Best Players On The Board
April 25th, 2025
He’s got this.
Early this morning when Joe had a chance to catch up and see how fans were reacting to the pick by Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht of Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka, it was like Licht traded away the No. 19 pick to the Browns for the rights to sign Johnny Football.
The breadcrumbs were all over the place the Bucs might just draft a receiver. And with the Hall of Fame No. 1 receiver turning 32 years old and hurt and the No. 2 receiver hurt again and still unable to practice, Joe isn’t sure how folks thought everything was just fine at receiver.
Yes, the pass defense stunk last year. No doubt. Perhaps, as he sort of admitted, Bucs coach Todd Bowles thinks he may have found the reason why the pass defense pirate ship sprung a leak.
Time will only tell if the patch has worked.
Sure, Joe gets why fans wanted a defensive player. “This Joe” as leaning toward a defensive tackle.
As Joe replied to a reader in the comments, it’s not like NFL strongman Roger Goodell passed some league bylaw last night and forbade the Bucs from drafting any defensive players tonight.
Over at NFL.com, former Eagles, Browns and Crows scout Daniel Jeremiah, has his best remaining players on the board. Within his top-50 available, Jeremiah has a bunch of defensive players, many who should be there for the Bucs when they pick at No. 53 in the second round tonight, if they don’t trade up or down.
And maybe one could be around in Round 3 where the Bucs pick at No. 84.
15. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
16. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
21. Mike Green, OLB, Marshall
30. Donovan Ezeiruaku, OLB, Boston College
40. Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
42. Trey Amos, CB, Mississippi
43. Landon Jackson, Edge, Arkansas
44. Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
45. Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M
48. Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
49. JT Tuimoloau, Edge, Ohio State
So yeah, Joe doesn’t think every guy on this list will be a complete bum. And it is not like second-day draft picks are all wastes.
Joe seems to recall Antoine Winfield, Chris Godwin, Luke Goedeke, Cody Mauch, Bucky Irving and Lavonte David were all selected outside the first round.
Just gets the frustration but not the outrage. There is absolutely no need to throw in the towel on the draft just because the Bucs didn’t draft a corner or edge rusher.
Yet.
April 25th, 2025 at 4:16 am
A lot of good players still there. Still hoping for Donovan and/or others to be drafted in the next couple of spots. Not throwing in the towel either. After sleeping on it, feeling it was a sound pick.
April 25th, 2025 at 4:32 am
Our next few picks will be defense. We needed WR depth so the pick made sense. I’m hoping for Schwesinger – Go Bucs!
April 25th, 2025 at 4:50 am
I was leaning towards a defensive pick in 1st round as well and was disappointed. BUT waiting to see how the rest of the draft unfolds. We shall see 🙂
April 25th, 2025 at 4:52 am
Defensive minded coach T Bowles said he realized you actually need to score points to win games.
Defensive minded T Dungy learned that after going to Indy
Yes the D needs help bigtime.
When teams score 30 a game, it makes defense a lot easier
The Bucs scored 30 a game and won the super bowl.
If the Bucs had scored 30 against Washington in the playoffs, they would have advanced.
Pedal to the medal on offense, and build the D
Also with McMillan and this guy, the Bucs should be able to replace Godwin and Evans over time. Wise choice
April 25th, 2025 at 5:28 am
Maybe they trade Godwin to the Pats for 2nd and 3rd round draft picks. It be kinda dirty, but would make last nights decision look brilliant.
April 25th, 2025 at 5:34 am
Not a chance we trade Godwin. When’s the last time we traded anyone? Stuart? Not to mention, if the unthinkable happens and Mike leaves, then we have no well established WR.
April 25th, 2025 at 5:42 am
Maybe today the Bucs trade up in the second round?
April 25th, 2025 at 5:53 am
Not excited. Where’s the edge? The corner,
April 25th, 2025 at 5:53 am
No need to trade up. We’ll get good players in every round, stop worrying.
April 25th, 2025 at 5:58 am
I didn’t believe EE would still be there at #19, so I didn’t even consider him as an option. The comparisons to Godwin sold me long ago. I can’t even remember exactly when that was. Anyway he wasn’t an option, especially after all the buzz on Golden recently. I wanted Grant, in particular, or any other mammoth beast to pair up with/split time with Vea. I still have hopes that Licht comes up with someone from some obscure backwoods community college that blocks out the sun. We’re too light on the DL other than Vea. I believe Egbuka will make a difference immediately and for ten years to come. He’s an excellent transitional player from Evans and Godwin, but I don’t see those guys retiring anytime soon. Evans has at least one more contract in him. The streak must continue until he holds the record alone. Godwin obviously doesn’t have a streak, but is actually more consistent and dependable than Evans. He’s my favorite Buc, and the reason that I am not disappointed at all that we drafted his clone. I don’t expect anymore offensive surprises. Go Bucs.
