Mike Tanier Believes Jason Licht Had A Strong Draft
May 1st, 2026
No ducking picks.
When did Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht turn old?
That’s the suggestion from Joe’s good friend and NFL humorist/columnist Mike Tanier as he posted a roundup of the Bucs’ draft on his site Too Deep Zone.
Joe will get to the old part momentarily, but overall Tanier was impressed by the draft Licht turned in last week.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Improved Roster: A-Used Resources Well: B
Met Needs: A
So why/how did Licht pull off an excellent draft? Tanier believes Licht took advantage of other NFL GMs being stupid.
Guys kept falling into the Bucs’ lap.
GM Jason Licht said “there were very few scenarios” in which Rueben Bain would still be available with the 15th pick. How did Licht feel when he did? “I’ve probably never seen a more excited draft room.” Licht only usually gets that excited when re-signing a 32-year old.
Tanier, after watching film of the Bucs last year, figures if Todd Bowles is the Bucs’ coach and defensive coordinator, he’s going to blitz, blitz and blitz some more, so the Bucs may as well get dudes who can blitz.
Tanier thinks Licht excelled in this area.
The Buccaneers blitzed on 29.6% of opponents’ passing plays in 2025, the fourth-highest rate in the NFL, yet their pressure rate of 19.8% ranked 25th. (Source: Pro Football Reference.) Bain will join Yaya Diaby to give them the credible edge-rush they lacked as soon as Haason Reddick lost interest in playing football (April, 2024).
While LB Josiah Trotter was selected a little earlier than expected, WR Ted Hurst and slot CB Keionte Scott were both higher on most draftnik boards than where the Bucs got them. Each spackles over a need on an aging roster in transition. Trotter, plus free agents Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom, show that Licht and Todd Bowles are ready to move on emotionally from Lavonte David.
Alas, Tanier typed, Licht wasn’t perfect. Tanier thinks Licht had a case of what Keith Olbermann once described as “premature jocularity” on Day 3 of the draft.
In other words, Licht was killing it at the poker table at Aria and flush with a mound of chips. So after throwing back a few glasses of Grey Goose Altius, Licht decided, “Aw, hell with it,” reaching for a defensive tackle in Round 5 who may not fit the Lavonte David mold of “I Am That Man.”
Licht celebrated his good fortune by splurging on Clemson DT DeMonte Capehart in the fifth round. Capehart spent six years at Clemson, never locked down a full-time starting job and dealt with both injury and legal issues. Licht usually waits until undrafted free agency to get weird with a Shilo Sanders or Desmond Watson. He must have gotten a little too excited, too soon. That happens to older guys! Final DPA: B+
Hey, a B+ from a noted cynic is pretty damn good, bad gamble or not on a defensive tackle.
To Licht’s defense, this was a shallow draft so why not take a Hail Mary shot at a big ol’ defensive tackle who is hard to move off the ball?
So, the “older” part: Is Licht really “old?”
May 1st, 2026 at 4:55 am
Capeheart was a backup to the DT the Chiefs took in the 1st round.
Capeheart was a 5 star recruit in HS.
Capeheart was an awesome pick. À 4.85 at 315? He’s a freak.
Trotter looks like an NFL LB. Big, strong and runs a 4.45? Definitely worth a 2nd round pick.
I just wish we had saved our 7th round pick and grabbed the Nigerian DT in the 7th. Uar Bennard.
May 1st, 2026 at 5:33 am
It’s an incredible draft. It really is.
I think Trotter is a bad miss.
Uncharacteristically love every other pick
I was mad after the Trotter pick, I expected to be unhappy with this draft class.
But then, Hurst. I think he will be an outstanding WR2
Then a steal of a Db falls in our lap.
A big space eater with upside.
A quality lineman, will be great backup.
Then an incredible blocker of a TE, with some real upside
Just impossible not to get pumped about these players.
Then 3 UFA that have a shot at making the team. Just great.
May 1st, 2026 at 5:36 am
Yea…I felt like the LSU TE pick at the end of the draft was a throw away pick. But hey…Grey Goose will do that to a man.
