Trying To Read The Tea Leaves
March 27th, 2026
Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq.
One of the fun things about the NFL draft is the drama and intrigue and the suspense that goes along with it.
Who is drafting whom? And when? Who might be available when the Bucs are on the clock? And would the Bucs trade the pick?
It’s far, far, far more fun and suspenseful than a ping-pong movie, isn’t it Ira?
So in the past, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has drafted the obvious (America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston and Tristan Wirfs) and thrown people curveballs (Mike Evans, Vita Vea and Emeka Egbuka).
Now in recent articles Joe has had about drafting a tight end in the first round, and even on Twitter, some folks are fully triggered — one dude was positively enraged at Joe and wanted federal authorities to shut this site down — over the suggestion the Bucs may draft a tight end at No. 15. Very likely the angriest Twitter Joe ever received.
Look, Joe is all for Keyon Sadiq, the freak tight end from Oregon. But to be honest, Joe has always leaned toward getting an inside linebacker at No. 15 and maybe Baylor tight end Michael Trigg, a Tampa native, on the second day of the draft.
So what might Licht do? Well, the key inside linebacker, Sonny Styles, is unlikely to be on the board when the Bucs pick. The next best inside linebacker is either C.J. Allen or Anthony Hill, from Georgia and Texas, respectively. But both might be a little bit of a reach at No. 15. Maybe more than a reach.
Light doesn’t seem to be the kind of guy to reach for players in the first round.
Then Joe was doing some research. It seems when Zac Robinson, the Bucs’ new offensive coordinator, was in Atlanta, he used two-tight end sets a lot. In fact, last year, per Sharp Football Analysis, the Dixie Chicks used two or more tight ends on 45.7 percent of offensive plays in 2025, fifth-most in the NFL.
So it seems those who think Sadiq might be the Bucs’ pick, it sort of makes sense. Would Joe like to see Devin Culp used more? Sure, but if you are comparing Sadiq and Culp, come on.
And Payne Durham is strictly an in-line tight end. If he was a downfield threat, we would have seen it by now in Durham’s three seasons with the Bucs.
So those in the national media who have been schlocking Sadiq to the Bucs might be onto something.
The past 4 drafts have given the NFL Elite Tight Ends:
– Trey McBride (2022)
– Sam LaPorta (2023)
– Brock Bowers (2024)
– Colston Loveland (2025)
– Tyler Warren (2025)Will Kenyon Sadiq keep the trend in 2026?
— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) March 24, 2026
March 27th, 2026 at 4:06 am
i’m starting to think grab this dude…then load up on backers and edge in the next few rounds…it’ll probably take this and the next draft to add a few decent pieces to the front 7…could even take 3 years
March 27th, 2026 at 4:18 am
maybe a bit of a dk metcalf to him, with and extra 10 pounds of muscle or bulk on him…maybe draft this freak
March 27th, 2026 at 4:30 am
I like TE at 15 MLB in the 2nd oline 3rd more lbs and Dline. Maybe another oline late but our depth needs 2 b solid there. Zyon is gonna piss me off this year should trade him 2 draft another cb.
March 27th, 2026 at 4:53 am
I wouldnt hate it…he’s fast and a big target…I’d rather have that beastly guard though…Bredeson can be the swing backup. Hit Trigg with the 3rd or 4th.
March 27th, 2026 at 4:54 am
Bucs are pretty much relegated now to using the draft to really fix our defense. We’ve still got ‘holes’ (starters or key rotational players) at ILB, DT & CB as a minimum. If the drafts top round picks aren’t used to ‘fix’ those holes, this year’s defense will very likely struggle just like the last 2 years defenses did. And much worse, we’ll be in a horrible position going into 2027 since we have so many ‘ancient warriors’ who’ll be free agents.
March 27th, 2026 at 5:17 am
yes the defense is a real problem…..now and future…..but with bowles running the show, just throw up your hands, and draft sadiq the freak 🙂
March 27th, 2026 at 5:48 am
Sadiq is a bit short for a TE, ya think? High drop ratio too, ya think?
Last year we needed defense, so Licht drafts Egbuka, who was great to begin the year before falling off the face of the earth. Still unhappy watching him yuk it up after a loss.
I would trade up and get either the Texas Tech (Bailey) or Ohio State (Reese) as an Edge, or even Styles.
Wanna get better? Take a chance and move up!
But my guess will have Captain Conservative sit back and draft another “steal” from Slippery Rock.
March 27th, 2026 at 6:11 am
If we don’t get Styles, or Hill Jr. or Allen, then we darn sure better get Jacob Rodriguez who will prove out to be the best player in this draft class. Even talking about a tight end first, it’s like someone is waking up early and just trying to pi$$ me off.
March 27th, 2026 at 6:36 am
Didn’t I hear Todd or Jason say something like …… If the offense can just score a lot of points we’ll be fine? So who needs defense? (Heavy sarcasm folks).
Jason always wants to buck the trend and draft someone no one expects.
If they don’t extend Baker – my Magic 8 Ball says he’ll draft a QB
March 27th, 2026 at 6:47 am
Short TE with little production.
-“But man what an athletic freak the guy is with such big muscles”
Hard pass
Id rather see the best OT available who can kick inside next to Wirfs and also provide depth at OT should they need it.
Or the best DT available. Someone who can push Kancey into stating healthy and eventually take over for Vita.
March 27th, 2026 at 6:53 am
Wouldn’t mind Dante Moore in the stable