Jason Licht And His “Freaks”
April 22nd, 2025
Likes “Freaks List” defenders.
So Joe is looking for tells in Jason Licht’s drafts. Here’s one a lot of folks overlook.
The Bucs’ AC/DC-loving general manager likes to draft players from non-Power 5 schools in Round 2. In his 11 seasons running the Bucs’ draft, he has picked six players in the second round from non-Power 5 schools.
Just this decade alone, Licht has chosen Luke Goedeke, Logan Hall and Cody Mauch, the last one selected in 2023. So, Licht is due for a small school pick on Friday night in the second round.
Another tell is Licht likes offensive linemen from the upper Midwest, especially from small schools. He also likes “freaks” in his front-seven defenders.
Each summer, Bruce Feldman of The Athletic publishes his “Freaks” list, players who are sick athletes in college. Last year, Licht selected Chris Braswell, who was on Feldman’s 2023 Freaks list.
Licht has picked “Freaks” including Calijah Kancey, YaYa Diaby and Hall. So let’s look at some “Freaks” from Feldman’s 2024 list that play defensive line or linebacker.
3. Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan.
6. Davin Vann, DT, North Carolina State.
10. Jordan Burch, DE, Oregon.
16. Thor Griffith, DT, Louisville.
17. James Pearce, DE, Tennessee.
21. Landon Jackson, DE, Arkansas.
27. Rylie Mills, DT, Notre Dame.
30. Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State.
33. Eugene Asante, LB, Auburn.
51. Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland.
53. Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo.
56. Mike Green, DE, Marshall.
60. Adin Huntington, DE, Tulane.
63. Jailin Walker, LB, Indiana.
67. David Walker, DE, Central Arkansas.
72. Cody Lindenberg, LB, Minnesota.
79. Barryn Sorrell, DE, Texas.
94. Ty French, DE, West Virginia.
Abdul Carter (No. 12) is also on this Freaks list but there is no chance he falls to the Bucs at No. 19 short of video leaked on social media Thursday afternoon of him using a bong mask.
So if Licht holds true to his past, there is a good chance one of the guys on this aforementioned list — and maybe two — will be on the Bucs’ roster by Saturday night.
April 22nd, 2025 at 4:45 am
A late pick on Thor Griffith maybe, if we didnt already get a DT. But of course I’d love Grant, but he’ll be gone by the time we pick in the 2nd. Joshua Farmer with a 4th? I keep grabbing him there in my mock sim.
April 22nd, 2025 at 4:48 am
Joe it’s 2025, even a bong mask wouldn’t drop Carter to #19.
April 22nd, 2025 at 5:01 am
Now cross reference that list with guys that played in the Senior Bowl, and you’ve got some legitimate targets for Jason Licht. Over the years, he’s liked to draft from guys that played in the Senior Bowl.
April 22nd, 2025 at 5:11 am
Yeah, for Abdul Carter to fall to 19, he’d have to do something so catastrophically unhinged it would break *both* the internet *and* ESPN simultaneously. I’m talking mid-draft, he tackles Roger Goodell through a folding table, rips off his suit to reveal an “I ♥ Penn State NIL” crop top, then delivers a passionate monologue about taking his talents to the CFL instead. And even *then*, Belichick would still trade up for him from retirement using a burner phone. The fall would have to be so dramatic it gets adapted into an HBO miniseries starring Pedro Pascal as Carter. We’re talking “Draft Day 2: Electric Boogaloo” levels of chaos.
**BUT HOLD UP—*Thor Griffith*??** *THEE* Thor “I Eat Centers for Breakfast” Griffith?! I saw that name and blacked out for a second. If the Bucs draft him, I’m immediately converting to whatever religion he practices (he’s a Christian), custom-ordering a jersey in *home*, *away*, *alternate*, *throwback*, and *imaginary fourth dimension* colors, and launching a grassroots campaign to rename Raymond James Stadium to *Valhalla South*.
He’s so criminally underrated, I’m filing an actual police report. I’m talking “how is this man not on every billboard between Tampa and the moon?” levels of slept on.
