Former GM: Bucs Have Work To Do In Draft
April 1st, 2023
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Yes, Joe can almost smell it. This month’s draft — this month! — is around the corner.
Joe hopes to meet legions of Bucs fans who descend on Big Storm Brewing and its new Tampa location in the heart of Ybor City at Centro Ybor.
While Bucs fans prepare to enjoy the draft, former Vikings general manager Jeff Diamond believes Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht and his crew need to have their sleeves rolled up.
Things should look better for Tampa Bay cap-wise in 2024 when they no longer have Brady’s dead money hitting their salary cap ($35 million this year). The Buccaneers need to step up their talent base because their NFC South peers — the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons — appear to be doing just that.
And that is an excellent point. The Stinking Panthers will have either C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young at quarterback. The slimy Saints have Derek Carr and an otherwise talented roster.
The Dixie Chicks are better but Artie Smith is spending way too much time wolfing down fried chicken at Mary Mac’s Tea Room if he thinks Desmond Ridder is the answer.
Every NFC South team either has good talent or has a better quarterback than the Bucs. So to keep up with the Joneses in the division, Licht needs to nail the draft.
And if Baker Mayfield isn’t that guy, then next year go out and get that quarterback.
Diamond is of the mind the Bucs should target a left tackle at No. 19. Where has Joe heard that before?
April 1st, 2023 at 11:05 am
Brilliant newsflash: Bucs Have Work To Do In Draft
🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
Duh.
Here’s another big DUH:
Draft a tackle, a left tackle if possible.
April 1st, 2023 at 11:10 am
O-line, DE, CB, and TE, not necessarily in that order. By all accounts, the TE position is perhaps as loaded in this draft as it has been in a very long time, maybe ever. We need a good blocking TE that can also catch if we’re going to improve our running game.
April 1st, 2023 at 11:16 am
“And if Baker Mayfield isn’t that guy, then next year go out and get that quarterback.”
Easier said then done and gets said way too often. Also, Kyle Trask will still be here in 2024 w/1 year under his belt with Canales’ playbook and maybe Hendon Hooker or DTR or some other QB we’ve yet to see in pewter that can be realistically added to the team in 2023.
April 1st, 2023 at 11:16 am
We should be able to select the #1 or2 player at these positions of need @ 19….OT, TE, S
April 1st, 2023 at 11:23 am
OT best available, Safety we only have Winfield and DE/Edge firsr three picks(Tyron and Hall may not cut the mustard so to speak).
April 1st, 2023 at 11:26 am
Maybe trade down and pick up an extra pick and get a good running back in the second round.
April 1st, 2023 at 11:39 am
Left tackle 19 please.
April 1st, 2023 at 11:39 am
The Saints lost a lot of players on their dline, so I’m not sure if they’ll be a top contender in the NFC south.
April 1st, 2023 at 11:41 am
Joe really believes Ridder is better than Mayfield?
April 1st, 2023 at 11:45 am
OT is great pick for the draft but I don’t see them paying two first round tackles when it comes time to pay the second guy. They’re going to have to pay Wirfs (and he’s worth every cent) so I don’t see them paying two first round tackles.
April 1st, 2023 at 11:50 am
Wowee this Jeff Diamond feller shore is a smart one. Hoo boy, that right there, that is some jeenious right there, yeah you bet.
Who woulda ever thought the Bucs have work to do in the draft?! What would we-unz have ever done without knowing that.?
April 1st, 2023 at 11:51 am
Pick the best player available and if that player happens to be Bijan Robison, you pick him! Picking at 19 typically yields you the 2nd or 3rd best player at a position & usually the drop off in talent is significant. Why pick the 3rd best RT a player who isn’t able to step in and make a difference when you can pick the best RB in the draft & possibly a generational talent. A great running back will have a huge impact on our team. He will make the online look better, take pressure off the QB & the receivers. BIJAN ROBINSON!
