Pay Me Now Or Pay Me Later?
April 23rd, 2023
Kentucky QB Will Levis.
So yesterday, Joe brought word on why Jordan Reid of BSPN thinks the Bucs will trade up for banana peel-eating Kentucky quarterback Will Levis.
Reid’s colleague, Matt Miller discussed the logic behind the Bucs going for Levis.
Tampa Bay has to be ready for a scenario like this, where someone like Levis starts to fall down the board. How do they evaluate Levis versus their current options? Trask was more of a fit in Bruce Arians and Byron Leftwich’s style of offense, and Mayfield is a journeyman at this point. Unless the Buccaneers are punting on the quarterbacks this year in preparation for next year’s class (Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and potentially others), moving up would be a very smart move in a division that’s wide open right now.
On face value, Joe thinks Miller is right. Joe doubts the Bucs are going to blow chunks this fall bad enough to have a shot at Caleb Williams (#CollaspeForCaleb) or perhaps not even Drake Maye. Still, Maye is a bit of a wild card as he has a new offensive coordinator and if he doesn’t light things up for the Tar Heels this fall he could slip in the draft.
So yeah, this year might be less of a ransom for the Bucs to get a quarterback than next year.
And of course, there’s Michael Penix and Quinn Ewers who could easily rise up draft boards with a solid 2023 season. We have no idea right now what the Bucs think of them.
What is being overlooked in this debate over Levis is that if Baker Mayfield bounces back like he did in Los Angeles, the Bucs won’t be looking for a quarterback. They’ll have one with Mayfield.
Combine that with how badly Bucs coach Todd Bowles needs wins (which aren’t likely to come right away from a rookie quarterback), it seems unlikely the Bucs will trade up for a quarterback. Even if the guy spikes his coffee with mayo.
April 23rd, 2023 at 12:04 am
I want t to believe the Bucs will do the right thing and go OT, but I have this sneaking suspcion they’re going to get cute and go up and get Levis in this draft.
April 23rd, 2023 at 12:20 am
OT…. NO exceptions!
April 23rd, 2023 at 12:51 am
This Jordan Reid has a head injury. His mom must’ve dropped him right on the soft spot when he was a baby.
April 23rd, 2023 at 12:53 am
LOL!!!
April 23rd, 2023 at 1:27 am
Get the QB now, while Wirfs makes the transition to LT this year.. its just good timing. Neither Mayfield or Trask are the future, and were not going to bad enough to drafting anyone better than Levis next year. Go for it.
April 23rd, 2023 at 1:29 am
Why these people have a passion for saddling the Bucs with every misfit available is beyond me. They must really despise us. It never fails. Every single has been to headache is always linked to the Bucs. Do we have this reputation that we except all wayward souls?
April 23rd, 2023 at 2:48 am
No QB can play well without a solid O line and this one NEEDS another starting OT (plus a swing tackle).
So draft these THIS year and see what you have in Mayfield and Trask. You can always look at the F/A and draft market next year if neither QB is the answer. Also maybe both QB are fine but rookie Offensive Coordinator needs more experience or replacement.
Go OT!
April 23rd, 2023 at 2:52 am
No QB or offensive coordinator can be successful with team short 1 starting OT and 1 swing OT.
Get these and see whether Trask, Mayfield and Canales pan out.
Next year team is in better cap situation to add a free agent QB or draft one behind an improved O line if the need is still there.
April 23rd, 2023 at 3:09 am
I truly believe if the Bucs trade up, it won’t be for a QB and that is a smoke screen.
If you wanna run the ball, go get guys that can run block.
Or get some studs that make people miss.
It makes no sense to me to transition from launch every ball down field to running by thinking about a QB.
Plus take a look at what Russell Wilson did last year. NOTHING.
Denver was only barely worse than Seattle rushing, but both had 30 yards or more than the Bucs each game. (Most teams did lol)
My point is, did Seattles system make Wilson?
At this point I hope so!!!!!
Plus Trask is a game manager anyway and that is not BAs regime.
You gonna trade up for their Clone?
I think they like specific guys in both lines and will do the right thing.
April 23rd, 2023 at 3:33 am
Asking for an instant rookie starter that is better than a veteran is not easy, especially at 19. We are still seeing if JTS at end of first round and Logan Hall at top of 2nd develop. This is why drafting specifically for need is not as good of a strategy as BPA. You don’t always get a Wirfs, just look at the other tackles from that draft that were actually taken earlier. Unless the Bucs love a guy at 19, I think the smart move is trade down and try to grab more picks.
April 23rd, 2023 at 4:45 am
The problem with trading down is that it takes a trade up partner. At this point everyone know there are only a half dozen blue chip players and a few good Qbs. The talent 16-32 is subjective. Everyone in the back half of the draft is saying they want to trade down and get more picks. That tell me the trade down offers will be weak. The point value is just a guide. I wouldn’t trade back 5 spots for an extra 6th rounder.
