Drafting Philosophy
February 9th, 2026
Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love.
Two weeks from today only two types of people will fly to Indianapolis in the last week of February: mental patients and football junkies.
(Joe loves Indianapolis; just hates winter.)
Ah yes, the combine will hit the Heartland in two weeks. There, seeds will be planted about the immediate futures of NFL teams, including the Bucs. Who might they sign? Who might they trade for or draft?
The combine is basically football’s winter festival, where college and NFL types descend upon downtown Indianapolis to discuss football from the time folks wake up until they go to bed. And, oh yeah, pretend they are back in college and try to drink downtown Indianapolis dry.
Joe is firm with a desire to draft Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. BSPN draft analyst Jordan Reid has Styles as his eighth-best player in the draft.
Styles started his college career as a safety but converted to linebacker without missing a beat. He only missed two tackles last season when defending the run, as his attacking style helps him effectively get ball carriers on the ground. Styles has excellent range and awareness, and he is timely in his decisions to charge downhill. Despite his DB background, Styles needs to continue to improve his feel in zone coverage.
Yes, Joe loves Styles and damn, the Bucs need him badly. Here’s the problem: Joe doesn’t see how Styles gets past Dallas at No. 12. The Bucs pick at No. 15. So to get Styles, the Bucs may have to trade above Dallas.
Here is something to think about: The Bucs defense stinks, right? So how can the Bucs win with a lousy defense? Score more than the other team, that’s how. Duh. The Bucs, on paper, have an offense that is far more complete than the defense is, especially if Mike Evans returns. So, if the following guy is on the board at No. 15, how do the Bucs pass on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love?
Joe normally doesn’t like drafting a running back in the first round. But this guy is special.
He’s basically Bijan Robinson II. Reid has Love as the best player in the draft.
Oh, and who coached Robinson in Atlanta? The Bucs’ new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.
If both Styles and Love are gone when the Bucs are on the clock, “this Joe” would draft Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq.
With either Love or Sadiq, the Bucs offense could be very, very, very dangerous.
Your 2025 Doak Walker Award Winner
JEREMIYAH LOVE ☘️🫶
Enjoy his best plays from this season
pic.twitter.com/OB59YQZaXb— Cory Wargo CFB (@CFBUpdate_) December 13, 2025
February 9th, 2026 at 9:07 am
1st rd…….QB for back up.
2nd and 3rd best DT around.
Stop wit da 3-4 edge Bowzo D plans.
February 9th, 2026 at 9:12 am
Spend all the free agent money on defense hard to ask a rookie defender to come in and be all world. If Love is on the board draft him
February 9th, 2026 at 9:15 am
Also with Bucky being very shaky, drafting a Love or a RB isn’t a bad idea you can run the offense through him
February 9th, 2026 at 9:17 am
I would be tickled pink with Styles or Love
Don’t expect for that to be a option.
I am not as optimistic about the current roster especially with aged and injured WR’s
1&2
I would be happy to trade down and accumulate more picks if that option presents itself.
The roster has more questions than answers as it sits right now.
February 9th, 2026 at 9:17 am
“Joe doesn’t see how Styles gets past Dallas at No. 12. The Bucs pick at No. 15. So to get Styles, the Bucs may have to trade above Dallas.”
No, because it’s not certain Dallas will spend their 12th overall pick on Styles, as they could easily draft Casius Howell with the same exact pick. I’ve seen models where Arvell Reese & Styles are available when we pick, and I’d go Styles if it played out that way.
Not we shouldn’t draft a damn RB or TE with a top 15 pick, or over-draft at either LB/RB as undervalued positions as most teams in need(us included) go QB-EDGE-OT-WR-CB because those are the positions you want a 5th year option on, especially if you hit.
This Joe, needs to relax.
February 9th, 2026 at 9:24 am
The other RB from ND Price also looks good too so maybe we need to be looking at some of the O line from ND. I also like the RB Allen out of Penn State too.
