Trading back is about how many players you similarly rated, but also you have to look at the teams' needs who are getting in front of you. If Licht wants to move back just a few spots he can project what teams are going to do in this draft.
Pick 20 Denver Broncos Biggest needs: TE, WR, LB, S, DT
I still expect Sean Payton to add more weapons for his blossoming young quarterback, Bo Nix. Don't be surprised if Denver's head man uses the team's first two picks in April's draft on a tight end and a receiver.
Pick 21Pittsburgh Steelers Biggest needs: QB, CB, RB, WR, OT
Regardless of which impending free-agent QB returns, another young passer should be on the team's radar early in the draft to ensure there is sufficient depth and competition at the position in 2025 and beyond.
It's safe for the Bucs to drop two spots and still get the player they're targeting.
Pick 22 Los Angeles Chargers Biggest needs: Edge, DT, C, S, TE
According to ESPN's Matt Miller, the Chargers are rumored to be all in on improving at edge rusher in the early rounds of the 2025 NFL draft. Los Angeles re-signed Khalil Mack, but it was only to a one-year deal.
If the Bucs truly are laser focused on Ezieruaku then they can't trade down with or past the Chargers, but if they have a small basket of two or three guys ranked similarly, they can safely trade here and get one of the guys on their radar.
Pick 23 Green Bay Packers Biggest needs: CB, Edge, DT, C, WR
With former first-rounder Eric Stokes set to hit free agency, and two-time Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander struggling with his availability, look for the Packers to target a cornerback in the draft.
Pick 24 Minnesota Biggest needs: CB, DT, RB, OG, S
Minnesota's cornerback room is full of impending free agents: Pro Bowler Byron Murphy, Stephon Gilmore, Shaquill Griffin and Fabian Moreau. Mekhi Blackmon should contribute if healthy next season, but the Vikings will need to invest in at least one young CB
If the Bucs are looking to draft a CB in the first round, they may not want to risk trading down to 23 and 24.
25 Houston Texans Biggest needs: WR, OG, DT, CB, OT
Tank Dell's knee injury, along with the impending free agency for Stefon Diggs and Robert Woods, puts receiver at the top of the priority list for the Texans in 2025. The addition of another major receiving threat to pair with Nico Collins is a necessity for this team to take the next step.
If Licht has a basket of players when the Bucs are at 19 then I doubt it's a large basket. So lets just say Licht has 3 players ranked together and he'll take any one of the three. In that case he can only safely slide down maybe six spots, because it's mainly the Chargers and Packers who have similar needs.
But if you start moving down six or more then other teams can also move into the picture and change the landscape. Once you move down to pick 26 or more then you really can't predict what players are going to be there, and I think Licht will want to be confident about who will be there when he trades down. He's not going to wander out into the untamed wilderness and have no idea where the campground is.
“Jahdae Barron is better than will Johnson,” Ash began. “He’s more versatile, he’s a bigger hitter, he’s a more prolific ballhawk. And he doesn’t have the same kind of injury concerns.
“After Travis Hunter, Barron should be the first corner taken.
I like him, but he really seems best suited as slot corner - and we just drafted, and were pretty happy with, Tykee… I guess you could drift Tykee Smith as a strong safety, you could make that pick.“Jahdae Barron is better than will Johnson,” Ash began. “He’s more versatile, he’s a bigger hitter, he’s a more prolific ballhawk. And he doesn’t have the same kind of injury concerns.
“After Travis Hunter, Barron should be the first corner taken.
Just don’t know if he’s a good fit for this scheme?
The Bucs need to draft a legit boundary CB and stop playing around with nickel and dime CBs. Last off season the team brought in only one boundary CB in Hall and when Hall went down the team dragged their feet finding another boundary CB. And they also cut their lone boundary CB that looked competent (Keenan Isaac) knowing that Dean has an injury history.
Hopefully the team doesn't make that mistake again so Hall and Vidal are insurance and stick on the roster. But you need to draft a boundary CB to team with McCollum and Dean. If Funderburk becomes your 6th compared to your 3rd/4th option that is massive progress. Hayes can kick back to safety to backup Izien or Merriweather.