April 25th, 2025 at 6:02 am
Bucs should be able to fill get a couple of quality defensive players on day 2. A lot of people seem to think Tampa just flushed away their first rounder ala Johnny Manziel or OJ Howard but there might be a reason they went for the talented WR from the Buckeyes (perhaps Godwin will not be ready to go)… Plus, say the Bucs went a grabbed a CB with pick 19 and then flipped Dean for a day 3 pick….. Then the Bucs would essentially still be thin at corner anyhow. I trust Jason Licht over armchair pundits.
April 25th, 2025 at 6:05 am
Leopold Stotch, I agree the Bucs will not trade Godwin but could they trade Jalen McMillan now that they have drafted the Buckeye at 19??????
April 25th, 2025 at 6:06 am
Last time I felt this disappointed with JL was when they picked Vernon Hargraves. I like the player, but hate the Bucs went O instead of D.
Ezeiruaku won’t be there, but maybe Scourton will. Picking a WR in the 1st has a dovetail on every pick in this draft unless you don’t address a need. Edge in 2nd instead of 1st, DT in 3rd instead of 2nd, CB in 4th instead of 3rd … So every player picked will be a little bit less of a player than the Bucs could have selected — theoretically.
April 25th, 2025 at 6:12 am
How much of an impact will our new WR have as a #4? Our the Bucs going to not use a TE (4 WR and a RB)? Are the Bucs planning g to nake McMillan the #4 WR?
The new Bucs OC’s job just got a whole lot more difficult as he needs to score 35-40 every game.
April 25th, 2025 at 6:16 am
Every year we learn that succesful drafts aren’t about acquiring the biggest name on the board. And every year fans freak out for not acquiring the biggest names. SMDH.
April 25th, 2025 at 6:16 am
S/DT/CB coming right up for the next two. Dont expect edge or LB…Jason says we’re fine there, and I agree as long as Braswell finally breaks out.
April 25th, 2025 at 6:22 am
I believe we last traded Carlton Davis to Detroit for a 3rd last year. Davis was out of the playoffs due to injury and is now with the Pats. We used that 3rd for McMillan….In Jason I trust!
April 25th, 2025 at 6:24 am
Egbuka can play outside and slot…and his blocking is top notch when needed. He’ll be #2 for now until Godwin gets back on track. Then all three can exchange which spots wherever.
I know Emman will be gone by 53, but man if he was there, or Alfred Collins….then Nohl Williams with our 3rd…other guys i cant think of right now, still waking up…trust me, its looking good.
April 25th, 2025 at 6:25 am
Don’t need to trade any WR’s, depth is key with Evans hamstrings and Godwins injury history. There will be plenty of players with about the same value rating available for the Bucs to draft today. It was a good pick and if TB wants to continue to go to the playoffs, offense is the only way….. his D is garbage and needs multiple impact players to get up to speed.
April 25th, 2025 at 6:38 am
There are 2 players that I’ve seen through various means that make sense for us to trade away. J Mac is definitely not one of them… Do I think either of them will be traded? No
April 25th, 2025 at 6:45 am
Outrage? No.
Frustration? Yes.
I get the concerns about Mike and Chris, and based on the tape I’ve watched, Emeka could be a Chris clone. That’s good!
Emeka is a Buc now, and I’ll support and root for him just like I do the rest of the team.
But, gosh darn it, our offense wasn’t the problem last year.
We need a man-beast DT/NT to sub/rotate in with Vita. That’s a much higher priority to me.
We need to bolster our edge rush because we didn’t have one last year, lol. Yes, Hassan is an upgrade, but he may not be here next year.
CB, S, ILB… same as above with DT and edge.
I just hope Jason Licht has a couple of ideas up his sleeve for rounds 2-7 that we’re not privy to.
April 25th, 2025 at 6:46 am
Egbuka might be best receiver in draft. I am most worried about Bowles’ statements implying he can use brain power on defense and doesn’t need more talent.
Lots of DTs left…3rd round. Get a CB or maybe safety next, if UCLA backer is gone.