April 1st, 2023 at 11:54 am
@WiscoJoe
There’ll be a substantial gap between Wirfs deal and whomever we draft at OT to earn their next contract, but on the bright side if we’re worried about how to pay both that means we hit on that prospect so, issa win? I presume “damn how are we going to pay both these guys for being stud offensive tackles” would be a rare, but awesome problem to have.
April 1st, 2023 at 11:56 am
“Pick the best player available and if that player happens to be Bijan Robison, you pick him!”
That’d be luxury pick, that we kind of can’t afford to make, if Robinson is there there will be another team that’s thirstier for him than us in my opinion. Trade bait, that’s what I see Bijan Robinson relative to Tampas roster situation.
April 1st, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Dooley – I don’t consider a top notch running back a luxury pick. A strong running game opens everything up and takes pressure off the QB & the receivers. Make it happen Licht!
April 1st, 2023 at 12:08 pm
Then grab Darnell Washington in the 2nd.
April 1st, 2023 at 12:17 pm
Shane….when do you think they better draft that LT?
April 1st, 2023 at 12:22 pm
I wouldn’t mind it if Licht moved back from #19 and collected a few more picks in the top 150.
I don’t want to move out of the first round – but maybe back to #23-#28 or so…
We currently have @ 15 open roster spots on the 53 man roster. The Bucs only have 4 picks in the top 153.
The Bucs need more top 150 picks especially if they want to draft TE, RB, LB and extra safeties in rounds 3,4 and 5…
I would also consider moving back from pick #50 if it will fetch another top 150 pick or two.
April 1st, 2023 at 12:24 pm
LT is the only smart first pick in my opinion.
April 1st, 2023 at 12:35 pm
1 – OT
2 – EDGE
3 – Safety
5 – TE
5 – RB
6 – IOL/IDL
6 – Safety
6 – QB
7 – ILB
If we could add another 3rd, 4th and 5th rounder by moving back from pick #19 that would be nice.
In 2022 we moved back from #27 to #33 and received pick #106 and #180.
April 1st, 2023 at 12:40 pm
I dreamt last night we drafted Brian Branch. He can be what Bowles tried to do with Winfield last year, which is effectively switch between nickel and safety. It’s a passing league, and this kid can do it all out there. I understand people are worried about the offensive line, but let’s see what we’ve got this year. See if Wirfs can play at the same level at LT. Then see how Goedeke or Hainsey can do at RT, or pick up a free agent. We will likely draft a tackle in day 2 if not in the first round, so that guy can compete too. I think taking a LT at 19 would be a reach, and if Branch is there he is probably BPA.
April 1st, 2023 at 12:40 pm
REALLY hoping we’re able to trade back a few times and out of the 1st to accumulate as many 2nd-4th round picks as we can. Plenty of starting talent still available there and it’s the best avenue to stock the roster with affordable talent and quickly reset the cap inn the process.
April 1st, 2023 at 12:42 pm
BRADY JUST ANNOUNCED HE IS COMING BACK ON FOX SPORTS!!!!!!!!!!!
GO TB12!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 1st, 2023 at 12:48 pm
Dream first four rounds would be:
1st: LT Anton Harrison or LT Broderick Jones
2nd Edge Will McDonald IV or Andre Carter
3rd: S Ronnie Hickman or S Jartavious Martin
4th: Holding my breath for either Tucker Kraft or Zack Kuntz (both may be gone here).
April 1st, 2023 at 12:48 pm
Well said FlBoy84. There are so many holes that one 19th overall pick wont fix it.
And what if the pick is a miss.
More picks in the top 100 is a better answer. Belichek is the best coach of all time and he trades back to get more picks. Sadly he doesnt do too much with his top picks but the Bucs have solid talent evaluators and a better chance of hitting especially if they can trade back for more top 100 picks.
April 1st, 2023 at 12:58 pm
Hey Joes,
Will “Stormy Daniels” be working the draft party next month at BIG STORM Beer?
(asking for a friend)…..
