What Jason Licht Didn’t Say About Drafting Tight Ends
April 15th, 2026
Bad predraft news conference for Payne Durham and Devin Culp.
Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht addressed various Bucs media today at his annual predraft news conference.
It was noted to Licht that the Bucs have been studying tight ends more than usual this offseason, including top-30 visits at One Buc Palace. And as part of this long question about tight ends, Licht was asked whether he’d like to find a stretch-the-field tight end because Cade Otton is more of a traditional tight end.
Licht responded with the obvious. But Joe was far more interested in what Licht omitted.
“This year’s draft has a lot of tight ends, so we just wanted to do our due diligence and get to know them as much as we can, just like we do most positions,” Licht said. ” So yeah, it would be great to add a tight end to the roster that [stretch-the-field] element that maybe some of the others don’t. We’re happy with our group right now, but we’re just doing our due diligence.”
After studying Licht for 12 years, Joe expected Licht to say something like, ‘I disagree with the premise that Cade Otton can’t stretch the field. We’ve seen it.’ Or, Joe thought Licht would start talking about how Payne Durham is weapon ready to break out, or how Devin Culp has that great speed and needs more chances to show the explosiveness he delivers in practice.
That didn’t happen.
Licht accepted the notion and said it would be “great” to add a more dangerous tight end.
Very interesting.
April 15th, 2026 at 4:29 pm
Pushing the narrative so some team ahead of us in the draft will take Sadiq and push a better defensive player down to 15. He’s not taking a TE until at least the 5th round as there are waaaay too many holes to fill. Don’t believe anything anyone says the last days before the draft especially Jason “Brasswell” Light
April 15th, 2026 at 4:29 pm
Hey Joe you think it could be Sadiq interesting?
April 15th, 2026 at 4:32 pm
nope – Licht trades down for a C/G – he’s that dumb
April 15th, 2026 at 4:36 pm
Does ‘stretch the field’ imply he’s really fast but can’t block? Because we already have one of those
April 15th, 2026 at 4:44 pm
So Licht decided to pay Cade Otton $10 million per year
Just to watch another TE stretch the field, while he blocks for them
That don’t make sense, none of this TE talk makes sense
The Bucs will draft a defensive player in the 1st round
Probably CJ Allen
April 15th, 2026 at 4:45 pm
One thing I’ve learned since becoming a Bucs fan is that Baker Mayfield is a dink and dunk QB. He can barely get the ball 10 yards down the field with any accuracy at all. So how does it make sense to find a tight end who is gonna stretch the field? Licht knows this. He’s bluffing. Let’s draft 7 hungry defensive dogs and this season we can dink and dunk our way to a championship.
April 15th, 2026 at 5:04 pm
Thats a lot of dink and dunks for over 12,000 yards in 3 years! UGH! Beer is good…
April 15th, 2026 at 5:15 pm
Licht also said they were happy siging Browning and bringing Bazelak back when asked about Qb depth. After Í wiped the tears of laughter away, I heard the same due diligence deal in regards to that.
If you’re interested in everybody, nobody knows who you’re really interested in
April 15th, 2026 at 5:26 pm
Culp can stretch the field if you play him
April 15th, 2026 at 5:29 pm
He’s putting out more smoke than the Vatican!
April 15th, 2026 at 5:33 pm
He was turned off by the sniff.