Bruce Feldman: Jason Licht, Bucs Got Steal Of The Draft Class
April 28th, 2026
Thievery.
Everybody and their brother seems to think the Bucs got a steal in the draft: Hurricane-hitting nickel corner Keionte Scott.
Well, almost everyone.
One of the top college football writers out there, Bruce Feldman of The Athletic (Joe’s top college football writers would be, in alphabetical order, Feldman, Brett McMurphy and Andy Staples.) is getting more and more NFL assignments.
Joe loves this because Feldman is not only a sharp guy, he has such a wide net of coaches for sources.
Feldman was in Pittsburgh for the draft last week. And since the draft wrapped up, Feldman ranked the teams with the best picks. At No. 5 is the Bucs.
Now the vast majority of people who cover the draft or the NFL believe Scott was a work of theft by Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht. Not Feldman, though he loves the Scott pick. Rather, Feldman believes the Bucs taking 6-4 receiver Ben Hurst from Georgia State was the top steal by any team.
Third-rounder Ted Hurst from Georgia State is the steal of this class for a team that needs a young playmaker outside.
“I love Ted Hurst,” an NFL receiver coach told me of the 6-3-plus 206-pounder with 4.42 speed and an 11-3 broad jump. “I would say he’s the biggest sleeper in the draft, but he blew up like a month ago.”
There’s a 31 out of 32 chance that said receivers coach is not employed by the Bucs. This is good to know because Hurst apparently has made an impression on others in the league.
It sure doesn’t sound to Joe as if Hurst is Licht’s version of Chucky picking the bad Dexter Jackson, the receiver out of App State.
Woof.
.@BruceFeldmanCFB highlights Ted Hurst who believes if Hurst went to the SEC he’d be a 1st-round selection.
I cannot wait for the former @GeorgiaStateFB star to fire the cannons! Hurst is a ? #WeAreTheKrewe
?: @TA_FootballShow
pic.twitter.com/kV5Hzvcx3f— SleeperBucs (@SleeperTBBUCS) April 27, 2026
April 28th, 2026 at 9:12 am
Ted Hurst not Ben hurst
April 28th, 2026 at 9:13 am
He’s going to look like a bust because he’s the 4th best receiver on our team, which is not the case, Godwin (when healthy) n EE are bonafide WR1s, JMac looks like he is on his way to being a high end 2, and both our RBs are great in the pass game, gonna be hard for Hurst to make an impact, 2 years down the road he very well could be our WR2 behind EE
April 28th, 2026 at 9:14 am
I love summer but maybe we could skip it this year and start watching some footbal?
April 28th, 2026 at 9:15 am
Pick for the future is fine with the WR core that we have. Go BUCS!!
April 28th, 2026 at 9:17 am
I’ll Say it again, when I look at the tape of the kid, I see a whole lot of AJ Green with a mix of George Pickens and a dash of Tee Higgins. I love this pick.
April 28th, 2026 at 9:18 am
Looking forward to seeing the Jalon Daniels to Ted Hurst connection in preseason.
April 28th, 2026 at 9:19 am
He is good enough to replace Godwin which makes me wonder if he will truly be healthy.
April 28th, 2026 at 9:25 am
Licht is good evaluating WRS and OL
April 28th, 2026 at 9:40 am
He’s going to be way down the depth chart and won’t get many targets. However, he looks very good in red-zone fade routes so I can see him getting targets there.
April 28th, 2026 at 9:42 am
Ted Hurst … a name your accountant could have.
Love it!
If the Bucs offense can keep clicking under our new coordinator, could give this guy some chances like they did last year with Tez. And we had fewer chances last year thanks to all the injuries… sustaining drives got harder and harder. And though I love Tez, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say this guy’s a little bit more of a prototype. LOL
April 28th, 2026 at 9:45 am
bye bye shep lol
really liked this pick too..polish up his route running and he’ll do magic!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
April 28th, 2026 at 9:53 am
Emeka Ebuka playing well for HALF A YEAR does not mean you should engrave it in stone that he is a “bonafide number one receiver” Mr commenter above. Spare me, a guy going in to his second year that has had 8 good games is not above being pushed. All we have are slot guys. Every last one of our receivers are slot guys and zero elite long speed. There is one guy on the team who is a true X. A go up and get it type guy with actual LONG SPEED. It could be Hurst that lines up on the outside exclusively while your anointed one Ebuka is moved around along with McMillan. Idc where the game is going, or is. A true stud x is still a premier talent that you want
April 28th, 2026 at 9:58 am
What does exactly “steal” .mean? The pundits say the ravens “steal ” the draft every year ,however where is all the SB wins with these “steals:?? Doest make sense to me… Its the quiet teams that rise to the top..
