“Todd Bowles Will Always Take Care Of His Defense”
March 31st, 2024
Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry.
The Bucs may have dug a hole where they didn’t need to do any digging.
The trade of corner Carlton Davis to Detroit still stuns Joe. A team that was “this close” to the NFC title game unloads its best corner? Don’t see that happen too often. Almost makes Joe wonder if something happened behind the scenes? It’s just odd.
This seems to be the line of thinking from long-time NFL Network talking head and CBS NFL analyst Charles Davis. Typing for NFL.com, Davis seems to think the Bucs now have a hole in the secondary and that Bucs coach Todd Bowles won’t waste any time filling it.
Davis believes the Bucs will select Alabama corner Kool-Aid McKinstry at No. 26.
Trading Carlton Davis created a need at cornerback. Head coach Todd Bowles will always take care of his defense, and it plays hard for him.
You could say that Davis doesn’t buy that Zyon McCollum is automatically going to start in place of Davis.
Joe is intrigued with this potential draft pick for a couple of reasons and it all boils down to one thing: intelligence. To play corner for Nick Saban, you have to know what the hell you are doing. You have to be smart. You have to be versatile.
If there is a better secondary coach in football than Saban, please point him out to Joe.
Joe guesses you could argue Bowles is right up there with Saban. To play in Bowles’ defense in the secondary, you have to be smart. So Joe is really intrigued by a Saban corner playing for Bowles. Seems like a perfect fit.
Former Eagles and Crows scout Daniel Jeremiah believes McKinstry has quality traits.
McKinstry is a smooth, athletic cornerback with average play speed. In press coverage, he carries his hands low and prefers to play under control rather than attack. He doesn’t have any tightness when opening up. There are some concerns with his deep speed when he’s challenged vertically. From off coverage, everything he does is smooth, but he lacks twitch and urgency. He does find and play the ball well, both in front of him and down the field. He isn’t ultra aggressive when it comes to getting involved in the run game, but he’s a reliable tackler in space. Overall, Kool-Aid has a lot of redeeming qualities, but his top speed is a question mark. If he posts a good time in the 40-yard dash, it could really boost his stock.
Joe would be a bit surprised if the Bucs don’t draft a corner as a result of the Davis trade. Joe isn’t sure if that will come at No. 26.
The Bucs could do worse than playing an Alabama corner.
11 mins and 31 seconds of Kool-Aid McKinstry highlights đ¤ @GaQMcK1 #RollTide 4 EVER!!! đ pic.twitter.com/wSVktcAoin
— TC. (@GoatLatia) January 20, 2024
March 31st, 2024 at 11:03 am
I know we take care of the defense but I donât see this edge is way more important
March 31st, 2024 at 11:34 am
Caution, like every player on Alabama, is it the individual player or is the player benefiting from the other 10 on defense.
If you want smart and complete Cooper DeJean
March 31st, 2024 at 11:34 am
Outside possibility this Kool-Aid guy will be our pick at #26.
His production in College was apparently pretty good.
Not in love with his measurables though…
He’s built almost more like a safety at 5-11 1/2 – 199 lbs.
Decent arm length at 32″ – but small hands (8 1/2)
40 time was just OK – 4.47 seconds
His “explosiveness” is lacking with a 10′ broad jump which is OK – but a 34.5″ vertical jump which is NOT very good for a CB who is a tad vertically challenged to start with…
I dunno – we’ll see how the draft plays out.
Turner, Verse, Latu, Powers-Johnson, Barton
1 of those 5 names is our target in the first round.
If all 5 of those players are off the board at #26 – and there are no good trade down offers – then MAYBE we draft this guy.
I would prefer another Clemson CB in Nate Wiggins who runs a 4.28 – 40 if we are spending a 1st rd pick on a CB this year…..
March 31st, 2024 at 11:50 am
We should draft TJ Tampa!! Seriously he is one of the best corners in the draft and of course where else should a man named Tampa play. I can already see “TAMPA” on the back of his Bucs jersey đ
March 31st, 2024 at 11:53 am
Correct…..Todd takes care of his defense…..5 of the last 7 top draft picks were defensive players.
