Jason Licht Offers Up A Quick Roster Assessment
April 1st, 2026
Roster chatter.
Sadly, Joe is of the belief that if a team loses its Hall of Fame receiver and best cornerback in free agency, and your Hall of Fame linebacker retires, that team’s roster quality took at least two steps back unless a couple of home runs signings come in free agency.
Joe is not knocking any of the new Bucs in any way. But the absences of Mike Evans, Lavonte David and Jamel Dean are three big pairs of shoes the Bucs have to fill.
So in Arizona on Monday, Licht sat in a fancy hotel lobby chair in front of Joe and was asked to assess his roster as the draft approaches in three weeks.
“I’ve gone on record talking about how much I like the receivers room,” Licht said. “Love our running back room. Very happy that we got Cade [Otton] back.
“I think there’s always room to make improvements, especially on defensive side, in terms of depth, in terms of starting positions in some spots.
“But I think we’re always going to have an eye on, like I said before, you want to make an offense [which] I think could be very good, even better.”
Licht’s comment about making a good offense better resonates with Joe. If the Bucs could draft Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq at No. 15, that ought to be make for a fantastic Bucs offense.
But Joe, there are needs on defense! Exactly. The Bucs are maybe one player away (tight end) from having an exceptional offense. On defense? The Bucs are likely four or five players away.
With a dynamic offense, the Bucs will be able to outscore their own weak defense.
Licht said he understands not everyone likes the Bucs’ roster.
“There are a lot of positions which some would view as maybe a negative,” Licht said. “I view it as a positive that we can [fill the holes in the] draft or sign from here on out until the season starts.”
Readers here know how suspicious Joe is about the Bucs drafting and developing an edge rusher. So perhaps the Bucs could load up on a position in the draft and then trade away a veteran player at that same position — and throw in a draft pick (gasp!) and trade for a veteran edge rusher.
Yeah, that’s expensive. But if you can’t draft an edge rusher and you can’t develop one and you can’t sign one, you’re stuck with the lone option of trading for one or doing without, which is a horrible option that likely leads to disaster.
Unless you hope that a guy who has yet to complete a padded practice (David Walker) can turn into T.J. Watt overnight.
April 1st, 2026 at 7:17 am
Evans, David & Dean? Maybe 2023 or 2024, but not 2025! David was dead last in pass coverage, Evans was injured and Dean has been either good or bad the last couple of years and that’s when he was able to stay on the field. I’d call this book a year too long!
April 1st, 2026 at 7:17 am
Like it or not, Bucs are going to draft an OLineman in the early rounds
April 1st, 2026 at 7:27 am
I’ve been saying it all along Forget about the D and build an unstoppable offense. Sadiq in the first, a couple of o linemen in 2 and 3. Although Dean left, we’re still solid at corner. Main problem was short middle of the field crossers, Has been for the past few years. Go get DW 45 back. 2nd in the league in tackles last year.
April 1st, 2026 at 7:30 am
Jason Licht … “I think there’s always room to make improvements, especially on defensive side, in terms of depth, in terms of starting positions in some spots.”
Fantastic article Joe! Nah, better than fantastic … Spectacular!!! Perfectly shows the 2 different schools of thought regarding how we might use the upcoming draft to ‘fix’ our remaining structural issues.
JL identified the defensive NEEDS perfectly: fill (more than 1) STARTING SPOTS plus add DEPTH. A number of JBFers (including myself) will read that as: (1) need to add a starting ILB (to replace LVD or SVD); (2) need to add a starting/rotational NT/DT (to replace Gaines & lessen the workload on Vea); (3) need to improve DEPTH in our CB & ILB position groups. Drafting a rookie Edge rusher almost surely won’t help us, but yes, we can always use more Edge talent.
So there’s your draft. Rnd 1: NT/DT Kayden McDonald (or Lee Hunter would be my 2nd choice). Rnd 2: ILB Anthony Hill Jr (or CJ Allen or JRod). Rnd 3: Best remaining CB would probably be preferred (but overall defensive BPA works too).
April 1st, 2026 at 7:31 am
Delusional Lichtbrain is
April 1st, 2026 at 7:35 am
Hmmm, just thought Joe that if we draft DT Kayden McDonald in Rnd 1 then Anthony Hill Jr in Rnd 2 we’d be mirroring how we started our 1995 draft (Sapp Rnd 1 then Brooks Rnd 2). Two Hall of Famers. That’d be awesome.
April 1st, 2026 at 7:40 am
“Yeah, that’s expensive. But if you can’t draft an edge rusher and you can’t develop one and you can’t sign one, you’re stuck with the lone option of trading for one or doing without, which is a horrible option that likely leads to disaster.”
I can assure you nobody at 1Buc is thinking “we can’t develop edge rushers” to the point they feel “stuck” having to rely on one avenue to acquire serviceable talent at the position. Licht wanting Yaya extended is kind of proof that
April 1st, 2026 at 7:44 am
“…the absences of Mike Evans, Lavonte David and Jamel Dean are three big pairs of shoes the Bucs have to fill.”
