So much of what we will do depends on what is available to us at #26. I say “available” because I hope we do not trade up unless Jared Verse drops close enough that we can make it happen. But I don’t see him falling that far. Obviously, there are numerous receivers that we could take in the first round that would fill our 3rd receiver roll, but I’m not so concerned with that position that I feel we need to use a first rounder. Especially since there will be good available receivers over the following rounds.
The depth at the Edge position does not appear to be deep in this year’s draft. Turner, Verse, and Latu are top tier. Those are the only Edges I feel are first round worthy. Followed by Chop and D. Robinson. Even though I feel Edge is our weakest position, I know we can’t chase this position. If one of the 3 are available to us with the #26 pick, I’d take ‘em. They each have the potential to make a difference during their rookie seasons. If one of those 3 is not available to us I would then look at corner or maybe into trading down.
I say this because corner is also a position that there may be a player at 26 that could give us immediate help. Kool-aid or Cooper DeJean could give us immediate help at outside corner. If good enough, they could even push Zion back into the nickel spot.
Why do I not say to initially go with an interior offensive lineman or receiver? Because, in contrary to Edge and Corner, I feel we can get an IOL or WR in the 2nd or 3rd rounds that can help this year. I don’t see that in the Edge or Corner positions as much. Aside from maybe a Khyree Jackson out of Oregon.
We could possibly get 2nd/3rd round receivers (i.e. - Ja’Lynn Polk,Xavier Legette) and/or IOL (i.e. - Zach Frazier, Cooper Beebe, Zak Zinter) that could help immediately. Unlike if we pass on an Edge in the first, we aren’t realistically going to see help from a draftee this coming season.
Lastly, if no worthy Edge is available I’m also growing into the idea of drafting Illinois DT Newton. He would be a great addition to our DL. If not, still okay with trading down and picking up a pick. Maybe then grabbing someone like Braden Fiske.
Additional later round (3rd thru 5th) picks that could make a difference during their rookies year:
Receivers – Malichi Corley, Malik Washington
Center – Tanor Bortolini
LB – Edgerrin Cooper, Tommy Eichenberg
Corner – Mike Sainristil
To be honest the Bucs could wait till the 4th round to pick up a WR or interior OL that could compete for playing time year 1. Edge is not so simple and while Diaby was a revelation as a third round pick I would be impressed if the Licht can pick up another edge that could push for playing time or start opposite of Diaby at some point from the third round again.
On the WR front we saw Palmer emerge as a sixth round pick so the WRs that will be available in the 4th round will be more polished and ideal fits for Coen's 11 personnel groupings he is found of. But if the Bucs are looking to train a WR to take over Godwn's role in 2025 then they probably are more tempted to use a 2nd or 3rd round pick on a WR. Either way having Evans, Godwin, Palmer, 2024 drafted WR, Jarrett and Thompkins is probably the deepest position group on the roster.
JPJ and Barton seem to be the only two OL that can step in year 1 and actually be better than "average". Fautanu can be thrown into that mix as well but Coen's scheme relies on OL movement so maybe Hainsey has a second shot to win a job again at LG or center.
And maybe the scheme changes helps the running game and OL far more than adding more bodies to the spot. But more likely the Bucs add an interior OL and RB to really shore up a really bad running game.
Of the RBs available a lot of the RBs PR is featuring are bruisers but honestly with how Coen's offense is designed having another RB that can split out wide like White is more likely. Bucs need to add another game breaker at RB in my opinion which is why I think the Bucs go with a RB that can blow open a gam with one cut given Coen's scheme.
Defensively I think we are under estimating how much the Bucs are targeting defensive line. Patrick O'Connor is no longer with the team which indicates to me that the team is looking to upgrade that spot but also have a player that can push Hall for playing time. Similar dynamic with what happened with the drafting of Diaby to push JTS. Gholston is just a situational player now and a good player to have for short yardage situations. But yeah Hall's time is running out because Kancey being drafed and possibly another DL means he has to really grow this year as a front line starter.
Outside CB could be a possible but given how much zone the team is playing now I do not see the value anymore. The value of drafting a CB in round 1 if the Bucs continue to play a lot of cover 2 shell over the top with shallow zones underneath tells me that they probably want to upgrade nickel far more. A nickel that can generate turnovers on short routes and contest the short game.
@alldaway - I like your post. And agree with most of it. Although I would say WV center, Frazier could step run in and start as well.
I like strengthening the nickel, but by strengthening at corner. I’m of the Belicheat mindset. A good outside corner is your best nickel.
and I totally agree about RB. We need a game breaker. And that’s what the rams have leaned on since McVay got there. Big bruising back isn’t the fit.
I've already mentally prepared myself that we're going Chop at #26 barring a trade. For some reason, I think Bowles and Licht are in love with his athleticism, regardless of his lack of production. Could be wrong, but it screams JTS 2.0 to me. The only way I see them passing on him is if Thomas Jr. is there (who'd I prefer).
In the 2nd, I would expect to see a WR or EDGE (depending on R1).
3rd round I'm thinking we see McCormick or Beebe and then possibly a CB.
After that, we'll see some depth picks.
My hot take is that we don't draft a center.
@donkey_hunter - you might be right. But I hope they learned from the JTS pick. We need production not potential in the first 2 rounds.