April 28th, 2026 at 9:58 am
Gruden is hilariously entertaining, he can’t draft worth a spit.
April 28th, 2026 at 10:18 am
I don’t think the Bucs gave a outside WR better than Ted Hurst
They have a bunch of slot receivers
I won’t be surprised if Ted Hurst is a day 1 starter
April 28th, 2026 at 10:19 am
“”have a outside WR better than Ted Hurst “”*
April 28th, 2026 at 10:34 am
The Bucs signed UDFA WR Eric Rivers from Georgia Tech
He’s going to compete also as a Slot WR/PR
He was productive at Tech as a WR and Punt Returner
5’10 180 lbs, ran a 4.35 at the combine, 1.52 10 Yard Split
April 28th, 2026 at 10:46 am
I know it seems universally accepted here that the existing group of receivers is outstanding, partly because Baker “singlehandedly” ruined the passing game; but I don’t think they are unentrenchable. That is, I don’t think it is hard to imagine a tall, swift grabber who could play better than two or three of them (take your pick) if given the chance. And none of the incumbents excels in the red zone, which is especially important because we do not have a goal-line running back. So, I have high hopes for Mr. Hurst, who seems to have the quiet confidence that characterizes natural talent.
April 28th, 2026 at 10:52 am
The Bucs will have open competition at every position
They are not being complacent, and handing out jobs
These players has to earn a roster spot, first and foremost
After last season meltdown, the incumbents jobs are on the line
April 28th, 2026 at 10:59 am
He won’t get swallowed by the depth chart because at least one, maybe both Godwin and JM will miss time this season. Hopefully it’s just a few games for each but it’s in their DNA at this point given how physically they play. Plus Hurst plays a different position than they do. Starting early in the season he should get regular snaps at the X, close to the end zone and in certain down and distance situations.
I absolutely love this selection. Say what you want about JL missing on des and certain second round picks but the guy has proven he can find mid round gems at WR. I won’t be surprise if he hits on this one.
April 28th, 2026 at 11:07 am
Nice him #13!
Wait…too soon?!
😉
April 28th, 2026 at 11:07 am
I meant “Give” him 13.
April 28th, 2026 at 11:14 am
Saying Hurst won’t get opportunities due to our crowded receiver room is missing the point. Hurst is an X receiver – the ONLY one we have. Playing outside the numbers. Godwin, EE, and McMillan are more Y / slot receivers between the numbers. Hurst should get plenty of opportunities once he accommodates to the NFL.
Side bar – but watching details analysis of Scott has me feeling he might be our best player drafted, behind Bain of course.
April 28th, 2026 at 11:20 am
Depth piece, nothing more. Picked two rounds too soon.
It’s impossible to accurately assess a draft class before they step on the field.
I seem to remember someone saying on repeat that David Walker hasn’t even had a padded practice yet. So you have no idea what he will be in the NFL.
Did we need a WR? Yes and I’m glad we got one.
Losing Evans was much more impactful than most realize.
April 28th, 2026 at 11:23 am
I’m telling you guys, Hurst is our new starting X Receiver/WR1 and will be starting at wideout by Week 1.
They might not list him as WR1 on the depth chart for political reasons, but he will be our starting wideout.
April 28th, 2026 at 11:24 am
LynchMob50 Says:
April 28th, 2026 at 11:20 am
Depth piece, nothing more. Picked two rounds too soon.
—————
2 rounds too soon? Can you find one reference that backs that up?
April 28th, 2026 at 11:27 am
🙂
April 28th, 2026 at 11:29 am
Whoa, slow down partner.
April 28th, 2026 at 11:29 am
Well, this guy has no significant injury history.
April 28th, 2026 at 11:30 am
MY PREDICTIONS ON OUR DRAFT PICKS:
• I predict Edge Rueben Bain Jr. will be good out of the gate, and continue to improve over the course of the season.
• I predict LB Josiah Trotter will take most of the season to become good, but he’ll have flashes of greatness from time to time.
• I predict WR Ted Hurst will be used in a limited capacity at first, but as the season goes on, he will be used more and show flashes of being very good this year.
• I predict CB Keionte Scott will be great this season, keying off Bain like he did in college. Normally, a CB might take longer to develop, but he and Bain are like a double barrelled shotgun when used together, so this should get interesting.
• I predict DT DeMonte Capehart will be more of a developmental player this year, with rotational duties. He might get more time because of injuries. But really, unless he earns more playing time sooner, I think he will be limited for this year.