Should be a great time next month and looking forward to enjoying it with you guys, Ira, Draft Guru GM Sean Sullivan of Bll Curry Ford (if Licht blows this draft Sean may end up leaving Bill Curry for a few years to GM the Bucs,)
Also looking forward to meeting Josh Martin of Florida’s ELITE Restoration!!! Want to get to know him well BEFORE I need to call him to help me after a disaster. A Big Thanks to Josh for putting up the generous prize money!!!
April 1st, 2023 at 1:01 pm
A “TRUE”left tackle at 19 so we don’t have to switch Vea! If not draft Hendon Hooker and pick up second best TRUE left tackle
April 1st, 2023 at 1:11 pm
Every single team in the nfl has work to do. We aren’t the only team to lose free agents. If you didn’t win the Super Bowl you have work to do.
April 1st, 2023 at 1:19 pm
I’m not a fan of trading out of the first round, but they have so many needs. Ideally I’d want the tackle from Syracuse. If he isn’t there, go ahead and deal 19.
@marine, agree on drafting a back in the late rounds. No way should they spend a top 100 pick on a RB. Licht hasn’t exactly shined these last couple drafts. The reason is because without top picks in the early rounds, the elite talent is gone. He drafted two tight ends in a bad TE draft.
April 1st, 2023 at 1:28 pm
@Redeemer – The Syracuse kid can only pass block. His run blocking is weak.
April 1st, 2023 at 1:31 pm
My dream draft scenario would be the Bucs trading back to acquire more picks. Then picking OG Torrence in the first, OT Jones in the second, then use the remaining picks plus the extra pick or two to stock up on OLB, DI, CB, and S.
April 1st, 2023 at 1:41 pm
Whoever we draft better be immune to poor coaching.
April 1st, 2023 at 1:44 pm
MARTIANS JUST DISCOVERED ON THE MOON!!!!!!!!!!!
TOM BRADY IS ONE OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 1st, 2023 at 1:51 pm
THE BUCS HAVE JUST SIGNED LAMAR JACKSON!!!!
BUCS ARE TRADING PICK #19, A 2ND ROUND PICK IN 2024 PLUS BAKER MAYFIELD TO BALITMORE!!!!
IT”S HAPPENING PEOPLE!!!!
JOE WAS RIGHT!!!!!
April 1st, 2023 at 1:54 pm
Marine Buc … Agree with your Top-3 picks, with the most important being ALL THREE (although I’d favor LT over the others IF they all graded out the same in terms of priorities; quality Its are just harder to find in free agency). After that though, it’s anyone’s guess at this point.
Bucs desperately need a quality receiving AND blocking TE, but I think we can find one in Rnds 4-7 (package up to 3 lower round picks to move up to End 4 if necessary). We also need a bull RB like Alstott was; I’d prefer to draft TWO RBs in the later rounds & be happy if we could hit on one).
We also need DEPTH in virtually every position group, and especially ILB & Secondary. I think we should explore bringing Kwon back for a year try-before-buy as kind of fill-in/rotational guy with both LVD & White (and at times get all 3 on the field). He’s an OK emergency MLB, but I’d really like to see what he can do further out (where he played in college).
April 1st, 2023 at 1:56 pm
Bucs need to somehow get an extra day 2 pick. Trade a player (Devin White for a 2nd and 3rd?) or trade down a few positions in the first round for a 3rd rd pick.
I think most everyone agrees Edge and LT in 1st and 2nd round in either order based on who’s available. Safety and TE with the next two picks in either order based on who’s available.
Day 3 is for depth at RB, DT, CB, IOL, L
April 1st, 2023 at 2:05 pm
@ DR
“Agree with your Top-3 picks, ”
Yes – I changed things up a little… I was at first thinking TE in round 3 but I’m a bit worried about Shaq Barrett’s recovery and availability.
Hopefully there will still be a few decent TEs available in the later rounds.
@ DR
“We also need DEPTH in virtually every position group, and especially ILB & Secondary”
I agree. This is why I believe Licht will be looking to move back a few picks in round one (and maybe even round two) If we could pick up an extra 3rd and 5th round picks it would help with adding depth at RB, TE, LB, Safety and maybe even WR depending on who is still available…
We need to fill 15 empty roster holes at the moment. The more selections in the top 150 we have the better.