April 25th, 2025 at 6:47 am
I am fine with Eggy , but you better focus on D the next 3 picks, because you NEED to.
April 25th, 2025 at 6:55 am
I’m thrilled with the Egbuka pick. I like the positional value match and Golden may be faster and a better route runner but he isn’t much of a blocker and that’s a crucial aspect of WRs’ game in the Bucs run first offense. Plus, I like Egbuka as a kick returner better than any of the top tier WRs except maybe Luther Burden. It’s uncanny how similar Godwin and Egbuka are but they aren’t redundant. I pity the fools who have to stop the Bucs on third and whatever with Grizzard deploying Mayfield, Evans, Godwin, Egbuka and White or Irving as a release valve. It’s not unreasonable to expect the Bucs to be tops in the league on third down again in 2025.
I don’t see Evans hanging up his cleats anytime soon and McMillan is looking like he could be one of the best #3 WRs in the league but we saw the Bucs two top dawgs go down at the same time last year so having four strong starters at the position is a luxury I will enjoy.
The Bucs have an excellent QB, a strong, tight O-line, three RBs they can count on for 100 yds of offense if they start and three playmaking WRs who are punishing blockers, then MacMillan and Otten. Licht just handed his young OC a 10 gauge with $12.50 in fifty cent pieces loaded in each barrel before he sends him out into the woods of the 2025 campaign. The Bucs are officially loaded for bear on offense. Young Grizzard might need the number of Jihaad Campbell’s shoulder doc if he isn’t careful pulling the trigger on what he’s been handed.
So today the Bucs can focus on defense. Of the players listed above Amos is the best fit, Darius Alexander would also be a nice tight fit but Landon Jackson is who I’m salivating over. The kid played every position in Arkansas’ front seven from 0 tech to both outside and MLB spots and everything in between. He isn’t a clean, simple fit but that versatility in Bowles’ hands is mighty exciting to think about. He is one of the hardest hitting defensive players available in the past few drafts with a high football IQ, non-stop motor and refined technique and that is how I’d like to see the Bucs address enhancing their pass rush- with power, smarts and versatility- not speed.
April 25th, 2025 at 7:02 am
Prior to the draft I remember looking on nfl.com and seeing the grades that were being listed on players from the first round and it was amazing how many of them were ranked 6.2 to a 6.4. sure enough EE is also in that range.
Fact is they were very few true Blue Chip players in this draft so we elected to pick a position that we felt was not deep and a player who has been excellent over the last 3 years in an area that could be helpful both this year and going forward.
The more I think about it the more I am fine with it. In fact a lot of those guys that I thought were going to be first rounders are still out there. So if Jason really wants one of those guys he can probably use some draft capital and move up to grab one. Or if those guys do go and he stands Pat, it means that will be some other very good players in the second round who truly are not that differentiated from the first rounders. This is the first draft I could remember where there are guys all the way into the fourth round do not drop off that much from the guys available in the late first.
April 25th, 2025 at 7:20 am
Again, I’ll say JL knows his team and their medical issues. Trust his picks. He’s been around awhile and is called Ring of Honor JL on this site. Calm and confidence people.
April 25th, 2025 at 7:21 am
We better be getting a CB and Edge rusher today. If I have to watch Dean fall down and get injured and play 3 games for another season. In fact they probably just need to trade Dean and White.
April 25th, 2025 at 7:28 am
If I were a betting man, I would wager that every one of those players will be gone by the time we pick (if not, I’d be exited to have any of them)! We shall see!
April 25th, 2025 at 7:30 am
If they are then I see u’s getting Dorian strong and that edge rusher from UCLA who played off ball linebacker previously so a bit raw but insanely talented.
If we were to walk away with both those players after today we would have short up our secondary and our Edge and with the UCLA player even create some packages where he can play inside since he has more experience as an inside linebacker than Edge rusher. Kind of like a Jalen Walker type.
April 25th, 2025 at 7:31 am
Biggest bunch of crybabies on the internet this morning.
The defensive depth in this draft is large. WR? No. Once Burden if off the board, the rest of the class is meh.
You’ve got two aging #1s. One coming of a major injury and another who’s hammy has been tweaking for years. Jalen McMillan and Sterling Sheppard as 1/2? Yuck. We’ve seen that movie and it sucks.
The chances of waiting until pick 53 to get a starting quality WR were significantly lower than CB/DL/LB.
Now if Licht doesn’t address some of these defensive positions today, fire away.
