Confidence Vs. Desperate
April 27th, 2025
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
Two ships just passed in the night. One hit an iceberg.
Tampa Bay’s grip on the NFC South crown seems a little more secure following the 2025 NFL Draft, especially when you consider what the Falcons did late in the first round.
The Bucs were content to select Emeka Egbuka at No. 19, happy to add another talented target for Baker Mayfield and an offense that averaged 29.5 points per game.
Bucs GM Jason Licht
Did Tampa Bay need to select a wide receiver? Not really. Mike Evans is hardly slowing down, Jalen McMillan finished with a rookie flourish and the Bucs are optimistic Chris Godwin will return to form by this fall.
Egbuka was the pick because Jason Licht stayed true to his board and the Ohio State standout was the best remaining player according to the Buc braintrust. The Bucs didn’t sacrifice picks to move up for defensive prospects like Walter Nolen or Shemar Stewart, and they didn’t drop back in fear of losing out on Egbuka.
That’s what you do when you have confidence in your roster — you take the best available player, regardless of position.
Egbuka may not make a dramatic impact as a rookie, but he checks so many boxes that your pen would run out of ink. He’s smart, he’s talented and he’s a Buccaneer Man in terms of his passion for the game and dedication to his craft.
Character counts at One Buc Place. It’s not everything, but it’s a quality Licht and Todd Bowles take great pride in.
That emphasis on being a good teammate has served this organization extraordinarily well during a five-year playoff run that shows no signs of abating.
While the Panthers and Saints handled the selection process with a steady hand, the Falcons just showed us what happens when you approach the draft with a sense of desperation.
Landing Jalon Walker at No. 15 was a nice surprise for Atlanta GM Terry Fontenot. He should have stopped right there, feeling fortunate that Georgia’s standout linebacker fell into his lap.
Instead, with the consent of owner Arthur Blank, Fontenot rolled the dice and came up snake eyes. The Rams couldn’t believe their luck when the Falcons inquired about moving back into Round 1.
Before Sean McVay could apply a bear hug to scouts and GM Les Snead, the Falcons agreed to surrender their first-round pick in 2026 for the opportunity to take Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. at No. 26.
It was a stunning move. It was a dumb move.
Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce, Jr. went to the Falcons in what Ira Kaufman calls “a dumb move.”
Pearce has skills, but he’s a head case. The Bucs could have taken him instead of Egbuka at No. 19, but they passed.
Atlanta pounced.
“You could make the case that he was the best pass rusher in this draft from a pure edge element,” said Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. “We did a lot of work on him on the field and off the field and we feel great about the man he is and the player that he is.”
You have to understand that Blank is 82 and he’s never lifted the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The Falcons haven’t posted a winning record since 2017 and their defense just allowed an average of 25 points per game. Raheem Morris looked at his roster and had zero confidence Atlanta’s pass rush was going to improve from within.
Walker should help a bit in that regard, but Pearce was one of the most polarizing players in this draft.
You don’t give up a future No. 1 pick unless you are absolutely sure the prospect you’re about to select doesn’t come with major concerns.
“When he was still there late in the first,” Ulbrich said, “I was pounding the table. It just made too much sense.”
This was not a great week for the Ulbrich family. Jeff’s 21-year-old son, Jax, owned up to making a prank call to Shedeur Sanders during the draft.
Can you imagine the glee in the draft headquarters of the Rams on Thursday evening. There’s a pretty good chance the Falcons will suffer through an eighth consecutive losing season and Los Angeles can use its new 2026 draft capital to select Matt Stafford’s successor in a potentially quarterback-rich draft.
There are few NFL organizations more savvy than the Rams, who have earned six playoff berths in the past eight seasons, including a Super Bowl victory.
The Bucs have shown they also know how to remain relevant through the years.
James Pearce Jr. will have a lot to prove this fall. He’ll be coming hard off the edge, coupled with a more than decent chance of falling off the cliff.
April 27th, 2025 at 7:26 pm
“You could make the case that he was the best pass rusher in this draft from a pure edge element,” said Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.
Is Ulbrich pranking us?