April 23rd, 2023 at 5:51 am
Trading up for a QB means you can’t shore up the trenches or even try to bring reinforcements at edge rusher, ILB, nickel CB, WR and TE.
Just a bad idea for a team in transition.
April 23rd, 2023 at 6:01 am
Doomed, The Bowles Curse
April 23rd, 2023 at 6:03 am
When The Levis Breaks
April 23rd, 2023 at 6:16 am
Like many have said already, need to shore up that O line which includes a dynamic fast catching/blocking TE. Trade back. I mean maybe if he’s there at 19, he does have some great zip on the ball. But trading up for him will hurt us elsewhere.
Trade back from 19 for a late 1st/top 5 2nd and grab Washington, trade diva for a 2nd and grab Jack Campbell, use our other 2nd for Avila, then use other trade capital to get Achane near the top of the 3rd.
April 23rd, 2023 at 6:53 am
trading up for Levis or holding tight with Baker/Trask is a crap shoot either way.
Question is which on is the big crap.
April 23rd, 2023 at 7:10 am
Will Levis imo is not a day 1 starter…
Why waste a 1st Rd pick on a guy that probably won’t be able to beat out the 2 QBs that you already have on the roster. He looks good in shorts but that’s about it; he actually has some serious flaws in his game. Now if he slides to the 3rd round or later like a bunch of the QBs in last year’s draft did, then maybe we could entertain drafting him…But for now passing on a OL at 19 and drafting a QB instead who has shown he has issues with efficiency and ball security would be a big time reach. I’m also okay with trading back once or twice to gather extra picks if it makes sense of course…
This is a very important draft for Licht, hopefully for our sake it’s his best; like someone said earlier, don’t get cute Jason…
April 23rd, 2023 at 7:12 am
Usually rookie QBs buy a HC time. The real question is, who would be potential HC candidates next year? Also, a disgruntled Baker would wreak havoc on the locker room.
I don’t see Baker, Trask, and Levis in our QB room. Levis will stunt Trask’s confidence. Baker is a move that screams day 1 starter with a potential chance at being competitive or the fall guy for a bad season.
April 23rd, 2023 at 7:22 am
I think the Bucs aren’t as worried about their o-line as everyone else seems to be. If licht has shown anything these last 9-10 years, it’s that he knows how to build an o-line. He may very well feel like he already has the personele
April 23rd, 2023 at 7:23 am
If you have 2 QBs then you have none….so, it stands to reason if you have 3 QBs then you have none.
Don’t trade up, trade down and improve this roster with OT, TE, S, Edge, CB, RB
And then see what we have with Mayfield or Trask.
April 23rd, 2023 at 7:24 am
Personnel. Inwhich case I think Bijan Robinson or perhaps the TE out of GA could be the target. Darnell Washington.
April 23rd, 2023 at 7:35 am
No way do the Bucs trade up for Levis, just not happening.
April 23rd, 2023 at 7:37 am
I would rather take Bijan or Washington before I pick up Levis. Bijan fits our sorry excuse for a head coaches scheme. He’s a run first dink and dunk passing type of coach. He doesn’t have the balls to have his QB throw deep down the field and I think he would prefer to build the qbs confidence early on and take the pressure off with a stud running back like Bijan. If I was to trade up Bijan would be the one I would go for. I wouldn’t get rid of diva devin, I’d make him stay on the team and earn his next pay day and if he plays like crap well the. He shows his true colors.
April 23rd, 2023 at 7:59 am
Rd two maybe. He just doesn’t seem to be a 1st rd QB.
April 23rd, 2023 at 8:00 am
If the Bucs draft Michael Penix Jr hes left handed so the right tackle would be the blindside so do you move Wirfs back to the right side? Oh thats right the Bucs don’t plan ahead the future is now.
April 23rd, 2023 at 8:02 am
Levis will be a journeyman if the Bucs draft him I will throw my foam brick at the TV.
April 23rd, 2023 at 8:14 am
Had the best qb of all time last year, essentially the same team this year with a disgruntled D White, sure we will draft a qb first pick and blow the doors off the rest of the NFL. Yeah, not buying it.
April 23rd, 2023 at 8:20 am
Spent a second round pick on Trask, everyone acting like he doesn’t exist. Bucs would be idiots to never see what he has. All the bs about him not beating out blain is ridiculous, Brady doesn’t give up reps in games or practice and he liked Blain because he could have an experienced ear on the sidelines, not just a rookie or worse someone who had a 4 word vocabulary in Byron.
April 23rd, 2023 at 8:47 am
I wouldn’t trade up, but I’d draft Levis at 19 if he’s there. He’s big, smart, strong and athletic. I think of all the QB prospects this year, Will has the highest ceiling. I like everything about him, so if Licht does move up and drafts him, I like it. I have been all about trading back in this draft, but we need a QB and this is the one I would draft.
April 23rd, 2023 at 9:13 am
It won’t surprise me one bit if Levis ends up being the most successful QB in this class.
