Licht has adjusted how he drafts players which is why since the 2021 draft he has turned it around. The challenge for him is drafting impact players and the reason why I think Licht struggles is that they look at potential too much and young age (eg 20). That is why they deviated and started drafting older prospects lately (eg Walker 25 years old).
but i'd argue 2022 on haven't been great either. The barometer shouldn't be "can they start on this team" but rather are they impactful starters
Drafting Wirfs and AWJ was amazing back in 2020. Everything just went right. Not expecting all time great Bucs every draft but
2022 - Ehh
Hall and White didn't make it to second contracts with us, wouldn't call it a hit. Conversely Otton did and i wouldn't call him a hit either. I guess given his 4th round capital he was solid but hes a top 20 tight end, not exactly great "hit". Goedeke is solid and Zyon McCollum was good value in the 5th but the premature extenstion hurts a bit.
2023 - Ehh
Kancey may not make it to a second contract, Mauch is solid and Yaya is good.
2024 - Potential
With Barton, Smith, McMillian, and Bucky...this is clearly the best draft in the last 4 with Licht. Alot of potential here to be a great draft
2025 - too early
Edbuka looked great his first 8 games, disappeared the 2nd half. Morrison and Parrish showing promise and need to step up this year.
so 2024 has a chance to be like the 2018 to 2020 Licht drafting
Those drafts are solid overall and I think that is Licht's current trend. But he needs to draft impact guys and to do that they have to stop believing that this coaching staff will coach up players. Bucs need to draft guys ready to hit the ground like Winfield Jr. was.
White was a good value selection at the time so I can't fault that. Hall was very meh given he was picked a lot higher.
Otton I consider a hit given his draft position ignoring the contract he received paying him as a 1. Based on his draft position and production Otton is one of Licht's better TE picks which is why Jenkins and Howard were misses for Licht.
“So when we we first were going through the interview process, Todd and I with him, [Robinson] had studied our film. He knew our players. He gave us a plan of what he could do with every single one of them. He had a plan for Tez [Johnson], had a plan for [Jalen McMillan], had a plan for Cade [Otton] if we were able to bring him back, had a plan in case Mike [Evans] left. And it was just very, very detailed. I think it brings out confidence in players. I know Baker [Mayfield] was very, very excited.”