April 1st, 2023 at 2:10 pm
@ DR
The Bucs not restructuring Shaq Barrett kind of indicates to me that our GM isn’t too confident of Shaq’s status.
He is the 2nd highest paid active Buc Player at $21.25M and may not be available until mid-season.
So i’ve been forced to adjust my predictions…
April 1st, 2023 at 2:11 pm
Would not take a running back with #19. Even the great Barry Sanders led Lions had a losing record.
April 1st, 2023 at 2:13 pm
Wouldn’t it be a kicker if Bowels is replaced by Bill Belichick next year?
April 1st, 2023 at 2:17 pm
Unfortunately, if Carolina gets the right qb in a few weeks, they will have the inside track on running the division for the next little while. It’s the most important spot on the team and they have the chance to get the pick of the litter. Doesn’t mean they get it right, but if they do..
April 1st, 2023 at 2:18 pm
1 – OT
2 – OL
3 – DL
4 – QB
5 – LB
6 – IOL/IDL
6 – Trade Up
6 – Kicker
7 – Trade Up
April 1st, 2023 at 2:34 pm
ABF, i haven’t studied the player closely. Just seen multiple mock drafts where he’s available. I’m against switching wirfs over there. What’s your solution if they don’t? In all likelihood that probably what They’ll do. Robbing peter to pay Paul is hardly a way to run a team.
April 1st, 2023 at 2:37 pm
BB
OL
OL
OL
OL
OL
New HC
April 1st, 2023 at 2:44 pm
Not even a single mention of Trask.
April 1st, 2023 at 2:54 pm
@ Bonzai
No TEs?
We already have our kicker – why waste a pick on that? Just bring in an undrafted FA to compete.
No pass rush upgrades? OT in round one is fine and I agree but I don’t think we can afford to pick a backup guard in round two when we only have one starting safety and Shaq Barrett is a huge question mark.
QB in round 4 – who? why? Hendon Hooker will be long gone by then. Do you have someone else in mind?
April 1st, 2023 at 3:04 pm
Marine Buc … ‘We need to fill 15 empty roster holes at the moment. The more selections in the top 150 we have the better.’
And there-in lies the problem. We’ve got 9 picks, but I’d rather have 6 with one each in Rnds 1-6 at this point. I think we could find 4 starters/key rotational players in those 6, plus a couple of developmental guys.
My ‘guesstimate’ is that all teams NEED a MINIMUM of roughly 30 guys for offense & defense to fill starter & rotational roles (15 each on offense & defense) PLUS the kicker & punter. Those are the real holes we need to fill to be competitive in our division IMO (the rest cover injuries, special teams, developmental players who rarely get to suit up, etc.
o – On offense: 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 3 TE, 6 OL
o – On defense (in a 3-4): 4 DT, 4 DE/OLB, 2 ILB, 5 CB/S
IF no one ever got injured, we could survive with those 30. Of course that’ll never be the case, so DEPTH becomes critical. I still contend that DEPTH is what we were missing last year. We won’t solve that problem in 1 year (2023) and most likely not even in 2 years (2024). However, the better we draft AND the better we develop these young players, the sooner we’ll be kickin arse again.
(BTW, nice April fool prank with the Lamar Jackson signing comment. Did it disappear?)
April 1st, 2023 at 3:19 pm
Bonz – Belichick a Buc? That would be hilarious and I would dress in drag and do the hula while chugging booze. And I really like your positional draft order. Of course, Redeemer put in a critical condition that makes me like his even better.
April 1st, 2023 at 3:23 pm
There are 22 starters on a team……so, we should get the pick of at least 3 players that are the best at their position.
It stands to logic the there will be 2 or 3 QBs chosen in the first 18 so we will have the pick of at least 5 players that are the best….
I suspect a CB & OT & Edge will be chosen.