February 9th, 2026 at 9:26 am
Styles is the way to go for us, I believe. Trade up if you have to. I like Love a lot, just not 1st round for an RB and certainly not for a TE. Sorry Joe, we’ve been burned before on a first round TE and my PTSD can’t handle it. Howell, if Styles isn’t there, or a stud Guard in round 1.
February 9th, 2026 at 9:33 am
I would perfectly on board with Love or Sediq at 15, provi feed the next comes to fruition. They get Gabe jacas in the 2nd. Then the best available DE in the 3rd. This Joe is absolutely correct, if we simply have too menu weapons and firepower, the opponents fall behind quickly and get way iout of their game plan and run out of time in the b4t. Yeah sign me up for that😉😎
February 9th, 2026 at 9:33 am
I want to know when the last time a rookie defender was all pro and in the playoffs
February 9th, 2026 at 9:37 am
Agree with Joe that if Styles not available then pick Jeremiyah Love. He is an absolute superstar better than Bijon Robinson. Doubt he will be available at 15 but he is an exception to the BUCS all defense draft program. Haven’t seen a college back this good since Herschel Walker.
February 9th, 2026 at 9:51 am
you guys want to pick an RB in the 1st round and have him run behind michael jordan, haggard or Mauch, who will be less than 100% all season after his ACL….
how is drafting an LB, RB or TE going to stop/slow down a front 4 like SEA, LAR or SF?
DRAFT OL WITH OUR FIRST PICK!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
February 9th, 2026 at 9:58 am
Tucker is faster than either one. Get him HOLES and watch him fly.
Another guard would be nice, though the first round is too early unless Ioane is a generational talent.
February 9th, 2026 at 10:03 am
Gosh I’m glad this Joe isn’t our GM. If we picked a TE in the 1st round of this draft, it would be arguably the dumbest pick we could make. We got TEs who are good enough blockers to make this run game go. Don’t need all world pass catching TE’s when we have the WRs we have. Just need them to be utilized properly.
February 9th, 2026 at 10:09 am
Love looks like the piece to help open up Tampa’s running 🏃♂️ game. Defenses will have a difficult time defending Tampa Bays running and passing game simultaneously. They would have to chose – the run or pass. This would open up gaps for the Bucs to exploit and would help neuter defensive teams like Seattle.
The Bucs are a couple of draft picks and veteran acquisitions away from a Super Bowl 🏆 run.
Go Bucs
February 9th, 2026 at 10:45 am
I would throw up if we draft offense in first round. DEFENSE. DEFENSE. DEFENSE. Complete overhaul needed from top to bottom.
February 9th, 2026 at 10:46 am
“…we shouldn’t draft a damn RB or TE with a top 15 pick, or over-draft at either LB/RB as undervalued positions as most teams in need(us included) go QB-EDGE-OT-WR-CB because those are the positions you want a 5th year option on, especially if you hit.
This Joe, needs to relax.”
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
WBL, you ruined my excitement. After watching Love’s highlights, I was all excited to see him in a Buc’s uniform. Every time he touched the ball he got a TD. Crazy spin moves.
But you are right, 1st Rd picks need to be used for EDGE or a wicked jazz DT that we need so badly. Offense would be fun, but look at how Seattle’s D contributed to winning a SB. I think our offense will resurrect in ’26, but our D is on life support. Can’t win without some kind of respectable defense
February 9th, 2026 at 10:57 am
Joe would draft a TE at #15? Last time we used a first rounder on a TE it was a disaster.
February 9th, 2026 at 11:05 am
Yeah let’s keep making this team one dimensional that’s what has been effective let’s just keep the defense on the sidelines won’t even field them, Superbowl here we come.
February 9th, 2026 at 11:11 am
Bad analysis of of the talent level at OLB,DE, ILB. leaves too many holes in the
the defense to draft offensive players. Oh and by the way good defenses have a
great four man rush that is the primary way to affect QB play.
February 9th, 2026 at 11:15 am
If Love is that special he will move up draft boards.
Styles or one of the true DEs like Keldric Failk who can still slide inside he is so big.
He stops the run better than most of our DTs already.
