“This Isn’t Fantasy Football”
March 31st, 2026
We all love the draft because, for a few weeks leading up to it, we can pretend to be Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht and pick the No. 15 player in the draft we think can help the Bucs best win.
It ain’t that easy.
Who said? Licht said.
At the NFL owners meetings yesterday in Arizona, Licht “100 percent” would not rule out drafting an offensive skill position player in the first round.
Licht was then asked if he might look to land a tall receiver like Mike Evans so he could be used as a red zone weapon like Evans was.
Licht said he would be very much interested in drafting a tall receiver. However, Licht said, just because a guy is tall doesn’t mean he can produce.
“In an ideal world,” Licht said of selecting a tall receiver. “But this isn’t fantasy football. Those guys are unicorns.
“You can’t choose [to] pick up the tallest, biggest receiver and assume that he’s going to be the next X-[receiver] that’s going to be dominant.
“Those players are too far between. Mike is, you know, one of those type guys [that] don’t just grow on trees. So, yeah, in a perfect world, it would be great. But it doesn’t always work out that way.”
This is why Joe is a little smitten with receiver Denzel Boston of Washington. He’s tall — though not Evans-tall — and has some Evans-like traits; he’s shown an ability to haul in passes in traffic and really good footwork on the boundary.
Joe was very intrigued how Licht was very clear he would not rule out drafting an offensive weapon at No. 15.
Denzel Boston running some routes pic.twitter.com/AEg6tzX3qu
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) March 19, 2026
March 31st, 2026 at 9:09 am
If you squint hard enough he has some young Evans stuff
March 31st, 2026 at 9:18 am
And when the Bucs finish 8-9 (or worse) and miss the playoffs this year because our defense once again allowed over 400 points & couldn’t stop opponents from scoring in the 4th qtr, blame Licht.
Bucs have a young offense (all starters under 30), but it obviously lacked DEPTH last year in several position groups. Sign some veteran DEPTH to fix that.
Bucs’ defense is a mixture of veterans & youth, but we have a number of starters north of 30. Our defense has fallen quite a ways from 2023 when we ranked #7 (allowing only 19.1 PPG average) to 2025 when we ranked #20 (allowing 24.2 PPG average). Time for an infusion of quality youth to gain experience this year & start replacing some of the vets next year.
March 31st, 2026 at 9:23 am
Licht pulled the stunt last year with Ebuka, but no one is going to believe this year won’t be defense from beginning to end. I’d actually be surprised if the Bucs even use one pick on offense.
March 31st, 2026 at 9:24 am
Licht is keeping his cards close to his chest and doesn’t ever give any real hints at his pick. I do feel that Licht sometimes reaches for positions of need in the first three rounds. That’s why I prefer moving down rather than up.
March 31st, 2026 at 9:28 am
The only two Super Bowls the Bucs have won are because of dominate defenses. Somewhere along the line they forgot that. It’s time to get back to drafting those defensive players.
March 31st, 2026 at 9:32 am
Also, I think Defense Rules should have his own weekly opinion piece on JBF. The only poster here I actually look for daily. He brings a combination of writing skills and common sense to every post.
March 31st, 2026 at 9:32 am
Beginning to think more and more they with go offense if the player is there. I think Licht and Bowles think they are set at OLB. They can’t get enough players on defense this year. They may go offense and try to outscore everyone. I tell you what beside LB , they really need corner help. I hope Licht and Bowles don’t actually think they can start the season with the corners they now have. I think they may be the worst in the league. Yes make no mistake this defense needs a lot of players, OLB, MLB Corner. Just to start
March 31st, 2026 at 10:12 am
This team needs to actually be competative. Game after game, it was like going through the motions. Time and again, LVD and Baker and others spoke out, but the listless looking Bucs D still floated aimlessly into losses. That is why I thought Todd would not survive. But he did, so the bottom line is, they need a defense that plays as a unit that actually cares about winning and not just picking up a check, BTW -Hello Mr Zyon McCollum “The bored one” you are exhibit A for that rancid attitude last year on Defense, hope you change.
GO BUCS!!!!!
March 31st, 2026 at 10:13 am
What’s one more loser on defense to our overall scheme….lets pick a difference maker on offense……nasty guard, TE, WR..
Scoring points will be easier than stopping them
March 31st, 2026 at 10:19 am
Mr. D. Rules is willing to put in the work while many of you sling mud via the re-conjuring of preadolescent playground archetypes.