We need to support our offense with this draft…..don’t mind drafting a CB….but us the other top picks on offense………C/G….WR, RB or TE…..
March 31st, 2024 at 11:55 am
Bucs are going to draft a wide receiver at 26.
March 31st, 2024 at 11:57 am
Bpa at 26 is going to be a wr not oline or edge and that’s what the pick is going to be.
March 31st, 2024 at 12:00 pm
Cooper DeJean if we do go this route….
March 31st, 2024 at 12:02 pm
You know, this is a good point.
Have also heard (and had it backed up by a couple of NFL types) that defensive players coming from Alabama are maxed out. That Saban has wrung every drop of talent out of them because he is such a good coach. So the guy you see on college tape is already at his ceiling.
March 31st, 2024 at 12:05 pm
CD III is always hurt and he doesn’t get picks. Yea he mans up on the other teams WR1, trails them and tackles them after they make the catch and get a few YACs. Man crush or not Joe – it was time to move on.
March 31st, 2024 at 12:25 pm
We did well adding a 3rd for Davis. I liked him but he missed a lot of games and didnât lock down last year like he had in the past. We absolutely need another good outside CB but while Dean and McCollum are healthy I am fine with them as starters. Bryce Hall was a decent depth pickup. We have other more important holes to fill first.
I like Trey Palmer as well, so I kind of feel the same about WR as I do CB. This draft is deep and we should draft one in the first 3 rounds but mainly due to potentially losing Godwin next season.
1st and 2nd – OL / Edge
3rd – CB / WR / LB – Best 2 available from those positions
4th – RB or TE
March 31st, 2024 at 12:27 pm
As far as Carlton Davis goes I always go back to when BA said some guys need to learn how to play even when they’re nicked up. He was talking directly about Davis and called him by name if I remember correctly. That was partly why I knew once he got paid he would continue to miss games at probably a higher rate. The guy talked a big game but getting rid of him or Dean had to be done. We all know TB loves Dean so between the 2 of them Davis was going to be gone 1st. Dean won’t last here much longer. He was brittle in college and it continued into the league.
March 31st, 2024 at 12:28 pm
I don’t see the dire need for a CB. Carlton Davis was often injured and didn’t fit the mold of a Bowles corner.
There’s no way corner is more important than an edge rusher or interior OL.
Corner might be the 4th most important option come draft.
March 31st, 2024 at 12:32 pm
All I know is Bucs better find a Pass Rush from Somewheres for this upcoming season. We lost 3 definite and maybe 4 games last year because of the lack of one.
March 31st, 2024 at 12:35 pm
I just think they draft a WR not sure whyâŚ
March 31st, 2024 at 12:40 pm
Kool-Aid or Nate Wiggins at pick #26 wouldn’t surprise me – especially if there are not any high-end OLBs left when we pick.
Teams need 3 starting CBs these days and we traded away C. Davis. Hall and Thomas were nice additions for depth and special teams but the Bucs could use another potential starter at the CB position.
Kool-Aid is a little bigger than Wiggins but Wiggins seems to be more athletic and has an impressive RAS of 9.42 out of 10.
March 31st, 2024 at 12:53 pm
Jeremiahâs summary doesnât make me think heâs a very exciting pick. A CB with concerns about his twitch and speed in round 1? Really?
March 31st, 2024 at 1:03 pm
Adonai Mitchell will be the pick. I think it’s going to be more something like this then what fans think or want.
March 31st, 2024 at 1:09 pm
No to a corner in the first round. I believe JWhitehead vetted for Bryce Hall who plays like a starter. Hall will outplay McCollum n prove to better than JDean.
March 31st, 2024 at 1:13 pm
Zyon McCollum played more defensive snaps last year than Davis or Dean.
Hes talented,and will get better with more playing time.
If we get a decent pass rush, Zyon will do great.
If we dont, No CB is gonna hold up, and weâll be 29th in Pass defense again.