• I predict G Billy Schrauth will get lots of playing time during the second half of the season, but will start the year in a rotational mode. He plays both sides, so as soon as there is an injury, he’ll step in. I caution fans to give him a couple games in a starting role. He’ll have to get his sea legs as a starter.
• I predict TE Bauer Sharp will be used on Special Teams more than on the offense. With several years of experience, I expect some trick plays. That’s assuming he makes the final roster. He may start off on the practice squad. At best, as the 4th TE for depth once he is active. As I said: Trick Plays.
April 28th, 2026 at 11:30 am
Joe is shocked he hasn’t (yet) accidently typed “Bruce Hurst.”
IYKYK
April 28th, 2026 at 11:30 am
Truth be Told,
Yes, Hurst is a pick for the future.
As in, the future beginning in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. Lol
He’s our most physically and athletically-gifted receiver and we also don’t have any other WR who can effectively play the X Receiver position. So, Hurst is our starter right out of the gate.
April 28th, 2026 at 11:32 am
Losing Evans is an atrocity and it shouldn’t have happened. A juco receiver isn’t going to replace one of the greatest WRs in NFL history. Clear the table.
April 28th, 2026 at 11:33 am
Bain and Scott are the real steals in this draft.
April 28th, 2026 at 11:39 am
Greg Cosell thought he was a 1st round pick if he played at a power four school. Cosell thought he was one of two true X WRs in the draft. Cosell knows the NFL and does not throw out compliments like that lightly.
April 28th, 2026 at 11:43 am
Hope springs eternal after every Bucs draft.
Reality sets in when we find out who made it through ota’s and training camp to the regular season.
April 28th, 2026 at 11:43 am
Erik with UniqueModernArt.com Says:
“…Hurst…He’s our most physically and athletically-gifted receiver and we also don’t have any other WR who can effectively play the X Receiver position. So, Hurst is our starter right out of the gate.”
This statement is not at all true.
Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin will obviously be starters.
Ted Hurst will have to compete with Jalen McMillan, Tez Johnson, and Kameron Johnson to get that 3rd spot. And there are also the undrafted sleepers the Bucs signed. One of them could surprise…unlikely, but possible.
But I would say our most physically and athletically-gifted receiver is Emeka Egbuka.
April 28th, 2026 at 11:46 am
There is a roster spot and a
BIG OPPORTUNITY….. IF …
April 28th, 2026 at 11:47 am
3.28.Evans Says:
“Losing Evans is an atrocity and it shouldn’t have happened. A juco receiver isn’t going to replace one of the greatest WRs in NFL history.”
Mike Evans will never be replaced. He was great and a future Hall of Famer.
But he chose to leave. It was just time. It wasn’t anyone’s fault, regardless of what you may believe.
But…that doesn’t mean Hurst cannot become a great WR. He doesn’t have to be as good as Evans. Mike was a generational player. Hurst just needs to be good or better than average. We already have great WRs in EE and Godwin.
April 28th, 2026 at 11:49 am
To me, Bowles has to at least get us to the conference championship game this year. IF that happens, we may face Mike Evans in the playoffs.
April 28th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
Joe, any word on if Baker met up with Hurst like he did with EE after the draft. He should have, in my opinion he is set up to have a huge impact if he can run routes and catch. Say what you want about Evans, this guy is what Bucs have now and I am rooting for him. Mr. Bad Hammy Dropsie is 49ers problem now.
April 28th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
So…..
Bain….Steal in the 1st
Hurst…Steal in the 3rd
Scott…Steal in the 4th
Many say 3 of our first 4 were steals……shaping up to be a really good draft.
April 28th, 2026 at 12:42 pm
This is a Godwin like pick in my mind.
Godwin came to a team with Evans, D-Jax and Humphries ahead of him on the depth chart. Now Hurst comes into a room with Godwin, e2 and McMillan (and don’t forget Tez).
BTW, reading comments about Hurst, I read repeatedly he’s more of a long speed guy, and builds up speed – meaning his more fast than quick. Comparing him to Godwin’s combine, that’s also what I see.
Godwin and Hurst both ran a 4.42 40, but they got there in different ways. Godwin’s 10-yard split is 1.49, while Hurst is 1.55 – which is actually a pretty big difference. To end with the same 40 time means Hurst has a higher top speed. Just a nice way to illustrate what people talk about when they say a player builds speed. Godwin, coming in a about 2″ shorter was 3lbs heavier – that solid build is why Godwin has been such a good blocker (and I’d be shocked if Godwin hasn’t put on at least 10lbs of muscle since he’s been here).
Anyways, I like the pick, based on what I’ve read and watching him play, plus seeing how well he did at the senior bowl, I think he’s got a real chance to be a good player.