I think they might go with production with Newton or Fiske like they went with Kancey. They also drafted a lot of agile, fast downhill defenders last draft with Kancey, Diaby, Dennis and Ramirez.
McCollum could play nickel if the Bucs drafted a boundary CB but can McCollum generate INTs? Izien had 2 INTs last year, 2 PDs and 1 FF. McCollum had 0 INTs, 9 PDs and 2 FF. Izien had more opportunities around the LOS while McCollum was used to defend the back end and the boundary.
I think McCollum will either be the starting boundary CB or continue the joker role on the backend. But from my view a true NCB that generate sacks and INTs is really desired by Bowles.
We need production not potential in the first 2 rounds.
This statement should be posted in the Bucs' war room today.
I wouldn’t beat the drum for Chop, and he might bust like JTS. But I think there’s a big difference. Chop is fast, JTS is slow. I never watch penn st though, maybe he plays slow?
I think we can go a ton of different ways and improve. But please no early RBs WRs or QBs.
I wouldn’t beat the drum for Chop, and he might bust like JTS. But I think there’s a big difference. Chop is fast, JTS is slow. I never watch penn st though, maybe he plays slow?
I think we can go a ton of different ways and improve. But please no early RBs WRs or QBs.
I can accept a WR in round 2 to an extent. But RB in round 2 would be brutal given the Bucs could add to so many other positions like edge, interior OL, CB, WR, TE, etc.
My Day 1 thoughts - I think they'll trade down to pick 30 to 35 to get an extra 3rd. That would give them five early round picks. That's a lot of rookies, but the Bucs aren't afraid to overstock with rookies this year like they did last year. They're pointing toward 2025. They aren't bringing in high profile free agents. They're once again going to flood the team with youngsters.
At that point they'll surprise some and take a WR first. PR says Keon Coleman is the best bet, but why pick Mike Evans replacement, another tall jump ball type? They need the "get open anywhere on the field" type. just a great receiver like Cooper Kupp would be nice. That's why I put trade down for Ladd McConkey in my "Stealth Mock" post.
My Day 1 thoughts - I think they'll trade down to pick 30 to 35 to get an extra 3rd. That would give them five early round picks. That's a lot of rookies, but the Bucs aren't afraid to overstock with rookies this year like they did last year. They're pointing toward 2025. They aren't bringing in high profile free agents. They're once again going to flood the team with youngsters.
At that point they'll surprise some and take a WR first. PR says Keon Coleman is the best bet, but why pick Mike Evans replacement, another tall jump ball type? They need the "get open anywhere on the field" type. just a great receiver like Cooper Kupp would be nice. That's why I put trade down for Ladd McConkey in my "Stealth Mock" post.
I have a feeling the Bucs are not going to do the obvious on draft day. In an ideal world you sit tight and take Latu/Verse/JPJ/Barton or even a CB and call it a day. I would b thrilled if the Bucs landed Verse or Latu.
But the way they approached the off season it was very similar to last season and they will probably look to stock up on depth along the trenches and skill positions.
League draft thoughts...
Bears missed a once in a generation opportunity to trade this pick for a king's ransom. Since 2002 (used this because it's when Houston came into the league and we have the current format) the only time the 1st player has been the overwhelmingly best player was 2009 with Stafford. EVERY OTHER YEAR the best move was to trade the pick. I would have traded the pick to Washington and then traded the #2 pick to whoever wanted to come up for Maye or Daniels. Those two trade downs would have netted the Bears a better haul then the Hershel Walker trade. Ditka and Lovie set the blueprint with how to win in Chicago, with an elite defense and good running game. I don't want to hear about the future stadium whenever that is, the Bears trying to build their team around a QB and WRs in that city is not going to work. Since the merger they have never had a 10+ win season without a top 3 defense.
As for the Bucs, I think it's going to be JPJ. The value in this draft looks like OL in first and edge in second. I think Jonah Ellis will lead this draft class in career sacks. I'd like to see Michael Pratt in the third round.
I never watch penn st though, maybe he plays slow?
I read one piece that attributed his productivity issue to the system there? Have no idea, just sharing
agree completely on the bears. They had the opportunity to stack their roster for decades to come.League draft thoughts...
Bears missed a once in a generation opportunity to trade this pick for a king's ransom. Since 2002 (used this because it's when Houston came into the league and we have the current format) the only time the 1st player has been the overwhelmingly best player was 2009 with Stafford. EVERY OTHER YEAR the best move was to trade the pick. I would have traded the pick to Washington and then traded the #2 pick to whoever wanted to come up for Maye or Daniels. Those two trade downs would have netted the Bears a better haul then the Hershel Walker trade. Ditka and Lovie set the blueprint with how to win in Chicago, with an elite defense and good running game. I don't want to hear about the future stadium whenever that is, the Bears trying to build their team around a QB and WRs in that city is not going to work. Since the merger they have never had a 10+ win season without a top 3 defense.
As for the Bucs, I think it's going to be JPJ. The value in this draft looks like OL in first and edge in second. I think Jonah Ellis will lead this draft class in career sacks. I'd like to see Michael Pratt in the third round.
please no QB in the 3rd. Wolford and trask are fine as backups imo. Pick up Leary as an udfa for PS just for severe emergency
