Two Years Of “Elite” Film
April 17th, 2025
“Glazer, I deal. You watch. That’s how this works.”
Remember three years ago when the Bucs made a draft-day trade of a future pick to snag their cornerback of the future?
That was the Zyon McCollum deal. Tampa Bay traded up in the 2022 draft to get back into Round 5. It required sending a 2023 fourth-round pick to Jacksonville to make the trade happen.
Would Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht be willing to trade up again this year by sacrificing a future pick or two, or even a player?
Joe is hopeful Licht wouldn’t hesitate. The Bucs should be in win-now mode, not clinging to maybes in the future.
Joe brings this up after reading an ESPN.com piece behind a paywall featuring team scouts talking off the record and participating in a mock draft. ESPN revealed their first 10 picks of Round 1 today.
The scouts’ mock placed stud Michigan cornerback Will Johnson to the Chicago Bears at No. 10 overall.
“… Johnson’s tape the last two years is of an elite cornerback,” one scout said.
If the film really is elite on Johnson, then it would be clear to Joe that Johnson has Todd Bowles drooling uncontrollably. He hits all of Bowles’ marks. Johnson is long and lean at 6-2, 194 pounds. He had nine career interceptions at Michigan in 32 games played, including two pick-sixes last year. The 2023 All-American is among the true ballhawks — what Bowles says is his offseason focus.
So what might it cost to trade up for Johnson?
He might be there at No. 13 overall, for example, with the Bucs sitting with the No. 19 overall pick. Could Tampa Bay cough up a third-rounder next year and this year’s seventh-rounder to move up six spots in that scenario?
Would it be worth it?
Somewhere inside One Buc Palace a decision has been made on whether the Bucs truly want to upgrade at cornerback in 2025. If yes, that might require a very bold move.
April 17th, 2025 at 4:52 pm
If they really like him it wouldn’t surprise me, but that would say a lot to Dean immediately about what they truly think. I think they want a capable back up. It still WANT Dean to start. That leads me to believe no to trading up for a CB.
If it was Jalon Walker yes absolutely.
April 17th, 2025 at 4:52 pm
I’ve been wondering if Licht and Bowles see another hidden gem in the late rounds like Zyon? Maybe they see a guy like Zyon so they might not pick CB at 19 and go DL instead? Derrick Harmon?
April 17th, 2025 at 5:03 pm
I saw something that Licht has traded up 14 times and down 5 times since he become our GM.
April 17th, 2025 at 5:22 pm
This all depends on what they anticipate will be available to them at 19. Is this CB head and shoulders above the others? Is he the best defensive player available and it’s not even close? I don’t know the answer, but I would not be opposed to trading up if we get a lockdown CB.
April 17th, 2025 at 5:25 pm
CB is the biggest area of need.
Dean is not good enough or healthy enough to be the CB1.
Swing for the fences in Round 1 if necessary.
Johnson or Barron need to be wearing pewter in the fall.
Otherwise the Bucs top brass don’t really care about winning more than a meaningless NFC South title.
April 17th, 2025 at 5:45 pm
Jimmy Johnson created the “Draft Trade Value” Chart many moons ago. Therefore many have pointed out it’s dated and with the new collective bargaining rules etc it’s not as accurate.
Having said that most still refer to it for a general idea.
In Joe’s scenario the 13th pick is worth 1150 points the Bucs 19th 875
If the Bucs give them next year’s 3rd the wild card is where will the Bucs be picking next year. Some here would say it’s a great deal because with Bowles/Bowles/Bowls the Bucs will finish way down and draft higher next year.
Others believe the Bucs will improve and draft even lower.
Next year’s 3rd rounder could be worth 265 to as little as 116. The 7th rounders are virtually worthless..14 points at the top to as little as 2 at the bottom.
So if I’m a GM I gotta figure whether the Bucs will improve or suck next year for starters. There’s a big swing in value according to draft position.
People have complained about the long wait until the draft. I agree from a personal point of view. But from an NFL point of view it’s genius. We have the NHL and NBA playoffs, the start of the MLB season and yet the NFL continues to flex it’s muscle by remaining relevant even in the slowest part of their season.
April 17th, 2025 at 5:46 pm
Bring Tanard Jackson out of mothballs minus the bong please.
