If things were to fall like this I’d be very happy with how our team would look going into the 2024 season. I did mine through the sportskeeda simulator.
I traded out of the first round and picked up an extra 2nd round pick and 4th round pick. First, I wouldn’t have traded out if Jared Verse was still available. That’s my priority pick… if he falls anywhere close to us, I’d say go get him.
So even with trading down I was still able to grab OG Graham Barton with the 37th pick. He would immediately fill either our LG or C position. Next, with the 57th pick I grabbed Marshawn Kneeland. I did it out of need. Even with this draft and our FA pickup, our biggest weakness is still at OLB/Edge. But it’s hard to fill that spot with a late first round pick anyway. The rest of my picks fill needs throughout our roster and many could play huge factors immediately. RB Benson would take 40% of the RB snaps. I know we have a good young DL, but it’s hard to pass up on Braden Fiske. The guy is a complete beast. When we’re in our 3-4 we could have Kansey (DE), Vea (DT), and Fiske (DE). Hard to pass up as a late 3rd round pick. LB Eichenberg is an all-around ILB. He’s strong against the run and can cover. Very smart and a leader. And maybe my favorite pick of all is my last 4th round pick, WR Malik Washington out of Virginia. I feel he will be a steal. I liken him to Steve Smith, JR. He’s a playmaker. He’s what we don’t have in our WR room. Lastly, OC Tanor Bartolini is a Wisconsin lineman. Could come in and learn quickly. TE Jaheim Bell is too hard to pass up on in the 6th round. He’s a weapon at TE. FSU even used him for jet sweeps from the TE position. And then S Isaiah Johnson is someone I’ve had my eye on for a long time. He’s rangy and physical.
- Graham Barton – OG Duke 57. Marshawn Kneeland – Edge Western Michigan 69.Trey Benson – RB Florida State 89. Braden Fiske – DT Florida State 101. Tommy Eichenberg – ILB Ohio St 125. Malik Washington – WR Virginia 142. Tan or Bartolini – OC Wisconsin 184. Jaheim Bell – TE Florida State. 246. Isaiah Johnson – S Syracuse
Yeah.
Problem with Sportskeeda is that it’s insanely unrealistic.
Just ran 2 mock drafts.
One had Nabers as the #1 pick, with McCarthey at #2.
The other had Latu available in the 3rd round.
Barton won't last until 37. I do see a good possibility of a trade down, but Barton won't be there. I don't think that's a big concern for Licht. He's looking for lesser-known guys on the O-line with the raw materials physically and mentally to be molded into good players. Small school guys, guys who can play multiple positions if needed. There is one OL I think the Bucs will target who is not on any radar right now as far as being a Bucs target. Wasn't on the combine interview list that I saw. Didn't come in for a visit. Kiran Amegadjie from Yale fits that description.
got to admit with a name like Marshawn Kneeland....dude's got to be a stud. Admittingly i had him in my mock draft too
haven't been that hyped for a draft pick since we went with DaQuan Bowers. the name didnt work out too well though!
Just a hunch but the write up of the WVU center makes him seem like a Licht guy. Maybe with a trade down?
@catherder - I like that Licht looks for those small school guys with position flexibility, but there are down sides to that. If im drafting an offensive lineman in the first round I’m looking less for position flexibility and more for a guy that can dominate at “his” position. Every team needs a few guys that can play multiple spots, but it doesn’t help if they’re just average at each spot.
@bodydenny - he wouldn’t be a bad get a little later.
I’m hoping Licht does what he did last year, taking best player available, over taking position of need. Obviously OLB is a need, but it’s looking like the OLBs that will be left for us at 26 aren’t going to be true first round talent.
We can’t go back to when we drafted Logan Hall, because we had to get a DE no matter what talent was available at our pick. That’s when a franchise starts losing in the draft.
That could happen with IOL too. If our guys are off our board, go BPA. That may be a corner then. But that’s how you ensure that you as a franchise are building with true first round talent… by not reaching.
