A Bucs Draft Qualifier May Not Be So Nuts After All
April 17th, 2026
Hire this man!
“This Joe” has gone on record: If the Bucs are thinking about drafting an edge rusher from Miami in the first round, the move has to come with a catch — and a coach.
The Joe typing this here post simply has no faith or expectation that Bucs coach Todd Bowles can or will develop a double-digit edge rusher. When he gets his hands on a veteran edge rusher, Bowles does well.
The next edge rusher drafted as a rookie with Bowles — as coordinator or head coach — who turns into a double-digit sack guy will be Bowles’ first.
Rookies? They just don’t develop under Bowles. Three or four years later, they’re on the NFL scrap heap.
Joe doesn’t believe in taking matches to a valuable first-round pick
But here is the catch: If the Bucs do bring in Reuben Bain or Akheem Mesidor on Thursday night, “this Joe” demands the Bucs hire their position coach at the University of Miami, Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive Jason Taylor. And then give Taylor full and unimpeded autonomy to coach the edge rushers. No interference from Bowles or any other assistants. Taylor only answers to Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht or someone with the last name “Glazer.”
Joe has had it with Bucs drafting edge rushers and the defensive coaches trying to turn them into safeties.
Well, yesterday, Joe read a combine notes column cobbled together by Jonathan Jones of CBS, and he had a very interesting nugget on Taylor. It seems Taylor is now on NFL teams’ radars for the job he is doing with defensive ends in Miami.
Two sources on different teams brought this up to me unprompted recently. Each one had high praise for Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, who has been working at Miami as the defensive ends/rush coach the past few years.
Teams have raved about the quality of the pre-draft interviews with Miami rushers Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor.
In short, NFL types Jones spoke to say the Dolphins legend knows what he’s doing with his young pupils.
Said an AFC scout: “Jason Taylor has done a great job with those dudes. They all bring him up a lot and that shows that he cares. They were really buttoned up.”
And an NFC defensive coach: “Jason Taylor is coaching these dudes. They are sharp in the classroom.”
Not developing an edge rusher is a hallmark of the Bucs. It isn’t a Licht thing or even a Bowles thing.
Just like the Bucs have never had a quarterback they’ve drafted get a significant second contract with the team, the Bucs franchise has never developed a double-digit edge rusher since the team drafted Lee Roy Selmon with their very first pick in franchise history back in 1976.
Team Glazer or Licht needs to call Taylor and ask what he needs to move to Tampa. Then after a check clears, tell him to work his magic and if anyone gets in his way, he has the final say of what to do with defensive ends.
This not developing edge rushers is way past an annoyance. It’s a franchise epidemic.
April 17th, 2026 at 12:07 am
I know the point you’re making, but Marcus Jones had 13 sacks for the Bucs in 2000.
Also Yaya is a great edge rusher, just stuck in a terrible system where corners are told to play so soft, guys are always open for QBs to dump the ball off to. Yaya is going to get paid big money by someone, and the Bucs should lock him now.
April 17th, 2026 at 12:08 am
And after that… poof.
April 17th, 2026 at 12:10 am
“Great” is Simeon Rice. Right now YaYa is a step above Noah Spence. About on the same level as Adrian Clayborn. That ain’t “great.”
Joe likes YaYa a lot and thinks he could still be something. Right now, he’s just a No. 2 edge rusher, provided there is a No. 1.
April 17th, 2026 at 12:10 am
Joe Says:
And after that… poof.
——–
Yep – he was the Wayne Haddix of the 2000s.
April 17th, 2026 at 12:18 am
Joe Says:
April 17th, 2026 at 12:10 am
Also Yaya is a great edge rusher
“Great” is Simeon Rice. Right now YaYa is a step above Noah Spence. About on the same level as Adrian Clayborn. That ain’t “great.”
Joe likes YaYa a lot and thinks he could still be something. Right now, he’s just a No. 2 edge rusher, provided there is a No. 1.