April 17th, 2025 at 5:48 pm
He’s THAT much head and shoulders above the others? I like the Revel kid, for many reasons
April 17th, 2025 at 5:50 pm
Durability has been an issue so I’ll pass. Rather have Trey Amos
April 17th, 2025 at 5:52 pm
If teams actually use the “NFL Trade Value Chart” to any extent, it would cost the Bucs their 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, and a pick next year to go from 19 to 13. So, highly unlikely.
April 17th, 2025 at 6:23 pm
Or their 1st and 2nd.
April 17th, 2025 at 6:33 pm
Let the draft come to them!
Sadly too many slots need quality players on this roster
April 17th, 2025 at 6:52 pm
We don’t have a true no. 1 corner. Do it.
April 17th, 2025 at 6:59 pm
The draft came to Licht when he needed an offensive tackle in 2020, and there were clearly 4 guys who fit the bill in the top-15 that year. Sure, he swapped a 4th rounder for a 7th to move up 1 spot to draft Wirfs, but didn’t mortgage his draft capital beyond that in a panic under the logic of getting “his guy.” That worked out pretty well I’d say!
There is enough depth at CB in the 1st 2 rounds to let this need come to us. The cost is too high to move from 19 into the top 15, but giving up a 6th or 7th to trade higher in the 2nd or 3rd round could be sensible.
April 17th, 2025 at 7:06 pm
Just bring a bong and Tanard Jackson will come along with it.
April 17th, 2025 at 7:08 pm
This is a deep corner class. No need to move up if that’s a position they’re targeting. To a certain point, this team needs quantity at the corner position. If Josh Hayes ever sees the field again on defense, that means Licht failed at maximizing this draft.
April 17th, 2025 at 7:18 pm
I’d much rather just ship that 7th rounder to Miami for two years of Jalen Ramsey. Seems like a no brainer.
April 17th, 2025 at 7:23 pm
Can’t believe it when I read that Zyon McCollum is “a hidden gem.” In case anyone missed the last two seasons, the Bucs defensive secondary has been manned by ghosts. Many here are seeing things that I just don’t see. What I see is a bunch of Bucs DB’s and safeties staring at each other in the end zone after another opponent TD.
April 17th, 2025 at 7:31 pm
Would be thrilled if JL trades up for either Johnson, or the Edge Walker
Perfect timing to maximize this draft
April 17th, 2025 at 7:38 pm
This is a great draft for CB so I think Licht only trades up if he can land a top edge rusher or DT
April 17th, 2025 at 7:43 pm
Draft a big DT or a DE type in the first. Get a CB or LB in the second or the third. Or just trade for Jalen.
April 17th, 2025 at 7:51 pm
More likely the Bucs trade back, than up. Plenty of good DBs in this years draft. You might be able to get a good player in this draft with the picks you gave up. Licht’s not trading picks, he’s not moving up.
April 17th, 2025 at 8:23 pm
Zah Fraizer is a model Bucs CB. Super athletic, tall, small school, ball hawk.
April 17th, 2025 at 8:41 pm
Thats not happening…. Not for a CB. Maybe for an Edge thats at the top of Jason’s board and dropping further than expected….
Otherwise – just gotta stay patient and let the draft play out until its almost time to pick – then figure out what to do with pick #19. Select a good player there (and there will be multiple good players available at 19) or trade down and get an extra day 2 selection would be the best option if possible.
There are plenty of good DBs available in the 2nd and 3rd rounds this year.
Select an Edge or a DT with the first pick – then start working on filling other needs of ILB, CB and Safety……
April 17th, 2025 at 8:43 pm
Trading up for a player who is not going to start is not going to happen. He won’t beat out Dean or Zyon, Bryce Hall OR Idzien. So, why trade up for a #5?
April 17th, 2025 at 8:44 pm
Nice analysis, SPBF.
I’m having some more drinks and letting Jason worry about the Bucs draft. He knows, internet fans with a favorite college player don’t.
April 17th, 2025 at 9:00 pm
A truly BOLD move would be doing a trade with Miami for All-Pro Jalen Ramsey.
April 17th, 2025 at 9:28 pm
He’s awesome. I would love it if they did whatever necessary to get him.
April 17th, 2025 at 9:29 pm
I’d be SHOCKED if we traded up. We do not want to give up any of our picks.
As others have pointed out – we could (I think we will) be picking lower next year because we will be improved and have a better record.