February 9th, 2026 at 11:22 am
Rather than looking at chicks 🙂 Joe was looking at research. There may be something very wrong if Arvell Reese isn’t a top-five pick.
February 9th, 2026 at 11:22 am
“WBL, you ruined my excitement. After watching Love’s highlights, I was all excited to see him in a Buc’s uniform. Every time he touched the ball he got a TD. Crazy spin moves.”
Harry, go look at Mike Washington Jr or Emmett Johnson to get your fix. Big fan of Rueben Owens too, can’t even think the last time we had his type of speed and explosiveness in the backfield. Don’t make picks that reflect having champagne taste, but picking like you have kool aid for brains.
As far as DT, I’m interested in Christian Miller and Caleb Banks those guys fit that Tommy Kelly type that Bowles had in AZ, Ghoslton had here and tried to have in ’22 with Akiem Hicks. We need another 2-gapping IDL opposite of Vita. Fan of Demonte Capeheart as well, especially the postional flexibility he brings to the table.
If “This” Joe were our GM, and drafted a TE/RB 15th overall I’d want him fired before the 1st round even ends.
February 9th, 2026 at 11:25 am
Bucs tight ends are the only weak link of the offense. Never thought any of them were exceptional blockers. Kieft is very good at blocking linebackers and DBs.
Josh Grizzard did think that Cade Otton was Jimmie Giles. The biggest tell for defenses what the Bucs were going to do was when Otton went in motion and turned up field. LOL
February 9th, 2026 at 11:25 am
Trade down and get some picks
February 9th, 2026 at 11:26 am
Oh, by all means, let’s base all future drafts on Dirk Koetter’s mistakes.
February 9th, 2026 at 11:34 am
“Rather than looking at chicks, Joe was looking at research. There may be something very wrong if Arvell Reese isn’t a top-five pick.”
He’s not as good in coverage as Styles, and his positional value compared to the top guys at QB-OLB-OT-WR-CB-Edge kind of makes him a lower priority to MOST teams. There’s a few ILBs who, had the position not lost it’s value over the years they’d be day-1/round 2 picks.
Right now NFL compared to say 20 years ago, you’re not running a 3-4 or 4-3 with three to four LBs in the grass the majority of the game. At best there are 2 on the field at once and in the nickel that’s all you’re getting in todays’ NFL.
Then you’ve got tweeners, who’ve split time off and rushing. Some of those guys look pretty intriguing based off what we want to do.
February 9th, 2026 at 11:36 am
“Bucs tight ends are the only weak link of the offense. Never thought any of them were exceptional blockers. Kieft is very good at blocking linebackers and DBs.”
It’d be overkill Joe, don’t try to rationalize a bad pick with bad reasons lol
Devin Culp had the same amount of targets as Tristan Wirfs
February 9th, 2026 at 11:45 am
Spend the money on defense in free agency get a game breaker at RB or TE in the draft
February 9th, 2026 at 11:47 am
Warren brooks lynch you make a good point about last years tight end usage but we also saw Zac Robinson utilizing his tight ends in Atlanta so who’s to say we don’t see more targeting the tight end more next season
February 9th, 2026 at 11:48 am
Bucs tight ends are the only weak link of the offense. Never thought any of them were exceptional blockers.
———————————————————————————————
@Joe- so you OK with no depth at OL ( turnstiles this past year) and Teddy 2 gloves at backup QB? Dude, do you watch the games? Like, at all? “ TE’s are the only weak link..”. Dude….
February 9th, 2026 at 11:54 am
“Warren brooks lynch you make a good point about last years tight end usage but we also saw Zac Robinson utilizing his tight ends in Atlanta so who’s to say we don’t see more targeting the tight end more next season”
Drafting a TE 15th overall, that struggles as an inline backer and coming from an offense that doesn’t translate directly to the pro game schematically would be front office malpractice. Licht does something that incompetent, I’ll start talking crazy about him like the others on here.
Robinson wants to use our TEs? No problem, Culp & Durham are still on their rookie deals, have fun. I’d trade down from 15th, before taking a dang-um TE, kidding me?