That bumps the choice up to 8 players that are the best.
Since there are 2 CBs, LBs, Guards & WRs that narrows down the choices somewhat.
If I had to guess…..we will get the best TE or S…..perhaps ILB, OG
Correct me if I’m wrong.
April 1st, 2023 at 3:57 pm
Good analysis by TBBF, there is no wrong at this point. JL was handicapped in the draft the last two because we were picking so late. Todd made sure to bump us up in the order about 10 notches so we should do better than Headless chicken JTS and his cousin…..um…..what’s his name, I forgot who we drafted first last year. Some guy Bloweszo wanted .
So at 19 there’s still some fertile pickings.
April 1st, 2023 at 4:01 pm
@ DR
“My ‘guesstimate’ is that all teams NEED a MINIMUM of roughly 30 guys for offense & defense to fill starter & rotational roles (15 each on offense & defense) PLUS the kicker & punter. Those are the real holes we need to fill to be competitive in our division IMO (the rest cover injuries, special teams, developmental players who rarely get to suit up, etc.”
Nice post. I agree.
Glad you enjoyed the April fools joke… LOL.
April 1st, 2023 at 4:02 pm
I hope on this site that the people are right that there will be a good left tackle available when the Bucs pick at number 19.
I just don’t see it.
If either Peter Skoronoski or Paris Johnson are there then fine, I am ok with them as a 1st round left tackle. I think they can be plug and play left tackles.
If it is Darnell Wright, Anton Harrison, Broderick Jones, or Dawand Jones then I say no to a 1st round selection. Any of these guys probably will take at least a year to be good at left tackle. Not sure they will be any better than Donovan Smith, Cappa or Goedeke in their 1st year.
April 1st, 2023 at 4:17 pm
Tweet from Tom Brady today.
Hey there, NFL fans. I wanted to give you all an update on my offseason. As went unreported last year, I sustained an Ulnar lesion in my throwing arm. It left me unable to get the zip on the ball that I wanted. I am happy to report to you, my doctor now feels the injury has fully healed. I am not ready to say that I am ready to come out of retirement but as the draft is coming up, I hope to let the Bucs team management know whether I will be returning for next season prior to the draft. I will keep training hard this offseason to stay in shape and keep my skills sharp. I’ve been working closely with my doctors and trainers to monitor my health. Of course, I’ll only return if my health permits, but I just wanted to let you all know that I’m keeping my options open. I miss playing football and I miss the camaraderie of being on a team. So, who knows? Maybe you’ll see me back on the field in a Bucs uniform sooner than you think!
April 1st, 2023 at 4:17 pm
@ TBBF
You make an interesting point. It’s possible the Bucs will be able to pick the best player at several positions – TE, S, LB, RB and OG.
It will be interesting to see which strategy our GM uses – BPA? or Drafting for need?
We need a starting offensive tackle. So that would be my pick at #19 – especially if it is a solid LEFT TACKLE. It seems there are only 4-5 OTs in this draft that can come in and start next season. We won’t find a starting OT in round 2 or 3 and I don’t trust Goedeke to be our starting RT next season.
However – the Bucs might have the ability to select a much higher rated player if Licht decides to go with BPA. We have so many gaps in this roster almost any position will fill a need.
It will be interesting to see what happens. Draft for need or BPA?
April 1st, 2023 at 4:21 pm
@ Geno
The Bucs just traded for Lamar Jackson.
Why would we care about Tom Brady?
April 1st, 2023 at 4:24 pm
We really need an edge rush player that isn’t a frantic run around the quarterback boy (maybe Cam Gill can help and Nelson continues to improve – JTS is one foot out the door and the other on a banana peel), and a young penetrator to help Vita and Gaines. This person is not currently on the roster. Our middle needs shoring up.
LVD is within 2 years of a fabulous retirement with HOF candidacy. We need a smart LB to assume some of his role, this player is not currently on the roster. We need a replacement for the Diva, more regression expected in 2023 as the Diva knows it’s a contract year and tries even harder to “stand out” instead of doing his job, assuming he even knows what that is. DB needs are also big and have been well articulated.
