“Immediate Contributions” As Rookies
April 12th, 2026
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Many Bucs fans want an edge rusher with the No. 15 pick next week in the NFL draft. A guy tossed around being linked to the Bucs is Miami’s Akheem Mesidor. Joe understands the want and need.
A lot of schlock draft guys think the Bucs go for Oregon tight end/freak Kenyon Sadiq. Joe fully understands this mentality, but the thought of drafting a tight end at No. 15 seems to trigger many Bucs fans.
Then, there are guys who think Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht will heed the words of Bucs coach Todd Bowles when Bowles said in Arizona the Bucs need a corner, maybe two. Some, including closet Bucs fan Peter Schrager, think Licht goes after a damaged-goods corner from Tennessee, Jermod McCoy.
If it makes anyone feel better, former NFL scout and current draft analyst for NFL Network, Bucky Brooks, believes all three of those players will have “immediate contributions” on the teams that draft them — and should be Pro Bowl players in two years.
So don’t worry Bucs fans, if you hate the idea of the Bucs drafting a guy who missed all of 2025 with a bum knee, or drafting a tight end after giving Cade Otton a handsome raise, or picking an edge rusher and spitting in the face of fate as Bucs coach Todd Bowles looks to develop his first double-digit edge rusher since becoming a defensive coordinator in 2013, don’t worry.
Brooks is confident all three will become play-ahs for the Bucs in short order.
April 12th, 2026 at 8:08 am
That’s great! Hopefully the one we pick will be a pro bowler right off the bat. I think Sadiq probably has the best chance of that. Corners and edges take a bit longer to acclimate.
April 12th, 2026 at 8:22 am
Uh well that doesn’t sound great…
Joe, while I know it would be unlikely for Jason, would teams be willing to part with a top ten edge rusher for a 15th overall? Or maybe a 1st and 3rd rounder?
April 12th, 2026 at 8:30 am
I trust in Licht, but he truly needs to nail this draft with at least 3 players that can make an immediate impact on the defense and 1 or 2 offensive players to put their offennse over the top. Tough task. But Licht has done pretty darn good overall with his drafting. We shall see! Go Bucs!
April 12th, 2026 at 8:31 am
How many OLB’s do we need on this team?
– Diaby
– Muhammad
– Nelson
– Walker
– Braswell
– Kamara
That is 6 so far – and for those Bucs fans that are calling for Braswell to be cut – It ain’t gonna happen this season…
April 12th, 2026 at 8:33 am
I’m all in for Sadiq. I think he makes our offense unstoppable which is the tonic for a lacluster defense.
April 12th, 2026 at 8:57 am
How many edge rushers do the Bucs need Marine?
It’s not about quantity, it’s about quality. Just because they have 6 in the roster doesn’t mean it’s not a big need. I think they now have 6 or 7 CBs on the roster, but could definitely use a starting caliber CB who can turn into a lock down player.
Joe,
Please stop with the hyperbolic takes on McCoy knee. “Bum knee” and “damaged goods” is just lazy “journalism”. The kid is young and will be 20 months removed from surgery. Not a big deal at all.
As for TE, that would be so Buclike to use the 15th pick on a tightend with 1 year of so so production just because the guy looks great in workouts in shorts.
If they pass on possibly the drafts best CB or an OL that could be a rock or someone who could improve a terrible pass rush..for a TE who will split targets with Otton, Emeka, Godwin, JMac, Bucky, Gainwell ans Tez, that would be depressing.
Look at the all time TE list…players like Gronk, Kittle, Gates, Kelce, Sharpe..none were first round picks and some were undrafted, 5th and 7th rounders. Those first rounders like Howard, Pitts, Engram just didn’t have the impact as the teams that spent 1st round picks on them expected.
April 12th, 2026 at 9:02 am
6 or 100, it does not matter with the 1 coach who continues to fail getting these guys to the next level
April 12th, 2026 at 9:04 am
All Bowzo will develop is double digit losses.
April 12th, 2026 at 9:25 am
No TE, Sadiq is just a big receiver and can’t block his granny from the free samples at Costco.
