Trying To Read The Tea Leaves
March 27th, 2026
Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq.
One fun thing about the NFL draft is the drama and intrigue and the suspense that goes along with it.
Who is drafting whom? And when? Who might be available when the Bucs are on the clock? And would the Bucs trade the pick?
It’s far, far, far more fun and suspenseful than a ping-pong movie, isn’t it, Ira?
So Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has drafted the obvious (Tristan Wirfs and America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston) and thrown people curveballs (Mike Evans, Vita Vea and Emeka Egbuka).
Now Joe writing recently about drafting a tight end in the first round, and even on Twitter, gets some folks fully triggered. One dude was positively enraged at Joe and wanted federal authorities to shut this site down over the suggestion the Bucs may draft a tight end at No. 15. Very likely the angriest Twitter Joe ever received.
Look, Joe is all for Keyon Sadiq, the freak tight end from Oregon. But Joe has always leaned toward getting an inside linebacker at No. 15 and maybe Baylor tight end Michael Trigg, a Tampa native, on the second day of the draft.
So what might Licht do?
Well, the key inside linebacker, Sonny Styles, is unlikely to be on the board when the Bucs pick. The next best inside linebacker is either C.J. Allen or Anthony Hill, from Georgia and Texas, respectively. But both might be a little bit of a reach at No. 15. Maybe more than a reach.
Licht doesn’t seem to be the kind of guy to reach for players in the first round.
Joe’s research shows that when Zac Robinson, the Bucs’ new offensive coordinator, was in Atlanta, he used two-tight end sets a lot. In fact, last year, per Sharp Football Analysis, the Dixie Chicks used two or more tight ends on 45.7 percent of offensive plays in 2025, fifth-most in the NFL.
So it seems those who think Sadiq might be the Bucs’ pick, it sort of makes sense. Would Joe like to see Devin Culp used more? Sure, but if you are comparing Sadiq and Culp, come on.
And Payne Durham is strictly an in-line tight end. If he was a downfield threat, we would have seen it by now in Durham’s three Bucs seasons.
So those in the national media who have been schlocking Sadiq to the Bucs might be onto something.
The past 4 drafts have given the NFL Elite Tight Ends:
– Trey McBride (2022)
– Sam LaPorta (2023)
– Brock Bowers (2024)
– Colston Loveland (2025)
– Tyler Warren (2025)Will Kenyon Sadiq keep the trend in 2026?
— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) March 24, 2026
March 27th, 2026 at 4:06 am
i’m starting to think grab this dude…then load up on backers and edge in the next few rounds…it’ll probably take this and the next draft to add a few decent pieces to the front 7…could even take 3 years
March 27th, 2026 at 4:18 am
maybe a bit of a dk metcalf to him, with and extra 10 pounds of muscle or bulk on him…maybe draft this freak
March 27th, 2026 at 4:30 am
I like TE at 15 MLB in the 2nd oline 3rd more lbs and Dline. Maybe another oline late but our depth needs 2 b solid there. Zyon is gonna piss me off this year should trade him 2 draft another cb.
March 27th, 2026 at 4:53 am
I wouldnt hate it…he’s fast and a big target…I’d rather have that beastly guard though…Bredeson can be the swing backup. Hit Trigg with the 3rd or 4th.
March 27th, 2026 at 4:54 am
Bucs are pretty much relegated now to using the draft to really fix our defense. We’ve still got ‘holes’ (starters or key rotational players) at ILB, DT & CB as a minimum. If the drafts top round picks aren’t used to ‘fix’ those holes, this year’s defense will very likely struggle just like the last 2 years defenses did. And much worse, we’ll be in a horrible position going into 2027 since we have so many ‘ancient warriors’ who’ll be free agents.
March 27th, 2026 at 5:17 am
yes the defense is a real problem…..now and future…..but with bowles running the show, just throw up your hands, and draft sadiq the freak 🙂
March 27th, 2026 at 5:35 am
Fix the defense first.
March 27th, 2026 at 5:48 am
Sadiq is a bit short for a TE, ya think? High drop ratio too, ya think?
Last year we needed defense, so Licht drafts Egbuka, who was great to begin the year before falling off the face of the earth. Still unhappy watching him yuk it up after a loss.
I would trade up and get either the Texas Tech (Bailey) or Ohio State (Reese) as an Edge, or even Styles.
Wanna get better? Take a chance and move up!
But my guess will have Captain Conservative sit back and draft another “steal” from Slippery Rock.
March 27th, 2026 at 6:11 am
If we don’t get Styles, or Hill Jr. or Allen, then we darn sure better get Jacob Rodriguez who will prove out to be the best player in this draft class. Even talking about a tight end first, it’s like someone is waking up early and just trying to pi$$ me off.
March 27th, 2026 at 6:36 am
Didn’t I hear Todd or Jason say something like …… If the offense can just score a lot of points we’ll be fine? So who needs defense? (Heavy sarcasm folks).
Jason always wants to buck the trend and draft someone no one expects.
If they don’t extend Baker – my Magic 8 Ball says he’ll draft a QB
March 27th, 2026 at 6:47 am
Short TE with little production.