Every team needs at least 4 QBs in camp, so we probably sign one more grizzled vet and draft somebody late. Unless Trask really does suck as much as his coaches may think, and they draft a QB early.
Basically Licht will match BPA at each position and determine whether to pull the trigger or trade down.
So I’ll eat popcorn and enjoy the ride, and laugh at all the speculation about which ones of 260+ players the Bucs draft. Thankful for JL.
April 1st, 2023 at 4:30 pm
Hey Marine – Bucs also signed 83 year old Norm Snead who is ready to pop out of his wheelchair and bump Trask for the 4th spot.
April 1st, 2023 at 4:35 pm
@ Goat
Cool. That pretty much fills our QB room.
– QB1 – Lamar Jackson
– QB2 – Tom Brady
– QB3 – Norm Snead
– QB4 – Kyle Trask
April 1st, 2023 at 4:39 pm
Thxs brads mom
April 1st, 2023 at 4:40 pm
The April fools posts are so believable :/
April 1st, 2023 at 4:44 pm
GF, thanks for the laugh 😂. On Belichick. If the pats go 8-9 again, which I don’t think they will, his job in NE will be in Jeopardy. Not taking about the gameshow either. Agree on the need for a sneaky good edge rusher. Hard to do in their current draft position. I’m currently at Fenway park watching Chris sale get lit up, and drinking ten dollar beerz. Oh sh**, devers just threw out a guy that saved atleast two runs. Think I’ll order some 18 dollar nachos in a small baseball helmet
April 1st, 2023 at 4:46 pm
BUT…BUT… BUT…
MAYFIELD HAS “LEADERSHIP!”
April 1st, 2023 at 4:48 pm
If Wirfs would move to LT we wouldn’t be so compelled to use #19 on a LT. We could use our second pick on a good RT. That is if Wirfs would except the move of course.
April 1st, 2023 at 4:49 pm
AND TRASK IS THE NEXT TOM BRADY, IF HE ONLY GOT A FAIR CHANCE TO FAIRLY COMPETE AND WEREN’T HATED BY ALL HIS COACHES, MANAGEMENT, OWNERS, AMD GANS! WOW TOMMY MORDUE MUST BE LOVING THE APRIL FOOLS POSTS.
April 1st, 2023 at 4:51 pm
Plan 9 is lost in space.
April 1st, 2023 at 4:58 pm
As much as I would love to have Bijan Robinson, if he is still there at pic number 19, we may well hit a Motherload in a trade.
April 1st, 2023 at 5:00 pm
BTW, BSPN has an interesting article up talking about the top RB’s in the draft. Again, I’m 100% not onboard with drafting a RB, I think you got a star in White already on the team, but it’s still interesting to look at stat and combine based computer numbers and rankings.
In short, Bijan Robinson is viewed easily as the top RB in the draft, but also not a top tier special RB. I’ve heard people saying he’s a top 5 talent – the numbers don’t show that. His value is more late 1st round, and he should be a very good RB, just not a tippy top elite one.
Watching his highlights after he’s been endlessly promoted, and my take was pretty much right in line with what the computer says. He looks really really good, but not an elite one, as such not one that I’d personally spend a first rounder on. BUT, with that said, I wouldn’t exactly be mad at spending a first rounder on them either, but it would seem like a pure luxury pick.
Jahmyr Gibbs, however, was the more interesting one, because of his speed and his compatibles, which are Alvin Kamara and DeMarco Murray. Again, I think White is already our guy, but if you can get the next Kamara, perhaps in the 3rd round, that’s tempting. But that opinion is based 100% purely on this dumb computer ranking, which doesn’t mean much. Plus if he was the next Kamara, he’d go way before the 3rd round. Well, assuming he’s not a thug who goes around beating up people in elevators.