April 27th, 2025 at 7:32 pm
Can’t wait for the next Sage podcast to drop.
The Bucs stayed true to their board and it was an impressive haul of draft picks, imho.
April 27th, 2025 at 7:35 pm
Definitely a prank call. We gave up future #1s to get Gruden and that was sooooo painful … not that Bruce Allen almighty would have used them for anything good. 🙄
April 27th, 2025 at 7:38 pm
Rams gave up No. 26 and their 3rd rounder, No. 101), for Falcons 2025 2nd round pick, No. 46, a 2025 7th snd the Falcons 2026 1st round pick.
So the ram slide from 26 to 46, pick up a third and 7th rounder, and a first rounder for next year. Wow. Atlanta must’ve wanted that guy badly.
April 27th, 2025 at 7:43 pm
Sadly, our pass rush couldn’t get it done twice last year against ATL. Let’s beat them before we talk smack.
Still, that’s ATL doing dumb stuff again.
April 27th, 2025 at 7:43 pm
The only team I’d be happier about is if the Aints had blunderdorked it as bad.
Go Bucs.
April 27th, 2025 at 7:58 pm
If you (Bucs) gotta stand next to your ugly sister (Falcons), so everyone will complement you on how pretty you are (draft), then maybe you are less confident in your beauty than you care to admit
April 27th, 2025 at 8:04 pm
Wasn’t this the concern with Campbell and his shoulder injury? Yet we are ok to wait on E² impact and draft a 20 yr old CB with multiple hip surgeries that we HOPE is all healed up. The duplicity is astounding.
[Heading to the store fore some Heaven’s gate Nikes, so i can join the herd]
April 27th, 2025 at 8:06 pm
they might have aqua
April 27th, 2025 at 8:10 pm
The Falcons got Billy Bowman, OU safety, and the Saints got Danny Stutsman, OU middle linebacker. They heard all about Baker during their OU careers. I’m sure they’ll be fired up ready to play the Bucs. Careful boys, about getting what you wish for!
April 27th, 2025 at 8:16 pm
Joe, ATL also added Leonard Floyd in FA. Pearce doesn’t have to start, but rotate in. I think they gave up a lot, but now they have 3 Edge rushers with upside. They’ll still suck. Go Bucs!
April 27th, 2025 at 8:18 pm
I should’ve said Ira!
April 27th, 2025 at 8:58 pm
WHAT’S ATL THINKING?
Bucs beat ATL by .5 game. They added two studs on defense. It’s not a bad move if those guys get ATL one additional win.
April 27th, 2025 at 9:11 pm
“ModHairKen” – The RAMS did not receive a 3rd-Round Pick. All they got back in return was just the 2nd-Rounder (#46), along with the 1st. That was IT, and they had to ‘give-up’ THEIR 3rd, in order to do it. Which, happens to be quite a bit less in return, than what I’ve seen in most (much more loaded) drafts.
I read two very ‘well-known’ draft gurus’ reports on Friday, and BOTH said the exact same thing I did, concerning this trade. My first thought, after initially seeing the 2026 ‘first-rounder’ was involved… “Whoa, I don’t know about THAT ONE there by ATL – Not Smart…” But, THEN, when I saw that they got the 3rd-Rounder back, I was like “okay, not too bad… That’s totally worth-it, if you REALLY like the player (as long as it doesn’t end up being a Top 5-10 pick LoL)!!!!” All they had to do was give-up the #46 (and a 7TH) to move-up 20-SPOTS to #26 to get their man, ‘the guy’ they wanted. AND, they also got BACK a 3RD (which usually NEVER happens that way, like that).
Also, I’d say they had to feel-like they were playing with ‘house-money’ after having JALON Freaking WALKER just fall into their laps like that!!!! So, they were like, what the hell. Let’s shore-up this pass rush, Right NOW. They saw an opportunity, an opening at a very ‘high-value’ (and expensive) position, & they got the 5th-year contract on the cheap, for an ultra HIGH-ceiling player. Even though, I don’t like giving up a future 1st, when my team is on the fringe… They rolled the dice and I liked-it! Because, in THIS NFCS Division… Why TH Not!? My guess is they were probably taking him at #15, until Jalon Walker fell.