Beyond me how you find that funny, but judging the lobotomized is for those with advanced degrees I do not possess. However, I can say this … being a bit more creative would be far more entertaining and informative for the rest of us.
Which brings me full circle back to Defense Rules.
Agree with Bucnjim—hire the man!
I know, he comes at no cost, so why?
Hard to believe, but if you gave him a title he might even dig deeper!
March 31st, 2026 at 10:20 am
Sounds like Licht is saying there is no one like Evans at 15.
But come on, we’re smack dab in themiddle of the season of lies. He’s going to do his best to mislead everyone.
March 31st, 2026 at 10:22 am
I 100% agree with Defense Rules.
March 31st, 2026 at 10:25 am
JA Says:
“Mr. D. Rules is willing to put in the work…”
Yes he is. Was a time I did too, but life gets in the way and priorities and all that.
LUV puts in work too.
March 31st, 2026 at 10:25 am
If the Bucs really are going to sign BM to an extension they need to go all in on this draft and should be willing to trade all picks in next years draft. Before you say it’s crazy, it’s nearly universally true that most rookies make little impact in year 1 and will grow into year 2 and 3. This means anyone drafted in 2027 wouldn’t likely be an immediate impact starter and wouldn’t bear fruit potentially until we are 2-3 years into BM new contract. By going all in on this draft we align this years draft picks with BM’s new contract.
This draft has multiple players at every position that the Bucs need to fill. Also by using our future draft picks we might be able to move up a few spots in the first or trade back into the bottom of the first round to pick up multiple potentially higher impact players.
Imagine what we could do if we picked up a beast of a DT and also landed one of the top ILBs in this draft.
March 31st, 2026 at 10:38 am
I’m retired and put in zero work for my comments.
March 31st, 2026 at 10:45 am
Not 1 pick for Bowzo. All offense.
March 31st, 2026 at 11:00 am
There is no replacement for Mike. And apparently, no replacement for Bruce Arians.
Adios, Jason.
March 31st, 2026 at 11:02 am
Draft talk, of course those players are unicorns, but you literally have a staff and team dedicated to scouring the earth for football talent. Can’t fool me Jason, this doesn’t say if you’re not out searching for a unicorn cause that would sound crazy if you said it publicly.
There also happens to be about a handful of players who, may not be Mike Evans, but they give you the length, catch radius, and some have more speed/quickness to them than Evans ever had. Your problem as a GM is, if we take a shot at this prospect or that prospect, how sharp is the learning curve and how long will it take him to translate to pro success.
Jason must be a terrible bs’er
March 31st, 2026 at 11:06 am
Adios, 3.28.Evans. Now please go somewhere far, far away. Go to a team site for whatever team you are actually a fan of. Is it Atlanta or Carolina or the Saints?
March 31st, 2026 at 11:19 am
Licht should be drafting to save his job and to prepare for Bowles replacement.
If given the opportunity to choose his HC again, I still have faith he might get it right again.
But the fact he resigned Bowles is a huge red flag in his judgement.
Unless his hand was forced by the rich kids in the owners suite.
They love Bowles more than they care about winning.
March 31st, 2026 at 11:21 am
This is what drives me crazy with all of these empty trade proposals that some people will just come up with off the top of their heads. They’ll say some stupid BS like, “We will trade KJ Britt, Braswell, Hall, and a 5th-Round Pick for TREY HENDRICKSON.” Lmfao. As if this were Madden or NBA 2K (with fair trades toggled to OFF or Easy, or something LoL). Two 2-stars, a 1-star, and a 5th-Round PICK does NOT equal a 5-star player LoL. I mean, BE REAL. Would YOU DO IT if you were the Bengals, or whoever!? Come on. You have to ask ‘yourself’ FIRST, would you do it if YOU were the other team!? I mean, come on. WHY in the hell would another team want YOUR TRASH. Be Real.
March 31st, 2026 at 11:26 am
“Well, they’re asking for a 1st-Round Pick, so why don’t we just give ‘em a 5TH, and KJ Britt, Braswell, & then Hall, since we are so nice” Hahaha LoL. Get REAL.
March 31st, 2026 at 11:33 am
I would’ve loved to have seen the look on the Bengals FO faces with that one Lmao… “Remember, AND also a 5th now!?” LoL.
March 31st, 2026 at 11:37 am
Hell, you prob would’ve had to GIVE THEM a 3rd, just for them to be willing to take KJ Britt off of your hands, at the time. LoL.
March 31st, 2026 at 12:21 pm
Nice, what we like the team of Bowels and Licht do the very opposite.