We lost Shaq and traded Davis. We replaced our depth players.we added Whitehead.
But so far, we have done nothing to improve our pass defense.
March 31st, 2024 at 1:20 pm
@ Tucker
Adonai Mitchell certainly fits the profile. Our GM likes high RAS players who are 22 years old or younger and this draft is WR heavy.
Adonai Mitchell scored an unofficial 9.97 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 11 out of 3063 WR from 1987 to 2024.
Plus he ran a 4.35 – 40 yd dash.
That is very impressive.
March 31st, 2024 at 1:22 pm
Nah we need to get edge rusher
March 31st, 2024 at 1:33 pm
Hard to get an “exciting” pick at No. 26. By that time, you’re looking at second-round talent.
March 31st, 2024 at 1:44 pm
I still say trade back and add another 2nd or 3rd rounder
Do that and we have five picks in first 3 rounds
Edge
Center
Running back
Corner back
Ilb/te
Nail the draft and all can be significant
March 31st, 2024 at 1:44 pm
We may draft a corner early, but I can almost guarantee it won’t be Kool-Aid. He doesn’t check nearly enough boxes for what Licht has historically drafted at corner. RAS score is way too low.
March 31st, 2024 at 1:47 pm
It’s disappointing to lose a talented CB in Davis but it’s better to kick him to the curb while he still has something left in the tank rather than continue to pay him millions after Father Time catches up to him.
The Bucs have many needs and are working at climbing out of the salary cap hell they got into during the Brady years. Trading Davis and drafting another CB is part of that effort.
March 31st, 2024 at 1:48 pm
You know the biggest reason for the lost decade was drafting for need and not NFL talent. For the love of God please take the best available from top to bottom this year. Let the fans who arenât GMâs complain about us not taking the 5th or 6th best edge rusher or offensive lineman.
March 31st, 2024 at 1:53 pm
Nate Wiggins (CB, Clemson) was mocked to us elsewhere and I find him a much more interesting prospect. Length, speed, twitched up…. only thing he lacks is weight… but he’s only 20 and should easily put on more weight (was 173 at combine).
March 31st, 2024 at 1:58 pm
Joe Says:
March 31st, 2024 at 1:33 pm
I disagree. I get excited about a lot of picks if I see where they fit and they project as a good value at the spot. If you tell me you’re drafting a corner who isn’t known for speed in round 1, I’m gonna be skeptical. Without the benefit of watching tape, just based on measurables, I like the sound of Nate WIggins better.
March 31st, 2024 at 1:59 pm
The starter ‘holes’ left from releasing Shaq (Edge), not re-signing Stinnie (LG), and not re-signing White (ILB) still have to be filled. Hainsey can slide over to LG, but we’d still NEED to draft an Edge & a Center & a MLB fairly high up in the draft to replace them. And since we left so many points on the table because we only ran for 8 TDs, adding a power back seems like a definite NEED also. Those seem like they should be our Top-4 picks IMO.
Drafting a CB to replace Davis would be a good idea, but I’d expect McCollum or Hall to get 1st dibs at the position because of their experience (thus drafting a CB on Day 3 seems more likely, or maybe grabbing another one in FA). Same thing goes with LG; I’d expect Hainsey, Bredeson or Opeta to get 1st dibs on replacing Stinnie, but it’d be a good idea to draft a Guard on Day 3 so we can develop him. Same thing goes with finding another TE to complement Otton (Durham will step up his game this year, but I personally doubt that Ko Kieft will make this year’s team).
March 31st, 2024 at 2:20 pm
@ Joe
I wonder how the new NFL rules banning “hip-drop tackles” will affect both the DB and RB positions.
I believe DBs will have to get a little bigger/stronger and RBs might get a little bigger/stronger as well due to the new rules…
We might see a return to the mid-80’s when running backs were 6’2″ – 235 lbs and DBs will have to be big/strong enough to stop them without using the “hip-drop” method.
