FAB 1
Jason Licht currently has nine (9) players who have been to at least one Pro Bowl in Tristan Wirfs, Ryan Jensen, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Vita Vea, Shaq Barrett, Devin White, Lavonte David, and Antoine Winfield Jr. Six (6) of which he has drafted. From the Fab 5 the below drafts were discussed. Which do you think was Licht’s best?
2020, Licht’s draft landed Wirfs, a two-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro, and Antoine Winfield Jr, a Pro Bowl safety, is arguably his best draft. However, only three players remain from the 2020 draft with the other being running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn.
2018, Licht came away with four incredibly good starters. Pro Bowl nose tackle Vita Vea, cornerback Carlton Davis III, offensive guard Alex Cappa was a solid starter, and safety Jordan Whitehead, who became a big starter for the Bucs in his final two seasons. Although running back Ronald Jones II and cornerback M.J. Stewart were lackluster (outside of Jones’ SuperBowl year!). This draft more than any probably contributed to our winning of the 2020 Super Bowl.
2021 draft, Just four players remain. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Kyle Trask, Robert Hainsey and linebacker K.J. Britt. Hainsey has been the best of the bunch so far.
2022 draft, Seven of the team’s eight picks made the final roster and saw significant action as a part-time starter or reserve. Rachaad White and Cade Otton have shown the most promise so far, in addition to punter and kickoff specialist Jake Camarda. Ko Kieft was solid offensively and on special teams. Top pick Logan Hall took his lumps and needs to add about 15-20 pounds this offseason and get up 300 pounds to hold up against double teams. Luke Goedeke struggled mightily and was benched for Nick Leverett. He played his best game at right tackle, which is where he played at in college. Finally, Zyon McCollum was gun-shy and tentative on defense, especially as a tackler, but shined as a gunner on special teams. However, as one of the most athletic cornerbacks ever at the Combine, he has a chance to be so much more. He needs to be more aggressive at breaking on the ball and as a tackler this year to make the necessary strides in that direction.
FAB 2
The Bucs really need for some of their previous draft picks to step up and live up to their potential and draft billing.
- Ke’Shawn Vaughn will get the chance to compete with newly signed veteran Chase Edmonds for the right to back up White, who will get the first crack at the starting running back duties. He’s entering a contract year and needs to become an angry runner.
- Joe Tryon-Shoyinka - he might be more of an athlete than a football player. He needs to step up in a big way and approach double-digit sacks in 2022. New outside linebackers coach George Edwards can be a difference-maker potentially. Tampa Bay can’t afford to miss on Tryon-Shoyinka and Hall in the trenches in back-to-back years.
CONCLUSION
The Bucs may need to find as many as five rookie starters this year.
Tampa Bay has nine draft picks to work with and will have to address the offensive and defensive lines first and foremost.
This is not a great year for defensive tackles in free agency or the draft, so Licht will have to choose wisely and restock the position.
The Bucs could also use another starting-caliber tight end, a starting nickel cornerback, another talented edge rusher and another starting safety, as Mike Edwards, Logan Ryan and Keanu Neal are all free agents right now.
This is Wirf’s 4th season at just 24 years old and that means we can exercise his 5th year option for next year. If he’s paid within the top RT’s or LT’s we’re looking at least $20M increase a season.
This is also Winfields 4th season and the last on his deal with no option available. Just 25 years old. If he’s paid within the top Safties we’re looking at least $15M increase a season.
Devin White is the name we’ve been dreading. Playing on his 5th year option Todd Bowles is going to have to figure this out with Jason Licht. The biggest contract just signed by Raquan Smith of the Ravens is Total Value $100M and AVG./Year of $20M. The next top 3 are between $85M and $98M making $17-19.5M a year. So that’ll be at least another $8-9M increase if we resign White.
Mike Evans will also be a free agent after this season and his cap charge of $23,698,500 is 5th most of all active NFL WR’s this season.
Licht needs to kill this draft, because his last 2 have been dogshit.
Brady saved his ass... and the best players he drafted, most of them fell into his lap.
Who do y'all credit for the Winfield, Carlton Davis & Dean picks? To me its Bowles. Before Bowles Licht picked guys like Hargreaves 11th overall Justin Evans 50th overall. He hit on Whitehead & somewhat on Ryan Smith (great on special teams). Once Bowles got here we started hitting big on DB's imo, I don't credit Licht for Winfield, CD3, or Dean. Don't remember if Edwards was picked before or after Bowles got here...but that was a pretty good pick.
