Abdul Carter – Penn State
- I’m not wasting my time. An elite talent who won't be available by the time the Bucs make their selection. He’s a complete player with exceptional skills.
Mike Green – Marshall
- Strengths: Explosive off the snap with remarkable agility. Has sudden movements. Displays relentless aggression and is stronger than his size suggests. Surprisingly excels at spilling plays against pulling linemen despite his lighter frame.
- Weaknesses: Potential locker room issues may raise concerns about his fit within a team environment.
Donovan Ezeiruaku – Boston College
- Strengths: Big time competitor. Versatile in his approach to attacking quarterbacks, combining strength with a solid array of pass rush techniques. He's also effective against the run. May end up having the best career of these edge players (aside from A. Carter).
- Weaknesses: Although I feel it would be a huge mistake, Bowles might view him as a less-than-ideal fit for his defensive scheme, as he profiles more as a defensive end than an outside linebacker.
Mikel Williams – Georgia
- Strengths: Highly versatile, capable of playing various positions along the defensive line, from 9-technique to edge rusher. Excellent at timing his jumps to bat down passes. *May be a Bowles favorite due to versatility.
- Weaknesses: Doesn't fit the mold of a traditional edge rusher.
James Pearce – Tennessee
- Strengths: A disciplined player who maintains his position and sets the edge well. He possesses elite quickness off the edge.
- Weaknesses: Plays lighter than his weight, which raises concerns about his physicality. This is a significant drawback, as it reminds me of JTS, who lacked physical presence.
Summary: Despite my initial hesitation about Mike Green, passing on him at pick 19 would be a mistake if he’s still available. He is a DOG. His tenacity and attitude could be exactly what the Bucs need on defense. While we have plenty of nice guys, Green has the potential to bring a JPP-like mentality to the locker room again.
If Green is off the board, I would pivot to Donovan Ezeiruaku. He has the potential to have the most consistent career among the 2025 edge class, aside from Abdul Carter. Mykel Williams is intriguing due to his versatility, but I prefer a player who can be great at one position rather than someone who is just adequate in multiple positions. As for James Pearce, I would choose to pass.
Good write ups. I'm slowing coming around on Green and Eze, as I like both guy's motors.
What do you think of Scourton?
Regarding Green, Licht will not draft a player with character issues in the first round. So unless these concerns are totally overblown in the press I don't see that happening.
Regarding Ezieruaku, he's the golden child of PR and the fans, but where will he fit in? If the Bucs defensive end spot is taken up by Logan Hall they aren't going to want to downsize that spot by 40 pounds if they don't resign Hall. They already have an undersized DT in Kancey. And fans want to think that Braswell is not the future, but evidently the Bucs still have him penciled in as the future at Edge with Diaby. The guy to replace is 283 pound Hall. I'm willing to listen if one of the board experts wants to address this.
Regarding Green, Licht will not draft a player with character issues in the first round.
https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-draft-jameis-winston-1st-overall-15212312
Regarding Green, Licht will not draft a player with character issues in the first round.
https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-draft-jameis-winston-1st-overall-15212312
Same guy who ended up getting suspended for…..?
I’ll be more than happy to bet you that Green isn’t on their board.
Regarding Green, Licht will not draft a player with character issues in the first round.
https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-draft-jameis-winston-1st-overall-15212312
what a laughable comparison
@biggs3535 - thanks!
I do like Nic Scourton. He’s not overly athletic. More of a DE. Good against the run. Has a really nice spin move, which he loves using. I’d consider taking him early in the 2nd.
@catherder - I hope the concerns surrounding Green are exaggerated. Players like Sapp, Suh, and JPP all had their share of doubts, but what mattered most to them was winning. Is Green a bit of a bull in a china shop? Perhaps. However, the key question is whether he can fit into our winning culture.
Regarding Ezeiruaku, there's really no comparison to Logan Hall. Hall is a traditional defensive lineman, while Ezeiruaku has more versatility, similar to YaYa, but with the added benefit of effective pass rush moves. He can play as an edge rusher and also handle 4i/5i techniques. In base and nickel defenses, he would take on the edge role for us, and he has the potential to become an outstanding player for years to come. Hall, on the other hand, felt like a forced pick. It was a need. He tends to play too upright and has consistently struggled to disengage from blocks. Ezeiruaku is simply more talented.
Regarding Green, Licht will not draft a player with character issues in the first round. So unless these concerns are totally overblown in the press I don't see that happening.
Regarding Ezieruaku, he's the golden child of PR and the fans, but where will he fit in? If the Bucs defensive end spot is taken up by Logan Hall they aren't going to want to downsize that spot by 40 pounds if they don't resign Hall. They already have an undersized DT in Kancey. And fans want to think that Braswell is not the future, but evidently the Bucs still have him penciled in as the future at Edge with Diaby. The guy to replace is 283 pound Hall. I'm willing to listen if one of the board experts wants to address this.
I do not think the Bucs burn a first round pick on Hall's replacement this year.
Licht really has two approaches which is to draft eventual replacements a year early in rounds 3 and 4 and give them time to develop for starting roles n 2026. If Licht really feels strongly about playing time for a first round pick it will come down if they like Bredson at LG more than they like Denis at ILB or Dean at CB. Obviously as well they could move T. Smith to safety but would Licht draft a NCB in round 1 that may be able to kick out to boundary CB after this season? Or, do they allow T. Smith to NCB and straight up draft a safety in round 1?
It can't be all about sacks. You only have three guys in the middle on early downs, Vea, Kancey and Hall. Vea weighs 347 give or take. Kancey weights 280 and Hall weighs 283. If Logan Hall isn't returning, you can't put a guy who weights 250 in there to replace them can you? Guys like Scourton, Sawyer and Mykel Williams weigh in the 260 range and probably can add pounds with some NFL help, but guys like Ezieruaku and Green who are in the 240s I think they're not going to be gaining 40 pounds and be moving in to replace Hall on running downs.
Regarding Ezeiruaku, there's really no comparison to Logan Hall. Hall is a traditional defensive lineman, while Ezeiruaku has more versatility, similar to YaYa, but with the added benefit of effective pass rush moves. He can play as an edge rusher and also handle 4i/5i techniques. In base and nickel defenses, he would take on the edge role for us, and he has the potential to become an outstanding player for years to come. Hall, on the other hand, felt like a forced pick. It was a need. He tends to play too upright and has consistently struggled to disengage from blocks. Ezeiruaku is simply more talented.
The real question IMO is who are the Bucs trying to move on from in 2026, Braswell or Hall? Am I wrong about this?
The real question IMO is who are the Bucs trying to move on from in 2026, Braswell or Hall?
We need a long term solution at DE.
Meh. It can wait til the 2nd round.
@donkey_hunter - Logan Hall plays about 40% of the snaps. We are in a 4 man front the majority of the time. Edge is the key and will make this defense better.
@catherder - You’re right, it’s not all about sacks. But we currently stop the run really well. And don’t rush the passer well when not blitzing. All defenses are better with difference makers at edge. I said last year we should go get Verse because he was the best edge in the draft. He was excellent and will only get better. If Green or Ezeiruaku are him this year, you can’t pass that up.
The real question IMO is who are the Bucs trying to move on from in 2026, Braswell or Hall?
We need a long term solution at DE.
Meh. It can wait til the 2nd round.
Or in the draft next year. Or be replace through FA next year. Or re-sign Logan Hall at some point.
I have no idea why this guy is so worried about replacing Logan Hall next offseason.