March 31st, 2024 at 2:50 pm
We definitely have bigger holes to fill. Most notably edge, LB, OL etc. And to be honest, with our win now roster, we caught a break with our 2024 Schedule. We need run stoppers which also points to linebacker. If our schedule /division was filled playing against passing QBs I would worry more. The Carolina kid is still green and no one else is a pure passer it seems. We have to stop McCaffrey and the running back position and mobile QBs like Hurts, Purdy, Mahomes, Jackson, Herbert, the Giants guy just to name a few in our games next year. Goff and Prescott are the two most âdrop back passersâ we face . So yea Iâll take LB or DL help any day of the week.
March 31st, 2024 at 3:08 pm
Iâm sorry I canât take any guy named Kool Aid seriously
March 31st, 2024 at 3:20 pm
yeah my nyc guys tell me bryce hall is a borderline starter type…but he fell back on the roster since the team has exceptional corner play…
so we probably got a good one…
and i almost believe we don’t even need to add a corner in the draft this year…
if so go like 4th or 5th round on cb…
otherwise i’m of the mindset to bring back dee delaney – i like him in a back up role big time
March 31st, 2024 at 3:22 pm
by the way, i think the king of “hip drop tackling” on the bucs is AWJ…
he might have to adjust his tackling some…
also LVD too…
then again it’s hard to exactly define this new rule – it’ll be interesting to see how it mucks up the league
March 31st, 2024 at 3:25 pm
Davis created his own hole by constantly not being available because of injury.
March 31st, 2024 at 4:02 pm
#26 will be BPA. The Bucs have many needs, but it all depends on how the draft goes. But, I HIGHLY doubt a Jason Licht draft will include a 1st round C/G/CB unless he is a can’t miss prospect with the holes we have on the edge. He believes too strongly in developing players at OL and Bowles believes strongly in developing CBs.
If Penix somehow falls to #26, which I doubt, the Bucs will snag him without batting an eye as the BPA.
March 31st, 2024 at 4:08 pm
easter egg draft talk:
1- edge/c
2- c/wr
3- edge/wr
3-ilb/wr
4- ilb/rb
5- rb/cb
6- tom gravy
7- donald igwebuike đ
because we still have big hole at edge, i have us taking 2….for now
March 31st, 2024 at 4:16 pm
DR –
I keep seeing you include ILB as a position we could/should draft high.
I’m pretty sure thats not going to happen this year.
Its a “bad” class allegedly for ILBers this year firstly….
Which means the few better prospects will get pushed up the boards of teams strongly in need of this position….
The Bucs are set at ILB for 2024 IMO. Anyone they draft at that position would be developmental – and likely not make the roster unless he was a day 2 pick or something.
LD54 is a legend and still going strong (we hope)….
Britt is what he is. And we know what he is. He’s a good football player – thats what he is. He’s not fast – he’s not “flashy” – but hes smart and hes tough and hes a sure tackler and he maintains his gap. Nuff said. Britt will impress this year I bet. He sure impressed me last year when he replaced White…. It was like – holy crap – you mean we can actually play sound defense once again? LOL To be fair – that was also about the same time Bowles finally decided he’d seen enough of Ryan Neal as well….
Sirvocea Dennis – Yea – Yea – I know – witness protection program last year… Ha Ha – I’ll keep saying this though till I see otherwise on the field… This kid is going to be a good NFL football player. We might not see much evidence of that until 2025 as it seems he’s being exclusively groomed to replace LaVonte in that weakside spot whenever that day comes – be it by injury or retirement.
I’m convinced that Dennis will outplay his draft position at some point just like Britt did in his 3rd year last year.
JJ Russell – Another guy outplaying his “draft” position. Which was UDFA. But he’s played his way into an NFL career. Good Special Teamer and he showed last year when called upon due to a rash of simultaneous injuries what we already knew from all his good work in pre-season. The game is not too big for him. If pressed into service – Russell will be where hes supposed to be and he will make plays when the opportunity is in front of him.
This is our group this year. The Bucs aren’t keeping more than 4 ILBers.