Another thing… They already signed Leonard Floyd & Morgan Fox this off-season in FA. So, they are COMING. And, I think A LOT of Bucs Fans seem to forget that, if not for a late season COLLAPSE by them, we would’ve been sitting at HOME during the Playoffs. And, it’s the exact same Offense coming back… If, Penix gets through the season completely healthy, then they are going to be A PROBLEM for us. There is NOT this huge separation between these ‘two teams’ right now. Especially, after this draft. And, if Joe wants to ‘call-it’ desperation or whatever, that’s fine. But, I would’ve liked to have seen some more of that ‘urgency’ from the Bucs. I thought we had an ‘opening’ with this draft (along with another move or two), that could’ve really set us apart. But, so far… I’m not seeing it. Right now, it’s looking to be another DOGFIGHT.
April 27th, 2025 at 9:20 pm
It was actually, one of THE MOST ‘fairest’ trades (for BOTH teams), involving a 1st-Round Pick, that I have ever seen. A lot of times, teams get absolutely FLEECED. Getting that 3rd-Rounder back really saved ‘em on that one.
April 27th, 2025 at 9:26 pm
SlyPirate Says:
April 27th, 2025 at 8:58 pm
WHAT’S ATL THINKING?
Bucs beat ATL by .5 game. They added two studs on defense. It’s not a bad move if those guys get ATL one additional win.
You would have to think the Bucs improved more.
April 27th, 2025 at 9:38 pm
You don’t make desperate moves like that when the kings of the south have two of the best tackles in the game. Your edge rush will be useless
April 27th, 2025 at 10:25 pm
I like Walker better than Pearce, now that I am familiar with the Bucs pick. Walker is a man! Stronger and tougher, physically and mentally, it looks like.
The pundits are already lining up to pick Atlanta in the division, however. Penix’s 60 completions, 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions are enough for them to make the call!
April 27th, 2025 at 10:26 pm
People who are worried about these new “ elite” edges who are gonna give the Falcons the edge over us. Say Tristan Wirfs and then say Goedeke and Otten and Mauch and Barton and Bredeson. And our running backs as well are willing blockers. I can see Baker slinging it around Pearce’s earhole to Bucky in the flat time and again. No worries about the Falcons. Or Pearce, Jr. As Ira said “He’ll be coming hard off the edge, coupled with a more than decent chance of falling off the edge”.
April 27th, 2025 at 10:43 pm
Mr. Editor Says:
April 27th, 2025 at 7:26 pm
“You could make the case that he was the best pass rusher in this draft from a pure edge element,” said Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.
Is Ulbrich pranking us?
———
You can absolutely make the case that Pearce has the highest upside of the edge rushers in this draft, the issue is he is very far from a sure thing and giving up two 1st rounders for that is a steep price. But people acting like he’s a bum – they’re not very smart, his upside is there, but the issue is price.
Obviously I’m hoping both Pearce and Walker both bust, but that’s unlikely. Almost certainly one of the two will be a very good player, just hopefully both of them are not.
But for the Bucs in 2025, this is probably a good thing as edge guys generally take a year or two to develop. But, this is how you build a defense, from the pass rush backwards, as Dungy / Monte used to say – and Morris came up under Monte.
From the Bucs standpoint, with Wirfs and Luke out there, on Wirfs side I don’t really care who they have rushing they should be a non-factor. Luke isn’t quite that good, but who is? No one. But Luke can basically make most rushers non-factors as well. So I don’t think this move will hurt the Bucs now, or even in the near future, but the Falcons will likely be eating up teams with back tackles come next year. Those ‘dunking’ on them, I think they’re pretty dumb, even if only one of the two works out.
April 27th, 2025 at 10:48 pm
Pete Prisco rates Bucs 2025 Draft as 1 of only 3 A graded drafts
April 27th, 2025 at 11:10 pm
Heck Rod, they both may be all pros! So what. We can block them! So what if Otten has to double team them or if our backs have to chip them! Barring injury Atlanta is not beating us this year. The winner in this deal is the Rams who just may get a top draft pick next year. The Rams already scare me. So do the Commanders. But not the Falcons. Not this year anyway.