February 9th, 2026 at 11:56 am
Love reminds me of Saquon and he may be better. Passing on generational talent at any position unless you already have an all pro locked up long term is a mistake this GM cannot afford to make.
February 9th, 2026 at 12:07 pm
A TE? In the first?
We learned our lesson with OJ Howard and Austin Sefarian Jenkins!
I hope we never ever ever draft a TE in the 1st or 2nd round ever again!
The 1st and 2nd round should be for the trenches!
Period!
Except maybe a MLB this year.
I want an OLB or a DE.
We need to replace Hall and Reddick.
I hope we go OLB in the 1st.
A 3-4 DE like Gholston in the 2nd.
MLB in the 3rd.
Trade back into the 3rd and grab a second MLB.
Cut Klein.
Cut Braswell.
Cut Watts.
Coach needs to start being more cut-throat.
It’s time to stop being so nice.
Players are starting to take advantage of Bowles and Lichts kindness.
As the Albanian proverb says,
“When you give them your hand, they take your arm.”
February 9th, 2026 at 12:07 pm
“Love reminds me of Saquon and he may be better. Passing on generational talent at any position unless you already have an all pro locked up long term is a mistake this GM cannot afford to make.”
Mike Ditka said something like this when he spent all his draft picks on Ricky Williams
February 9th, 2026 at 12:12 pm
If love is still sitting there at 15 you sprint to the podium to take him. I don’t care if you only get 5 years out of him. He’s the best player in the draft IMO and if the line stays healthy it put the offense into overdrive.
He and styles will go top 10.
But that will help push down a really good edge talent to us.
February 9th, 2026 at 12:14 pm
We don’t have to trade any draft picks though.
February 9th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
This has to be the same Joe that was clamoring for Johnny Football. Hell No on either of those picks!! Layoff the weed bro your brain is mush! Defense, defense, DEFENSE is the only pick in the 1st rd. Seattle proved last night defense wins championships! We did same thing last year and look at us now. HELL NO on Love or Sadiq
February 9th, 2026 at 1:03 pm
Joe say:
“Here is something to think about: The Bucs defense stinks, right? So how can the Bucs win with a lousy defense?”
Lol
Let’s try another one. The Bucs offense stinks equally to or more than the defense, right? So how can the Bucs win with a lousy offense?
We weren’t supposed to worry about our offense last year according to Joe. It would be fine! Now that our offense ranked LOWER than our D are we still going to continue with the narrative that if we had a top 10 defense we’d be SB bound?
Even with a #21 ranked offense? Ok 🙄
February 9th, 2026 at 1:09 pm
Wow! Dude is fast. I like Buck and Tuck but neither of them have that kind of break away speed. I think I’d take him in the 1st. The Bucs are good at finding quality linebackers on day 2 so I wouldn’t sweat it if they missed out on Styles.
February 9th, 2026 at 1:10 pm
Jason will listen to our great defensive mastermind, and draft players who can do it all. The Jack of all trades x 11 on defense. Imagine the creative ways Todd can confuse QBs when everyone can play every position. It’s genius.
February 9th, 2026 at 1:42 pm
How about the guy stuck behind Love who never got his fair share of carries but might even be better than Love. He’s, Jadarian Price, had Buc written all over him!
February 9th, 2026 at 1:53 pm
We had the 26th ranked O Line by the end of the year. Go heavy on O Line!!!!!
February 9th, 2026 at 2:38 pm
@scott
Brederson is signed for 2 more.
Mauch is on his rookie deal for 2 more.
They are both coming back from serious injuries.
I agree with you. Our O-line needs help.
But.
We have everyone signed for 2-4 more years.
We need OLB to start over Reddick.
We need a DE to replace Hall.
We need 2 starting studs at MLB.
Not 5th round hopefuls like KJ Britt or SVD.
We need MLB’s taken in the first 3 rounds.
1st round: OLB. Freak of Nature like Yaya.
2nd round: DE/DT: a Gholston Clone. 6-6. 320. Beast.
3rd round: MLB.
4th round: MLB
5th, 6th and 7th?
Trade them all for an extra 2nd or 3rd!
