Licht has had 10 drafts. Of course he's going to draft players at areas of need, and he's going to take players who are at the top of his draft board. blah blah. But we can use clues from his history to guess where he's going to draft different positions.
QB: Licht has only drafted two QBs in ten years, the #1 pick and end of 2nd. In ten years he's never taken a flyer and drafted a QB 3rd round or later but Trask was almost a 3rd rounder. We have a new OC and they may want to draft a QB on Day 2 such as Nix, Rattler or Pratt and that's what they do. Coen can work with him to potentially replace Mayfield after two years. Of Licht's 38 Day 3 picks none were a QB, so if he picks one on Day 3 it will be his first.
RB: Licht has drafted four RBs not counting late round specialists, a 2nd, two 3rds, one in the 5th. Other than White, they haven't been impressive picks. I think Licht will want to get a faster back, but he can't resist waiting too long for a running back like he did with McNichols and Calais takes one with the 6th round comp pick.
WR: Licht has drafted eight WRs on Day 3. Godwin (3rd) and Evans (1st) are the only WRs he's ever drafted in the early rounds. They haven't had to draft another one because - Godwin and Evans. But it may finally be time to use a Day 2 pick on a WR once again.
TE: Licht used high picks on Sefarian Jenkins and Howard many years ago, and then no TEs at all until three Day 3 picks in the last two years. What to make of that? IMO they won't draft a TE this year.
OL: Licht hasn't used a Day 3 pick on an O-line since 2016. He's drafted six on Day 2 and one Day 1, Wirfs. So history would suggest he'll wait until Day 2 to build his O-line help, but when he did use a 1st round pick that worked out pretty well. But I think they'll wait until Round 2 to add to the O-line. They'll give Hainsey another year to show improvement at C.
D-line: Licht continues to waste late round picks on D-line. Correct me if I'm wrong but of his six Rd 6 and 7 picks none made the team, Jose Ramirez the most recent. Better luck with the three 1sts, Vea, Tryon-Shoyinka and Kancey. A 2nd, 3rd and 4th had mixed results. Will Licht throw away another late pick on D-line? The Edge spot will be a priority with the #1 pick. That's not a news flash. We have a defensive head coach.
LB: Day 1 pick White was lets say mixed but no 2nd contract. Day 2 pick Beckwith a bust. Seven Day 3 picks have been largely a success from Alexander to Cichy to Stuard, Britt and Dennis. Most have overachieved their draft position. I think they'll go to the well once again with a 4th round pick at LB.
DBs: Have mainly been focused on Rounds 2-4. The lone 1st rounder, Hargreaves was an unmitigated bust. But the five Day 3 picks have fared pretty well with McCollum, Whitehead and Ryan Smith all contributing or starting. Licht has done pretty well with his seven Day 2 DB picks from Winfield to Dean and Davis, but none since Winfield in 2020. I think they once again pick up a DB probably Day 2 or Round 4.
So my Bucs Position Mock draft: Trade: Bucs trade down two spots with Buffalo to get an extra 4th Round pick.
1st) Edge 2nd) G/C 3rd) WR 3rd) QB 4th) DB 4th) LB 6th) RB 7th) DL
Of course he's going to draft players at areas of need, and he's going to take players who are at the top of his draft board. blah blah
NFL GMs only draft BPA!!
Kidding
Licht might draft RB a round higher to make up for what has happened in the past.
But other than that I think that looks right.
Well, in the first round he's going to take BPA from the areas of need, because the first-round pick will normally be expected to start right away. There has to be a spot for him. So lets say it's coming down to the Bucs pick and they have a guard and an edge on the board. Well if the guard is clearly rated higher than the edge, they'd take that player, but if the guard and edge are rated pretty equally who's going to get the nod? Well Bowles is a defensive coach and I think the "edge" goes to the edge, especially with Licht's penchant for drafting starting O-line in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. The offense gets all the attention, but this team relies heavily on the defense since the exit of Brady.Of course he's going to draft players at areas of need, and he's going to take players who are at the top of his draft board. blah blah
NFL GMs only draft BPA!!
Kidding
Well, in the first round he's going to take BPA from the areas of need, because the first-round pick will normally be expected to start right away. There has to be a spot for him. So lets say it's coming down to the Bucs pick and they have a guard and an edge on the board. Well if the guard is clearly rated higher than the edge, they'd take that player, but if the guard and edge are rated pretty equally who's going to get the nod? Well Bowles is a defensive coach and I think the "edge" goes to the edge, especially with Licht's penchant for drafting starting O-line in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. The offense gets all the attention, but this team relies heavily on the defense since the exit of Brady.Of course he's going to draft players at areas of need, and he's going to take players who are at the top of his draft board. blah blah
NFL GMs only draft BPA!!
