Let me start by saying, Brian Branch will be a fine player in the NFL. My problem is that he is not the fit we need at this time.
Having two Probowl talented safeties is a luxury in the NFL. And we can’t afford that luxury with all the holes we have to fill.
The idea that Branch can fill our nickel slot position is not a good approach. With today’s innovative passing offenses you need as many coverage corners as you can get on the field. Last year’s Winfield project hurt Winfield and the team. He is a stud safety, not nickel slot. Carolina took advantage of Winfield by putting DJ Moore in at slot and he toasted Winfield every time they wanted to go to him. Build up the depth at corner and put our 3rd best in at nickel corner. And no, that’s not Zion McCullum.
Lastly, we need to build from our lines. We need an outside pass rusher or offensive tackle before another safety. And I know we’ll have some slappys on here saying, “but we only have 2 safeties on the roster!” That’ll work itself out. Just not in the first round. If we can’t pressure the QB without full out blitzes and if we can’t protect our QB then nothing else matters.
There's a bunch of positions that you don't go after first round unless they are a blue chip, all pro, potential HOF player.
You don't take:
LB (cough cough Devin White)
Safety
TE (cough cough OJ Howard)
Slot corner (cough cough VH3)
Guard/center
RB (cough cough Doug Martin)
Kicker (cough cough Roberto Aguayo)
Yes I know he was a 2nd round pick but for a Kicker that's basically first round
Yeah, you gotta build the front 7 first. We need to draft 2 DL, an OLB, and now it looks like we'll need a replacement for Lavonte. We also need a CB. Safety can wait. Logan Ryan could probably come back cheap.
Just go BPA for any of these positions 1st round:
CB, o line, d line
2nd round is where you can start to consider:
LB (like David), safety (like Winfield), etc.
3rd round I'd consider Hooker if someone hasn't already reached on him...
But I'm perfectly content with just drafting all trench players early then LB, secondary late, and call it a day
If Bowles thinks he can succeed at NCB then I'm for the pick. If Branch is an exclusive SS for us then lets just pass on him.
I'm with trench/pure CB pick first round.
@firelicht2020 - I would love to draft Hooker, but there’s no way he makes it out of the 2nd round. He may be an early 2nd day pick.
@detrimental - I agree, trench player or coverage corner. Bowles having the thought that Branch can be our nickel slot is the problem… just like with Winfield last year. Set our safeties up for success by letting them play to their strengths, and build out our corner depth to be able to have 3 coverage corners on the field when in nickel.
Someone will def reach on Hooker which is why I said 3rd round and if he falls.
Good GMs have a plan and let the draft come to them.
Licht should be philosophically thinking that we need inside help, and Dean's replacement.
Take what is available and don't reach.
Take BPA the entire draft. Trade back into the 3rd round using our comp pick if we can.
Find a LB you like, later...
I would prefer using that first pick on the plethora of D-Lineman and pass rushers.. if not trade down a bit, and stock up on those mid rounders. Very deep draft at certain positions.. luckily at positions we need the most help at.
I’d prefer to use some of these 5th, 6th, 7th round picks and package them for another 4th or 3rd. Maybe use one of the 3rd or 4th picks to move up a little in 1st to get Nolan Smith if he is within range.
Bucs should be thinking trenches the first two rounds. Bucs now have ammo to trade up into the fourth for a solid safety IMO. Need a safety that can fill a gap and play run defense while being competent against the pass.
