Daniel Jeremiah Says He Would Select…
April 19th, 2025
NFL.com draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah.
So yesterday, former Eagles, Browns and Crows scout and personnel assistant Daniel Jeremiah decided to play Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
Now regular readers know Joe’s not a mock draft guy. But there are one or two guys Joe will give a passing glance because Joe trusts these guys not to just throw feces on the wall
Jeremiah is one of those guys.
Partly because of Jeremiah’s background (anyone taught how to scout by Ozzie Newsome is a guy who knows what he’s doing in analyzing players) and partly because Joe knows who Jeremiah talks to (ahem), Joe will periodically look at his mocks.
For the better part of the offseason, Jeremiah — who once confessed on SiriusXM NFL Radio how much he hated mock drafts — was pretty consistent. He had the Bucs selecting Alabama beastly inside linebacker Jihaad Campbell at No. 19.
Now it remains to be seen if, in his final mock draft next week (the one that counts), he still has the Bucs going with Campbell
Yesterday, in Jeremiah’s final pre-draft press conference, he changed his tune about who the Bucs should draft.
Jeremiah was asked point blank who the Bucs should pick at No. 19. Jeremiah said if he were Licht, he’d turn in the card with Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku’s name on it.
Q. With the 19th pick in the draft, who should the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select and why?
DANIEL JEREMIAH: Okay, I like that one. I’m going to go with an edge rusher for Tampa. I’m going to say they lean towards a productive guy and someone that I think could kind of fit and grow with that team. That’s a good team. I saw them last year, and I thought that was one of the most physical teams in the NFL.
I think to me adding another edge piece makes a lot of sense. I’ll go with Ezeiruaku from Boston College. I think all the production. I think Jason Licht values that. I think he would appreciate that.
When you get the center from Duke who comes in and is just — I mean, he’s so polished and so smart and so tough. Obviously the talent is there with Graham Barton, but all those intangible things I think were what led to him having such immediate success once he got on the field there.
I think with Ezeiruaku, there’s a very similar wiring with him. He’s a really smart kid. He’s someone I think is going to pick up what they’re doing defensively really fast and could have an impact.
Joe fully understands every point Jeremiah has for the Bucs picking Ezeiruaku. But this guy has Joe torn.
Lord knows Joe would absolutely love an edge rusher at No. 19. And let’s be real: What are the chances Haason Reddick sticks around after this year, 40 percent? He’s 31 and if he has a good season, he’s very likely looking at his last contract.
If Reddick dominates this fall, he’s going to be looking to break the bank since it will likely be his final bite at the NFL apple. How many of oily Drew Rosenhaus’ clients take discounts?
And Joe doesn’t know if Licht would be willing to pay Riddick market value for a strong edge rusher.
So, drafting an edge rusher nest week and having him develop (as rookie edge rushers who excel are outliers) seems like a smart way to go.
Then you look at the Bucs’ history of drafting edge rushers since Lee Roy Selmon in 1976. Frightening, man. Just frightening.
Jeremiah mentioned something that has “this Joe” ever so slightly leaning a certain for defensive tackle at No. 19. Jeremiah mentioned how Licht has built a physical team. Licht has had success drafting defensive tackles. Edge rushers? Not so much.
If the Bucs want to be known as a physical team, why not draft someone violent like Ole Miss tackle Walter Nolen or a sasquatch like Kenneth Grant?
Again, Joe has nothing against Ezeiruaku. He would be a solid pick.
Joe just thinks the Bucs are a high draft pick away from having a full-blown, arse-kicking group on the defensive line. The Eagles have shown what that can do for a defense.
April 19th, 2025 at 12:19 am
I admit. I’m leaning towards him or a beast DT myself. Let’s get it done. Go Bucs!!! Cheers
April 19th, 2025 at 12:51 am
They take him or the DT, I’d be fine with it, but a little surprised, especially the DT. VEA, Kancey, Hall… They seem pretty set at DT and it is a deep draft at that position. They can get one later.
Where they’re not deep at and are going to really be in trouble at next year is ILB. I think it is Jihaad.