May 1st, 2026 at 6:28 am
Trotter did not run a 4.45, he did NO athletic testing at the combine or his pro day, his 6’ 228 brother ran a 4.6 at his pro day so hopefully he is in that range, he is really young and has that great pedigree
May 1st, 2026 at 7:15 am
Complete reach for the TE from LSU and traded up to get him? Horrible.
May 1st, 2026 at 7:18 am
They all made sense, the only questionable pick was taking Trotter when we did, but he’s a player that’s still growing barely being 21yo and he’s pretty sound fundamentally. With coverage being Anzalones’ strength, it’ll be a good for Trotters development to play alongside a vet like that to become a more well rounded ILB. I love his play downhill though, which is good enough year 1 for him as a player to crack the lineup.
May 1st, 2026 at 7:36 am
When you talk about a 5th rounder, rarely are they winning a starting gig. I think Licht likes the fact that he was a steady back up for a good program for a long time. That will be his role here. He wasn’t drafted to be the next Sapp, more like the next Gholston.
May 1st, 2026 at 7:59 am
Trotter was timed at 4.61 in a Pro day. Its out there in the Web.
May 1st, 2026 at 8:11 am
Licht trading our 6th and 7th for a TE who was ranked being a UDFA or Tryout Player is Pathetic! I could understand doing so for The LSU Quarterback Nussmeier who was still available, but not the LSU TE
May 1st, 2026 at 8:17 am
Bowles’ Cover Nobody scheme is brilliant. Certainly that’s why Licht drafted dudes who are known to be weak in pass coverage.
May 1st, 2026 at 8:31 am
Trading up 10 spots for a size/speed TE, who led Oklahoma in receiving in 2024 (bet you didn’t know that) and played 2025 with a backup quarterback on a bad offense, only trading a 7th (the 6th is a swap) isn’t pathetic, it’s just a dart throw like everyone else drafted in the final 2 rounds
May 1st, 2026 at 8:42 am
Enjoyed Mike Tanier’s perspective on Too Deep Zone link. Thanks for including in piece, Joe.
May 1st, 2026 at 8:42 am
i thought Trotter was a slight reach but im happy with the pick…
giving up a 7th round pick for the LSU TE was a poor decision…couldve went IOL or DB with that pick…Tez and Culp turned out to be solid 7th rounders
GO BUCS!!!!!
May 1st, 2026 at 8:46 am
They got the players they wanted
And l like Josiah Trotter more than any of his picks
He’s big, quick, violent, hit hard, aggressive, everything you want in a MIKE
And he’s only 21, and still growing mentally and physically
I love physical football players, and Trotter is a physical beast
His 27 reps at the combine was the most of any linebacker
You win football games with physicality, bit with finesse
And l think the Bucs have finally figured this out, after last season meltdown
And Josiah Trotter game is based on physicality
He’s a Trotter, physicality is their Method of Operation!!
May 1st, 2026 at 8:48 am
“””Not with finesse
May 1st, 2026 at 8:54 am
But what did Trotter do in pee wee football?
May 1st, 2026 at 8:55 am
But I’m glad this fanbase has low expectations for Josiah Trotter
It’s not good for a 21 year old NFL rookie to enter the NFL with high expectations
Josiah will be fine, he’s not carrying the weight of this team in his shoulder
I think he will come along great
But I’m not expecting a whole lot early from a 21 year old
He will have a successful career with the Bucs
May 1st, 2026 at 8:55 am
So, I’ve been catching up on this UDFA LB Javin Wright who was initially a CB recruit coming out of HS and eventually converted to ILB at Nebraska. Faced some medical adversity on 2 separate accounts in ’21 & ’23 which led to him being a 7 year player for the Huskers. Already 25yo, long frame at 6’4-5ish, 233lbs, played special teams and for a player at LB with a cornerback background he plays pretty well in space.
Not saying he’ll even make the roster or see the field as an ILB, but we’ve got some open spots on both kick cover teams he could possibly compete for. What caught my eye, was the length which has been undermentioned about all the new ILBs we’ve added to the room, is that all these guys are taller than 6’1.
Peekin in on Jy Gilmore, now.