April 1st, 2023 at 5:02 pm
shhh, this is easy
trade down from 19 to wherever
TE D. Washington
RT/G Steve Avilla
RB/Returner Achane (rhymes with A-train, first name not necessary)
CB Mekhi Garner (convert him to strong safety)
….work some trades and make this happen and we are well on our way…like i said, this is easy….
April 1st, 2023 at 5:04 pm
Branch in the 1st and a solid starter at RT in the 2nd would be a good start to this draft.
April 1st, 2023 at 5:04 pm
“Things should look better for Tampa Bay cap-wise in 2024 when they no longer have Brady’s dead money hitting their salary cap ($35 million this year)”
Not sure if this is true or not – probably not….
Yes the Bucs are eating Brady’s $35M this year – but we had pushed about $80M or more total into the future. (Dead cap hit this year is $75M and there’s more coming in the next couple years) And we have also pushed another $30-40M into the future again this year just to get salary cap compliant and sign a few players….
Our “all in for Brady” moves the last 3 years is going to take at least another 2 years beyond this one to pay back.
April 1st, 2023 at 5:12 pm
Yo Rod, who backs up RB White if he goes down with an injury???…yeah I know, Vaughn….nothing there to see, im sorry.
April 1st, 2023 at 5:13 pm
Pickgrin – oh yeah, the Bucs are definitely right now spending on their credit card, but the cap should go up pretty dramatically next year, the number I keep seeing thrown around is $60m. While that sounds good and all, it also means players are going to cost a lot more to keep. For example Godwin might very command close to $30m/year to resign. Any decent starting QB is going to cost $40m/year. Etc. It’s why the Bucs should be trying to lock up anyone that is young at todays rates, its why they got such a steal with Dean — but it’s also why people saying give Godwin and Davis and White and Wirfs new deals, that’s harder than people suspect if you want anything other than a short term deal.
It’s also why people complaining about White wanting $20m/year are dumb, since $20m/year next year is going to be like $12-13m/year today.
April 1st, 2023 at 5:15 pm
WIRFS is moving from the right side to the left side so lets fn go!!!
…keep that in your head guys
April 1st, 2023 at 5:20 pm
Munch Says:
” Jahmyr Gibbs… if he was the next Kamara, he’d go way before the 3rd round”
You obviously forgot where Kamara was drafted – in the 3rd round – LOL….
April 1st, 2023 at 5:23 pm
MadMax Says:
April 1st, 2023 at 5:12 pm
Yo Rod, who backs up RB White if he goes down with an injury???
———–
Who did the Bucs have out there when they won the SB? Just some guy they picked up off the street in preseason.
RB’s are a dime a dozen.
Also Vaughn, in limited work, looked like a new guy last year, dramatically better than his first two years. As a guy who had to fill in for a game, I think he’d do fine. IF the Bucs are really worried about RB depth, there’s till FA’s that you can probably get for pretty cheap, including bringing back Fournette, or perhaps Kareem Hunt.
April 1st, 2023 at 5:25 pm
The good thing about this year and drafting for need vs BPA is that we have many needs.
We need OT, S, Edge. DT, CB’….an argument could certainly be made for TE, RB and even ILB (if the right player)
I can’t see Bowles drafting to eventually replace LVD or give them options on White;…..but I can see Licht wanting that.
I’m quite sure we won’t get 1st choice of Edge, OT or CB…..but there are good ones out there….and there are some good TEs so picking one in the first would be unlikely.
April 1st, 2023 at 5:27 pm
Pickgrin Says:
April 1st, 2023 at 5:20 pm
Munch Says:
” Jahmyr Gibbs… if he was the next Kamara, he’d go way before the 3rd round”
You obviously forgot where Kamara was drafted – in the 3rd round – LOL….’
——–
Of course, I’m just saying, if you knew.