April 28th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
“Depth piece 2 rounds too soon.”.Its impossible to access the draft before they step on the field ” ?
April 28th, 2026 at 1:23 pm
More Lipstick!
April 28th, 2026 at 1:38 pm
Last night I watched the 27 minute Steve Smith breakdown of Ted Hurst that was recorded 3 weeks before the draft….
Now I am very excited about how good this young receiver can be for the Bucs in coming years.
I always hated Steve Smith when he was with the Panthers – because he was so damn good and hurt us repeatedly downfield – year after year…. but his knowledge as an analyst – particularly when analyzing WRs is top notch and I trust his opinions on the subject of WRs more than most…..
Smith LOVES Ted Hurst – and showed a handful of highlight plays demonstrating why….
What struck me watching those plays with Smith’s breakdown was how many Mike Evans like traits young Hurst already possesses:
– Ability to block out, high point and consistently win contested catches
– Very strong hands – Hurst doesn’t wait for the ball to get to his body but instead plucks it out of the air with those hands before the defender can get to it.
– High level body control for a big guy – allows him to make last second adjustments and catch downfield balls that are a bit off the mark.
– Deceptive speed in a large body…. Gets him some separation at the top of Post and Go routes. (Evans was a 4.5 guy – Hurst is 4.4)
April 28th, 2026 at 1:40 pm
“Losing Evans is an atrocity and it shouldn’t have happened. A juco receiver isn’t going to replace one of the greatest WRs in NFL history. Clear the table.”
Good thing GA State isn’t a junior college.
Good thing Hurst is just a talented individual from that program and we’re not drafting the GA State roster in its entirety.
For what it’s worth, Jerry Rice went to Mississippi Valley State, not exactly a pro pipeline there, but it hasn’t stopped them from sending players to the NFL.
Marques Colston went to Hofstra, lol
And Randy Moss played at Marshall
April 28th, 2026 at 1:51 pm
I love this kid. Those teams he played on were hot garbage and he produced. Time will obviously tell if it translates to the NFL, but I think he has a shot.
April 28th, 2026 at 1:59 pm
Ted Hurst were teammates with Ben Chukwuma at Georgia State
April 28th, 2026 at 2:12 pm
The problem with our WR room
Chris Godwin love to play in the slot
So the other WRs has to play out wide
Ted Hurst won’t be competing against Godwin, Egbuka
He will be competing against Tez and JMac
Those two are not that good on the outside, in my opinion
I think Ted Hurst is an upgrade over JMac and Tez
If Godwin miss any time, they will probably move Egbuka to slot
Which is his natural fit
April 28th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Steve V, I was going to point out that obvious contradiction as well. In his second sentence he writes something meaningful. Which completely negates his first sentence.
April 28th, 2026 at 2:29 pm
The Bucs needed a big solid receiver fairly bad. Godwin has had two or three major injuries in recent years and McMillan hasn’t played a full season without missing at least four games to injury since 2022, I think. Even Ebuka seemed banged up late last year, and of course Tez is only about 150 pounds.
April 28th, 2026 at 2:31 pm
WBL- great point.
April 28th, 2026 at 2:44 pm
This is getting over the top as usual. Before the reality strikes deep in the real season. Super Bowlers GO GO GO Sell some tix! LALALA
April 28th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
Think Hurst has a lot of potential , but for $2.5 mil I would still bring back Sterling Shepard. The guy never quits and can play every WR position. Very valuable for a WR corps that is injury prone.
April 28th, 2026 at 2:59 pm
Lakeland Says:
April 28th, 2026 at 1:59 pm
Ted Hurst were teammates with Ben Chukwuma at Georgia State
NICE NUGGET!!!
GO BUCS!!!
April 28th, 2026 at 3:02 pm
buc4evr Says:
April 28th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
Think Hurst has a lot of potential , but for $2.5 mil I would still bring back Sterling Shepard.
Nawl!!!…time to turn that page and upgrade…I’d rather add another IOL or CB which im sure JL will do in TC or PS
GO BUCS!!!!!
April 28th, 2026 at 3:14 pm
He’s got the height, the leaping ability, the hands, and great speed. Little raw with route running, but that’s OK because at best he makes the team as a fifth or six receiver. Plenty of time to develop
April 28th, 2026 at 3:16 pm
I see a few disagreements on bringing back Shepherd. That depends on TEZ development, Godwin and McMillan health. If they are all 100% healthy and ready to be receivers 1-4 then maybe they don’t bring him back. But if there are question marks to any of that, you probably bring him back, especially because of his relationship with Baker.
April 29th, 2026 at 12:09 am
Ted Hurst kinda looks like Tee Higgins in pads