-“But man what an athletic freak the guy is with such big muscles”
Hard pass
Id rather see the best OT available who can kick inside next to Wirfs and also provide depth at OT should they need it.
Or the best DT available. Someone who can push Kancey into stating healthy and eventually take over for Vita.
March 27th, 2026 at 6:53 am
Wouldn’t mind Dante Moore in the stable
March 27th, 2026 at 6:58 am
Damn imagine if Bucs add This Guy he’s another Weapon who can help Replace Mike I mean he would Kill NFL LBs dude is Fast an Can Jump what’s not to Like I could definitely see the Bucs going with Him at 15 dude looks elite
March 27th, 2026 at 7:18 am
I like this pick. But he might not be there by the time Bucs choose.
March 27th, 2026 at 7:22 am
O.J. Howard!
March 27th, 2026 at 7:24 am
How about noooo on Sadiq. Have we already forgotten the great OJ Howard and how he was a can’t miss prospect and a “generational TE”. Not to mention the new new OC just arrived after having his own “Generational TE” and other than playing the Bucs he’s was average at best.
March 27th, 2026 at 7:31 am
Licht wont draft a kicker in the 2nd or a TE in the first again. At least he learns from his mistakes.
March 27th, 2026 at 7:34 am
hahahaha!! Joe throwing shade at Ira and Marty Supreme! well done!
March 27th, 2026 at 7:34 am
Rather them take a chance on a guy like John Michael Gyllenborg later in the draft.
March 27th, 2026 at 7:42 am
Bucs shouldn’t draft him at 15, but there might be teams willing to trade up to get him. I think we have to many defensive needs for a luxury pick. Licht mentioned after the top 10 the talent level evens out. This is a good draft to pick up additional picks. Get an ILB at the bottom of the first add picks would be my move. Unless Sony Styles falls to 15, trade down.
March 27th, 2026 at 7:46 am
With Kenton on Rodriguez. This guy is always around the ball and ran a surprisingly high 40 in combine. Perfect defensive QB. Was hopefu he would still be available in Round 2 but now unsure. Really like Sadiq not as a TE but as ME replacement. Would have him drop some weight to make him faster. Ran a very impressive 40 much faster now than ME.
March 27th, 2026 at 7:50 am
“OJ Howard”!!!!!
You guys are idiots. He’s not the next OJ Howard anymore than your edge rush man crushes are the next JTS.
What an absolutely idiotic and lazy comparison.
March 27th, 2026 at 7:52 am
BTW, I do agree with trading out, but you have to have someone wanting to trade up, too. Making the world believe you’ll happily take Sadiq gives Licht leverage if some team’s GM has a crush on him.
March 27th, 2026 at 7:52 am
I’m in the trade back and gain more picks group but I wouldn’t be mad if we took Sadiq or the big guard. Jason and the Bucs have always said that they will stay true to their board and I don’t believe that is going to change nor should it. We draft for the future not just for tomorrow. Me personally I would love to trade with the Jets for their 2 second round picks this year and an additional pick next year and I believe it’s possible because then they would have back to back picks and be able to get Ty Simpson and one of the top receivers. We can fill our team needs a lot better with 3 second round picks (ED, LB, and I still want another DL or the top guard available).
March 27th, 2026 at 7:56 am
I just don’t see it on film
March 27th, 2026 at 8:06 am
Can’t block. Too short. Not much production in college in a pass offense. He didn’t destroy college players, why assume he will pro players. Freak athlete. Not at 15. And @ Joe compared to Culp, you are so hung up on a 4.39 vs a 4.48 ? You can’t tell the difference. And, wasn’t that just combine stuff in “ underwear football” as you call it.
March 27th, 2026 at 8:09 am
His tape looks pretty darn good.
But…
We’ve got way too many holes on defense. That needs to be our priority.
If it wasn’t for that, I’d say take him.
March 27th, 2026 at 8:10 am
“…Jason Licht has … thrown people curveballs Vita Vea and Emeka Egbuka.”
Those were definitely curveballs, pass on Josh Allen at #7 for VV… but we had Jameis at the time…
C.J. Allen and Anthony Hill will be available in the 2nd rd. So if that if that is the Bucs strategy, and they get their ILB in the 2nd, part of me could see JL taking Michael Trigg at #15. WOW what an offense that would make and Robinson very very much run a 12 set. Makes sense.
But that means you don’t draft an EDGE until round 3?? Yeah, why waste an early pick if Todd is going to have him drop into coverage half the time.
And personally, I think we very much need a DT, Im with DR on this one. VV is in a contract year and at his age I do not think JL will resign him. BUT then JL waited until LVD actually left to start to replace him so, sorry DR, I don’t see JL making DT a priority.
At least the offense would be exciting. Yeah, I think you are right Joe, Michael Trigg at #15 makes all the sense in the world.
March 27th, 2026 at 8:18 am
No to trading up! No to a tight end! I’d actually trade down for more picks if the option came up. This team isn’t one player away. The Bucs need to be drafting defense for two years straight.