April 27th, 2025 at 11:39 pm
Irv strikes back; Blank Check goes all in…
Not sure if it’s the abject failure that many make it out to be. Atlanta got better…hopefully The Bucs did too.
April 28th, 2025 at 12:28 am
I fail to see how Ira can declare so easily that Atlanta will stink next year.
They beat us twice last season, and just added some young but talented pass rushers.
April 28th, 2025 at 12:32 am
But they at Grady Jarrett walk!
Idiots!
Last 4 drafts:
A TE at #4! Wtf!?
Drake a small WR at #8
Bijan a part time RB at #8
Penix at #8 after they signed Cousins for 40 mil per year!
Rhe Falcons are DUMB
April 28th, 2025 at 1:05 am
Bucs are gonna introduce the NFL world to David Walker this season…..
I don’t care that he went against FCS lineman….
This guy is a pure wrecking machine!!!!!!
I swear this guy looks like Kalil Mack did when he was in college at University of Buffalo……A man amongst boys…
Bowles is gonna wind up having to take plays away from Reddick or Yaya by mid-year…..
Really feel like we have Kalil Mack 2.0 now 🤷🏻♂️…..
Put him w Kancey/Vea, and an improved secondary, Bucs D may be turning some heads this year with a tenacious pass rush!!
April 28th, 2025 at 1:21 am
I hate to say it but Melvin Jr is absolutely correct. They actually only gave up a second rounder for a third and a measly 7th.
That is AS GOOD AS a deal that you’ll EVER GET. Not only that but for the very little they gave up, they moved up 20 HUGE SPOTS Back In to the 1ST round and achieved an additional YEAR of Guaranteed Player Control! (5th year option) Now THAT’S some savy wheeling and dealing…. and the extra year option is Definitely worth trading a second for a third.. How many times have we used franchise tags? A LOT
Heck someone was willing to give 30 million per year to Godwin for instance. Hence the second for a third to aquire the 5th year option on a player you believe will be a pro bowler is worth the trade all day and Twice on Sunday!
So where did the falcons go wrong???? They didn’t. And I REALLY DON’T LIKE THEM AT ALL! But I respect whoever pulled that trade off (golf clap)
I WOULD NOT have complained if we had pulled off that Master Piece. They pretty much lost nothing ….. a 7th round pick. Chump Change.
April 28th, 2025 at 2:03 am
Hey Richie! you and Arthur blew it (again) and we here in Tampa…you know… NFC south champs… are laughing our !@#s off for the second year in row! Traded up for a Thug? With all due respect, “head case” is an understatement Mr. Ira. Wow!
Go Bucs!
April 28th, 2025 at 5:01 am
All the posters who think the ATL got fair value for the trade cannot really say that until we find out the value of the 2026 first rounder. If the Falcons “Falcon” to 5 dash 12, then the Rams get a pick in the top 10, maybe even higher if they only win 3 or 4 games. If the Falcons, stay mediocre, they get a pick in the teens and if they make the playoffs the pick is likely in the 20s. If the Falcons implode in 2025, the trade will look really bad for Artie Blank. On the other hand, Houston gave up 2 1st rounders to get Will Anderson, Arizona thought that second first rounder would be a top 5 pick as Houston was 2-13-1 the previous year but instead CJ Stroud got the Texans deep in the playoffs and Arizona got a pick somewhere around 26, not the return on investment Arizona was expecting for the #3 overall pick……. Artie Blank is going all in for 2025, lets see how his team does before we give them a passing grade on their draft.
April 28th, 2025 at 7:21 am
I’m of the mind that Atlanta made a pretty darn good trade as far as draft capitol goes. True head cases flame out quickly in the NFL, though. Is this kid really such a head case? We will see, I guess. Raheem Morris is known to let his teams get away from him sometimes. If that happens this year the Rams will have a very nice extra pick next draft.