According to ESPN's Matt Miller this draft is the best he's seen for D-line. 31 of his top 100 prospects are D-line, and he references an NFL GM who thinks a 3rd of the first round might be Edge and DTs. So that information could be taken in different ways.
1) The Bucs might not sign a big-name Edge rusher if they know they can get one in the draft to go with last year's pick of Braswell. The Bucs don't like to be forced to reach for a pick because they don't have any free agent additions and the draft doesn't fall their way, which is what happened with the drafting of Keshawn Vaughn. In this case Licht can be confident there will be a quality prospect on the board. Not to mention Braswell is also in the mix.
2) This could actually reduce the demand for the FA edge rushers and make it more affordable to find one in the FA/trade market, but I think Licht prefers the draft.
3) Licht could wait until Round 2 and still get a good edge rusher, and so he could draft another position like CB in the first round. But Licht likes to pick DBs on Day 2.
Going by the rankings these guys might be there at 19
10 James Pearce Jr. Tennessee Jr
16 Mykel Williams Georgia Jr
18 Mike Green Marshall Soph
22 Nic Scourton Texas A&M
I'm guessing one of those guys will be a Buccaneer.
If the Bucs wait until Round 2 these guys could be available at 51.
37 Jack Sawyer Ohio State Sr
42 Donovan Ezeiruaku Boston College Sr
46 Princely Umanmielen Ole Miss Sr
61 Landon Jackson Arkansas Sr
62 JT Tuimoloau Ohio State Sr
64 Ashton Gillotte Louisville Sr
65 Jared Ivey Ole Miss Sr
That is a large group of Round 2 level guys. So it's conceivable that Licht takes another position in round 1 and waits until Round 2 for the edge.
But I don't think so. I think Licht is going to be salivating at the fact that because of the glut of D-linemen a quality edge rusher will be pushed down to 19. He won't have to move up, and he won't want to move down. He'll sit right there at 19 and take an edge rusher.
And don't be surprised if he takes a DT in Round 3 or 4, because Vita Vea isn't getting any younger. If there's a surprise pick, it could be DT.
Sawyer is intriguing if we tried to trade up in the 2nd
DL, interior OL and RB are very, very deep.
Bucs should able to land quality players from those three position groups in round 4 or 5. For Edge the Bucs really need to try to use a first round pick to land the best available or even trade up a little bit into the top 15 of the first round.
And I do agree that DL is going to be a possible priority for the team. Behind Kancey and Vea the Bucs do not have any player under contract. Gholston and Gaines are free agants and the Bucs need to add another player to the rotation and with a higher floor.
Don’t get me wrong here… I totally agree this is an impressive draft for DL and edges, if you pick the right one. That’s why I’m for signing or trading for a known productive edge while also drafting one in the first round. This is a no excuse offseason. As in, there is no excuse to not be able to find a real player this offseason. For us, we should double down and make sure we’re set at that position.
SR did a video about Donovan Ezeiruaku. I hadn't looked at him yet so I looked at game vs Mizzou because they have the 1st round OT Membou. Membou was consistantly putting him on the ground.
Ledyard was on TKraz and was going over the top edge prospects and for one reason or another the ones likely to be around at 19 weren't really a good fit for the Bucs, whether there are character questions, didn't have the production in college or not a good fit for the Bucs system. The Bucs want production in college to go along with good measurables. It may point toward the Bucs waiting until Day 2 to get the edge rusher if what Ledyard says holds water.
A player projected to be a 2nd rounder may be able to move up based on combine performance, but all the way to 19? That leaves Licht with the possible choice for Round 1 of trading up for Jalon Walker if he slides into the teens, trading down to the end of the round and taking that edge from the next tier, or taking another position in Round 1. I don't think Licht wants to trade down unless he knows what he's going to be able to get there. He traded down six picks from 27 to get Logan Hall at 33. He might trade down a couple picks, but that still puts him in the early 20s of the first round.
Whats more likely is that Licht will see a player he loves who plays at a position of need which is probably going to not be an edge rusher. Cornerback is a thin position once you get past the top tier. Linebacker Jihaad Campbell is mocked to the Bucs in many mock drafts. WR receiver has been mocked to the Bucs, but I'm not buying into that. As much as we need the edge rusher, don't hold your breath for that first round pick to be one.
as I get older I'm starting to follow draft prospects less and less since Bucs have been in a winning position since 2020. that said first round needs to be a position of high value. CB, DE, or OL
You can find off ball linebackers later rounds 2-3.
There's no doubt a high draft pick is more interesting, but what else is going on? I like watching playoff hockey and the NCAA tournament, but I can't get into regular season hockey, NBA or college basketball or spring training baseball. Don't watch soccer. For some reason I really like watching World Cup soccer. I'll watch Gambia take on Croatia. But in lieu of having anything interesting going on I'll have to settle for draft and free agency for the Bucs.as I get older I'm starting to follow draft prospects less and less since Bucs have been in a winning position since 2020. that said first round needs to be a position of high value. CB, DE, or OL
You can find off ball linebackers later rounds 2-3.
What's interesting to me about the 19th pick is that it's too high to trade out of the round but too low to trade into a top ten pick. Licht tries to move a few slots in that first round because he knows what he's going to get. He really doesn't want to move too far in that first round. But if you look at team needs for other teams a couple picks before and after the Bucs, they have some of the same needs such as edge. So I expect Licht to just sit and wait to take somebody who may seem to be a little bit of a reach but is going to fit the mold of what the Bucs are looking for such as the guy SR was talking about today.