Ever since he started becoming the buzz pick for Tampa, I’ve looked into it more and more. This guy is a stud. He can cover, he can go side to side, he can tackle downhill, he can blitz, he closes on ball carriers and quarterbacks fast.
I think if he’s there, it would be really hard to pass him up.
We all know LVD is leaving next year and as promising as SirV Looked with his speed, he hasn’t actually shown much on the field due to injuries.
All that said, that’s just my preference. If they chose edge or CB or safety… I would not be surprised and I would be fine with it. Any level of the defense, but especially the back two levels, need some help.
April 19th, 2025 at 12:52 am
OLB depth:
Reddick, Diaby, Nelson, Braswell, Ramirez, Watts.
IDL depth: Vea, Kancey, Hall, Gaines, Brewer, Gholston
We have MAJOR issues at DT and DE (Hall)
OLB?
Are you joking?
We wasted an elite pick on JTS. And spent a 2nd round on Braswell. And a 3rd on Diaby.
We MUST invest in our IDL.
If Vea, Kancey or Hall get hurt, we are in trouble!
If one of our OLBs gets hurt, the drop off is negligible.
Get a 4th elite IDL!
NT/DT or DT clone like Kancey (pass rusher) or a big shout DE to truly replace Gholston. Hall is a too soft!
April 19th, 2025 at 12:56 am
Honestly Ez has got me the most excited for our pick. If he’s not there, as well as Will Johnson, I’d got one of those beastly NT you mentioned Joe. I think Jihaad would be a great pick, but with all else being equal, injury free wins the day. I also think he’ll be gone earlier, cause teams know.
April 19th, 2025 at 1:07 am
If it’s me, it’s either Ezeiruaku or James Pearce Jr. The other day Licht made a comment about having a team and a locker room that could deal with someone that might possibly not be mature yet. I think when he made that comment, he was talking about Pearce Jr. I’d love either one of these picks. HOWEVER, I wouldn’t be upset if they picked Campbell, Starks, Emmanouri (sp?), or Barron, the CB from Texas. All of these players could end up helping the defense. Being that we are in a win now mode, priority should be given to those players that can make significant contributions this season. Campbell will likely need a redshirt year bc of his labrum. The rest could contribute this year.
Matthew Golden or Egbuka would also likely make some contributions this year as well. I wouldn’t be upset with either of them being chosen.
April 19th, 2025 at 1:17 am
Walter Nolan at #19
Then the UCLA DE freak with our 2nd
Cobee Bryant CB with the 3rd,
Be happy with that
April 19th, 2025 at 2:09 am
Starks
Morrison
Knight
Jalin Noel
Ty Robinson
April 19th, 2025 at 2:10 am
I think it’s a deep draft at DT, don’t necessarily have to go there 1st round.
But I really don’t care. Go edge, d-line, ILB, secondary – we need help at all positions so just get a stud who can contribute in year 1!!!
April 19th, 2025 at 2:12 am
If we don’t go edge I want Sasquatch Joe.
LOL good stuff sir!
Go Bucs!
April 19th, 2025 at 2:38 am
Danny Stutsman is a better choice than Campbell. Same speed 4.52 same height and weight and intangibles on Stutsman are off the charts. 100% leader
April 19th, 2025 at 4:28 am
Ezeiruaku is the one to get first. Unfortunately, he could be gone before number 19. There could be a lot of wheeling and dealing by other teams too.
April 19th, 2025 at 5:01 am
Joe … ‘A sasquatch like Kenneth Grant’.
You’ve outdone yourself Joe. That’s the absolute perfect description of what the Bucs need most out of this draft.
April 19th, 2025 at 5:54 am
It’s impossible to predict. Too many variables in the draft.
That said, a wishlist would not be unreasonable.
“Then you look at the Bucs’ history of drafting edge rushers since Lee Roy Selmon in 1976. Frightening, man. Just frightening.” – Joe
Are you referring to only first round picks or entire drafts?
Just curious.
April 19th, 2025 at 6:07 am
Reasoning things out, on the surface we need an LVD replacement, at least one good edge rusher, and secondary.