April 25th, 2025 at 7:32 am
If Bowles D doesn’t have identity by week 8, Bowles gotta go, tired of hearing excuses about D and we just decide not to address Secondary and LB . Can’t complain you don’t playmakers on D when you pass on them in the Draft
April 25th, 2025 at 7:36 am
JL must be comfortable enough with his free agent additions that he went BPA and shored up the WR room! Keep the faith, there’s sti
April 25th, 2025 at 7:38 am
There’s still plenty of moves to make in rounds 2-7 the the UDPs too.
April 25th, 2025 at 7:38 am
As long as BPA isn’t a kicker…or a QB.
April 25th, 2025 at 7:41 am
Trading up to get Ezeirakua would not make me displeased.
April 25th, 2025 at 7:48 am
Ebuka wasn’t even the best receiver on the Ohio State team. This was a foolish 1st round pick. The scoring more points statement is dumb. As Philly showed in SB, if you shut down the other team and keep them from scoring you win. Last SB showed that Mahomes is pretty ordinary when pressured. That’s true of all QB’s.
April 25th, 2025 at 7:51 am
Do some of you not realize how close we are to trotting out there a really bad wide receiver group? Godwin doesn’t come back on time, and Evans pulls a hamstring. Then what? This pick makes sure we have elite talent on the field at WR no matter what. Always 2 threats in a set, no matter what. There is plenty of depth at the positions we need in the second and third round. Relax people. I’m in Michigan fan, and I love this pick.
April 25th, 2025 at 7:55 am
If “we are close to trotting out a really bad wide receiver group”, then why did we pay Evans and Godwin the big contracts? There is a lot of dumb rationalization going on for a guy who wasn’t even the top WR at Ohio State.
April 25th, 2025 at 7:56 am
Here is my altered hypothesis after the pick.
Licht is really good at spotting receivers that will exceed expectations in the early part of the draft.
1. Mike Evans.
2. Chris Godwin.
3. Jalen McMillan.
What do all three of those guys have in common with last nights pick. No one was blown away when the Bucs picked them at that slot. What else do they have in common. They are workers at their craft. What else do they have in common. They are leaders – and less likely to showboat than others at their position.
The last thing going in. I thought all these defensive players being mocked to the Bucs had flaws. Not saying they were bad. Just saying that none of them jumped off the page as being a complete player.
This guy may have just been the player that fell into the wheel house of Jason Licht and Todd Bowles as being the safest player that is going to be productive in the NFL at that point. Kinda like Graham Barton last year.
April 25th, 2025 at 8:09 am
ME13 misses a few games every year, then had a snap count on others, with hammy problems, Godwin won’t be 100% until the season starts, if then. I’m good with this. If there was an edge worthy of the 19 pick remaining on the board, they’d heave picked him
April 25th, 2025 at 8:12 am
enigma egbuka is a solid solid pick….people need to relax
April 25th, 2025 at 8:13 am
^^Godwin n McM came in later rounds. Barton was a clear need. Apples meet you long list brother, orange
April 25th, 2025 at 8:15 am
According to overthecap.com, the Bucs still have effective cap space of $28m for this season, with $33m of dead money. That dead money goes to $0 for 2026. So maybe the team can fill in on D via free agency this season and next.
April 25th, 2025 at 8:16 am
A good point about the Bucs wideouts—no prima donna crso. Egbuka fits in. Never the focus at OSU and never a complaint. Just a worker!
April 25th, 2025 at 8:16 am
**Josh Grizz is here to flip the script.**
**Spread 2.0.**
Evans. Godwin. McMillan. Egbuka. Bucky.
Fast. Strong. Sleek. Dangerous.
Jet fake. Crack block. Power run.
RPO. Slants. Bubbles. Sluggo. Touchdown.
Same look. Endless options.
Defenses? They’re stuck. No subs, no answers.
Grizz spreads you out, messes with your brain, then **smashes you in the mouth.**
This isn’t just a playbook. It’s **a revolution**.
**Get ready for the future. It’s pewter.**
**Spread 2.0 is here, and you can’t stop it.**
April 25th, 2025 at 8:17 am
All you Bowles haters who scream when Bowles punts on 4th down, but cheer and justify Licht for doing the same. Hmmm, what’s different…. they both have same number of rings, they both oversee the same franchise, they both have had some major gaffer in their careers and both have been at the top of their game at times. What could it be? Hmmmm?
