Jason Licht: “One Or Two” Trade-Up Targets
April 7th, 2024
Third-round hitter Jason Licht.
The draft-day planning continues at One Buc Palace and Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht is looking up in Round 1.
There’s plenty to see when you’re staring up from No. 26 overall near the bottom of the draft, and Licht told The Rich Eisen Show recently that “we’ve talked about one or two guys that we’d love to go up and get, too.”
So who are they? And what might be the cost?
Perhaps the greatest intelligence challenge for Licht and his staff is knowing the board and what it will take to move up or down successfully. Who to call/whose call to wait on and what to say are all critical.
Licht told Eisen that draft-day trade offers, “sometimes they don’t come until Thursday morning or Thursday afternoon of the draft.”
So what will it cost to move up? History says that varies greatly.
Last year, the Bills moved from the No. 27 pick to No. 25 by coughing up a fourth-round pick (No. 130 overall) to the Jaguars. But the Steelers moved up from No. 17 to No. 14 for only a fourth-round pick, too, albeit a better one at No. 12o overall.
Draft junkies will remember how the Lions won the 2024 draft by trading their No. 6 overall pick and a third-round pick to the Cardinals for No. 12 overall, plus a top second-rounder at No. 34 overall and a fifth-round pick. Detroit walked out of that draft with rookie Pro Bowlers Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta. They combined for a whopping 20 touchdowns in the regular season.
Could the Bucs get as high as No. 22 overall by trading their No. 26 pick and one of their third-r0unders to the Eagles (Pick Nos. 89 or 92)?
Philadelphia has nine picks, including two second-rounders. They may be looking for more flexibility.
Man, Joe would love to know who the Bucs might target with a trade up. Regardless, Joe suspects the Bucs would be darn happy keeping their third-round picks.
Licht has made 10 third-round picks during his tenure. A whopping nine of them made significant contributions on the field. Joe would put only one in the “bust” category: Ke’Shawn Vaughn is the only guy Joe would label a bust.
April 7th, 2024 at 1:59 pm
You know it’s an Edge rusher Joe.
Just say it!
April 7th, 2024 at 2:01 pm
If JL said one or two – he means approximately three “move up targets”.
April 7th, 2024 at 2:09 pm
If we use the example of Kancey, who might they secretly be in love with, maybe someone who they’ve left no trace. No combine interview or top 30 visit. Someone with great tape and some eye popping traits who might be under the radar because of size concerns… could it be a QB (doubt it)… another weapon in the passing game? Bowers maybe? Or on D, maybe Jared Verse?
April 7th, 2024 at 2:15 pm
Unless you’re pretty sure you’re getting a game changer, stay put. I like the extra picks, and Licht has a damn good record of making his picks count.
April 7th, 2024 at 2:20 pm
Shhhhhhh…quiet
April 7th, 2024 at 2:24 pm
I would bet the house they are hoping Verse drops down into a spot where they can trade to plus he played in state at FSU so already has a fan base
April 7th, 2024 at 2:24 pm
It’s got to be somebody the Bucs really want. The best O-linemen and DEs will be gone by the time we pick. We will see.
April 7th, 2024 at 2:25 pm
The Lions won the 2024 draft? Joe must have a crystal ball to see into the future!
April 7th, 2024 at 2:26 pm
The more I watch the more Im leaning towards K Joshua Karty…..yep thats the trade up, ive got it figured out….aint nobody fooling me….
April 7th, 2024 at 2:29 pm
JL has not had good luck in the 2nd round over the years.
For the first time in forever I really don’t have a name I want with the first pick.
April 7th, 2024 at 2:33 pm
Trade up to 18, they need an OT and theres plenty available at 26
a 3rd and 5th (its sucks, i want that 5th)
April 7th, 2024 at 2:56 pm
My heart is telling me Jared Verse
My brain is telling me Powers-johnson
April 7th, 2024 at 3:08 pm
@Ko Kiefer
Same
@MadMax
Lmao … yeah either Karty or Ray Finkle would would be cool to
April 7th, 2024 at 3:08 pm
If barton, jpj, lautu, verse, latham, fautanu and or a combination of some of these guys are there at 26 . I would trade back with buffalo to 28 and get their late 4th or early 5th rnd pick
April 7th, 2024 at 3:28 pm
If Jared Verse starts to Fall, go get him. I watched his Louisville film and was blown away. Run & Pass. I live in MD, not a Florida St guy. He’s just that guy for me. Wasn’t as dominant vs Duke (Barton) but was still all over the field affecting the game in different ways.