———-
Fair enough – I agree with much of that, just a difference of language. I think of ‘great’ as more of a pro-bowl level player, where as with players the caliber of Rice I generally use ‘ALL-PRO’ or flat out say ‘HOFer’.
I do think Yaya would be solidly into the double digits right now if Bowles just played some tighter coverage like he did under Arians. And I agree with you of course that if he had a legit guy opposite of him, that would certainly tremendously.
April 17th, 2026 at 12:36 am
Def expect to see Taylor roaming the sidelines in the NFL next season with the run he’s been getting lately. Hopefully next year’s new DC in Tampa sees the value in adding him. Stays in-state, no income tax, same weather etc., would be a great add.
April 17th, 2026 at 12:36 am
Per: Joe
Then, the Bucs give Taylor full and unimpeded autonomy to coach the defensive ends up. No interference from Bowles or any other assistants. Taylor only answers to Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht or someone with the last name “Glazer.”
Joe, Let’s Be Clear About What You’re Actually Proposing
So if I’m getting this right — you’re saying, publicly, that the Bucs should emasculate their own head coach by creating a setup where a player on the 53-man roster is effectively taking direction from a position coach who answers to Jason Licht and the Glazers — not the head coach of the team?
April 17th, 2026 at 12:38 am
This is so dumb and juvenile to be presented unironically is embarrassing for this outfit. Bring in Taylor to coach edge with a new Miami draft pick, fine, but to suggest he report over the DC/HC head is so unrealistic and childishly insulting to Bowles and the organization. There are other ways to state your valid point in the usual childish ways your audience is accustomed but this has the mob mentality feel to it.
No one is telling you what to write so don’t pretend that’s what is happening. It’s just editorial criticism if the delicate skin can handle it.
April 17th, 2026 at 12:46 am
Joe, two quick questions for you:
Question 1: If Shaq Barrett was so good, why did the Denver Broncos use the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft on Bradley Chubb — with Barrett already on their roster?
Question 2: When Barrett finally hit free agency, why did he sign a one-year, $5 million prove-it deal just two days after the market opened — no bidding war, no competition, no team breaking down his door?
April 17th, 2026 at 12:56 am
Before we fill of the cliff in 2025
👉 Tampa Bay is top 3 – Totals Sacks (2019-2024)
Top 5 NFL teams in total sacks (2019–2024):
1. Steelers — 340
2. Broncos — 327
3. Bucs — 318***
4. Eagles — 317
5. Rams — 317
April 17th, 2026 at 1:04 am
Jason Taylor would be a good addition to this defensive coaching staff if we draft one of his Miami pass rushers so long as he only reports over the head of Todd Bowles. Seems like a great idea and I’m certain that will work out great across the organization. Should be exactly what this pass rush needs to turn things around. This is the best take I have ever read.
Don’t tase me bro
April 17th, 2026 at 1:27 am
One of the first comments I made in early this draft season is that I’d be more excited if the Bucs hired Jason Taylor than if by some miracle/awful trade they added Bain and Mesidor. He counts for nothing against the cap and cost zero draft capital but would be a heckuva difference maker. The way his players gush about him, the way they hold their edge and use their hands screams he is a talented coach.
Even Keonte Scott is an absolute force on the edge against the run. Miami had a five man front with Scott and Bain on the weak side and those two were like the Great Wall of China against the run no matter who they were playing. When asked about his playoff pick 6 Scott delivered a treatise on how that play happened on a Saturday but began on Wednesday in the film room. He and Mesidor are both old/at the end of their developmental runways but they are refined coach on the field types who are naturally inclined to be in the film room and Taylor’s office who are plug and play upgrades for nearly any team in the league. I hope Taylor and one of his Miami minions could be brought in and refresh and reenergize the Bucs’ film room culture.