May 1st, 2026 at 9:29 am
Licht didn’t do job 1, which was keeping Evans on the team. Epic failure.
And he kept the round two blunders going. Not trading up for J-Rod was just stupid.
Especially with Hill and CJ Allen available. Another epic failure.
Why would you get players who fit a scheme proven to be below NFL caliber?
Just gotta GM it better.
May 1st, 2026 at 9:35 am
The Bucs got 3 Defensive starters in this draft and if Mauch can’t go at beginning of season, Schrauth may be a 4th starter.
May 1st, 2026 at 9:38 am
I like Javin Wright
He’s a big fast dude 6’5 230 lbs
He can really play football
But the guy will be 25-26 when training camp start
His upside low, and his ceiling is even lower, cause of his age.
But l predict he make the practice squad
Caden Fordham have a better shot at making the initial roster
I think Fordham is a good ILB with potential
May 1st, 2026 at 9:39 am
Someone put it perfectly the Allen,hill, trotter and golday are eye beholder prospects I think the trotter pick is as good as any of them and brings a lot of the physicality they are looking to bring to the defense 27 reps on the bench is kinda crazy.
May 1st, 2026 at 10:18 am
Agreed @ Lakeland
I was going to take a look at Fordham before the end of the day, pretty late on alot of these UDFAs.
Checked in on Jy Gilmore, who spent 2 years at GA State(overlapped with Ted Hurst) and his first collegiate season at Tennessee Tech. Gilmore will be 1 of 3 Yellowjackets in our rookie camp along with Eric Rivers & Dean Patterson. Doesn’t have insane measurables, but he plays with alot of tenacity and could compete for a roster spot at best.
May 1st, 2026 at 10:26 am
jcscycles Says:
May 1st, 2026 at 7:59 am
“Trotter was timed at 4.61 in a Pro day. Its out there in the Web.”
Google ai is often wrong because it uses fake information sources as legit sources.
I believe Trotter refused to run a 40 at his pro day.
May 1st, 2026 at 10:26 am
Why is the expectation higher for Bain ,,then Trotter??
May 1st, 2026 at 10:33 am
hey if the Bucs get to the Suoer Bowl in 2026 I will concur with all the Kool-Aid-guzzling JBF commenters who razz me for disrespecting Licht and believing that all his SB success is to due to Brady fixing the mess that Licht made – BUT if the Bucs go 8-9 or worse I want mea culpas from those same commenters –
May 1st, 2026 at 10:34 am
I believe Josiah Trotter may take a year or two to reach his full potential but I think he was a great pick.
If he stayed in college another year, he would have probably been ranked in the top 25 of the draft, so sure…he was technically a reach to some…but a very sound investment. He’ll contribute this year to some degree.
Really, what this draft tells me is that Todd Bowles’ seat is not as hot as fans think. He didn’t exactly make all picks to be instant contributors. Some of them were long term investments.
This tells me he plans to be HC in 2027, and the team seems to agree.
May 1st, 2026 at 10:40 am
Get-Rid-of-Licht, go back to your regular name…no one knows you for this one so no one has “razzed you for disrespecting Licht” as Get-Rid-of-Licht.
Grow a pair. Remain accountable.
But…last I checked, Jason Licht doesn’t coach the team or play the games. His job is to bring in capable players. This draft was amazing. He did his job…again. As usual.
May 1st, 2026 at 10:43 am
Last year started out fantastic, but then a curse seemed to set in for the remainder of the season. The universe seemed like it was making up for it in this draft.
May 1st, 2026 at 11:02 am
Steve V
The Bucs fanbase has placed Rueben Bain on a high pedestal
They expect for Bain to be All World from day one
That’s why the expectations for Bain is so high
And why the expectations for Josiah Trotter is so low
No one expects much from Josiah Trotter
May 1st, 2026 at 11:49 am
@Get-Rid-of-Licht
I wouldn’t hold my breath for mea culpas or my bads on this here site.
The Pom Pom waiving crowd is blindly oblivious to reality.
Somehow the 2-7 Hindenburg disaster of 2025 has been washed away.
They think Bowles just needs better players. Nothing was Todd’s fault.