I gotta respectfully disagree with you Jose. Perhaps if you would dip your toe into the Fantasy Football pool you’d better understand the point I’m about to make. In FFB a lot of guys draft based on name recognition and past performances. In 2025 Evans appeared to be a shell of himself. He was of course, injured for a big part of the season, as usual. As you have pointed out – the Bucs beat SF without him. Dean? Hurt as usual. David? Father time got him. These guys are not what they once were and it should not be a tall task at all to replace their 2025 numbers. Name recognition got you.
April 1st, 2026 at 7:48 am
I like Lee Hunter better than McDonald. Hill is a side to sideline player.
Please no Howell. Faulk or Allen.
Hes delusional about 88. 3 catches 30 yards a game and 11 career TDs.
Sadiq will be a player. I also like Delp, probably a third or fourth rounder now.
April 1st, 2026 at 7:50 am
Super Bowl ready baby! Just like last year!
April 1st, 2026 at 7:54 am
My hypothesis: Licht, and the Glazers, do not want to spend too much on players this year since they will have the Bowles buyout to pay for next December. The next coach is not going to want a lot of these guys and that will cost us both in cap dollars (which we care about) and real dollars (which the Glazers care about). Bowles was retained for one more year to reduce the buyout, not because they believe he’s going to suddenly become a great coach.
April 1st, 2026 at 8:06 am
Evans didnt leave he lost his job to Emaka he is already replaced. I love David but his production at his age would have continued to slip. Joe wants the fan base to believe so badly that we cant replace a WR who was outproduced by Sterling Shepard last year and a linebacker almost as old as IRA.
April 1st, 2026 at 8:26 am
As in life when someone loses a loved one. Buc it up and keep moving forward. That’s What Time It Is Bucs fans. Toss the rag full of tears and grab another beer. The ship still floats after 50 years and the draft approaches. Let’s Go Jason AAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!! Get this defense some help and I’m pretty sure Jmac and Tez can stretch the field some Chris and Egbuka can light up the shorter routes with the backs out of the backfield. Let’s Go Bucs!!!!
April 1st, 2026 at 8:52 am
Bucs need to trade picks and load up on 2027 draft. The 2027 draft is expected to be one of the best ever. Hopefully, the Bucs will have a new head coach next year that will be able to capitalize on the influx in talent.
April 1st, 2026 at 8:53 am
Alanbucsfan Says:
April 1st, 2026 at 7:17 am
Like it or not, Bucs are going to draft an OLineman in the early rounds
BINGO!!!!!!
KADYN PROCTOR-OG-Bama in the 1ST after a trade down
GO BUCS!!!!
April 1st, 2026 at 8:57 am
Defense Rules Says:
April 1st, 2026 at 7:35 am
Hmmm, just thought Joe that if we draft DT Kayden McDonald in Rnd 1 then Anthony Hill Jr in Rnd 2 we’d be mirroring how we started our 1995 draft (Sapp Rnd 1 then Brooks Rnd 2). Two Hall of Famers. That’d be awesome.
LMAO!!!!!!!
THATS A HUGE REACH!!!!….lol…
GO BUCS!!!!
April 1st, 2026 at 9:11 am
If Licht has taught us anything over his career, it’s that the first round is taking the best player on the board, not drafting for need. He drafts for need in the 2nd round and usually fails. Thank goodness we don’t need a kicker.
April 1st, 2026 at 9:23 am
I’d rather take Sadiq than reach for a defensive guy who may not be worth #15.
April 1st, 2026 at 9:24 am
DR – Sapp and Brooks were both drafted in the first round, 12th and 28th respectively.
April 1st, 2026 at 9:40 am
“But I think we’re always going to have an eye on, like I said before, you want to make an offense [which] I think could be very good, even better.” – JL
So he thinks the offense COULD be very good. Which means he doesn’t think it’s good now. Explain it to me like I’m 5, how will another receiver lead to more wins? As the team got healthier the QB couldn’t hit anyone accurately and consistently in the last 9 games. So the plan is to possibly dump more resources into an offense that can’t maximize who they already have?
Oh boy, the more Joel, Jason and Todd talk the more nauseated I get. Scared, nonsensical thinking with loser results year after year. The Buccaneer way.
April 1st, 2026 at 9:44 am
I’m just going to say it…short of moving up for Styles or Bain, why not go-O? Todd’s D requires elite level play from the front 7 to be remotely viable. I’d rather load up on the other side in Rd 1 and try to outscore folks. You can still fill LB, DT, OLB and CB in Rds 2-7.
April 1st, 2026 at 9:48 am
None of the draft experts are talking about Clemson Edge Rusher TJ Parker
He could be the sleeper of this draft
April 1st, 2026 at 10:06 am
Defense wins Super Bowls. Even when Tom Brady is quarterback. Denver and Seattle in last year’s big game, despite the folks who claim it’s an offensive league now.
