams thinking the ViQueens are planning on doing with the 34th pick. Are they planning on rolling with Kirk Cousins for the next 3-4 years or do they get Malik Willis and develop him over the next year or so. The queens do have a new offensive minded head coach who is not “married” to Cousins.
So Seattle or whatever team wants Willis, you better GO BIG or GO HOME!
April 29th, 2022 at 6:20 pm
I wonder if we will see the Bucs trade a draft pick for a player…
There have been two WRs traded fir picks in this draft already.
Could we see the Bucs trade pick #91 for Kadarious Toney?
I would be fine with that use of a 3rd rnd pick.
April 29th, 2022 at 6:20 pm
Bucs need to replace JPP’s old productivity. Logan Hall is a much better pass rusher than Jones. “Stopping the run” didn’t help the Bucs as much as one would think. Teams were able to consistently beat the Buc defense with quick passes.
Hall has good length and getting those hands up will help vs the quick passes. Also has good strength.
Is it really that important to have another strong interior lineman who is great vs the run when all the teams are passing vs the Bucs?
April 29th, 2022 at 6:27 pm
“Bucs need to replace JPP’s old productivity.“ they drafted a 1st rounder last year for this reason.
April 29th, 2022 at 6:28 pm
It wouldn’t surprise me if the NFL “brain trust” have asked to hold off on announcing trades until during the draft – in order to boost the level of “excitement” and “action”.
I mean – have you ever seen a more “lively” first round than last nights?
There were a ton of trades for both picks and players. I expect a trade or two but this year has been different…
Anyone else notice this?
April 29th, 2022 at 6:28 pm
I sure hope Licht isn’t considering Travis Jones.
Travis Jones is an NT who can also fit a 4-3 defensive front as a DT. That’s not what we want. We want a DT who can fit as a DE in a 3-4 defensive front.
April 29th, 2022 at 6:31 pm
“Anyone else notice this?”
Absolutely. Most exciting 1st round in years imo
April 29th, 2022 at 6:32 pm
About a 5% chance we pick at 33. My guess is we fleece Carolina so they can grab Willis!
April 29th, 2022 at 6:33 pm
Why would that comment go in the corner?
April 29th, 2022 at 6:34 pm
@Ed I totally agree. Why run on us when you can throw it all over the field. That’s called attacking a defense weakness. I sure hope I’ll offense learns to do the same next season
April 29th, 2022 at 6:35 pm
We won’t have to wait all night to see who the Bucs pick….then nothing.
April 29th, 2022 at 6:37 pm
If we trade down we won’t get much on its own but if we give one of our 4ths say the early 1, then we will get maybe get an 3rd.
Of we do enough moving back there is a scenario we get Hall McBride and Winfrey
April 29th, 2022 at 6:37 pm
“We want a DT who can fit as a DE in a 3-4 defensive front.“
We have a lot of good options in front of us. We would need to replace Mclendon and Suh, both are old and the productivity is what it used to be. Don’t forget we resigned Willy G this off-season too. If we don’t sign Suh, who plays for vita vea when he’s on the sidelines?
April 29th, 2022 at 6:38 pm
Dont know these players too well but I have liked what I heard from Winfrey. Wouldnt mind if he is the pick.
April 29th, 2022 at 6:40 pm
Come on Seattle, you can almost taste Malik Willis.
For the small price of the 40th and 72nd picks in the draft, you can have him. Call now and we’ll throw in the first pick of the 6th round. Operators standing by.
April 29th, 2022 at 6:43 pm
Feel our biggest need is on defensive line where we don’t know Suh’s status and his snaps have decline for 3 straight years. We have no depth and we can count on some sort of Vea injury costing him time.
Our 2md biggest need is TE and Corner where after this year we will have only 1 of each on contract.
I think of we can get McBride and either Jones or Winfrey and a corner with our 3 next picks especially if we trade down a bit then we are golden.
April 29th, 2022 at 6:47 pm
demarvin leal texas am please
April 29th, 2022 at 6:54 pm
Logan Hall or Travis Jones. Both better options than Wyatt.
April 29th, 2022 at 6:56 pm
draft sec playets l jason not university houston or u conn
April 29th, 2022 at 6:56 pm
If it were up to me, I’d trade back again!
And add about 6-8 players in the next few rounds, and allow them to sponge up one more season with the GOAT. Empower Tom to give feedback on players, and allow him to be the best possible example of professional success that these rookies would ever see.
April 29th, 2022 at 6:57 pm
@ Posey99
There was like 7-8 trades in just one round. Two trades involved WRs and one announced a they already had a contract immediately after.
This tells me it was already a done deal way before the draft even started.
April 29th, 2022 at 6:57 pm
I’m good with that. He needs some coaching, but he has great potential.
April 29th, 2022 at 7:01 pm
If Seattle wanted the Bucs pick, to me, it’s an easy deal.
Seattle gives up picks #40, #41, and the Bucs send #33 and #60.
On the old trade chart, it favors the Bucs a bit, but not by that much.
I guess we’ll find out in a few minutes, but I’m going with the market and having the Bucs stay at the pick – and if it is Hall, they were going to take him in the 1st anyways, so at least they got a bit more value.
April 29th, 2022 at 7:17 pm
backup or bust
April 29th, 2022 at 7:22 pm
Tell you what Logan hall was a good one