He could definitely help YaYa trim the fat from his game and be worth a $100 million dollar contract. I’ve been saying he isn’t worth the contract because he is not a leader so I’d rather some other team pay him his second contract. Then I read a Mike Florio piece dated Jan 6 where YaYa flat out says the Bucs excess of soft practices due to injuries were a big part of their 2025 tackling spit show and that it’s his responsibility to be in Bowles office just after NewYears to let him know about it since he is expected to be a 2026 team captain. I missed this crucial tidbit somehow. I love being wrong sometimes. Yaya’s words weren’t PR department propaganda it was proper prosecution of their performance. It absolutely showed me how wrong I was about his leadership and accountability for 2025’s failures. I love being wrong sometimes. YaYa emerging as a leader could make 2026 a true redemption campaign for him and his crew. I’ve gone from skeptic to very, very comfortable with him as the Bucs #2 edge. I still need him to learn to finish, for the Bucs to draft a Miami edge in the first and a speedy DPR on Day 2. This draft is an opportunity for the Bucs to make their pass rush room as deep as their WR corps.
Doing that and bringing in Taylor to weaponize them could be the change in idenity that heals last years wounds. No one player could cure what ails this defense but if there is one man right now it is Jason Taylor.
April 17th, 2026 at 1:31 am
LOL!
April 17th, 2026 at 1:56 am
Soooo according to you Tykee has not developed into anything?.. Zion has earned an extension has he not? Cancy when healthy didn’t have what 8 or 9 sacks? Yaya isn’t like near the top of pass rushers for QB pressures?… Again a Tampa “media” outlet with dog whistles about Bowels but no mention of the poor job by the GM…
April 17th, 2026 at 2:33 am
SECONDARY — BUILD → PEAK → TURNOVER
* Carlton Davis — Drafted 2018 (R2) → Departed 2024
* Sean Murphy-Bunting — Drafted 2019 (R2) → Departed 2023
* Mike Edwards — Drafted 2019 (R3) → Departed 2023
* Jamel Dean — Drafted 2019 (R3) →Departed 2026
* Antoine Winfield Jr. — Drafted 2020 (R2) → Present
RELOAD PHASE
2 years later…
* Zyon McCollum — Drafted 2022 (R5)
2 years later…
* Tykee Smith — Drafted 2024 (R3)
2025 Draft
* Benjamin Morrison — Drafted 2025 (R2)
* Jacob Parrish — Drafted 2025 (R3)
👉 Phase 1 (2018–2020): Heavy, layered Day-2 investment → built a championship secondary
👉 Phase 2 (2022–2024): Light investment → gap-filling / development bets
👉 Phase 3 (2025): Back to Day-2 capital (Morrison + Parrish) → forced reset after attrition
April 17th, 2026 at 2:36 am
DEVIN WHITE — 1st Round, #5 (2019)
2020 — 140 tkl, 9.0 sacks; 2nd-Team All-Pro; dominant SB run (peak)
2021 — Pro Bowl; efficiency collapse (PFF ~36) despite production
2022 — Continued regression; bottom-tier vs run + coverage
2023 — 83 tkl, 2.5 sacks; freelancing/coverage issues; benched late
2024 — Let walk; PHI → cut Week 5 → HOU
K.J. BRITT — 5th Round, #176 (2021)
2021–2022 — Minimal defensive role; core ST
2023 — 15% snaps; 6 late starts flashed value
2024 — Full-time starter (65%); 72 tkl; near bottom-tier grading; not retained
SIRVOCEA DENNIS — 5th Round, #153 (2023)
2023 — 13 games; limited role (96 snaps), 13 tkl
2024 — 4 games; shoulder surgery ends season
2025 — Projected starter next to Lavonte David
No heir apparent.
Devin White — a top-5 pick who regressed out of the building
K.J. Britt — a 5th-rounder who graded near the bottom in his only full season
SirVocea Dennis — another 5th-rounder with 17 games in two years due to injury
Reactive, not proactive.
