Chris Simms Looks For Bucs To Trade To No. 11 For Monsoor Delane
April 20th, 2026
LSU cornerback Monsoor Delane
This nugget especially intrigues Joe because former Bucs quarterback Chris Simms, the NBC Sports analyst, is very tight with many NFL power hitters. Heck, he mysteriously was an invited guest two weeks ago at the annual poolside cocktail gathering of NFL head coaches in Phoenix.
(Todd Bowles did not attend the poolside merriment.)
Joe also is intrigued because Simms ranks LSU cornerback Monsoor Delane is the fourth-best cornerback in the NFL Draft.
Today, Simms pumped out his first and only mock draft of the year. He’s got the Bucs trading up from No. 15 to No. 11 with Miami and drafting Delane.
Simms explained that the loss of cornerback Jamel Dean to the Steelers is significant and he’s unimpressed by what the Bucs’ other corners delivered last season.
“Tampa needs a cover corner. They lost Jamel Dean. Their [other] corners were not good last year. They were pitiful; they couldn’t cover anybody,” Simms said. “I think they got to feel the desperation here.”
Simms ranks Delane behind University of Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, and corners Brandon Cisse (South Carolina) and Colton Hood (Tennessee). But across the NFL, Simms acknowledged he’s heard Delane is viewed as the No. 1 cornerback other than McCoy.
Simms added he’s heard chatter that McCoy potentially could fall out of the first round because of his knee recovery concern.
Joe has written about Delane. After three years at Virginia Tech, Delane came to LSU last season and thrived, and he earned respect very quickly in the form of offenses avoiding him.
Joe would have no issue if the Bucs want to get crazy deep and talented at cornerback this week. Trading up seems off the mark, but who knows what Simms has heard?
Yes, the Bucs drafted two cornerbacks last year. But they also drafted four cornerbacks and two safeties through the 2018 and 2019 drafts. And all but one of those six were key contributors to the 2020 Super Bowl team.
Forgot the names? Jordan Whitehead, Carlton Davis, M.J. Stewart, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Jamel Dean and Mike Edwards.
April 20th, 2026 at 11:58 am
Nah. CB later, probably. Licht isn’t moving up this year, IMHO.
April 20th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
we need 2 CBs…this kid is a great player but D.Ponds and D.Moore would be great additions….both could be day 3 picks and we need them to play special teams….
Cant wait til Thursday
GO BUCS!!!!!
April 20th, 2026 at 12:01 pm
I agree it’s stick and pick or trade down.
There are still other more important needs IMO.
Would much rather have Vega Ioane.
April 20th, 2026 at 12:06 pm
Chris is silly
April 20th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
He ain’t moving up. I love the idea of moving back to get another 3rd or 4th, depending on the move.
April 20th, 2026 at 12:11 pm
If they are going to blow resources get an edge what is this chris go away.
April 20th, 2026 at 12:18 pm
Chris Simms Jason will not trade up unless its for Bainwe canbgrab corners i. Round 3 afyw rthe wdge and lb or dod he forget about those pressing needs.
April 20th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
Chris Simms, Jason will not trade up unless its for Bain..we can grab corners in. Round 3 after the edge and lb or did he forget about those pressing needs.
April 20th, 2026 at 12:21 pm
I am 💯 fine with it, IF he’s their man! Being ‘aggressive’ is always good. That’s been THE ‘biggest’ problem with JL, and his being WEAK (scared) and standing pat strategy. While, watching other teams continue to pluck your top targets away (and then running to the media, and trying to tell everyone, that EVERY player you wanted just magically, fell into your lap). It’s the reason for WHY he hasn’t drafted a single Pro-Bowler in over 5-YEARS NOW. Do you even realize just HOW HARD that is to do!? Especially, nowadays. You almost have to TRY TO. The draft REWARDS aggression.
April 20th, 2026 at 12:24 pm
A competent pass rush will help the secondary. Edge rusher 1st pick.
April 20th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
Just not on Kickers and the such.
April 20th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
I like CB for a first round pick. Can see us getting an edge and LB in 2nd and 3rd. TE and depth help on the O line later.
Still have my eyes on Greenard, who may be able to give us more veteran depth at LBer, but Licht would need to figure out cap space
April 20th, 2026 at 12:36 pm
“Their [other] corners were not good last year. They were pitiful; they couldn’t cover anybody,” Simms said.
Couldn’t agree more on this opinion.
If the corners are good it will make the edge rushers job easier.
Paying your God son is not a sound strategy.
April 20th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
JL isnt moving up for a CB. Just will not happen. If they stick and pick at 15 and a CB is BPA, then fine.
If they moved up it would be for an edge or Styles..still unlikely.