Who do y'all credit for the Winfield, Carlton Davis & Dean picks? To me its Bowles. Before Bowles Licht picked guys like Hargreaves 11th overall Justin Evans 50th overall. He hit on Whitehead & somewhat on Ryan Smith (great on special teams). Once Bowles got here we started hitting big on DB's imo, I don't credit Licht for Winfield, CD3, or Dean. Don't remember if Edwards was picked before or after Bowles got here...but that was a pretty good pick.
Part of being a GM is knowing who's input too listen to. That's part of being a good GM. We have no idea who put in their opinion, but presumably Bowles like the defensive picks. But it's Licht who will make the final choice. I'm pretty sure about one thing, Jasher. If a defensive player busts out, you won't be coming on here and giving Licht a pass because it was a Bowles pick. Licht will get the blame. You can't have it both ways.
@catherder Agree with your first point. But that's total horseshit that I won't give Licht credit if a defensive player busts out. Because that's exactly what I did when it came to D. White. I did not like him coming out of LSU. I like others wanted Josh Allen who went to the Jags. Couple years later White turns into a monster for us in a lot of games and was flat out elite in the playoffs the SB year. On this very forum I admitted that I was wrong & that it was the right pick over Allen for this team...while a few others on here who also wanted Allen stuck to their guns and didn't give Licht his due.
At this point I'd def take Allen over White.
I think you have to give Licht credit for Dean and Davis... those 2 picks were steals.
Winfield was one of those picks that just fell into his lap... like Wirfs (although give him credit for moving up 1 spot) and Evans etc.
White was beyond critical in our SB run (playoffs). I don't think Allen makes nowhere near that kind of impact No way in hell, White played out of his mind.
Sure, White has regressed over & over and is a drama queen. But doesn't take away what he did for us to secure Lombardi #2. Right pick IMO. Still like Allen tho.
GENERAL MANAGERSSince their inception in 1976, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had an interesting run in the NFL from their initial season. There have been five official GMs since the inception of the franchise. John McKay, Ray Perkins and Sam Wyche all served as a combined Director of Football Operations and Head Coach so were never officially given that title. Phil Kreuger only officially took the title in 1991.PHIL KREUGERKreuger was an original member of the Tampa Bay coaching staff and had different roles from 1976-80. Moved to the front office in support roles and became the first official GM in team history in 1991. He passed away in January 2020 at the age of 90.
RICH McKAYMcKay was the son of the first head coach and was a ball boy on the 1976 staff. He re-joined the Bucs in 1992 as VP of Football Administration and was promoted to GM in 1995. He left the Bucs in 2003 and went on to work with the Atlanta Falcons.
BRUCE ALLENAllen was the son of Hall of Fame Coach George Allen and was a 12th round pick of the Colts in 1978 as a punter. He spent nine years with the Oakland Raiders before joining the Bucs in 2004. He left after 2008 and went on to work with Washington.
MARK DOMINIKDominik began with the Bucs in 1995 as a Pro Personnel Assistant and worked his way through the scouting ranks before becoming GM in 2009. He spent five years in the role and went on to media roles with both ESPN and Sirius XM Radio.JASON LICHTLicht became the fifth GM in Bucs history in 2014 having had been in NFL front offices for 20 years beginning with the Dolphins in a scouting role. He went on to work in the front office for the Patriots, Eagles and Cardinals before arriving in Tampa.Im struggling with Scott Reynolds take on Jason Licht already being the best GM in Bucs history.I might be alone in this thought, but what about Rich McKay? He helped turn the Buc’s around from being the Yuccaneers. Is there a reason I’m missing Licht being put on this pedestal already?
McKay was not a great drafter. He only drafted 2 good offensive players, ever -- Dunn and Alstott. People hold him in high regard because before him, we had buffoonery running the front office. He hired Dungy, so he gets credit for turning around the franchise... but Licht is a far more accomplished GM and a better talent evaluator. It's really not even close. McKay was overrated and got pushed upstairs in Atlanta because they wanted a real football guy as GM.
Licht's tenure includes bringing in Arians and Brady and having built a team that Brady felt could win a Super Bowl and did, so he's probably in good shape inside OBP
His draft picks are a mixed bag but GMs are often picking (and signing and extending) based on the circumstances and the desires of the coach
At this point I'd def take Allen over White.
Licht has had the opportunity to redeem himself and shop White.
Alas, it looks as if he's going to be extended.
Just doubling down on the stupid.
Where are you reading that we will extend him?
I haven't seen anything...
Where are you reading that we will extend him?
I haven't seen anything...
Lots of chatter regarding an extension freeing up cap space.
Plus recent Bowles comments about Devin being the 2nd best player on defense (LOL).