April 23rd, 2023 at 9:14 am
@BigMac
Exactly right
April 23rd, 2023 at 9:52 am
I think there is a big argument to be made to 100% ride it out with our QBs this year. Next years QB selection does have some intriguing options but most importantly there is NO WAY we don’t pick outside the top 5. Our team is a complete rebuild mess. In EVERY area. Our offense is the highlight but still have no QB, half of an O line, new coordinator, and the list goes on. And to top all that off we have a VERY sneaky hard schedule. We were after all the division champions last year. 4-13 is VERY realistic depending on the Falcons games. Not the voice of doom, just stating facts. If Bowles and Canales don’t vibe, it’s another sh$t show. We need to trade our disgruntled LB and stock pile depth. 7-10 record gets us NOWHERE in a rebuild mode so break it down and see what we got at QB this year.
April 23rd, 2023 at 11:09 am
Trading up for Levis would be crazy. Not accurate, throws lots on int’s, and is not very coachable. Sound familiar?
April 23rd, 2023 at 11:19 am
Whoever they are, two more QBs will be added by the time training camp begins. Common to believe that one will be a rookie and one will be a veteran. With 90 big sweaty men roaming around, you need at least four arms to service them all.
April 23rd, 2023 at 11:22 am
I agree with any estimations that this is a smokescreen to entice people ahead of the Bucs to take him and leave better players for our needs available at 19
I also agree that trading back in the second half of round one is not as valuable this year.
For those reasons, I say sit tight and grab BPA/OT at 19, and maybe trade up from the second round pick if it nets a chance at someone like Hooker
April 23rd, 2023 at 11:41 am
Levis left Penn State because he could not be the number one QB there, so he left for Kentucky.
April 23rd, 2023 at 11:50 am
If Seattle can win with Geno Smith, Tampa can win with Baker. Tampa will be a run first team anyway. Ewers, Caleb, Drake Maye > Richardson, Levis, Hooker
April 23rd, 2023 at 12:08 pm
Again with the “Trask never had a chance” nonsense.
Obviously, the coaching staff, who sees him and works with him every day aren’t comvinced. But you Trask (Gator) fans do. Oookay.
It won’t matter to you Trask fanboys what happens this preseason. If he isn’t the starter come game one, you clowns will be screaming that he never got a chance. Some of you already are – probably because deep down you know, at best, it’s 50/50 chance he’s holding a clipboard in September.
I just want the best qb (the one who gives the Bucs the best chance of winning) starting on opening day. Be it Trask, Mayfield or “door #3”.
April 23rd, 2023 at 12:09 pm
I don’t know about trading up for him. I’ve read where he has ran a actual NFL type offense the last two years and he’s going through progressions . Reading from right to left and looking off safety’s. Do believe he would benefit greatly from sitting for one year like .P.Mahomes. Seen lots of reports about he’s failing the interview process with NFL teams but every article I’ve read said you wont find anyone Campus say a bad word about this kid. They say he’s a good lead very humble will always take the blame for his teammates and has done good stuff at Kentucky off the field also. So I do wonder why there a report saying he’s came off rude and arrogant in the interviews process ?
April 23rd, 2023 at 12:58 pm
Truthfully? I could see them trading for Trey Lance. 19 May stay if you can package Devin White and a few second/thirds for Lance.
April 23rd, 2023 at 1:00 pm
“Again with the “Trask never had a chance” nonsense.
Obviously, the coaching staff, who sees him and works with him every day aren’t comvinced. But you Trask (Gator) fans do. Oookay. ”
Stupid take, Trask whole thing going back to highschool was the coaches thought he wasn’t good enough to start but then did nothing but perform when given the opportunity in a live game
April 23rd, 2023 at 1:48 pm
Drafting a quarterback in the first round is the riskiest move of all more often than not they flame out and we’ve just proven that picking up an experienced veteran towards the end of his career can get you a super bowl quickly, so why would we draft another quarterback, after we just drafted Trask and he got to learn from the goat for two years and now we have Mayfield who is a perfect example of how a first round quarterback doesn’t always succeed in the NFL
April 23rd, 2023 at 1:51 pm
QB in later rounds! Shore up the trenches first! Both sides. Then a true nickel corner. Imo.
April 23rd, 2023 at 1:53 pm
Will he win the gig this year? Time will tell. If he does, it means he’s earned it and props to him if he does win it.
Joe missed one training camp practice in the last two years. Kyle Trask has had plenty of chances to “compete.”
April 23rd, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Shane247 said, “I think the Bucs aren’t as worried about their o-line as everyone else seems to be.”
Uhm … isn;t this what Bowles said the entirety of last season?!!!
April 23rd, 2023 at 5:30 pm
Somehow I think Licht ignores the talking heads. He will do what’s best for the Bucs. I have confidence in him
April 23rd, 2023 at 6:29 pm
The draft is such a crapshoot. I really like drafting players in rounds 2-4 over round 1. Trade trade trade and get as many picks as possible.