Jason Licht Explains Carlton Davis Trade
March 27th, 2024
Gone.
Joe finds that a lot of Bucs fans stop in their tracks when Joe says cornerback Carlton Davis missed 16 Bucs games over the past three seasons.
That’s a lot of time, especially when you factor in exiting a game early and needing a game or two to shake off rust upon returning to the lineup.
The Joe typing here has no big issue with Davis getting traded to Detroit this month, even if he was the Bucs’ best cornerback. From 2018 through 2021, the span of four NFL drafts, the Bucs selected a total of seven defensive backs within the first six rounds of those drafts. Every one of those picks is thriving in the NFL.
It’s a truly extraordinary stat. That even includes safety/cornerback M.J. Stewart, a Bucs 2018 second-round pick, who re-upped on a 2-year, $6 million contract with Houston.
That kind of success screams that general manager Jason Licht and Todd Bowles know what the hell they are doing when it comes to selecting and developing defensive backs.
Throw Bucs cornerback Zyon McCollum into the mix, the Bucs’ 2022 fifth-round pick. He took a big step last season making nine starts when Davis and Jamel Dean had injuries.
McCollum looked promising and the Bucs’ track record with defensive backs says he will be just fine replacing Davis.
Joe asked Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht to reflect on the Davis trade yesterday at the NFL Owners Meetings in Orlando. Tampa Bay ended up with a third-round draft pick out of the deal.
“You know, it’s always tough to let a player go via trade or release or whatever. We just kind of felt like it was an opportunity for us to get a pick, a really good pick, and to add some youth with that pick, whether we use it or use it as ammo to get up whatever it is,” Licht said. “We wish Carlton the best. He’s a good player when he’s out there on the field. But now it gives an opportunity for somebody else.”
That “somebody else?” It’s McCollum. Todd Bowles already named him a starter.
Joe is glad Licht mentioned using the Lions’ third-round pick as “ammo” to trade up in the draft next month. That pick really enhances the Bucs’ potential flexibility.
March 27th, 2024 at 11:13 am
One hell of a trade….. We´ve made cap space trading a bad CB for a third rounder.
One of the best JL trade´s ever……..
March 27th, 2024 at 11:13 am
Licht is already talking about “ammo”………I’d prefer we actually trade down and pick up another pick…….he seems to do best with his later round picks…..but loves to use extra draft picks to trade up.
Now, I think we have 4 picks in the top 100……that should give us 4 quality players.
And, Joe…you keep forgetting the 2 6th round picks we gave Detroit fro their 3rd……they aren’t meaningless……
March 27th, 2024 at 11:29 am
If someone thinks CD3 was a bad corner, you must have forgotten the fearsome foursome.
March 27th, 2024 at 11:31 am
After the Houston game I was done with Carlton and Jamel
March 27th, 2024 at 11:41 am
When he’s out there on the field lol
March 27th, 2024 at 11:45 am
Licht should be arrested for stealing.
March 27th, 2024 at 11:45 am
“We wish Carlton the best. He’s a good player when he’s out there on the field. But now it gives an opportunity for somebody else.”
Personally, I think the Bucs were concerned with both Davis and Dean not being on the field…Davis had a more friendly tradeable contract plus someone actually gave us a 3rd round pick…throw in Bowles was comfortable with another player taking over…Plus, salary cap relief…win win
March 27th, 2024 at 11:45 am
No explanation necessary.
Only played half seasons, and the half he did play he spent more time
working on his Vernon Hargreaves celebrations than covering and tackling.
March 27th, 2024 at 12:05 pm
Bucs can certainly pick them, but the only thing the DBs exhibit is regression and busted coverages, blown assignments, and an inability to play zone defense at all. But at least Todd used his press man guys to play zone.
If teaching the DBs how to whiff tackles and drop passes right in their hands, on top of forgetting to cover Cooper Kupp and letting a rookie throw for 500 yards, is development, then Todd is a true gem.
But he has overseen the degradation of his pass defense to one of the league’s worst.
Time for the Glazers and Jason to give him the blunt feedback in his performance review.
March 27th, 2024 at 12:27 pm
Tampabaybucfan I mean I get it but fans put too much stock into late round picks they almost always don’t work out league wide so I prefer the 3rd of a couple 6’s any day of the week.
March 27th, 2024 at 12:29 pm
McCollum will work out
March 27th, 2024 at 12:36 pm
Well yeah, seems like about half the season was Dean/Davis and someone else. Dump some salary and get younger talent. Bowles can train up DB’s
March 27th, 2024 at 12:40 pm
I think it was more than what Licht talked about. I think Davis fell out of favor with Bowles for his play on the the field and throw in his injury time missing quite a few games and bingo, it’s time for the Bucs to move on especially with what they were paying him
March 27th, 2024 at 12:51 pm
I like Davis better than Dean, but 16 is a ton of games. Not sure how he is going to stay healthier playing on artificial turf, but wish him the best. Gonna give a bunch of credit to Bowles for coaching these guys up. There was a time we couldnt develop any dbs during the Dark Decade.
March 27th, 2024 at 12:53 pm
When Davis was out last season, I didn’t notice. When he was out the season before that, I noticed it. So yeah, I’m okay with the trade.
March 27th, 2024 at 12:59 pm
“ . . . When hes out there . . .” Was telling part of that comment.
The best ability is availability”. Still a very true statement.
Davis and Dean both seemed to miss alot of games, after they signed their new contracts.
Meybe we find a replacement for Dean. He makes aloy of money, to be leader of the 29th ranked pass defense!