April 20th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
BPA preferably a D side player!
April 20th, 2026 at 1:07 pm
The only reasons I can see to trade up are:
A power move to get Sonny Style, which I would absolutely love.
A move to get a top edge rusher. Depending on who it is, I could accept this.
Sonny Styles would be worth giving up some picks for since he’d excel for 15 years.
April 20th, 2026 at 1:09 pm
Since so many are predicting we take Kenyon Sadiq, I can be pretty sure he will not be the pick.
April 20th, 2026 at 1:09 pm
So Ben Morrison is just a bust right? That is what they are saying if they trade up to draft a CB. We pushed Dean out of town to make way for BM21 because Todd is friends with his daddy. Only to realize that he is even more injury prone that Dean is.
Only if Licht had an indication of how injury prone BM21 was during his time at Notre Dame before we drafted him to replace Dean we wouldn’t need to draft one the very next year. SMDH.
April 20th, 2026 at 1:20 pm
My guess is that Parrish goes outside if Morrison struggles and the draft a Nickel/ Slot CB
April 20th, 2026 at 1:21 pm
Why trade up when they can sit and gamble on the injured McCoy.
April 20th, 2026 at 1:25 pm
He’s not just “friends” with his daddy. He’s his friggin’ Godfather, from what I’ve heard.
April 20th, 2026 at 1:29 pm
Forget trading up and throwing away picks. Best defensive player at #15, or trade down. Pick McCoy at #15 or trade down for Mesidor. McCoy ran a 4.37 at his pro day. Maybe his knee is good? A 4.37 sounds like a decent 40 time.
April 20th, 2026 at 1:29 pm
You can trade back and still be “aggressive.” Being ‘active’ is the key. Wheel and Deal. Pick your spots. You can be aggressive with your other picks. Hell, he couldn’t do much worse than what he has. There is an overwhelming lack of talent on this roster, outside of a handful of “nice” players. That’s IT.
April 20th, 2026 at 1:36 pm
What came first, chicken or egg? Pass rush or coverage?
Im in favor of drafting physical freaks for the middle and outside of this defense. Maybe if they can actually play defense on the outside Bowles will quit trying to see if Anthony Nelson can run with running backs on wheel routes.
April 20th, 2026 at 1:36 pm
Our immediate needs are OG and DT
Then Linebackers, Inside and Outside
We need to pulverize our opponents into Submission
All of these soft, cream puff players, has to go
Jason Licht has been drafting Choir Boys for over a decade
That has to stop, we need to draft, the biggest, the baddest, the meanest
No more pretty boys, choir boys
April 20th, 2026 at 1:46 pm
Known for his “sticky” coverage, Monsoor is expected to be a year 1 starter on just about any team, especially one drafting in the top hald of the draft.
April 20th, 2026 at 1:48 pm
We need to fix the “Putrid Pass Defense”
But we also need to fix the “Putrid Run Offense”
April 20th, 2026 at 1:54 pm
DT is not an immediate need over LBer or Edge.
Let’s break this down. Our DTs are Vita, Kancey, Robinson, Nacho and Roberts. They also have Jayson Jones, Elijah Simmons and just signed Ndubusi from the Texans.
At LBer they have one starter in Anzalone and then Rozeboom, SVD and Nick Jackson.
Edge the Bucs have YaYa, Muhammad and Walker.
DT could use another young body but it’ll be much harder to crack the starting lineup than a LBer or Edge.
April 20th, 2026 at 1:54 pm
We can draft anybody to stand 15 yards off the line and watch receivers catch it and run on by.
April 20th, 2026 at 2:05 pm
Licht doesn’t trade up, specially that far. He would rather get more picks than lose any.
Two things the Bucs/Licht have historically have done well is draft OL and secondary help in the lower rounds. We will not use a first round pick on a CB, especially after the Hargreave debacle. If I absolutely had my pic, it would be either be Ioane or Mesidor. Two guys that would start and help us right away. Anyone else would be in a rotation and/or can be had a little lower. If we’re going to draft a DT or LB first pick, we trade down.
Unless we draft up and get Styles, which will never happen because we would lose way too much draft capital for all the holes we need to fill. I’ve never seen Licht draft up 10 spots into the top five… and who even knows how high you’d have to go for him.
With the lack of QBs at the top and all of the needs of some of these teams, this is going to be a very intriguing draft with tons of surprises.
April 20th, 2026 at 2:06 pm
Chris is trying to help us by getting someone we like to possibly fall. We aren’t moving up but maybe someone else that values this player will jump in line to get him and the guy we desire becomes more attainable.