We’re signing a 32-year-old free agent in 2026 just to patch the room.
April 17th, 2026 at 2:56 am
Lavonte David just retired at 36.
Who was the heir apparent?
No one.
Not a 1st.
Not a 2nd.
Not even a defined succession plan.
So for 2–3 seasons, not one premium off-ball LB was sitting behind Door #2 — learning the WILL, picking Lavonte David’s brain — preparing to take over?
And now?
Christian Rozeboom
And hopefully a premium draft pick
April 17th, 2026 at 3:58 am
I sure hope you’re just being factitious, Joe. I’d love to have Jason Taylor coaching our pass rushers too, but you can’t have, essentially, two separate defenses running at the same time. Is Taylor qualified to be a defensive coordinator? Can we force bowlzo to let Licht hire a Defensive coordinator? Bowlzo’s defense is fundamentally wack but what you appear to propose would be even worse. I can see what that staid old fart is trying to do, but so can everybody else. As anybody can see it relies on confusion and keeping the play contained. That wouldn’t be quite as horrible a strategy if we had at least a few players who can tackle reliably. Throw in total apathy and you have a defense that, well…stinks.
Maybe we should beef up the offense instead and have ourselves a Don Corryell style shootout team. Geeze, I think we would win at least one more game a year if we just had a kickoff unit that didn’t have to kick the ball through the end zone every time. When the other team starts every series neat midfield the defense has less of a chance at getting a lucky break.
April 17th, 2026 at 4:11 am
Just to be factually correct, because I’m not a fan, the Bucs drafted Kyle Trask and he got a second contract with the Bucs. They cut him before the season and he never played a down under the second contract but he was a QB the Bucs drafted and signed to a 2nd contract.
April 17th, 2026 at 4:23 am
SECONDARY — BUILD → PEAK → TURNOVER
* Carlton Davis — Drafted 2018 (R2) → Departed 2024
* Sean Murphy-Bunting — Drafted 2019 (R2) → Departed 2023
* Mike Edwards — Drafted 2019 (R3) → Departed 2023
* Jamel Dean — Drafted 2019 (R3) →Departed 2026
* Antoine Winfield Jr. — Drafted 2020 (R2) → Present
RELOAD PHASE
2 years later…
* Zyon McCollum — Drafted 2022 (R5)
2 years later…
* Tykee Smith — Drafted 2024 (R3)
2025 Draft
* Benjamin Morrison — Drafted 2025 (R2)
* Jacob Parrish — Drafted 2025 (R3)
April 17th, 2026 at 6:02 am
I’m not impressed with Jason Taylor developing a 24 year old full grown man
To compete against 18-20 year old kids
I would be more impressed if he developed a 18 year old to compete against 24 year olds
Jason Taylor is no Rod Marinelli, if he was, he would already be in the NFL
April 17th, 2026 at 6:20 am
Jason Taylor as DL coach would be brilliant move regardless of who we draft.
April 17th, 2026 at 7:01 am
The JTS draft pick feeds this Bowles can’t develop an Edge rusher narrative.
JTS skipped a year of college because he bought the Fear Hype propaganda.
That should’ve been a red flag to Bucs’ Decision Makers.
Barrett and JPP were 2 examples of Bucs making good decisions.
The Reddick signing last year was another crap shoot bad decision.
Braswell isn’t big or powerful enough to be effective as an Edge Rusher- maybe another position would suit him better because he is a good athlete.
April 17th, 2026 at 7:06 am
Messidor is growing on me. Dont care hes 25. Will be ready to rock day 1. JOEY T was 21 when we got him. On 3rd team and a complete bust so far. AGE is just a number. Lets get messidor and not have to worry about anything he will complete our dline.
April 17th, 2026 at 7:23 am
I don’t see any Edge Rushers the Bucs have drafted
The guys they have drafted to rush the passer, are not pure Edge Rushers
And they have only drafted a few of them
None of them were established Edge Rushers in college
April 17th, 2026 at 7:28 am
“Joe has had it with Bucs drafting edge rushers and the defensive coaches trying to turn them into safeties.”