Kidding
I was joking about something posted here once.
Every NFL team marries BPA and need. It is the very nature of drafting FOR VALUE and reflected on most NFL draft boards. Thank Jeruh for showing off the Cowboys board TWICE, but Licht has talked about it openly:
""A lot of things go through your mind," said Licht. "That's why you have to stack the board correctly in your mind, in our minds, Bruce and I at the end, how we like these players. You take need into effect when you stack the board, but you don't want to stack a player at a position of need too far above a player who is maybe a little bit better at his position."
The most well-known and outspoken BPA advocate, Bill Polian, also drafted for need. Its an aspiration, but not a reality for most teams because, as one example, the Head Coach is trying to win NOW . . not set the team and the next HC on to a winning record lol
So, I was just kidding because it sort of message board default to say "BPA!"
LB: Day 1 pick White was lets say mixed
No it wasn’t.
It was a horrible pick. Always was.
This would make for a fascinating side discussion about Bucs drafting and Licht. One thing for certain, MANY people got White wrong and all seemingly for the same reason . . . the stats and even the film don't tell you much about the PERSON.
There is a report today that attributed to Licht that very thought about drafting:
"According to Licht, the vast majority of players who don’t live up to their draft status fail from the neck up. It’s their attitude and drive that don’t meet the NFL standard — not lack of talent.
and that is hilarious (or sad, based on your perspective) because this was ARIANS when they drafted him:
"He’s come in; he’s so mature. You know, and he’s in great condition. He’s extremely bright. He loves it. You know, you get these guys once in a lifetime. They all got physical skills, but they don’t love it. I mean, they wouldn’t do it for free. This cat would do it for free as long as he can ride his horses."
as an aside, PFF had him ranked as the 12th best player before the draft NOTABLY saying this about him:
"No linebacker in college football had a higher grade in coverage than White's 91.6 last season. His freakish athleticism suggests it was no fluke."
uh . .
well . . .
about that . .. .
LOL about #45 expectations vs results!
Trask Force, enjoyed your IP, a fun read and probably will be mostly accurate in the end. This is a hugely important draft for the Bucs. There aren't that many holes to fill at this point. As the old guy in Indiana Jones said, "choose wisely"...of course this is not a matter of life and death, but rather the success of the Bucs NFL franchise.
White may have to do it for free pretty soon the way things are going, because if he doesn't show something this year nobody in the NFL will pay him. With the new NIL rules that allows for college players to be pros, maybe Devin can go back and play another year at LSU and get a NIL deal? I mean he'd make a little money, and he could play in college and rediscover his love for the game.
maybe Devin can go back and play another year at LSU and get a NIL deal?
He’s probs my made $30-$35 million already in his NFL career?
pretty sure he’s okay lol
maybe Devin can go back and play another year at LSU and get a NIL deal?
He’s probs my made $30-$35 million already in his NFL career?
pretty sure he’s okay lol
It's actually in the 40's.
Straight up robbery.
Has almost nothing to do with him though, everything to do with the system.
And Arians lol
And the Bucs got a Super Bowl (he was one piece of that puzzle)
"He’s come in; he’s so mature. You know, and he’s in great condition. He’s extremely bright. He loves it. You know, you get these guys once in a lifetime. They all got physical skills, but they don’t love it. I mean, they wouldn’t do it for free. This cat would do it for free as long as he can ride his horses."
So the Coach-Speak was bullshit? Who woulda thunk it?
The hilarious part is the people that bought into this Coach-Speak, and damn-near any other Coach-Speak is offered. Those same dingleberries will continue to swallow it.
"He’s come in; he’s so mature. You know, and he’s in great condition. He’s extremely bright. He loves it. You know, you get these guys once in a lifetime. They all got physical skills, but they don’t love it. I mean, they wouldn’t do it for free. This cat would do it for free as long as he can ride his horses."
So the Coach-Speak was bullshit? Who woulda thunk it?
The hilarious part is the people that bought into this Coach-Speak, and damn-near any other Coach-Speak is offered. Those same dingleberries will continue to swallow it.
Tell us more, Mr BPA? Lol
Biggs, you just move from wrong to “wronger”
""A lot of things go through your mind," said Licht. "That's why you have to stack the board correctly in your mind, in our minds, Bruce and I at the end, how we like these players. You take need into effect when you stack the board, but you don't want to stack a player at a position of need too far above a player who is maybe a little bit better at his position."
GM Speak, right Biggs?