April 20th, 2026 at 2:09 pm
Not happening. If the medicals check out they could take McCoy at 15. His 2024 film looks impressive. He looks as good as Surtain and Stingley. OL Ioine is an another player the Bucs way not be able to pass up at 15. Fans need to prepare themselves not to get a ILB or Edge at 15. They may not be the BPA.
April 20th, 2026 at 2:12 pm
What does Todd Bowels junior think?
April 20th, 2026 at 2:21 pm
trade up to 10 get bain if he slips other than that stick and get mesidor ar the dt from ohio state or even ioane. let bowles earn his keep and develop a later round db
April 20th, 2026 at 2:31 pm
KABucs..
Spot on.
My dream scenario would be to trade down and get either J Rodriguez or Mesidor. Either one would be a day 1 starter.
If they are forced to stick and pick at 15, then I thin that brings OL and CB into the discussion. I agree that I doubt JL spends a 1st rounder on CB. He will look to add one on Day 3 and/or pick up another vet since they have young CBs in Zyon, Morrison and Parrish.
April 20th, 2026 at 2:35 pm
That´s NOT gonna happen….stupi/ridiculous/out of any logic
April 20th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
You need at least 3 starters, can’t go wrong having a 4th CB that can push CB1-3 for their spot or playing time.
That said, trading up costs more than standing pat. When held up against the overall talent in this class, we’ve got no business reaching up day 1. Now if it were a trade up into the 2nd/3rd/4th to address CB or any of the other defensive positions, all for it.
I like Delanie, but not enough to risk additional picks that can be used to either take a player or double up in any of the day 2 rounds.
April 20th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
Stallworth Says:
“We pushed Dean out of town to make way for BM21 because Todd is friends with his daddy. Only to realize that he is even more injury prone that Dean is.”
Not really a fair comparison. BM was injured when drafted I believe, and he addressed it after the draft.
But CBs usually take a 2-4 years to develop, so we don’t know if he is a bust. It rook Ronde Barber several years to become great, and after his rookie year, some fans wanted him released…and that’s back when fans were more patient.
Turned out to be the best CB in team history.
All I’m saying is that we need to be more patient with certain positions, and CB is one of them.
April 20th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
I think it would blow everyone’s mind if Licht traded up for the first pick and took the best QB, lol.
April 20th, 2026 at 2:50 pm
12 of the 14 picks ahead of us need Edge Rushers…wow. That’s going to be a run.
April 20th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
The only moves up should be for Styles or Bain/Bailey. Anything else is silly.
April 20th, 2026 at 3:12 pm
If Mccoy is there at 15, we would be delusional to not draft him. I’m not a fan of trading up this year. Jermod is healthy and the best corner in this draft. Adding a stud to the young guys we already had would give our pass rush their best chance at getting to the QB.
April 20th, 2026 at 3:22 pm
KABucs
If that were anywhere near true, O line and secondary would be better wouldn’t they?
Bud Licht consistently drafting well is an urban myth. He’s hit on a few. Blind squirrels and all.
His secondary picks have been particularly bad.
April 20th, 2026 at 3:33 pm
The very tiny bit of respect I had left for Chris just went out the window. I’m thinking some of these talking heads get kick backs from agents for giving their players run and boosting their supposed draft value.
April 20th, 2026 at 3:39 pm
@ Lakeland Says: “All of these soft, cream puff players, has to go
Jason Licht has been drafting Choir Boys for over a decade
That has to stop, we need to draft, the biggest, the baddest, the meanest
No more pretty boys, choir boys.”
Yep. And, guys who LOVE FOOTBALL. JL’s system has been a flawed system. I’ve been saying it for awhile now. Nothing ever makes any sense (outside of when Brady was here). You’d THINK a 13-YEAR tenured “GM” would know what to do by now, and would have already had it all figured out. It’s NOT GOOD. And, that schedule is getting A LOT tougher this year!!!!
April 20th, 2026 at 3:49 pm
this a trade back draft after first 10 picks . bucs wont be only team wanting to do that which will make it difficult to pull off
April 20th, 2026 at 3:50 pm
I don’t think you trade UP in this draft period, UNLESS it is for Jeremiyah Love. And, NO 25 year-olds. We are NOT in “win now” mode. Nor anywhere even close to being. I understand that Lickt & Bowles are. But, that should have ZERO relevance to any of us. I want what’s best for THE BUCS. And, that is for our FUTURE. Not the now.
April 20th, 2026 at 4:08 pm
Simms must be crazy!!!
How dare he accuse Mr. Conservative of taking a risk?
Wake up, Chris!
Taking risks is off the table for one Jason Licht!
Licht is no General Patton. While Patton takes risks to advance and conquer, Licht retreats, falls back to where it’s safe.