March 31st, 2024 at 4:28 pm
Well, bye Carlton. You weren’t good enough. Anyone could see that. Nine career interceptions in 6 seasons is cruddy for a full time player.
March 31st, 2024 at 4:43 pm
27 was already on the field more than 24 last year. And Hall from the Jets solidifies our third CB. He plays well outside and we have 2 Nickle Corners as well. Parting ways with Davis gave us a more consistent secondary, and adding Whitehead made it complete. Bucs need to focus on Edge ober CB with #1 pick.
March 31st, 2024 at 4:56 pm
@ Simeon
I would be fine with drafting an OLB at #26 but who will be available?
I keep seeing Chop Robinson being mentioned. I would fine with that. But he might be gone by the time we pick.
He certainly fits our GMs 1st round pick profile. Younger than 22 years old and a very high RAS in a position of need.
But the other OLBs will be gone and there isn’t anyone else with a first round grade left.
March 31st, 2024 at 4:59 pm
Chop scares me little production and PSU
March 31st, 2024 at 5:02 pm
Pickgrin … You’re right about this class being slim pickings, but our lack of depth at MLB is appalling. I’m admittedly not sold on KL Britt, although I also consider him to be a good player. Pretty much the same way I consider Robert Hainsey to be a good player, just not the best starter at Center. Dennis is 6′ & 226 lbs. Russell is 6’1″ & 225 lbs. Both are more suited for replacing LVD if he gets hurt. Who replaces Britt if he gets hurt?
The center of the defense IMO is critical. Even though we had the #5 run defense last year, 3 teams ran all over us: Eagles (201 yds), Falcons (156 yds Game 1) & Colts (155 yds) … 3 losses. Several reasons why we got burned in those games, but a lot of it had to do with those teams being able to successfully run between the tackles. This year I’ll bet we see a lot more of that until we show that we can shut down the middle run game. I’m not convinced that the ILBs we’ve got now can do that.
March 31st, 2024 at 5:15 pm
@Marine Buc
Mb for typos often comment wout my readers. Good point. I’m thinking JL will have to trade up w a 3rd rd pick in either the 1st or 2nd to get the right value guy. Wout a trade if Robinson is still there at 26 you take him or go for C I think and target Edge in Rd 2 with Isaac. Or trade up in Rd 2 for Trice or Braswell. I’m not certain a top 4 Edge will be available at 26, so I’d like to see him trade up in the first round personally. Verse or Latu are worth trading up for I think, would settle for Robinson, but after Trice, Braswell, and Isaac it’s gonna be slim pickings for Edge Rusher past rd 2
March 31st, 2024 at 5:40 pm
We should take the center written about yesterday. Todd has had more than enough D picks. Center, edge, wr, lb, rb, ol, db
March 31st, 2024 at 5:58 pm
That was nice or savy of his girlfriend to post those highlights of him though I seriously doubt he’s our pick at 26. Or at least, I hope not. Not at 26. He’s ok but we can Do Better at that pick…. His right up isn’t impressive and Im SICK of all the so called analysis always pinning us with the scrubs of the pack!
We WILL choose better than that with our first pick if it remains at 26…
March 31st, 2024 at 6:04 pm
@ Simeon
It wouldn’t surprise me if our GM decides to trade back and collect a few picks inside the top 120…
It all depends on who is available at pick #26.
@ Boss
The only problem with the JPJ pick is there are several teams that will pick before the Bucs that also need a Center.
I highly doubt JPJ will get past the Eagles at pick #22.
March 31st, 2024 at 6:13 pm
Trade down.
March 31st, 2024 at 6:19 pm
Center. Edge. Secondary. RB.
In that order.
March 31st, 2024 at 6:28 pm
Center, Edge, RB, WR seems to hit best
March 31st, 2024 at 6:32 pm
I saw someone today project a trade between the Bucs and Cardinals….
Chris Godwin to Arizona – Bucs get a late 1st (#27) and two 3rds (#66 and #75).
