@bucsbits -100% This would be a waste of a 1st round pick. Just skip it altogether. That’s not the edge we need. I have some faith that Lycht is learning how to draft the edge position, after multiple failures. This would be the opposite of that.
In that decade you mention the team has had 1 top 10 pick.
And he went Devin White over Allen.
We can debate whether we'd have that chip with or without White but we cannot debate the Licht prioritized LB or edge
In that decade you mention the team has had 1 top 10 pick.
And he went Devin White over Allen.
We can debate whether we'd have that chip with or without White but we cannot debate the Licht prioritized LB or edge
Well, yes you can. The PICK prioritized LB over Edge. Undisputed. But is the pick Licht's evaluation or Licht serving Arians/Bowles? White more important in Bowles defense than edge and Arians sure was giddy.
Either way though, choosing LB over edge may mean prioritizing LB over edge, but it does not mean "cant draft edge."
Who knows, honestly? Just another way to look at it.
@bucsbits -100% This would be a waste of a 1st round pick. Just skip it altogether. That’s not the edge we need. I have some faith that Lycht is learning how to draft the edge position, after multiple failures. This would be the opposite of that.
certainly seems that way to me, but Bucs.com seems to think that is what Bowles wants? maybe?
@bucsbits -100% This would be a waste of a 1st round pick. Just skip it altogether. That’s not the edge we need. I have some faith that Lycht is learning how to draft the edge position, after multiple failures. This would be the opposite of that.
how about a trade up for Bain, per Ben Solak?
Defensively, it’s a different story. The roster is full of homegrown players, but with far less success. Chris Braswell was a miss at pass rusher and YaYa Diaby is only a strong rotational player, leaving the Bucs without a ringer of a pass rusher. They didn’t get involved on Maxx Crosby or Trey Hendrickson but now suddenly need a splashy sack artist at No. 15. Will Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami) fall all the way to them? It’s unlikely, but with a small trade-up, Licht might be able to snag him. Of course, recent reporting from The Read Optional details Bain’s off-field concerns that might impact his positioning on Tampa Bay’s board. And Licht rarely trades up in the first round. Since he became general manager in 2014, he has traded up once — and it was from No. 14 to No. 13.
And he went Devin White over Allen.
Goddamn, it still irks me even to this day.
Total layup for Licht when Gruden took Ferrell at #4.
According to Solak the Bucs draft is defense, defense and more defwenselol
"The only position that can be considered strong and safe defensively is safety, where Tykee Smith and Antoine Winfield Jr. represent one of the league’s best duos."
According to Solak the Bucs draft is defense, defense and more defwenselol
"The only position that can be considered strong and safe defensively is safety, where Tykee Smith and Antoine Winfield Jr. represent one of the league’s best duos."
They need to find a boundary CB, and off-ball linebacker, an Edge (this isn’t as pressing as many will have you believe), and DL depth. If we ended up with Mansoor Delane I wouldn’t be mad.
I just think it is crazy if the Bucs consider another power/elephant rusher when they need some speed guy to compliment Diaby's power and to have speed edge rushers to make the fire zone blitzes work. If Bowles wants to drop guys in coverage you need nimble guys with agility and explosive traits not "run stoppers".
@bucsbits - Licht is totally right by saying this… “It is tough. There [are] only so many [edge rushers] that you could call truly impactful players,” Licht said.
Thats what I’ve always said about the position. You better get them early or you’re really not getting a difference maker.
Maybe Licht should actually draft a good edge rusher before saying stuff like this? He's only had a decade
Isnt that what he meant by "get them early or you’re really not getting a difference maker?"
In that decade you mention the team has had 1 top 10 pick. The top 5 pass rushers per PFF are all top 5 guys.
Some of it is circumstance and some if it is Bowles and definitely some of it is Licht
Fire, definitely get your point so this is NOT a critique, just wondering about your thoughts. The Bucs website has a trade down scenario and it includes an edge rusher
"24. *MOCK TRADE* Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Jacksonville via Cleveland): EDGE Zion Young, Missouri
The Buccaneers were counting on the depth at edge rusher to make their trade down of nine spots work, and they are pleased to find several attractive candidates still on the board here. The Bucs go with Young, a potential three-down player with great size (6-6, 267) and power to set the edge against the run and bull-rush opposing blockers. Young is a very physical player and a tone-setter who plays with his hair on fire at all times. The Bucs hit their biggest need with a player who can step right into a prominent role and still have three Day Two picks to address positions like off-ball linebacker, cornerback and tight end."
TO ME . . Zion Young's bio reads like aa quintessential Bowles pick, a run stopping edge setter. Arguably more of the same from Bowles tenure.
Its only a hypothetical obviously, but isnt an example - just like hall, JTS and even Diaby - of Licht drafting to the stated needs of the HC?
I'm just not that big on edge this year. Bailey if he drops of course.
I wanted Licht to solve edge via FA. He sorta tried to do it but it was half assed.
I want an impact player. Any impact player, with the first.
After that go front 7.
@bucsbits - Licht is totally right by saying this… “It is tough. There [are] only so many [edge rushers] that you could call truly impactful players,” Licht said.
Thats what I’ve always said about the position. You better get them early or you’re really not getting a difference maker.
Maybe Licht should actually draft a good edge rusher before saying stuff like this? He's only had a decade
Isnt that what he meant by "get them early or you’re really not getting a difference maker?"
In that decade you mention the team has had 1 top 10 pick. The top 5 pass rushers per PFF are all top 5 guys.