April 20th, 2026 at 4:34 pm
Never going to happen. Jason Licht is cheap to the bone. He would never trade up 4 spots for a corner. Just not in his nature.
April 20th, 2026 at 5:01 pm
The Bucs seem to not only have a problem drafting edge rushers but the past history over the last five years drafting corners is equally problematic. Their drafts at these two positions are on par with the New York Jets, a poorly run organization. Is Jason Licht and Todd Bowles that bad at picking defensive players 🤔.
So far their record is pointing 👉 in that direction. If 2026 is another repeat of the last couple of drafts Todd Bowles may have company on his way out the door.
April 20th, 2026 at 5:12 pm
No issues with the player, but you’d have to give up at least a 2nd rounder to do this – I can’t see it happening.
As for McCoy, at his pro day he put on a show, did every drill, didn’t skip anything and excelled. I don’t think his knee is going to be an issue – and I’d take him in a second at #15.
April 20th, 2026 at 5:31 pm
This is some quality smoke being blown by a former Buccaneer. If Licht trades up I’ll have kittens. Plus, I can’t see the Bucs saying Oui-oui Mansoor over either of the feisty Tennessee CBs.
I was a bit smitten with Delane early in the draft process last year when it was looking like he would be available in rounds 2-4 but he made the right call and decided to go back to LSU. He is a smooth man corner who is just long enough, just fast enough and just strong enough with a rock solid body of work but he was my “settle for” CB since my “ideal” CB Benjamin Morrison was projected to go in the top half of the first at that point in the draft process. I compared Morrison and Delane back and forth and based on final year of college tape. Despite Morrison having a couple bad gaffes and just being guilty by association for being part of the great collapse I’d rather give the CB with the dreamy 2023 and 2024 tape another chance to show us who he is after a full offseason and preseason integration rather than trade-up for a prospect with a lower ceiling. That’s poppycock.
April 20th, 2026 at 5:34 pm
Because we lost Dean we need to trade up for a corner? With that logic we lost Evans, and David, why not move up for a receiver, or LBer?
April 20th, 2026 at 6:23 pm
If we trade up it better be for Sonny Styles
April 20th, 2026 at 6:52 pm
Corners don’t mean much without a pass rush. Games are won with physicality in the trenches.
April 20th, 2026 at 7:32 pm
People get all worked up over these mock drafts and most are usually pretty wrong. So relax, they aren’t trading up for a CB.
I really have liked McCoy this entire process, but some recent reports have said there are concerns that his knee is not healing up as well or as quickly as it should.
In listening to JL press conference, I just got the feeling CB isnt a position they’re looking at in round 1.
I think they go LB, Edge or OL.
Rodriguez
Mesidor
Proctor
My money is on one iof those 3. Either at 15 or after a trade down.
April 20th, 2026 at 7:51 pm
Get a really good pass rush and our corners will become famous too
April 20th, 2026 at 8:46 pm
Atrain 40…..turn on your spell check
April 20th, 2026 at 8:53 pm
I guess it is time to cut Jason Licht a little slack and just be thankful that Sims is not our GM. Trade up in the first round to select a corner coming off a knee injury? Nonsense!
April 20th, 2026 at 9:33 pm
Draft 7 laughing hyenas. At least their behavior would be fitting of what He Who Wasn’t Fired puts out on the field every week.
April 20th, 2026 at 11:51 pm
Pass…
🥱
April 21st, 2026 at 12:30 am
Bosch Says:
April 20th, 2026 at 8:53 pm
I guess it is time to cut Jason Licht a little slack and just be thankful that Sims is not our GM. Trade up in the first round to select a corner coming off a knee injury? Nonsense!
🫢
April 21st, 2026 at 4:38 am
yeah uh huh….
if they do this they are communicating quite quickly that morisson is the next hargrievances…
so can’t see this happening
April 21st, 2026 at 6:46 am
Did Chris ” I’ll forever live in my father’s shadow ” Simms have something to say? What was it?
April 21st, 2026 at 11:36 am
Excellent article.
I like that Joe didn’t do any stat chasing. I prefer his eyes to numbers without a deep dive.
I also like the logic.
I trust Todd drafting dbs and Jason drafting ol
Looks like the article has good engagement
Good work
April 21st, 2026 at 12:54 pm
No reason Bucs could not have signed SMB back and gained experienced quality CB who already knows the system. Continued failures and lack of vision will end up getting Todd and JL run.
April 21st, 2026 at 1:17 pm
Either Simms has quit the weed and needs to start back on it, or he’s consuming way too much and needs to quit. Either way, what a maroon.
April 21st, 2026 at 2:00 pm
Look how skinny that dude is!!! Bucky would squash him like a bug! He wouldn’t make it past rookie mini camp!