Getting a replacement for LVD is important, but I don’t see them drafting on in the first round, because that player would have to be a backup the first year so LVD can start. Not unreasonable, but also not likely.
So I think the LVD replacement either comes later…or next year. It’s possible one of our current guys will step up and earn it too.
So, as far as the first pick, I think ILB is out.
No way do I think the suggestions of an offensive first pick are accurate.
Edge? It’s a high possibility…but I think WWE get a guy for that in the second…unless…a guy unpredictable falls to us.
No, I think, barring a surprise fall, Jason Licht goes into this first round hoping for secondary.
It just makes the most sense.
But…Jason is always unpredictable and fluid. And he usually surprises all of us.
So far as later rounds…I expect some small school picks.
April 19th, 2025 at 6:31 am
You can say a lot of things about the Bucs defense. I’m not quite sure “physical” is one of them.
April 19th, 2025 at 7:24 am
Ezeiruaku at #19 is good positional value for a GREAT Edge prospect. He’s the perfect fit for this team and this defense.
Reddick is coming off a terrible year and he’s as good as gone after this year anyways.
Licht has to get this lack of production from the Edge fixed immediately for the Bucs chances at a February boat parade to be legitimate….
BTW – When is the last time we batted a pass down from the line of scrimmage?? I ask because this dude from BC has one hell of a wingspan and knows how to use those long arms when he can’t get to the QB….
1st – Edge (Ezeiruaku)
2nd – CB
3rd – ILB
4th – NT/DT
5th – Safety
would be the perfect draft if it happened to fall that way IMO…..
April 19th, 2025 at 7:43 am
People…Nolen will be gone long before 19, we’ve been over that. We could do worse than Ezzy from a smart kid’s school in BC.
Of course, we could trade down a few spots instead, pick up another 3rd this year, take Amos at CB, then trade a 2nd this year and a 4th next year to Cincy for Hendrickson with proven DE production, then address ILB, S, DT with both 3rd rounders and 4th rounder. Then pay Hendrickson.
Better plan. To make use of ME 13 final good days here.
April 19th, 2025 at 7:45 am
Kancey has not played a full season yet. Vea is getting to that past his prime age. After those two we don’t have much. Licht saw how Philly used waves of D lineman to win the SB. Licht is a trench guy. We have Riddick, Yaya, Nelson, and Braswell who needs reps. Licht thinks he’s going to make a leap this year. We have Vea, and, and Kancey, that’s it. It’s a deep DT class, but why not get the best one available at #19, and I’d grab another one after the 5th round? Build that D line rotation, you can’t go wrong.
April 19th, 2025 at 8:25 am
I’d sign Shaq Barrett and then see if Braswell turns into the best that Licht thinks he’ll be rather than spending our 1st pick on another edge rusher.
We need the best DB available at 19, in my opinion.
April 19th, 2025 at 8:26 am
*beast
April 19th, 2025 at 8:50 am
I keep going back and forth on Campbell– we’re forever hearing his first year would be wasted, because he would probably miss training camp. On the other hand, there’s a whole class of players who are expected to not be effective in their first year anyway, mostly lineman, whether offense or defense. I don’t see how Campbell would be any different here
April 19th, 2025 at 8:53 am
So many needs on D. I like fortifying DT with a deep draft class, aging VV, contract year for Hall and fragile Kancey. OLB needs another starting caliber guy. CB and S needs at least one starting caliber guy each. ILB needs a starting caliber guy. Oh, and we need a punter.
April 19th, 2025 at 8:55 am
Kancey with the calf issues has hurt, hopefully that’s figured out but the talent in the DL is too hard to pass up if it’s basicy untapped and it is an area of need, so get one of the top guys there. I also think the value is better. I like Ezzy from BC because of his production, smarts, desire, etc. It’s going to depend on how Licht has his board graded. If they grab a DB I hope he turns out all world cause I think they need to build from the front back.
April 19th, 2025 at 9:11 am
DT is really deep. You can get a dude like CJ West in the mid rounds that would be amazing value. Edge kinda drops off a cliff after the top handful. I’m 100% with DJ on this one. Hopefully we can slide back into the 20s and still get the side and pick up another 3rd or 4th as well. Tremendous value right there.