April 25th, 2025 at 8:18 am
we are now stacked at WR…1 thru 4…
so it’s gonna be a dogfight for those final 2 spots…5 & 6…
or maybe they keep a 7th…who knows
April 25th, 2025 at 8:19 am
they’re all gone by the time bucs pick. DUMB _ DUMB _ DUMB
April 25th, 2025 at 8:20 am
Isn’t that nice…. no prima Donna’s. Maybe we can all get together for some tea and biscuits
April 25th, 2025 at 8:21 am
I guess we are going for a Kicker in Rd2 because from what we saw last season and hear this offseason the Defense has no problem and is fixed.
Cant wait to hear in press conferences after the game the same things again
We need to be better
We just need to make a play
We will learn from this
Go Bucs
April 25th, 2025 at 8:26 am
Mike Green is productive, but maybe flaccid coaches can’t reign in his bad boy personna. Let’s find someone nice.
Well I’m just glad E² is a good blocker, because the road to another divisional title and the superbowl seemed to have gotten paved with defensive bricks last night
April 25th, 2025 at 8:29 am
“ChiBuc Says:
April 25th, 2025 at 8:20 am
Isn’t that nice…. no prima Donna’s. Maybe we can all get together for some tea and biscuits”
Or maybe they won’t be doing half naked jumping jacks like AB or running off and pouting with their horsies like Diva White.
April 25th, 2025 at 8:30 am
wow, see emeka’s press conference from his house last night on you tube…!
whaaaaow this kid is sharp and smart af…
he sounds 35…wisdom wise…
watch and you will see why we picked him…
impressive presser
April 25th, 2025 at 8:35 am
Maybe not just fine, but $50+ mill is tied up on 2 of them, McM is emerging and there is a serviceable stable behind him, 2 you TE (one a burner by your admission) are chomping at the bit, we probably have 2 of the receiving RBs in the league (one of which should be a slot). Meanwhile, back on the farm a brittle and geriatric ILB corp, mid to meh unproven ends, and a less, way less deep, IDL
April 25th, 2025 at 8:37 am
Exception, not the norm. You can’t base your life on an anomaly
April 25th, 2025 at 9:00 am
If inter this cat with 2nd round pick, nobody is bummed
He was over drafted plain and simple
Jason thinks our defense is fine.
We don’t have a legit pass rusher and all our corners are average at best and 54 is 35 years old
Great defenses are overrated, just ask the eagles
April 25th, 2025 at 9:11 am
The objective for today is very simple: We need at least 2 starters on Defense. These could be anything from CB, S, ILB, Edge, or DT.
Exactly how we’re going to do that is where things get tricky. But looking at how much talent is still available going into tonight, I think we have a chance.
I have a burning inkling that the 2nd round pick is going to be ILB, or CB. I think the team really likes Schwesinger.
I would be absolutely over the moon if we land Benjamin Morrison or Nick Emmanwori
April 25th, 2025 at 9:13 am
DT Darius Alexander looks like he might be Kancey-ish. What can Larry Foote do with him?
Xavier Watts isn’t even on that list, but the Bucs still need a ball hawk safety even if Winfield is 100%.
April 25th, 2025 at 9:24 am
Some juicy names at the top of the second round….
Going be some trading up in the second round by multiple teams
April 25th, 2025 at 9:35 am
“ChiBuc Says:
April 25th, 2025 at 8:35 am
Joe isn’t sure how folks thought everything was just fine at receiver.
Maybe not just fine, but $50+ mill is tied up on 2 of them, McM is emerging and there is a serviceable stable behind him”
A serviceable stable? You’re kidding. A past his prime Sterling Sheppard (who is a laundry magnet), and a bunch of practice squad level nobodies is not a “serviceable stable”.
April 25th, 2025 at 10:01 am
Nohl Williams/ Jacob parrish/ Mac McWilliams/Zaf Frasier/ Denzel Burke/ Jaylin Smith/ all good CB we can still get. We got a steal with EE all the haters will be jumping for joy at home when Bakers Starts Dotting this kid in the end zone
April 25th, 2025 at 10:20 am
I love couch GMs. We have one of the best GMs in the game. Let him work his magic. He knows what he’s doing.
April 25th, 2025 at 10:25 am
I’ll raise my hand to the question, do you believe that the team suffered a tremendous loss when Chris couldn’t lace em up ? F yes, and now we got a little more help cause I don’t know what happened with two that looked pretty good two seasons back.. Let’s Go Bucs!!!!