We all have. It’s an idiotic defensive scheme that works very rarely.
I’m sorry, but I don’t agree with this notion that these edge rushers coming out of college don’t have any skills or training or coaching. Yes they do. They’re just bad players. They just weren’t.
This notion that it’s somehow Bowles fault for not developing them is just a repetitive myth out of this site. They are being coached. They’re just not good players.
This is on Licht.
April 17th, 2026 at 7:31 am
Joe, I like your solution to an ongoing problem, hire Taylor. Here’s the issue, Licht has difficulty thinking outside of the box his coach buts him in, and right now it’s a small box. If Licht were clever or proactive, you may have seen a ST coach fired mid-season last year, a move to get a G before the trade deadline, a serious pitch to the Glazers for one of the many over .500 coaches who came available at the end of the season, or even him forcing Todd’s hand to step away from DC duties. But Licht is not proactive, unless his coach demands it (see BA). I know you think JL ROH, because “he” built a SB winner., but…Does BA even come unless he was seeking the best place to retire and cement his glory? Does Brady come (and Licht walk away from his #1 pick Jameis) unless BA demands it and Spytek massages it? Do Gronk and AB arrive without Brady? Does Bowles allow edge rushers to rush the QB without BA? Let’s be realistic, Licht is a top shelf scout who is great at self promotion and glad handing. He really seems to lack true leadership qualities: vision, action, and command. He’s just a good ol boy who is fun to sip bourbon with poolside
April 17th, 2026 at 7:34 am
Joe Tyron only played 2 years of college football
One sack his first year, 8 sacks his second season
He wasn’t worth a 1st round draft pick
Chris Braswell was mostly a backup at Alabama
10.5 sacks during his 3 year career there
He wasn’t worth a 2nd round pick
Yaya was a 3rd round draft pick
And he has performed like a 3rd round pick
Ramirez was a 6th round pick l think, bottom of roster pick
Logan Hall wasn’t drafted to rush the passer
If you want Pass Rushers then draft Pass Rushers
And quit drafting these poor imitation of Pass Rushers
April 17th, 2026 at 7:53 am
I’m going to take Joe’s comments of Jason Taylor answering to management and not Bowles as being a bit facetious and just showing general aggravation with the lack of development of our edge rushers. I agree Taylor should have autonomy on how he trains and coaches them (because he’s proven he knows what he’s doing and was an amazing esde rusher himself after all), but the coaching philosophy has to change on how they’re being used.
On the Bucs website, the coaching staff list shows a defensive line coach and an inside linebackers coach. Seems like there’s room for Taylor as the outside linebacker/edge coach currently. Would love to see that happen.
April 17th, 2026 at 8:03 am
In Kansas City the fan base complained and complained that they could never get the qb situation right. They always brought someone in like Trent green or Matt Cassell or some other name.
They couldn’t draft or develop…..until they could.
You never stop taking a player you think is a blue chip prospect because you think you can’t develop him. That’s a loser mindset.
Now with Bowles it may very well be that they don’t care about his ability because he might be gone in ‘27. Maybe that’s licht’s mindset also. Can’t blame them there. Hes an aging (in nfl terms) 90’s style defensive coordinator/HC. Those are about extinct at this point.
April 17th, 2026 at 8:26 am
All this talk about how to overcome Bowels’ liabilities. Nonsense! We all know there is only one solution to the Bowles liability and the Glazers opted not to do what the rest of the NFL world, including fans knew was the obvious solution.
Evans, Dean, Hall, White. Mass exodus. Wake up Glazers!
April 17th, 2026 at 8:53 am
“this Joe” demands the Bucs hire their position coach at the University of Miami, Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive Jason Taylor. And then give Taylor full and unimpeded autonomy to coach the edge rushers.