I’m hoping Licht does what he did last year, taking best player available, over taking position of need. Obviously OLB is a need, but it’s looking like the OLBs that will be left for us at 26 aren’t going to be true first round talent.
We can’t go back to when we drafted Logan Hall, because we had to get a DE no matter what talent was available at our pick. That’s when a franchise starts losing in the draft.
That could happen with IOL too. If our guys are off our board, go BPA. That may be a corner then. But that’s how you ensure that you as a franchise are building with true first round talent… by not reaching.
I think the problem is one of our biggest weaknesses last year and why we ultimately loss in the playoffs was we couldn’t pressure the QB
we didn’t address edge in free agency so almost a must to use a high pick on one in the draft
I’m with you in terms of not reaching but drafting based off need isn’t always a bad thing. Look at the 2020 draft where we had holes at right tackle and safety. Man did that work out or what?
then look at the 2021 draft where we had no holes and was one of the worst drafts in licht tenure as GM
@badabingbucs - I’m with you on the fact OLB is our biggest weakness. The problem is with where we are picking it’s a great chance that any OLB is not going to be very productive for us this year. I’ve been saying since the start of free agency we had to fill this position. The draft isn’t going to be the solution unless Verse drops, but that’s not going to happen.
I'm not sure why people think we were going to be hyper-active in FA other re-signing some of our key players.
We simply didn't have the money to sign a premier EDGE.
Not sure why that's so difficult for some to comprehend.
Agreed, those teams that participate heavily in free agency are either one player away from elite status, or they’re so bad they HAVE to rely on FA’s.
Having a low draft pick, and NOT relying heavily on free agents, means you are a healthy team whose organization has stocked the team with good talent - and has a staff of coaches that can develop that talent.
The legacy of the GOAT is still at work.
We not only couldn’t afford it, the organization thinks we didn’t need it.
I don't think "hyperactive" is the word. Onne big time free agent like Patrick Queen or somebody of that stature would have been what I was looking for and of course it didn't happen. The only one was Whitehead. The let Devin White walk and traded Carleton Davis. Not complaining at all, but if you let some key players go there's no reason you can't go out and steal one or two from somebody else. If Licht can come in with the 26th spot and have another great draft then everything will work out for the best. So lets hope he can do it again.I'm not sure why people think we were going to be hyper-active in FA other re-signing some of our key players.
We simply didn't have the money to sign a premier EDGE.
Not sure why that's so difficult for some to comprehend.
@catherder - exactly. It’s not “build totally thru draft” or “totally thru free agency.” It’s filling your team’s needs the best. And having the 26th pick in the draft and one of the weakest edge positional room, means you’re probably going to need to pick up a free agent that can step in. If not you will be left with a unit that is unable to apply consistent pass rush when sending 4. We had the lowest qb hurries when rushing 4 in the whole league.
And don’t give me the “we didn’t have the money.” There were good young players that we could have had for $8m-12m that would have been the best player in the OLB room the day they walked in. Argue all you want, but it truly could be the downfall of Bowles.
I don't think "hyperactive" is the word. Onne big time free agent like Patrick Queen or somebody of that stature would have been what I was looking for and of course it didn't happen. The only one was Whitehead. The let Devin White walk and traded Carleton Davis. Not complaining at all, but if you let some key players go there's no reason you can't go out and steal one or two from somebody else. If Licht can come in with the 26th spot and have another great draft then everything will work out for the best. So lets hope he can do it again.I'm not sure why people think we were going to be hyper-active in FA other re-signing some of our key players.
We simply didn't have the money to sign a premier EDGE.
Not sure why that's so difficult for some to comprehend.
The Bucs punted on a big free agent signing because they are still trying to evaluate their roster. Meaning trying to see which players raise their games or sink from the recent draft classes.
Plus, a lot of money is going to go to Winfield and Wirfs so that takes higher priority.