April 19th, 2025 at 9:33 am
Sorry, I am of the thinking that if you draft a so called pass rusher with your first pick, you better hit a grand slam. Rookie pass rushers very rarely catapult themselves to a prominent position in their first year of play. But someone who grabs real estate in his first year in the middle of the defense has a better chance for an immediate impact. Interior defensive linemen bounce off of other linemen while a so called pass rush specialist is on an island by himself. Grant from Michigan would be my choice for the first pick. This pick would also help Lavonte, which is probably his last year of service.
April 19th, 2025 at 9:36 am
Best available D sounds good…
April 19th, 2025 at 9:51 am
Walter Nolen always creeping into these stories. We know who you want, Joe. Can’t argue with you either.
April 19th, 2025 at 10:10 am
Is this some type of sick joke ?!
The weakest dept of Bucs was secondary. Add Winfield and dean injuries upcoming. Must draft a safety. Nothing as been done in free agency for secondary.
Perhaps a trade down or second round on a pass rusher or lb
April 19th, 2025 at 10:34 am
Lots of wannabes must have access to some bad mushrooms. Jason will do his job, despite what keyboard thumpers think or write. If he drafts “Frank Furter” from Hamburg State, I’ll know it was the best decision based on gazillions of hours of hard work.
Can’t. Drink. Enough.
April 19th, 2025 at 10:38 am
This draft has to be 50% about winning this year and 50% the future. We need this defense fixed now. Yesterday!
April 19th, 2025 at 10:47 am
No broke down hurt LB’s with the 1st pick! I think light gets this right.
April 19th, 2025 at 10:59 am
But wait, didn’t Licht say that Braswell is really going to have his coming out party and really blow up this year?
April 19th, 2025 at 11:08 am
Won’t be mad with Ezeiruaku as the 1st pick, but Vea, Kancey, and Grant or Nolan… that WOULD be pretty nasty. And, the mentorship from our DTs will be just as valuable and possibly more than Riddicks influence.
April 19th, 2025 at 11:12 am
According to the law of averages, any DE that we select will be a HOF’er
April 19th, 2025 at 12:41 pm
I think they should pick the best available defender regardless of position.
April 19th, 2025 at 12:54 pm
Picturing a “sasquatch like Kenneth Grant” in the rotation with Vea and Kancey gives me chills. Speculation is so much fun.
Go Bucs!!
April 19th, 2025 at 12:56 pm
A lot depends on what they really think of Braswell. Hopefully they think he’ll be good to take over when Reddick leaves, and hopefully JTS taught them to stop clinging to mistakes if they do not.
April 19th, 2025 at 12:59 pm
Would be really happy with Ezzy.
But if we go DL, 2 names to keep an eye on:
Derrick Harmon from Oregon – long, strong, the type of player they were hoping Logan Hall would be.
TYLEIK WILLIAMS DT OHIO STATE – for all the talk of Grant, go stfu this guy’s tape. Looks smoother and more refined, balanced and controlled than Grant. He reminds me a lot of Vea.
April 19th, 2025 at 1:00 pm
*watch not stfu (lol dumb autocorrect)
April 19th, 2025 at 1:13 pm
I would be happy with Ezeiruaku at 19. There are a ton of quality DTs in this draft buzz the only one with first round buzz I like is Derrick Harmon. Grant is physically and mentally underdeveloped and he lacks production. I’d say the same about Graham and I am a Michigan man. I’ve watched them for years and wouldn’t burn a first rounder on either. Nolen had excellent production but is lazy- no thanks. Harmon was productive, plays with a non-stop motor and has mastery of his weight which is critical to NFL DT success. He played at Michigan St at 360 lbs and said he will put on as much more weight as his NFL coaches think is best. He is not my first choice at DT though.