********************************************
Glazers/Licht didnt force bowles to can his defensive coaches so why would you think they would force him to hire Jason lol…
GO BUCS!!!!!
April 17th, 2026 at 9:54 am
JT=FIRE…. Do it Do it!!! GO BUCS!!!
April 17th, 2026 at 9:58 am
If they are lucky enough to have the opportunity to draft Bain, they better do it. I dont care who the coaches are THIS year. Bain will be around a lot longer than Bowles.
The guy is an absolute beast and isnt going to suddenly forget everything he’s learned under Bowles. Stuffs the run…gets after the QB and effects the pocket almost every snap.
Taylor would be a fantastic hire..but if not, shouldn’t stop them from drafting a edge from Miami.
April 17th, 2026 at 10:02 am
Nobody’s calling for the man’s head. Like anyone stepping into a role for the first time—no matter how prepared—you’re going to take your lumps. That’s not a character flaw; that’s the learning curve. The question isn’t whether Licht made mistakes early. He did. The question is whether he learned from them. I believe he has.
April 17th, 2026 at 10:39 am
Reuben Bain was a stand out pass rusher at Miami Central
And they are a National Power, we beat them a few years ago
We play National powers every season, all over the country
Reuben Bain had 77 sacks in high school
.
He didn’t need Jason Taylor to develop him
Jason Taylor probably helped develop the old man Mesidor
April 17th, 2026 at 2:20 pm
This is my Joe. Unfortunately, no way The Todd would ever go along with that. He doesn’t believe there’s even a problem.
April 17th, 2026 at 6:11 pm
Bucs should take Mesidor. He is plug-in ready. But I think the age scares us. Relax, we won’t take him. I think we take the TE Sadiq.
April 17th, 2026 at 10:44 pm
“Joe Says:
April 17th, 2026 at 1:31 am
this has the mob mentality feel to it.
LOL!”
Is that hilarious? Have you seen your absurd takes lately? It’s a hoot!
April 18th, 2026 at 8:42 am
I hope we take the G from Penn State. At 2 get LB from TAM There should be plenty of DT and Edge guys left
April 18th, 2026 at 9:02 am
@LUV,
Licht is likable and amiable dude. However, I feel the growth you ascribe to Licht is simply a reflection of the coach du jour. Licht never seems to have his finger on the pulse. A day late and a dollar short. He does not strike me as a leader. I see him more as a successful salesman than the company’s CEO. He disappears when times are tough (annual swoon), gloats during a bull market (6-2), and blathers on like he’s at a slumber party when there is nothing to back it it up (see JL this offseason). He never, NEVER, takes immediate action in season to right the ship, over pays his home grown tomatoes, and pretty much let’s the coach dictate the vibe of the team. Look, I get that the coach sets the tone, but GM can steer that tone….like firing a grotesquely underperforming ST coach, emphasizing to the coach that a 5th of team salary is in WR so throw the ball, or telling a declining defense that he will be hiring a DC. Im not saying be knee jerk, but you HAVE to step in and lead when you see a team and individuals quitting on a coach, Licht doe not. Imo, the biggest indictment on Licht is Evans walking away without remorse, for less money, an not even glancing over his shoulder. That my friend is a fine illustration in a failure in leadership. I always viewed ME13 as a man with character and for him to walk with such little regard for Licht and the Glazers speaks volumes to the leadership at the top. Forget Bowles and 3-28, if ME thought JL has the leadership chops to effect change, I think he’d be here. Instead, Mike sees a flacid puppet waiting for ownership and the HC to pull his strings
April 19th, 2026 at 6:49 pm
Has anyone ever seen the movie Groundhog Day? Or heard the Fairy Tale, The boy who cried wolf? Or heard the sad refrain “We have to coach better , and play better” ? (You can add to the list ,”Draft Better” ). If you keep listening to the same old stories the ending is always the same, maybe We should try something different, what have We got to lose?