If he puts on a pewter helmet, I’m throwing a celebratory BBQ so massive FEMA gets involved. I’m forging Mjolnir with the Bucs logo on it, and every time he or Vea makes a play, I’ll be out here like Gallagher smashing fruit—like a *madman*. LMAO!!
April 22nd, 2025 at 7:00 am
Where is my Morning Cup of Joe?
April 22nd, 2025 at 7:05 am
Freak — Mike Evans and his go go gadget wingspan.
Freak — Tristan Wirfs and his jumping out of pools at 315lbs and setting weightlifting records at Iowa.
Freak — Trading for Jason Pierre-Paul and his 14 backflips in a row at 270lbs.
April 22nd, 2025 at 7:39 am
One of those linebackers if we don’t get Campbell & take the best CB or S in round 1
April 22nd, 2025 at 7:43 am
McCullum would probably be categorized as a freak, too, getting a 100 on his RAS score.
Bucky’s a freak IMO. At his size, runs like he’s 30-40 lbs heavier and a few inches taller
April 22nd, 2025 at 9:29 am
Wasn’t Tryon-Shoyinka on the freaks list, too?? That didn’t turn out as expected.
April 22nd, 2025 at 9:40 am
The edge rushers of this class feel under appreciated.
I’ve seen Pierce and Ezeiraku mocked in R2 at times and most drafts I’d think they are top 20 picks. Elite athletic traits AND production at premium positions. Not sure what I’m missing unless there are character concerns with Pierce
Ezieraku has better measurables than Mike Green and no character concerns, so I won’t be shocked to see him go top 14-15 or something. I would take Ezieraku over Green, Jalon Walker, Jihad Campbell and others that seem to be mocked high consistently.
April 22nd, 2025 at 9:52 am
If we don’t draft a DT early, I’d love for Licht to get Thor Griffith late. Package the 7 and next year 6 or something to go up and get him.
Ditto for David Walker if no edge drafted early.
It seems they love Darius Alexander … still hope Ezeriraku and then a CB are first 2 picks but I am preparing for Starks – Alexander first 2 picks.
April 22nd, 2025 at 9:53 am
I need a bong mask and some dark dank to numb the pain of predraft babble.
April 22nd, 2025 at 10:16 am
Left off 11. Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina, defensive back
April 22nd, 2025 at 10:19 am
A defensive back is not on a defense’s front-seven.
April 22nd, 2025 at 10:26 am
It’s all about DT/NT/DE this draft.
I say we set up the line for the next 5 years.
1st round: DE to push Hall.
2nd round: DT/NT to rotate with Vea.
3rd round: another DT
Beef up the middle of the defense.
I trust Bowles can find us some corners in rounds 4-7.
April 22nd, 2025 at 10:38 am
JTS was not considered a Freak coming out. He was a player with better than average size, better than average speed, better than average wingspan.
He had not produced at a high level. His RAS was better than average but not freakish.
Some of this years edge rushers have freakish speed or close to freak speed but really do not make the freak list in other attributes.
Speed can be a difference maker but we see all kinds of instances where speed demons do not hit. Most of these speed guys seem more Mike Mamula to me than Jevon Kearse or Jared Verse.
April 22nd, 2025 at 12:23 pm
licht made a comment this season he has learned to value players that produced in college. he may have lost his hankering for freaks
April 22nd, 2025 at 1:13 pm
I know JOE is pining for a DT in round 1 but the list is deep. I see them grabbing one in round 3-4
Joe is not pining. –Joe
April 22nd, 2025 at 1:25 pm
Gosh, I hate this time of year.
Mock drafts give me a pain in the rear.
So many pundits and fans predict the draft–
Can they be better than Bowels, Licht, and Staff?
To think so, to me, is daft.
April 22nd, 2025 at 2:32 pm
Not at all.
April 22nd, 2025 at 2:38 pm
All depends on what’s there when we pick. If nothing is there then he will try and trade back to pick up an extra pick
April 23rd, 2025 at 4:14 am
Very intersting thoughts Joe! Great catch sir!
Grant and maybe Landon Jackson later?
Go Bucs!