Don't get me wrong I still watch college football, but these days I'm more of a casual fan when the Gators aren't playing. I use to be able to rip off the best top prospects by position and college during Feb. By March or April though I get up to speed about these kids are.There's no doubt a high draft pick is more interesting, but what else is going on? I like watching playoff hockey and the NCAA tournament, but I can't get into regular season hockey, NBA or college basketball or spring training baseball. Don't watch soccer. For some reason I really like watching World Cup soccer. I'll watch Gambia take on Croatia. But in lieu of having anything interesting going on I'll have to settle for draft and free agency for the Bucs.as I get older I'm starting to follow draft prospects less and less since Bucs have been in a winning position since 2020. that said first round needs to be a position of high value. CB, DE, or OL
You can find off ball linebackers later rounds 2-3.
What's interesting to me about the 19th pick is that it's too high to trade out of the round but too low to trade into a top ten pick. Licht tries to move a few slots in that first round because he knows what he's going to get. He really doesn't want to move too far in that first round. But if you look at team needs for other teams a couple picks before and after the Bucs, they have some of the same needs such as edge. So I expect Licht to just sit and wait to take somebody who may seem to be a little bit of a reach but is going to fit the mold of what the Bucs are looking for such as the guy SR was talking about today.
It’s a good draft for DT’s…and maybe a chance for this group to pick another JTS clone.
No faith in this group reaching for the next edge of the future, as they have never done it.
We need production - this season - from a speed Edge. Finding a rookie Edge at #19 that can add 10 sacks… has been a fools errand.
I would actually prefer we pursue a trade/FA for a legit edge.
Sure, draft one of you want at #19…unless that trade requires a 1st rounder.
I’ve learned to be underwhelmed when Licht/Bowles select an Edge. As has been pointed out, many teams are in the same boat.
My concern is, with so many good DT’s in the first round…Bowles will have to be handcuffed & gagged on day one.
Of course hindsight is 20/20, but JTS was not a slam dunk prospect. Licht gambled that JTS had enough upside and could be coached up. Here is the prospect overview from Zurlein of NFL.com on JTS:
Impressive physical specimen with the traits and athletic profile to move up the draft board, but tape shows he might still need more course work before he's ready to make a difference in the pros. He uses his length and hands effectively at the point of attack, but needs to weaponize them as a pass rusher. Currently, he's too obvious as a rusher and doesn't have a myriad of go-to moves or counters when he's facing off against a talented opponent. The key for Tryon will be learning to grease the edge and create angles of entry both inside and outside. He has high upside but could spend the first year or two as a rotational defender while adding more polish.
Obviously they weren't able to coach him up and neither JTS or the coaches responsible for coaching him up are going to be here next year. Every prospect is going to have some kind of "but" attached to their profile. However the 19th pick is too high to be a "high upside but" type of player. In other words, the Bucs shouldn't be mostly projecting them based on athletic skills and personality like they sometimes do with Day 2 picks. They have to have some evidence of that players abilities.
I'm just trying to point out the difference between pick 19 and pick 32. I don't think the Bucs will get a JTS type of player at 19. If they draft an edge at 19 it's because they think he'll step right in and start early on in the first year if not right away, not a two year on the job training project. If that type of edge rusher isn't there they'll take another position.
Ezeirauku is intriguing, tested pretty well - not super explosive - but good production (although ACC).SR did a video about Donovan Ezeiruaku. I hadn't looked at him yet so I looked at game vs Mizzou because they have the 1st round OT Membou. Membou was consistantly putting him on the ground.
Still don’t know how many sacks we’d get from a rookie Edge… Licht’s statement about not considering high dollar trades, nor dropping a lot for an established/ready-to-go vet, has me lowering my expectations.
Only way a rookie edge works is if the Bucs can sign a cheap vet edge and a veteran pass rushing DT to create a rotation. You are not going to have a proper rotation with JTS, Gholston and Gaines having many meaningful snaps. Vea, Kancey and Diaby can do only so much which is why a stud edge or adding several players to create a proper rotation makes all the difference in the world.
I was assuming JTS was gone. But OTC projects his cap value to be $2.3 mil. If JTS can't find any suitors maybe it would make sense to bring him back as a depth player, a placeholder until a rookie draft learns the ropes and takes over. 1) He knows the system. 2) Perhaps he would benefit from a change of coaches. 3) Bowles, who certainly had a hand in drafting JTS, would have a last chance to show his pick wasn't a total bust. I don't think any team is going to shell out any serious money for JTS. So he'll probably have to find a one-yera prove it deal possibly with the Bucs.Only way a rookie edge works is if the Bucs can sign a cheap vet edge and a veteran pass rushing DT to create a rotation. You are not going to have a proper rotation with JTS, Gholston and Gaines having many meaningful snaps. Vea, Kancey and Diaby can do only so much which is why a stud edge or adding several players to create a proper rotation makes all the difference in the world.
Donovan Ezeiruaku, watched a lot of games of him at BC, his floor will be 8sacks a season once he gets going, very smart, very good with his moves, will understand bowles defense to make an impact as a rookie. He is definitely a guy i can see leading the team, very smart will be a leader in the lockerroom. His knock was his explosiveness but he tested well enough.
Has the inside swim counter and the under rip when he goes outside, understands angles and wont need a lot of coaching, personally think his film is way better than Chop Robinson. Some guys you know are gonna be studs like cooper kupp from the film I think Ez is gem
