What The Bucs Should Target
March 28th, 2024
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Yesterday the Stinking Panthers signed Jadeveon Clowney. No, Joe didn’t think the Bucs would go after him.
The Bucs had multiple chances to sign Clowney over the years and Joe neither heard no read one report or rumor the Bucs were ever talking turkey with the South Carolina product.
Haason Reddick, on the other hand … he’s still out there to acquire via trade. Hello? Hello? Anybody home?
As a result of the Bucs — on paper — having their worst gaggle of edge rushers since before Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht thieved Jason Pierre-Paul from the Giants for a third-round pick in 2018, Dalton Wasserman of the PFF tribe has a hunch the Bucs will draft an edge rusher in the first round of next month’s draft.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Team Needs: EDGE, LB, IOL
Shaq Barrett [is] … now in Miami, leaving a massive hole in Tampa Bay, where multiple first-round picks have yet to make a significant impact. The team could be in play for a pass rusher in the first round. They also could look toward the future at linebacker, where franchise legend Lavonte David continues to operate on one-year contracts.Tampa Bay is set at tackle with Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke. … The Buccaneers lost their primary starter at left guard, Aaron Stinnie, in free agency, so that spot makes the most logical sense for an upgrade.
Joe has to give this Wasserman credit here. This might be the first draft preview Joe has read about the Bucs where the needs did not include a quarterback.
You know: Baker Mayfield. Can’t have him!
Joe is in favor of drafting an edge rusher. But historically, the Bucs haven’t drafted a stud edge rusher since the great Lee Roy Selmon. That was the team’s very first draft pick! Maybe YaYa Diaby becomes that guy.
It’s almost like the Bucs are snakebit when it comes to drafting edge rushers and quarterbacks in the first round. The Bucs have never had a drafted quarterback stick around for his second contract.
And edge rushers? Since Selmon, Joe is pretty confident the Bucs haven’t drafted an edge rusher who made the Pro Bowl. That’s freaking sad, man!
March 28th, 2024 at 3:54 am
I think Wasserman nailed it with Bucs needing to draft Edge, IOL & LB. Throw in power RB in our top 4 picks, and that right there would be a nice draft.
March 28th, 2024 at 5:02 am
Being optimistic. Maybe Jason Licht will surprise all of us with a decent Edge Rusher…
March 28th, 2024 at 5:02 am
Joe,
I remember you calling Lavonte David before he got drafted…who do you think is the next great LB to be drafted by the Bucs?
March 28th, 2024 at 5:14 am
We need a good Corner too. We cant be sure how Zion will be as a full time starter and Dean is highly inonsistent and injury prone.
March 28th, 2024 at 5:32 am
We also need a center. Zach Frazier comes to mind. But in different mock drafts, the Lions and Steelers are being said to get him in the first round.
March 28th, 2024 at 5:39 am
Think a voodoo curse was placed on the Bucs when Selmon and company went into NO and curb stomped the Aint’s for there first ever win! What else can explain it!
March 28th, 2024 at 5:42 am
Why are we still having to hear about this Clown….. I mean Clowney? About to have flashbacks of Adrian Clayborn and a certain joe begging for a team friendly contract lol
March 28th, 2024 at 5:44 am
Lapis’s love JPJ, and Graham Barton in rd 1.
March 28th, 2024 at 5:48 am
Its almost a mathematical Anomaly, that the Bucs haven’t hit on a QB or edge rusher. So many wasted picks
That said, I think the Bucs will draft a pass rusher. Meybe a DE. More likely a
Pass rushing LBer.
Personally, Id rather trade picks for proven commodities, than draft rookies.
Drafting a rookie involves a big risk factor of them being a bust. Even if they arent wasted picks- it takes 2-4 years until they hit their stride.
Just in time to watch Evans and Lavonte retire.
Bet we can get a really good pass rusher for our first pick.
And a really good guard for our 2nd or 3rd round pick.
Let somebody else take the risk.
March 28th, 2024 at 5:48 am
We need an edge rusher. Joe knows we need an edge rusher. Jason Licht knows we need an edge rusher. Todd Bowles knows we need an edge rusher. The guy selling popcorn at the stadium knows we need an edge rusher. My wife knows we need an edge rusher. Hell, my dead grandmother knows we need an edge rusher. That said, the QUICKEST way to cultivate a losing team is to reach for a “need” in the draft instead of taking a much better player at a position that may not be as big of a perceived need. That can turn a team with one or two “needs” into a team with half a dozen NEEDS very quickly.
March 28th, 2024 at 6:13 am
Tim…… that is a fine idea, I sure hope JL is taking notes……………………………………………………………………………………………..
March 28th, 2024 at 6:14 am
Bucs 1st round Edge/DE/OLB through history
JTS 2021
Adrian Clayborn 2011
Gaines Adams 2007
Regan Upshaw 1996
Eric Curry 1993
Ron Holmes 1985
Lee Roy Selmon 1976
March 28th, 2024 at 6:19 am
I agree with Wasserman’s assessment. Everyone likes to just say BPA, but you have to balance that with your need and the position. If you need an Edge, you need to get one on day 1 or 2. Very few double digit sack producers are drafted on day 3.