I love me some Chris Godwin and I know the Bucs do too – but damn – I would do that trade in a heart beat. Especially with this being Godwin’s last year under contract, having just signed Evans to an expensive 2 year deal – PLUS – all the good wide receivers coming out of the draft this year….
March 31st, 2024 at 6:39 pm
Pickgrin and D.R. as usual enjoyed your banter about the D especially ILB.
This piece focused me more on Davis than the draft and so I agree with several here…I think Lt. Dan was first to point it out.
IMHO Davis is good not great DB. He’s certainly decent in man to man coverage but that’s about it. He’s had six seasons with the Bucs and only 9 ints. He had 3 picks total in 4 of his first 5 years and if you remove the 4 he had in his high water make…4 one year..2 the other..1 or zero the other four..he averages a pick a year. IE He’s either lacking hands or anticipation for a difference maker other than in man to man coverage. Sometimes he just SUCKS in zone. I get guys prefer man to man…but ya gotta be able to play both!
Bottom line those is THE BOTTOM LINE. Besides not even being Pro Bowl material Davis lacks availability!!! He signed a 45 million deal in 2022 for three years. Let’s just figure out how much Davis has cost the Bucs.
Since that 15 mil per year deal he has played only 70% of that first year and 76% of last years games. If you do the math…that means the Bucs got 10.5 million of production in year one of the deal and 11.5 million if you figure per game costs.
That means SOMEBODY has to get PAID to replace all those lost snaps!!!
I always thought Davis was good not great…I think Jamel Dean is better at times when he is healthy and show up. Neither of them are a great loss.
It’s a lot less challenging to replace a player who doesn’t play!
March 31st, 2024 at 6:58 pm
WtfâŚseveral people agree with me. My new meds must be working finally đ
March 31st, 2024 at 6:58 pm
Ha, not gonna happen Pick, but i would take it.
March 31st, 2024 at 7:00 pm
Shove your meds where the sun doesnt shine boss….it bypasses the liver and takes you straight to dead. please
March 31st, 2024 at 7:05 pm
Umh, yeah, and then there was this:
Last year, Davis allowed a 102.5 quarterback rating overall and finished as the No. 68 cornerback overall according to PFF.
Sometimes he was the third and sometimes he was the turd.
March 31st, 2024 at 7:24 pm
Madmax is mad lol
March 31st, 2024 at 7:52 pm
God…if we could move Godwin who probably in his last year here for a 1st and 2 3rd rounders…that’s a huge win for bucs…now I have another thing to watch for
March 31st, 2024 at 7:52 pm
one of my draft favs. Also a Ladd fan. Kool-aid also returns punts. I would support JL with this pick.
March 31st, 2024 at 7:59 pm
BOSS
Congrats on the new meds.
March 31st, 2024 at 8:17 pm
Nobody knows what is going to happen and Licht certainly couldn’t care less what the average fan thinks he should do in the draft.
That said, if I were Licht, I would take the BPA of center/left guard and pass rusher first and whatever of those two I didn’t get in the first round, I’d pick up in the second.
The Bucs are probably deeper at corner than they have ever been and I guess I’m one of the only people that don’t see that as a position of dire need. OLB is a bigger need than corner right now IMHO.
March 31st, 2024 at 8:19 pm
Bucben61 said “GodâŚif we could move Godwin who probably in his last year here for a 1st and 2 3rd roundersâŚthatâs a huge win for bucsâŚnow I have another thing to watch for”
Man, this is as delusional as thinking Kyle Trask has any trade value whatsoever. You might get a third round pick and one late rounder for him
April 1st, 2024 at 1:18 pm
wow that godwin speculative trade would hurt bad man… ^^^
we all love us some CG…
if that was on the table it might be hard to resist…
and licht and crew might have to change the locks because when his wife gets word, she’s marching down to one buc or the war room – and them boys better hide, lol – she gonna slap dudes up real good lol
April 1st, 2024 at 1:20 pm
boss been medicated for the longest…
remember last season all the ME13 yang he talked, and how evans should get like a 2 year deal for 5 mil…
he’s on that heavy dose