That would be JJ Pegues. He can win with strength, smarts and agility and play anywhere on the defensive line. He has Ezeiruaku level moves and mastery of tempo and angles of attack plus serious upside as a short yardage back. I wouldn’t take him in the first round but I will promise he will deliver more than Grant, Nolen or Grahm to the team that drafts him. I’d target him and another hoss later. Ideally Laki Tasi in the seventh. He is 6’6″ 348 with crazy measurables and gives the Bucs an extra draft spot to develop him into Vea’s replacement as a member of the NFL’s IPP. He and Pegues to displace Hall with a side of Ezeiruaku is a proper bolster of the Bucs pass rush capacity.
April 19th, 2025 at 1:24 pm
Glad he’s finally caught on to what PR and other Bucs fans have been saying for 3 months now. Welcome to the EZ @19 club. You’re kinda slow to figure it out but all are welcome.
April 19th, 2025 at 2:10 pm
Ezeiruaku is one guy i won’t be upset about them picking. If he does end up being the pick at 19, then two of the next three picks have to be defensive backs.
They cannot come out of this draft with any less than two defensive backs that can come in and help immediately as rookies.
April 19th, 2025 at 2:46 pm
Absolutely not. Licht cannot pick that position to save his life.
Stick to signing free agent DEs. He’s great at that.
We need DBs like nobody’s business.
Might need two CBs, a Safety, and an LB in the first four rounds.
There will be no more room for Bowles to hide if the defense once again leaks like the Titanic.
28-27
April 19th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
It’s not about drafting the right edge rushers, it’s about developing them. A very small fraction of edge rushers are good enough to produce in their rookie season. The overwhelming majority of them take a year or two of good NFL-level coaching and experience to reach their potential. Tackles are usually closer to a finished product coming out of college. So the main reason we haven’t hit on an edge rusher, IMO, is that we haven’t gotten the most out of the guys we have drafted.
April 19th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
“Kieran Says:
April 19th, 2025 at 1:17 am
Walter Nolan at #19
Then the UCLA DE freak with our 2nd
Cobee Bryant CB with the 3rd,”
(1) I like DT Kenneth Grant or DT Walter Nolen in 1st round
(2) CB Hairston or CB Thomas or CB Amos or S Watts (whoever fits best)
(3) ILB Knight or ILB Paul Jr or ILB Schlessinger
(4) EDGE Davd Walker or EDGE Gillotte or EDGE Batty
(5) Double down at DB with CB Cobee Bryant or CB Nohl Williams or S RJ Mickens
(7) Grab a developmental OT Jack Nelson or Hollin Pierce
If TB gets another pick via a trade down or can target a top UDFA then double up at EDGE with Elijah Williams of Morgan State or add DT JJ Pegues
April 19th, 2025 at 3:49 pm
How many defensive tackles does a team need, that runs a 3-4 defense?
That’s DE, NT, DE on the defensive line, along with 4 Linebackers.
We generate pass push from Defensive ends and Linebackers primarily- Although we do get sacks from our Nose tackles.
I’m hoping for a Linebacker or Defensive end at 19.
But a great player for the secondary would sure be great also.
April 19th, 2025 at 4:18 pm
What he said
April 19th, 2025 at 6:52 pm
We have one backer who is 35….and playing his last year
April 19th, 2025 at 11:33 pm
To win football games, and championships,
You have to DOMINATE the line of Scrimmage consistently
and NOT be Careless with the football,
its as simple as that.
With that being said,
Bucs have to get pressure on the QB,
and they need to get better in coverage.
GO BUCS!!!!
April 20th, 2025 at 10:48 am
I’ll admit I haven’t been following the draft prospects much this year, but I feel like what I have read leads me to believe Campbell is the pick. The Bucs have had a great LB leader on this team since the days of Brooks and now David and it seems like it’s time to truly pass the torch to the next great one, and if the Bucs think Campbell could be that guy, they’ve got to just get it done. We’ve taken too many swings at DE that haven’t worked out. Take the sure thing.
April 20th, 2025 at 8:56 pm
Sapp, Barber, even Lynch didn’t excel right out of the gate. People worried about Campbell not lighting the league on fire in week one are being way to short sighted. He will heal…he will learn from LVD….and he will excel