Get us à legit starter!
Free Agency:
1. An experienced DT to replace Gaines. À legit 3rd DT.
2. OLB a legit starter to get 10 sacks!
February 9th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
I’d rather pick either of these guys in the 2nd:
Anthony Hill, Texas, Jr.
CJ Allen, Georgia, Jr.
Go BPA in the 1st. The Bucs need too many premier positions to lock in a ILB. If you watched any of his games, Anthony Hill is simply a better playmaker. CJ, too but we need to know more about his injury.
February 9th, 2026 at 3:20 pm
Outscoring the the other team never worked for Don Coryell.
February 9th, 2026 at 3:23 pm
His defenses were ghastly (and very poorly coached).
Joe always thought Father Dungy was the polar opposite of Coryell. Father Dungy didn’t give a damn about the offense. Coryell didn’t give a damn about defense.
February 9th, 2026 at 3:26 pm
Someone on here said Tucker can do the same thing as Jeremiah Love. Exceptional rage bait. Has to be. Some of you need to be committed. They trully need to bring back lobotomies and just stick picks up peoples eye socket in to their brain, it would level off the crazies like Warrenbrookslynch in here
February 9th, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Gofortheface,
Eccentric at times? Maybe
Crazy about football? yup
Still not crazy enough to support a TE OR RB 15th overall chump
February 9th, 2026 at 4:48 pm
I the only dumber than drafting a off ball LBer with a top 15 pick would be trading up to draft one.
Styles isnt without flaws.
If the Bucs are trading up, it better be for Bain or Bailey.
February 9th, 2026 at 5:07 pm
You don’t trade up for a ILB that high in the draft. The position value usually doesn’t warrant it. Stay put and take the best Egde available or try and trade back and acquire more draft capital. ILB and Edge are the 2 biggest needs. Getting a Veteran blue dot ILB is probably the way to go.And drafting one or two ILB. Asking a rookie to call the defense his rookie year is asking for trouble. Even if LVD returns he shouldn’t be taking 100% of the snaps anymore.
February 9th, 2026 at 5:25 pm
“There, seeds will be planted about the immediate futures of NFL teams, including the Bucs. Who might they sign? Who might they trade for or draft?”
It’s the festival of lies. We are now in the lying season. Nothing should be believed for the next couple months.
February 9th, 2026 at 5:27 pm
If an offensive player is taken by the Bucs in round 1, then either someone messed up royally or we signed edge rushers in free agency before the draft.
February 9th, 2026 at 5:29 pm
I could live with trading up for Styles.
February 9th, 2026 at 6:34 pm
How bout a couple dudes to keep baker upright and a couple dudes to get after the qb ,its not brain surgery,unless your the ” todd”
February 9th, 2026 at 6:34 pm
Joe … ‘Here’s the problem: Joe doesn’t see how Styles gets past Dallas at No. 12. The Bucs pick at No. 15. If the following guy is on the board at No. 15, how do the Bucs pass on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love? If both Styles and Love are gone when the Bucs are on the clock, “this Joe” would draft Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq.’
Wow, I don’t know what the ‘Joes’ have been drinking, but it should be outlawed. They call it ‘moonshine’ up in Kentucky.
o No way will JL move UP in the draft to grab a Linebacker.
o No way will he draft a running back in Rnd 1.
o And no way will he draft another tight end in Rnd 1 either.
There are a LOT of very good ILB candidates in this year’s draft. Bucs need 3 ILBs. Sign a very good starter in free agency … we need veteran leadership in that position group this year. Draft TWO ILBs in the Top 4 Rnds. Problem solved.
Running backs are a dime a dozen, in free agency AND in the draft. Again, pick one up in FA or in Rnds 5-7 of the draft.
Not a big fan of rookie TEs. Several veteran FA TEs available who could help us. Have no problem with re-signing Cade Otton for 2-3 years PLUS grabbing another free agent who REALLY knows how to block. BTW, I wouldn’t re-sign Ko Kieft, but would keep Durham and Culp.
February 9th, 2026 at 7:05 pm
Lets not! draft an RB. Trade the pick before doing that. We need defenders.