April 7th, 2024 at 3:29 pm
Center…if true.
But this being the season of lies, I’m thinking they’ll trade out of the first. Eagles would be a good team to do it with.
April 7th, 2024 at 3:42 pm
Not a huge fan of trading up, I just hope Licht avoids Drop Robinson. Maybe we could get ahead of Dallas and pick a great OT and move Goedeke inside? I love the idea of sticking Jerry Jones.
April 7th, 2024 at 3:58 pm
F no! If anything, I hope we trade out of the first completely and stock up on day 2 picks. Insane value all throughout rounds 2 and 3 and I’d rather have two of those than one 1st rounder.
April 7th, 2024 at 4:12 pm
A third round pick up move up for spots? For 22? No thank you. It sounds terrible.
April 7th, 2024 at 4:25 pm
I don’t think it will happen. Stand firm or trade down.
April 7th, 2024 at 4:37 pm
This has been a bad spot to pick the last few years. I wouldn’t mind a trade up or trade back
April 7th, 2024 at 4:44 pm
Hey… if we’re at a 90% success rate on 3rd rounders I say trade everything for 3rd round picks. He found his sweet spot lol.
April 7th, 2024 at 5:46 pm
We have several needs…likely no need to trade up
April 7th, 2024 at 5:49 pm
Trade down to the top of rd2 and pick the best IOL available. Barton and JPJ will be gone, but we should have some good choices. Most mocks have a lot of IOL’s going in the first half of rd2 before our pick at #57.
Trade up from one of our rd3 picks into rd2 for IOL, Edge, or RB1. For reference, Mauch picked at #48, Goedeke at #57, and Hainsey at #95.
April 7th, 2024 at 5:58 pm
Hope it’s JPJ.
April 7th, 2024 at 6:01 pm
I would say when Arians was head coach, Vaughn played well. Yet another player who regressed under head coach Bowels.
April 7th, 2024 at 6:27 pm
I think Jason will draft someone he doesn’t want, to make all the weekend armchair GMs feel better about themselves.
April 7th, 2024 at 6:28 pm
Caleb M Says:
April 7th, 2024 at 4:44 pm
“Hey… if we’re at a 90% success rate on 3rd rounders I say trade everything for 3rd round picks. He found his sweet spot lol.”
He’s hit on first rounders the past few years too. About 50/50 in second round.
April 7th, 2024 at 6:48 pm
The reason why Licht misses on 2nd rounders is because he is thinking too much outside the box in that round.
Winfield selection was on point because it was straight up the BAP on the board and the Bucs were not cute about it trying to find some obscure prospect or drafting a kicker in round 2.
Mauch, Goedeke, and Hall are developing even if it is not as fast as we want.
April 7th, 2024 at 7:14 pm
Based on the standardish Draft Trade chart
Picks #26 + #89 is just a hair short of being equivalent to pick #20.
So 20-21 is about as high as we can get with one of the 3rd rd picks.
If either Verse or Latu is there it would probably be worth it to trade up 5 spots and get a stud Edge prospect on the cheap for the next 4/5 years considering our current need and the usual difficulty of finding high end talent for that spot with out spending a fortune in either cap space or draft capital….
I think both those guys are going to be very good NFL players.
IMO – both Verse and Latu represent a somewhat decent shot at getting a Bosa or Burns or Allen type talent at Edge.
If you already have a strong need – and could get either of those players for the price of a #20 overall draft pick – you do it and then immediately start high fiving and ass slapping whoever is next to you….
Probably not going to happen though. I doubt either Verse or Latu makes it out of the teens.
Not worth it to trade up for a C/G in the 1st – even though that is our biggest need IMO…
April 7th, 2024 at 7:16 pm
I’d suggest that Licht agrees with Ira Kaufman and Bowers is one player the Bucs could move up for. Tight End is a position of need, Bowers is a weapon.
April 7th, 2024 at 7:37 pm
What Ko Kiefer said!
Go Bucs!!
April 7th, 2024 at 7:37 pm
Bobby boucher! Draft him in round 1
We need a new water boy & he’s a great tackler
April 7th, 2024 at 7:46 pm
Thought we had no 6th but a 5th….my bad, thanks Run…im stupid sometimes
April 7th, 2024 at 7:47 pm
Round 1, No. 26, 26th overall.
Round 2, No. 25, 57th overall.