Some of it is circumstance and some if it is Bowles and definitely some of it is Licht
Fire, definitely get your point so this is NOT a critique, just wondering about your thoughts. The Bucs website has a trade down scenario and it includes an edge rusher
"24. *MOCK TRADE* Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Jacksonville via Cleveland): EDGE Zion Young, Missouri
The Buccaneers were counting on the depth at edge rusher to make their trade down of nine spots work, and they are pleased to find several attractive candidates still on the board here. The Bucs go with Young, a potential three-down player with great size (6-6, 267) and power to set the edge against the run and bull-rush opposing blockers. Young is a very physical player and a tone-setter who plays with his hair on fire at all times. The Bucs hit their biggest need with a player who can step right into a prominent role and still have three Day Two picks to address positions like off-ball linebacker, cornerback and tight end."
TO ME . . Zion Young's bio reads like aa quintessential Bowles pick, a run stopping edge setter. Arguably more of the same from Bowles tenure.
Its only a hypothetical obviously, but isnt an example - just like hall, JTS and even Diaby - of Licht drafting to the stated needs of the HC?
I'm just not that big on edge this year. Bailey if he drops of course.
I wanted Licht to solve edge via FA. He sorta tried to do it but it was half assed.
I want an impact player. Any impact player, with the first.
After that go front 7.
I do not think they see edge that big of a problem based on their half hearted effort. They probably see the problem at boundary CB and ILB just as big of a problem along with the lack of size on the DL.
@bucsbits - Licht is totally right by saying this… “It is tough. There [are] only so many [edge rushers] that you could call truly impactful players,” Licht said.
Thats what I’ve always said about the position. You better get them early or you’re really not getting a difference maker.
Maybe Licht should actually draft a good edge rusher before saying stuff like this? He's only had a decade
Isnt that what he meant by "get them early or you’re really not getting a difference maker?"
In that decade you mention the team has had 1 top 10 pick. The top 5 pass rushers per PFF are all top 5 guys.
Some of it is circumstance and some if it is Bowles and definitely some of it is Licht
Fire, definitely get your point so this is NOT a critique, just wondering about your thoughts. The Bucs website has a trade down scenario and it includes an edge rusher
"24. *MOCK TRADE* Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Jacksonville via Cleveland): EDGE Zion Young, Missouri
The Buccaneers were counting on the depth at edge rusher to make their trade down of nine spots work, and they are pleased to find several attractive candidates still on the board here. The Bucs go with Young, a potential three-down player with great size (6-6, 267) and power to set the edge against the run and bull-rush opposing blockers. Young is a very physical player and a tone-setter who plays with his hair on fire at all times. The Bucs hit their biggest need with a player who can step right into a prominent role and still have three Day Two picks to address positions like off-ball linebacker, cornerback and tight end."
TO ME . . Zion Young's bio reads like aa quintessential Bowles pick, a run stopping edge setter. Arguably more of the same from Bowles tenure.
Its only a hypothetical obviously, but isnt an example - just like hall, JTS and even Diaby - of Licht drafting to the stated needs of the HC?
I'm just not that big on edge this year. Bailey if he drops of course.
I wanted Licht to solve edge via FA. He sorta tried to do it but it was half assed.
I want an impact player. Any impact player, with the first.
After that go front 7.
I do not think they see edge that big of a problem based on their half hearted effort. They probably see the problem at boundary CB and ILB just as big of a problem along with the lack of size on the DL.
if that is what they think wouldn't you attribute that to Bowles, as much as he said last season they need pressure by four?
"
University of Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy missed all of last season with a torn ACL in his right knee. He could miss “extensive” time in 2026 as a rookie in the NFL.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports that team medical staffs are concerned McCoy could need another surgery to repair a bone plug in McCoy’s knee. The bone plug was used to repair a cartilage defect."
I do not think they see edge that big of a problem based on their half hearted effort. They probably see the problem at boundary CB and ILB just as big of a problem along with the lack of size on the DL.
I'm so confused by this cornerback "need".
We spent premium capital on two corners last year. We have McCollum wrapped up for 2 more years and he's relatively young. We have Smith who can slide into the slot. We have one of the highest paid safeties.
How can secondary be prioritized over front 7? Why is it even being considered a need outside of picks 4-7?
I'm so confused by this cornerback "need".
We spent premium capital on two corners last year. We have McCollum wrapped up for 2 more years, and he's relatively young. We have Smith, who can slide into the slot. We have one of the highest-paid safeties.
How can secondary be prioritized over the front 7? Why is it even being considered a need outside of picks 4-7?
Currently, given the players on the team and injury history, I would place the Buccaneers' secondary as 23rd-26th in the league. Bottom third for certain. When it comes to the passing game, the performance of the secondary impacts the sack numbers just like the QB pressures should impact passes defended and intercepted.
The Buccaneers' secondary was, IMHO, a bigger issue than the edge play. I see this from the fact that the Buccaneers ranked 7th in the league in QB pressures, but only 19th in the league for sacks. Is it possible that the issue is that they lack guys who can pursue and tackle? Yep. From watching the game, there were just too many times a QB under pressure was able to locate and throw to a receiver that was open. That is either design (Bowles), performance (the secondary), or QB Excellence. Given that opposing QBs always seem to have career games against the Buccaneers, I think this is a mix of performance and poor play design by Bowles. For example, Zyon McCollum allowed a passer rating of 105 when the receiver he was covering was targeted. I also notice far too many dropped interceptions with this team. I don't think the first round is a place I would prefer to address the issue, but I absolutely would address it in round 2 or 3 if the right player were there.