April 1st, 2026 at 10:22 am
Hilarious that Joe ( and others) think adding Sadiq makes our offense now world beaters who can all of a sudden run thru other NFL defenses and score 60 a game! Incredibly foolish. 1 player doesn’t take us from a mediocre offense to a dominating offense in year 1. Barton still a ? Mauch off injury and really didn’t dominate the year before. Bredenson, meh. Godwin off injury. JMac a few good games but still not dominating in the league by any stretch. EE seemed to disappear. Bucky who knows? Yeah, let’s not load up on Def players but instead draft a TE who has low production at the college level. But of course, will make our offense dominate. Because you know, he’s a combine star.
April 1st, 2026 at 10:39 am
Our offense fell apart last year when Bredenson & Mauch went down. Even Helen Keller knows this. Resulting domino effect on QB, WR, & RB. So, the premise outlined is that our offense is already good – and can be great easier/faster than it will be to make defense great. Agree or disagree? How best to use finite resources?
Saying everyone sucks and/or doesn’t matter because the coach sucks doesn’t really contribute much to the discussion. Just one man’s opinion.
April 1st, 2026 at 11:22 am
Oline picks are never a bad idea
April 1st, 2026 at 11:54 am
Loading up on O to outscore the other team only works with a select few coaches.
Coen couldn’t even overcome Bowles D in the playoffs.
By all means though Jason, try it again with Bowles 5th OC! I’m sure it will work great until you lose 1 guard and 1 WR to injury.
A talented, well prepared (well coached) D will always be easier to win with than the talented well prepared O. There is more margin for error on the D side, simply because it’s easier to knock a ball down than catch it and run.
April 1st, 2026 at 11:58 am
Jason and the Glazernauts love them some mediocrity followed by shameless collapse.
The defense has blown donkeys for three years now, as the dual hatted wonder works his regression magic. Then in 2025, that regression magic infected the offense also.
Stevie Wonder sees it. Ray Charles sees it. Hellen Keller sees it.
It’s either Tank for Tomlin, or these buffoons really believe the tripe they’re shoveling, which is worse.
April 1st, 2026 at 12:59 pm
There’s nothing wrong with being optimistic, but delusional is another matter. From owners to GM and down to HC it’s all roses and lollipops. They talk like we’re only a player or 2 away from the Superbowl. Could we have a decent year? Sure. Likelihood? See first half of Ram’s game last year.
There are as many questions about the team as constructed as positives. Ignoring those facts does not make them dissappear. It just assures they will continue. They should do a side by side decision list with the positives and negatives of the roster. If honest with themselves it would be eye-opening.
As often said on this site – Hope is not a strategy. That’s what they’re depending on this year. From questionable coaching to missing starters to returning injured players to lack of depth to inconsistent QB play to new OC to hapless defensive scheme it’s quite a large puzzle. Whistling through the graveyard is irritating and irresponsible.
April 1st, 2026 at 1:10 pm
You win by scoring more points than your opponents.
April 1st, 2026 at 3:35 pm
Listen, we are more than a few players away on defense. And if not for the heroics of Baker those first 6 games, this is a 3 or 4 win team. Mike Evans knows it that’s why he left. Once again, the Glazers & Licht missed our biggest opportunities to sign a game-changing defensive player. We are not going to get that in the draft picking at 15. I know we added that LB and a couple other veteran DB/DE. I hope they kick ass. But we need more. Our pass defense has stunk for years. Who is in charge of that? I like our offense…IF our OL stays healthy. idk, Bowles had no answer for that defense last season. Maybe the new defensive coaches can develop a player or two..but it will take time. I hope we win the SB next year…I am pretty certain we won’t. And if the players failed Bowles last season, well shame on them. Mostly, I blame Licht and the Glazers. Go Bucs!
April 1st, 2026 at 4:16 pm
Draft an offensive tackle in the 1st? Did you follow the Bucs?
April 1st, 2026 at 5:48 pm
The rebuild has started, there are a lot of holes. What is this teams identity? Our strongest unit is maybe oline and it’s not like they are very good. Feels like Bowles and Licht are out after this season.
April 1st, 2026 at 7:29 pm
Great points Lt Dan! We’re not tasked with replacing 28-30 year old Mike Evans but 33 year old Evans. Not 30 year old Lavonte but 36 year old Lavonte. As far as Dean is concerned, the fan base has been pining to replace his inconsistent, injury prone self for the last couple years. I don’t think it is far fetched that Egbuka can take up that lead dog role and run with it. Also, 31 year old Anzalone should be an improvement over 36 year old Lavonte. The money saved from not having to pay Dean should be more than enough to pay his replacement.
April 1st, 2026 at 7:32 pm
Also Dean’s replacement may already be here. That’s what he was drafted for and he’s a heck of a lot cheaper.
April 1st, 2026 at 7:33 pm
Talking about Morrison that is.
April 2nd, 2026 at 12:34 pm
Theres no depth on the oline. Or TE. Need 2 corners an edge
And another good OLB. Lots of needs so yeah, its a rebuild. 2027
We ll probably be picking in the top 10. Hopefully with a new HC