Round 3, No. 26, 89th overall.
Round 3, No. 29, 92nd overall.
Round 4, No. 25, 125th overall.
Round 6, No. 45, 220th overall*
Round 7, No. 26, 246th overall.
April 7th, 2024 at 7:53 pm
NO, dont trade that 4th…..nope nope nope….
alright 6th and 7th and next years 6th and 7th to trade up to 18, plus our 3rd (92) and of course 26
And who do you want?….we’re sitting at 18 Baby!
Im going Powers all the way!
Get off me Powers haters….im on a roll and in Jason’s ear….and sometimes he listens 🙂
April 7th, 2024 at 8:00 pm
Powers
Braswell
Trotter jr
Estime
..oops, i mean the kicker…i need to shut up me stupid self
April 7th, 2024 at 8:04 pm
and I was talking about Cinci at 18 Run…sorry for the confusion, theyre looking for OT
April 7th, 2024 at 8:19 pm
Trading up might make sense or, even trading back could be the way he chooses. I’m not convinced that staying at 26 makes sense though. Especially if a trade back is the early bird portion of day 2. Filling our need and/or greed isnt at #26.itllnbe really interesting to see what jl and his outstanding team do. My popcorn is ready for draft time.
If I were jl, and I am not, but if I were, I’d have my team focusing on the weakness we have experienced and agonized over for two straight years: offensive points production. I recognize the needs at various positions, including defense. As the NFL rules continue to change, seemingly in favor of offense, we should be focusing on using the advantage provided by these actions to put more points on the board offensively. In my mind our path to more points begins at Center. I truly believe that it will be a pivotal difference in our capabilities by taking action there. Id manue er based on that need
April 7th, 2024 at 8:31 pm
Trade up for a top 3 Edge if able. Sit tight for JPJ or Barton. If all 5 are gone, trade back.
I agree there is a LOT of value in rds 2 and 3. If the Bucs trade back, they would probably end up with 5 picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. I feel confident JL and his team could hit on at least 4 very good players. Top 9 Edge (double up?), top 4 Center, WR, G and ILB on day 2. Get a RB in the 4th though you may need to trade up (or swap 4th rd picks as a part of the trade back). Take a CB and TE in the 6th and 7th.
April 7th, 2024 at 8:40 pm
I agree that trading up for Verse or Latu is the way to go. Sit and see if JPJ or Barton are available. If not trading down and adding more 3rd and 4th rounders is good given that is where the value is at in this draft (eg WR, DB).
April 7th, 2024 at 8:45 pm
I’m not trying to see them bucks trade down out of the first round to pick up an extra pick.
April 7th, 2024 at 9:11 pm
R1:Jordan Morgan R2:Braden Fiske R3:Breden Rice R4:Max Melton
April 7th, 2024 at 9:27 pm
The interior DL just got a shake up with top rated DL Texas T. Sweat getting arrested for DUI. Say goodbye to Fiske, Darious Robinson, and Byron Murphy.
April 7th, 2024 at 10:22 pm
I agree Joe the lions had a great draft with their first three picks. I wish we could’ve gotten either Gibbs or Laporta.
April 7th, 2024 at 11:28 pm
The bucs do well with third round picks. Perhaps they can get a second and a third for the first they have and let her rip. Just sayin… trade back . If they guy they want is gone…. No need to push it and get another…. Um er lawnchair!
April 8th, 2024 at 12:27 am
Jason Licht loses all credibility as a GM for drafting not one, but 2 kickers. One I think his drunk @$$ traded up for lol.
Licht is okay at his job. Could be a lot worse. Could be a lot better. I’ll take it over mystery option behind door #2 unless we’re bringing John Lynch back.
April 8th, 2024 at 12:47 am
I got him reeled in this time Big Red…its all good, we got this 😉
April 8th, 2024 at 6:11 am
Big Red- yup too bad we don’t have John Lynch who trades 3 first round picks for a quarterback that never sees the field, and just lost a draft pick over accounting incompetence
April 8th, 2024 at 7:14 am
Trading up for a punter!
April 8th, 2024 at 12:34 pm
KEEP THEM ALL … OR ADD MORE
The last two drafts have reshaped this team but the job isn’t done.
The Bucs have 4 legit holes this year (C, OG, OLB, MLB), 2 holes next year (WR, MLB), and very little depth. The Bucs need all their picks and they need to find solid talent.
If the Bucs hit on this draft, we’re making a deep playoff run the next few years.