And to prove it they fired everyone else, and hired Todd Bowles Jr. Solved!
May 1st, 2026 at 12:31 pm
Hurst compares 94% on draftbuzz to Nico Collins who was also taken in the third. The sky is the limit for him.
May 1st, 2026 at 12:47 pm
Right on, Lynch.
May 1st, 2026 at 1:23 pm
The curse bonzai is called injuries, the 6-2 buccaneers were the best team in football with Bowles, without Bain ,what i see is that people here has forgotten its a game its not the front office of the buccaneers fault that none of these people can play professionally or coach or build a team ..Its all about playing meaningful games in December, and this organization has done that the last few years including a SB win..If they had a couple championships they would still have something to wine about …Its just a game!
May 1st, 2026 at 1:44 pm
The babies lynch, 3.28 and get rid out here crying again. Yall are perfect saints fans with your ?? comments.
May 1st, 2026 at 2:35 pm
How is the roster aging? The oldest core dude is Vita & maybe Godwin.
May 1st, 2026 at 2:59 pm
Trotters tape showed he played slow.
Then he healthy scratches running at the combing, saying he’ll run at his pro day
Then He healthy Scratches at his Pro day.
Nuff said.
He is physical, and a big hitter.
Which means less than nothing in Todd Bowles defense.
Coach switches up coverage constantly. Every Linebacker has to first be a cover guy.
Trotter has shown that he can’t cover.
It’s like every draft, when we get to the second round Jason Licht forgets which team he’s drafting for.
Sirvocea Dennis is a big hitter. He’s actually a great blitzed off the edge.
But he struggled badly in coverage. So he was a bad fit.
Compared to Trotter, Sirvocea is Deon Sanders.
And Anthony Hill and CJ Allen were both there. Both are good cover guys.
It just doesn’t make sense.
And that Tight End you are all trashing- is one of the best Inline blocking TEs I’ve ever seen. I said draft day. Poor Ko Kieft just lost his spot
May 1st, 2026 at 4:01 pm
Josiah Trotter didn’t run at the combine or his Pro day
Because he couldn’t run, he could barely walk
He hurt his knee against Arkansas in the final game of the season
He had a minor knee surgery in December
But he will be ready to go during training camp
He passed all of his meds with the Bucs medical staff
May 1st, 2026 at 4:03 pm
The Bucs made the pick, they love the pick
I love the pick, l love Josiah Trotter style of play
May 1st, 2026 at 5:11 pm
The bucs drafted the TE from LSU because he’s a beast in the blocking game that’s why…Bucky I’m sure is happy! ROBINSON TOO
May 1st, 2026 at 5:21 pm
When these GMs and Head Coaches draft players
We might not know their motive for drafting these players
But you can bet your last dollar, there’s a reason why they draft these guys
That’s why I don’t second guess these draft picks
If the team drafted them, I’m ok with the pick
May 1st, 2026 at 6:30 pm
“The bucs drafted the TE from LSU because he’s a beast in the blocking game that’s why…Bucky I’m sure is happy! ROBINSON TOO“
I’d rather swap a 6th and trade a 7th for a TE, than draft one in the first round
May 1st, 2026 at 11:36 pm
Trotter is gonna suck. Although he balled out in junior high school.
May 2nd, 2026 at 9:02 pm
I agree Warren Brooks, drafting a TE in the first round is stupid but Licht did it with OJ Howard who didn’t make a mark until Tom Brady came and then he promptly blew out his Achilles in the endzone after making A TD catch. Talk about irony. Falcons also drafted a fast TE in the first round and the only killer game he had in his career was against the Bucs last year, along with every other receiver in the NFL. First round picks should e reserved for the trenches unless their is a killer QB or position player who is off the charts. Our WR drafted in the first-round last year wasn’t that player.
May 2nd, 2026 at 9:07 pm
Not to upset with the Capehart pick although he has underachiever written all over him. Maybe he will grow up when he sees money on the table and realizes he has the great fortune to play for a living rather than work 9 to 5. Anyway, if you’re going to gamble on picks, fifth and beyond is the time to do it.