DT, CB, or Edge at #1. ILB at #2. Or trade down…
April 12th, 2026 at 9:26 am
I think when you build a team you need to never lose sight of building the team. The quarterback is most important. Then defensive line. Then offensive line. The rest are need based and availability. You need to have a plan where most of your big three are first round picks since a star there can dominate a game.
April 12th, 2026 at 9:28 am
Rodriguez is an every down LB. He’ll captain the middle of our defense for years. No player we could draft at 15 would have as much impact as J Rod. If he turns out to be the next Luke K, or David he’d be a steal at 15. Just do it.
April 12th, 2026 at 9:29 am
I worry about the Bucs reaching on an edge rusher with the first pick. I hear the best ones will be gone after the 5th pick. That could be the reason we hear Licht wants to trade down. I am beginning to think taking a corner or ilb makes a lot more sense. We need two at both positions. Please don’t tell me we have two starting corners!.In my humble opinion neither starter is a starter. Outside of Parrish we have no starting corners. Inside LB yes Anzalone looks the part, but he needs another big time starter along with him and depth at the position. I think Dennis goes to ST or does not make the team. Taking a great D Tackle also makes a lot of sense.
April 12th, 2026 at 9:32 am
The bucs would take a tight end in the first round after paying Cade. That would be no surprise.
April 12th, 2026 at 9:41 am
i think baker needs a taller target at te than saddiq.
April 12th, 2026 at 10:06 am
Many Bucs fans were triggered last year when we took a WR in 1st. Turned out pretty well so far.
Wouldn’t hate Mesidor, just cant seem to warm up to him and think there are half dozen other Edge prospects that will have similar or better careers.
McCoy’s tape is super sweet – will he tear another ACL? Seems to me that injury happens all the time and cant be predicted (Hello, D Walker!). A wash in reinjury risk IMHO.
Sadiq would improve the team there is really no doubt about it.
-> Question du jour for JB is which player is likely to contribute to wins for our beloved franchise.
April 12th, 2026 at 10:06 am
I really do not think it will be Saddiq. I do think he might be there when we pick, and not taking him will drive many fans nuts.
I suspect it won’t be offense at all. If Bowles truly is on the hot seat, then it has to be defense.
I don’t think it will be ILB. I get the feeling Bowles wants that to be veterans this year…and they plugged that spot…at least for one season.
It has to be DT, Edge or CB, right?
Except…most CBs take 3-4 years to develop. Minimum. Our young CBs were ofds-on the have bad rookie seasons. That’s par for the course with most CBs. That doesn’t mean they won’t be great later.
So I think it will probably be Edge…maybe a DT if someone amazing falls to us.
And the shocker pick for me would be CB. And Licht always shocks me.
April 12th, 2026 at 10:12 am
Tampa2ATL Says:
“Question du jour for JB is which player is likely to contribute to wins for our beloved franchise.”
In a rookie year? An offensive pick has the highest chance.
But if we strictlu consider defense? Has to be Edge or DT…if the guy can dominate.
A mean DT would be great. An unstoppable sack artist would be great.
April 12th, 2026 at 10:13 am
Those suggesting Sadiq have clearly forgotten the Howard experiment.
April 12th, 2026 at 10:29 am
That’s the beauty of this team. Every position is a position of need. First round is best available player period. Am I qualified to tell you who that is. Of course not. You need to trust our scouting department, coaches, and management. I hope they get it right. There’s that word again – hope.
April 12th, 2026 at 10:44 am
Sadiq is not Howard. Each player is different. There’s a bit of risk with virtually any player but treating them as the same person is silly. I would like the Bucs to take Rodriguez or Sadiq in that order with the first pick. I don’t think Rodriguez makes it out of the first round. I don’t think he even makes it into the 20s. He will be taken earlier than people think due to his extreme productivity.
April 12th, 2026 at 10:54 am
Sure, though don’t think Licht would part with a 15th pick for an old edge rusher. Maybe some guy 25 or younger, but what team would do that.
There are guys that can be had without giving up the farm. Licht only gave up a third-round pick for JPP for example.