March 28th, 2024 at 6:25 am
I want oline simply for lichts track record on oline vs dline.
March 28th, 2024 at 6:27 am
Bucs drafted 7 Edge rushers in the first round:
JTS, Adrian Clayborn, Gaines Adams, Regan Upshaw, Eric Curry, Ron Holmes and Lee Roy Selmon.
March 28th, 2024 at 6:51 am
We have 4 quality picks……we need Edge, C/G, WR & RB or TE…..
March 28th, 2024 at 6:54 am
Here’s a better idea. Load up on offense, and out score your opponent. Draft O line, and receiver where the strength of the draft is. It’s a weak class of edge rushers. If Joe thinks an edge taken at 26 is going to make any difference, I got a bridge in Baltimore to sell him.
March 28th, 2024 at 7:07 am
Capt. Tim great idea if there wasn’t a salary cap.
March 28th, 2024 at 7:07 am
100% agreed capt. tim …
that strategy involves more salary cap restrictions …. you are paying more for a known commodity
March 28th, 2024 at 7:13 am
Use them draft picks on an edge rusher, via a trade of course. Definitely snake bit on drafting edge rushers.
March 28th, 2024 at 7:44 am
Quickest way to waste a first round pick is to choose based on position. Go ahead with this drum beat of drafting an edge at 26 even though the good ones are likely gone at that position. You’ll feel fantastic and justified – until he takes the field and you STILL need an edge because you drafted by position without due consideration to talent available at the position.
March 28th, 2024 at 7:52 am
Capt. Tim Says:
March 28th, 2024 at 5:48 am
Bet we can get a really good pass rusher for our first pick.
—
Good point. Trading for a proven veteran is about the only way I see #26 pick getting us a good rusher. That depends on contract numbers and years left though
March 28th, 2024 at 8:50 am
Drafting edge rushers seems similar to QB’s–most are misses
March 28th, 2024 at 9:22 am
Bucs Guy, you left out Broderick Thomas
Ray Perkins called him “my Lawence Taylor when he drafted him. He was kind of a tweener between OLB and DE. He was meh.
March 28th, 2024 at 9:27 am
Joe, I’d say there’s some reason Hassan Reddicke is still available. The Eagles probably want too much for him or maybe his play is slipping for the money he commands. Do you know what they’re asking?
March 28th, 2024 at 9:31 am
For those who haven’t done there research on Zach Frazier you need too !! Kid was 4 x state champion ship wrestler , his record was 159/2 and no match went past 58 secs and he is super smart and can call audibles on fly. Something most college centers know nothing about . 32 reps on bench press at combine is insane. We all know what happens if you don’t protect QB and Zach is a day 1 starter and would fit so well with Baker , he can also pull and get downhill for our run game and is a Ryan Jensen in the making , Jason Licht and the boys better wake up. Tristan W. Was also a championship wrestler and we draft him 1st round and he was a pro bowler year 1. Zach Frazier Rd 1 to bucs or we will be in same boat as last year.
March 28th, 2024 at 9:33 am
Goedonkey is not the best answer at RT. The Lions who are known to be thin at pass rush, abused the Goedonkey in the Divisional game, reminding us that he can suck out loud. At least he gets away with holding, so there is that.
March 28th, 2024 at 9:46 am
Read a Reddit thread and had a pretty good list of players drafted after 3rd round or Undrafted with at least 50 Sacks. Pretty interesting to see they are out there.
Players drafted in the 3rd or later since 2000 with at least 50 sacks.
Reading thru the comments someone said that Richard Dent was an 8th round pick…. that is like catching lightening in a bottle.
March 28th, 2024 at 9:50 am
Trade Dean for a proven edge. Draft a CB and IOL early. ILB mid rounds
March 28th, 2024 at 10:02 am
If Haasan Reddick is so amazing (he TOTALED 2 tackles in 2 games vs the Bucs last season) why is he still “on the market”? You would think he was Lawerence Taylor the way this here website pumps him up daily.
March 28th, 2024 at 10:50 am
At some point we will need a top shelf corner. The guys we have are nice but not great. We need great to win big.
March 28th, 2024 at 2:19 pm
You don’t invest $35Mill annually in a QB and not protect him. Need a strong Center and LG and hope that Mauch puts on enough upper body strength to make big jump in 2024.
March 28th, 2024 at 2:50 pm
Reddick has done diddly squat against the Bucs and they don’t seem to be too impressed with his lack of production against us. Spending a pick on an over 30 edge FA is bad business. We need to draft edge but maybe not round one. I think one of the C/G will be available and I don’t like passing up on one of them for chop or any of the edge guys other than verse or Latu.
March 28th, 2024 at 4:20 pm
Bucs do not have to draft an edge rusher in round 1. Just like the Bucs can find an upgrade at center beyond round 1 to replace Hainsey.
I prefer JPJ in round 1 but the draft has several good center beyond JPJ.