February 9th, 2026 at 7:08 pm
ND RB Love will be gone by #15…Would look for NEB RB Emmet Johnson in the 3rd.
Oregon TE Sadiq is a good TE…But not worth the Bucs #15 pick…Not when Bucs already have a Sadiq clone in Delvin Culp on the roster, who has proven he can handle the rigors of being a professional & be a valuable mismatch when used…Culp has the all the tools to do everything Sadiq did at Oregon…. (similar size, skill & Sub-4.5 40 speed comps)
I’m for signing Pitts over resigning Otton in FA, while expanding Durham & Culp’s roles & also resigning Kieft for his in-line blocking/ inexpensive FA price tag. That sets the TE room nicely.
The FO needs to target Edge, ILB & CB in FA…Chase value in the draft.
If tOSU LB Styles falls to them at 15…Great – take him.
If LSU CB Mansoor Delane falls to them at #15 – take him.
If there are pics of Bain hitting the pipe & he falls to #15 – run to the podium.
If not, look to trade back because there’s a ton of late Day 1 – early Day 3 value to be had.
February 9th, 2026 at 8:46 pm
Howell – DE from TX A&M at 15
CJ Allen – ILB from UGA in late 1st rd using 2nd rd pick and next year’s 3rd to trade up
February 9th, 2026 at 9:26 pm
Bednarik Award. Butkus Award. Bronko Nagurski Award. First team All American. Far and away the most decorated college football defensive player in 2025. Probably because he had more tackles, forced fumbles, and interceptions than any linebacker in the nation last year. Some say he may be available when we pick in the second round. Some say he’s a step slow but actually he’s alot quicker to the ball than the Ohio State linebackers. He reads the offense at a level I’ve rarely seen. The guy is a guy that on day one will elevate the entire defense. Leads by example. Look him up. He’s the best defensive player in the draft this year. I’m on board for making him our first pick. Because he won’t be there by our second pick.
February 9th, 2026 at 9:48 pm
Sonny Styles would be a great pick. Get an edge rusher in 2nd round, tight end in third.
And a new coach would help too.
Can Mikey pull a Brady and only agree to come back if Bowles is retired a la Arians?
February 10th, 2026 at 1:37 am
“Joe normally doesn’t like drafting a running back in the first round.”
I could swear that every single year it seems like Joe is pining for a 1st round RB lol. Maybe I’m just crazy tho.
February 10th, 2026 at 7:35 am
Joe Says:
February 9th, 2026 at 11:26 am
@Joe, I love your selective and protective memory when it comes to Licht.
Let’s see:
Howard =Koetter
Godwin = Licht
The entire 2016 draft must have been Koetter
You’ve already stated how Lovie enabled Winston. Therefore, Smith and Marpet were Licht
Evans = definitely Licht, but Seferian-Jenkins must have been Lovie
2021 surely was all BA
Come on man, Licht ain’t the superhero you keep trying to paint him to be
February 10th, 2026 at 3:24 pm
What does Bill Currie GM and Joe Bucs Fan Draft Guru Sean Sullivan say about
Notre Dame RB and 2025 Doak Walker Award Winner JEREMIYAH LOVE?
I don’t watch a lot of College football and it’s hard to evaluate the highlight tape without knowing the quality of the opposing defense, but to my eyes, Mr. Love looked like a man among boys in that highlight reel. Think Barry Sanders in his prime, battling the St. Pete Elementary school Junior Varsity team. If Sean thinks we need to move up to take him, Jason Licht ought to listen.
February 11th, 2026 at 9:00 am
Always draft BPA. You draft not for this year but years down the road. Love at 15 would be a steal. We could always make other moves, i.e. trade Bucky. Free agency will change our draft.
Always draft BPA.
February 11th, 2026 at 10:49 am
How bout a couple dudes to keep Baker upright,that’ll take care of the offense. And a couple dudes to get after the Qb, that’ll take care of the defense, secondary included..its not brain surgery…And hopefully the Todd will get everyone going in practice..Right Gerald??