Would we really want to possibly miss out on the next Bucky, or J-Mac (who’s going to be really really good imo), or even Devin Culp, to get a (possibly) marginally better player than we would get by staying @19 or even trading back.
JL has, I believe, done a pretty good job of plucking future, quality starters in 2nd. 3rd 4th round and deeper. Unless a player is THE missing link to a Superbowl victory, giving up anything to move up a few spots wouldn’t be logical/smart imo.
April 17th, 2025 at 9:52 pm
VH3
April 17th, 2025 at 10:26 pm
Bucs have terrible history drafting first rd cornerbacks. You know who else had phenomenal college tape for more than one season? Vernon Hargreaves 3. Seemed like can’t miss. Couldn’t have whiffed harder. We are best when drafting secondary in 2-5. You want a safety? Remember mark barron?! Whereas we get an all pro in Winfield early second. Linebacker is our best bet. Trust in licht to find value in later rounds.
April 17th, 2025 at 10:55 pm
I’m looking forward to getting past this draft and feel good about it because we’ve got the right guy’s running it but especially we’ve got the right guys already in place. Our Brass isn’t tipping their hand much so there ought to be some surprises. I’ve got a gut feeling we’ll take Golden, the 4.29 receiver out of Texas with our first pick if we can. The next 4 picks will be defense- MLB, DT, Cornerback, and Safety. Then our last pick on an offensive lineman. Since Baker got here this team has been on an upward trajectory. All the naysayers that say we’re a .500 team in a lousy division don’t understand what organization on the way up looks like compared to one on the way down. And it happens to all organizations. We could have won the Super Bowl last year if everything had gone our way and we had alot of luck. But we knew that after spending 2 years beefing up the offense that we really needed to add some depth to the defense to be a true force. If we stay healthy this year- I’d love to see a few stories about what kind of offseason workouts guys are doing now- but if we can stay healthy than I predict that it won’t take luck to get us to the Super Bowl this year.
April 17th, 2025 at 11:30 pm
Yep. Both Johnson & Walker are the two guys I’ve been saying for the past several weeks, that I would trade-up for at around 13-14, if either one of them happen to be available. If not (and there is really no one else left that they feel they have to have), then I would strongly consider trading back. Just like the Eagles did to the Saints a couple of years ago, & the Bears to Carolina… I would definitely, take someone’s #1 in next season’s draft with THAT (extremely loaded) WR CLASS. So, HEY CLEVELAND… We’ll take this year’s 2nd, 3rd, & 5th, then next year’s (surely another top 5-10 pick) 1st and 3rd. We might even throw ya a 7th!? Haha. If they take Hunter at #2 and if Sanders slips to #19… Hell, they might as well LoL. That would be a TOTAL “Cleveland-Move” there… I bet their fans would literally go NUTS.
April 17th, 2025 at 11:30 pm
30yrBuc Says:
April 17th, 2025 at 10:26 pm
Bucs have terrible history drafting first rd cornerbacks. You know who else had phenomenal college tape for more than one season? Vernon Hargreaves 3. Seemed like can’t miss.
^^^^^^^
Taking a short, slow CB who has Nickel Back written all over him in the top 11 is never a good idea.
April 17th, 2025 at 11:44 pm
Being in the same Division as Baltimore, Cincy, & Pittsburgh… EVEN, if they were to show a ‘little’ promise with “Sanders & Hunter” together, that pick could VERY easily, end up being in the Top-5 again. You take their #5 and pair with our #32 (after winning the Super Bowl), & you’re talking maybe, #1 WR or #1 EDGE-Rusher. And, might not even have to use the 32nd. They could still sign Stephon Gilmore, make the Ramsey trade, & STILL have a very nice draft THIS season with those additional picks from Cleveland. That would be quite the Homerun… in fantasyland.
April 17th, 2025 at 11:45 pm
Orrrrr, dare I say… Manning. Hahahah
April 18th, 2025 at 2:07 am
A third rounder and a 7th next year would be steal for the right player. If you could find a partner. Not sure Johnson is that “elite” though.
Go Bucs!
April 18th, 2025 at 7:38 am
no trade ups, trade back and flood the defense
April 18th, 2025 at 10:49 am
“garro” – I’d much rather do a 4th & 7th, but I agree. A Done Deal.
April 18th, 2025 at 10:55 pm
Hall sucks. Vea fatigues easily. Kancey misses games.
We need 3 IDL.
And 3 corners.