Watching his highlights after I posted that – his speed jumps off the page, he’s got a real burst, obviously good hands, seems to have pretty good vision. But it’s also hard to take much from his highlights because he’s got giant holes on every play to run through. He also didn’t really break tackles, he was good at making some jukes to avoid some tackles, but once someone had him, they brought him down. Not the biggest issue, but for a very highly ranked guy, I thought he’d break some of those when he did not – but in the NFL you almost never break those tackles, so doing that in college in doesn’t mean much for your NFL career. Also, reading up more on him, I’m seeing him go a lot in the 2nd round, which seems a bit high, but mock drafts almost always overinflate ‘exciting’ players, because drafting some 350lb defensive lineman who has 2 sacks in his college career and has no real highlights, well, that’s not very interesting.
April 1st, 2023 at 5:36 pm
BTW, I read somewhere else someone saying Bijan Robinson is a home run hitter while Rashaad White is not… well, let’s look at the RAS numbers.
RAS scores, overall
Bijan Robinson – 9.77
Rashaad White – 9.87
Explosion numbers:
Bijan Robinson – 5′ 11″, 215 pounds, 37 vert, 10’04” broad
Rashaad White – 6′ 0″, 214 pounds, 38 vert, 10’05” broad
Speed numbers:
Bijan Robinson – 4.47 40, 2.59 20 split, 1.56 10 split
Rashaad White – 4.48 40, 2.58 20 split, 1.52 10 split
Now numbers aren’t everything, you need to pass the eye test, but it’s remarkable how similar they are. Robinson has the slightest straight line speed advantage, while White is slightly quicker and more explosive.
Anyone down on White because Leftwich is an idiot, needs to go back and watch his college tape again. The guy is going to be a great NFL RB if he has coaches that do more than run up the middle on every first down. Also, btw, Robinson would have looked just as bad as year in a Leftwich offense.
April 1st, 2023 at 5:40 pm
Paris Johnson from Ohio State with the first pick.
April 1st, 2023 at 5:42 pm
@ TBBF
“The good thing about this year and drafting for need vs BPA is that we have many needs.
We need OT, S, Edge. DT, CB’….an argument could certainly be made for TE, RB and even ILB (if the right player)”
I agree.
Don’t forget Wide Receiver. The Bucs carried 7 WRs on the 53 man roster in 2022.
– Evans
– Godwin
– Gage
– Jones
– Perriman
– Miller
– Darden/Thompkins
We currently only have (3) legit WRs and Devin Thimpkins as the kick/punt returner.
The Bucs need (3) more legit WRs – AT LEAST 2 – so don’t be surprised to see the Bucs take a WR in round 3 or 5…
April 1st, 2023 at 5:46 pm
@ Rod
“Now numbers aren’t everything, you need to pass the eye test, but it’s remarkable how similar they are.”
Nice post.
I think you just proved the Bucs don’t need to spend a 1st round pick on a RB when the same talent can be found in the 3rd round…
Well done.
April 1st, 2023 at 5:58 pm
BPA.
Or smart trade downs
there’s another cycle of free agency to come that could address some of the other “fill the roster” needs
April 1st, 2023 at 6:00 pm
…. I should add that I think if Bijan Robinson is there at 19, he might be great leverage to trade back just a *little* and get some extra picks
April 1st, 2023 at 6:42 pm
As it looks right now, Bucs have the following picks: 19, 50, 82, 153, 175, 179, 181, 196, 252. We have no picks in Rnd 4, but picks in all other rounds, including 2 in Rnd 5 and 3 in Rnd 6.
Seems like there may be some opportunities to package some of the Rnd 5 & 6 picks to move up to get a Rnd 3 or 4 pick. I’d much rather do that than drop out of the 1st Rnd. Depending on who you pick, that 5th year option can be very valuable.
April 1st, 2023 at 6:49 pm
I said it before, but in honor of Tom Brady and his pact with Satan that allowed him to play this long, the Bucs should spend all three 6th rounders on QBs.
April 1st, 2023 at 8:16 pm
We usually get a one player every 3rd draft
And it’s normally with a high pick
I wonder if this is the draft that we get the one player?
April 3rd, 2023 at 8:37 am
BTW Joe you couldnt pay me to go in to Ybor with a swat team after dark these days . Happy draft day! Go Bucs!