If we are gonna be bad, then at least it should be inexpensive, Right?
March 27th, 2024 at 1:02 pm
Your best ability is your availability…
March 27th, 2024 at 1:10 pm
“He’s a good player when he’s out there on the field” says it all. Keep drafting corners, you can never have enough; and build a pass rush! A corner’s success is often linked to QB pressure. That’s why Rhonde should have “Sapp, Brooks & Lynch” sewn on the inside pocket of his yellow jacket.
March 27th, 2024 at 1:21 pm
Doolnutsit
Trey Palmer, Ko Keift ,Scotty Miller and Justin Watson are recent 6th round picks…..and I would add that Tom Brady was a 6th round pick…….they are not throw away picks.
I am not saying two 6ths are as good as a 3rd….certainly not…..but the trade was for Davis & 2 6ths for a 3rd……and it should be mentioned.
March 27th, 2024 at 1:35 pm
I really got tired last year of watching our walking wounded secondary. Dean would limp around crying like my youth football players used to. Davis would just stay down, then leave the game, to not be seen again. They looked better at the end of the season when the light was at the end of the tunnel. Antoine was playing super hero a lot because of this. They basically sucked, and let down the entire defense. Both needed to go. I guess it was more expensive to drop Dean than keep him. He does not need to start. They were a big reason why we did the swan dive after a great start. Deven White could not execute either. All ego issues. They got paid. They all needed a ‘Change of Scenery’. You have to play hungry in this league, even with a full belly.
March 27th, 2024 at 1:44 pm
Great move by Licht, I was shocked they even got a late 3rd.
Keep it up!
Go Bucs!
March 27th, 2024 at 1:45 pm
CD3 is still a dope corner only when healthy IMO the Houston game we kept that zone coverage bs plus no pass rush we didn’t have a chance frfr
March 27th, 2024 at 1:46 pm
I was thrilled when the Bucs dumped this guy and were able to save $14M on the cap and added another pick in round 3…
NFL players are commodities – buy low sell high. Dude is a china doll and has the worst hands in the NFL.
March 27th, 2024 at 1:47 pm
Good thing for us that those 2 missed so many games. Could you imagine no playoffs over the past 2 years?
Serendipity works in mysterious ways!
March 27th, 2024 at 1:50 pm
Trade up for Verse- best player in the draft- guys gonna be legendary
March 27th, 2024 at 1:51 pm
As an FSU homer I’m ok with going up for Verse lol.
Looking at draft day trades the last few years and the trade value chart, one of our 3rd round picks should be enough to get us to pick 20.
One 3rd + a future 4th could get us to maybe like top 15-16.
Carlton Davis + a future 4th for Jared Verse sounds great. Clears cap space as well and we still have 2/3/4 round picks this year
March 27th, 2024 at 1:53 pm
Glad Licht calls the shots and not ninnies who have a crush on some player they watched in college play against waitresses and bartenders and assume that translates to the NFL.
Belonzo Chagranting from Cheboygan State🐞. The sleeper on the draft.
March 27th, 2024 at 2:03 pm
I don’t think Verse is the best player in the draft, but I think he would be a great pick for the Bucs. Bucs would probably at least need to get to #20 and I doubt a 3rd is enough to get that high to draft him.
March 27th, 2024 at 2:22 pm
I think JL knows someone at HCSD and got the low down on Detroit’s CB that was in trouble and got cut.
Hey CD……. Bro, you gone.
March 27th, 2024 at 3:43 pm
Another top ability is dependability. I saw Davis undependable many times. I actually remember posting a “Darden-like” post about him after one of his games. I won’t miss him if he doesn’t improve in another uniform.
March 27th, 2024 at 3:44 pm
Would I rather use the extra 3rd rounder as ammo to move up or to stay and pick… For me, it’s a no brainer that you stay and pick. There will still be O-lineman who could challenge to start at LG or C at that spot. The only way it makes more sense to trade that 3rd to move up in round 1 or 2 is if that move allows you to get a real difference maker. Either an Edge guy who can start and produce immediately, or an offensive weapon who is a real weapon on the ground or in the air Licht probably already has some targets in mind that might be worth making the move-up for.
March 27th, 2024 at 5:14 pm
If I remember wasn’t one of those 6th’s a compensatory pick? That’s why all picks are important, one never knows when they will swing a deal in your favor, which that one was. I don’t have a problem using it to trade up to get the guy you want at a position of need or if he’s BPA.
March 27th, 2024 at 8:24 pm
Davis has shut down some of the top WRs in the game. Adams, chase , cheetah in the SB not when we played them in the regular season and he got burnt for like 200 yards. When healthy and playing man he’s was best in the bis. Sad to see him go but won’t cry over it. Deff was hurt a lot and zyon seems like he could be just as good for less. Good move Jason. He doesn’t present another need for a DB. Got a lot of holes to fill before the trade now we just added one more. We need starters and depth players too.
March 27th, 2024 at 8:34 pm
Astrobuc74 Says:
March 27th, 2024 at 11:29 am
If someone thinks CD3 was a bad corner, you must have forgotten the fearsome foursome.
__________________________________________
Ding. Ding. Ding.
I’m permanently traumatized from watching the likes of Myron Lewis and EJ Biggers constantly running 5-10 yards behind a wide open wide receiver. #TheLostDdecade
March 27th, 2024 at 9:26 pm
Say hello to Todd Bowles new full time sloppy zone defense!
Why else are you running good players who excel at man and pressure out of town?