Just wow. For example, one mock drafter on Walter Football had the Bucs picking a tackle in Round 1 because they need help on the O-line. OK. Ever heard of Tristan Wirfs? Then Charlie Campbell, their supposed expert, have them drafting a CB because they'll move on from Carlton Davis. You mean the Davis who has a $14 mil dead cap hit next year? The reasoning is typical of mock drafters. They don't really care to be thorough. And I get it. Why bother? It's just another of dozens of mock draft that are basically nothing more than clickbait. They'd rather head out to the local watering hole after spending 30 minutes writing their articles and hoping they grab a few readers who are none the wiser. Â
But I'm here to help. Mock Drafters, here's what the Bucs need to draft:
1) QB, 1st or 2nd Round. Mayfield can be a bridge QB for another year, but there are too many good QBs available to ignore that position.Â
2) ILB 2nd or 3rd Round. White won't be resigned, and they may squeeze another year out of David if they're lucky. But don't draft another high first round LB. There's a reason teams don't do that, but the Bucs did it anyway with White. That didn't work out and they won't do it again. But it will be a critical need that has to be addressed early on.Â
3) IOL. 3rd or 4th Round. They have a stopgap LG and C. Mauch is still a work in progress. They want to run the ball, and they can't. They need a big road grader in the middle of the O-line. Â
4) TE. 1st to 4th Round.  I only say 1st because of Bowers. If the Bucs want to wait until the 2nd Round for a QB, how can they pass him up? But assuming that doesn't come to pass, the Bucs still need a TE to complement Otton, and that could still come as early as Round 2 if they can 3-6get a big guy who can block and catch. We are still mourning the loss of Gronk! They tried to go bargain basement with Durham last year and that failed. They need to spend a higher pick on a legit starting TE who can block and catch. Â
5) S. 3rd to 7th Round. The Bucs FA experiment failed and they're starting a backup.
6) Edge. 3rd to 6th. They need to improve the pass rush, but I don't see them using a high pick on that. Some mock drafters want to squeeze in Jared Verse to the Bucs in Round 1 but I don't think so. The offense needs to most help. Â
6) RB. 4th to 7th Round. They need a player to complement White, Vaughn, Tucker and Edmonds are ineffective. White is turning out to be a better receiver than runner, but I still think they need to get faster. They should be able to find that type of player in the middle of the draft somewhere.
So there you go, mock drafters. Seven needs. Seven rounds. I made it easy for you to make your Bucs picks. Now you can make the picks and still get to happy hour on time. Â
Any suggestion on who that QB should be?
That's a good question, because as far as the 2nd tier goes (after Williams and Maye) a lot of the hype is going to the guys who are going for the Heismann or will be involved in the college playoffs. Nix, Penix, McCarthy and Daniels are getting a lot of the attention right now and perhaps rightfully so. I'm not downplaying the value in playing in pro style offenses and having big game experience.  But I'm just wondering after all the hoopla of the college season is over where things will stand when the NFL talent evaluators get to see them in the combine, pro days and what they see from the film they watch. Everybody agrees that Maye and Williams are the top two, but the othrs are all over the place from top five to the second round. ÂAny suggestion on who that QB should be?
As for the Bucs, I think they very well could take a guy like Penix or Nix in the first round, or they could wait and get Ewers or maybe Riley in the 2nd. Or trade up to the end of the round to get the 5th year on somebody. But again it will be interesting to follow the predraft process to see if the hype on some of these 2nd tier guys holds up or if somebody else rises up. Â
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Davis has a $20.5M cap hit next year. If they release him outright they save 6.5M. If they designate him as a post 6/1 release they save $14.5M. Not out of the realm of possibility to release him, especially since they have to sign or tag Winfield and re-sign Evans.Â
That's a good question, because as far as the 2nd tier goes (after Williams and Maye) a lot of the hype is going to the guys who are going for the Heismann or will be involved in the college playoffs. Nix, Penix, McCarthy and Daniels are getting a lot of the attention right now and perhaps rightfully so. I'm not downplaying the value in playing in pro style offenses and having big game experience.  But I'm just wondering after all the hoopla of the college season is over where things will stand when the NFL talent evaluators get to see them in the combine, pro days and what they see from the film they watch. Everybody agrees that Maye and Williams are the top two, but the othrs are all over the place from top five to the second round. ÂAny suggestion on who that QB should be?
As for the Bucs, I think they very well could take a guy like Penix or Nix in the first round, or they could wait and get Ewers or maybe Riley in the 2nd. Or trade up to the end of the round to get the 5th year on somebody. But again it will be interesting to follow the predraft process to see if the hype on some of these 2nd tier guys holds up or if somebody else rises up. Â
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Before we even consider taking a QB in round 1 we have to let Trask start. Anybody who says they know what he is or isn't is lying. If the Bucs lose to the Colts they should start Trask the rest of the way to see what they have. Baker isn't the problem but he's not the answer either.Â
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OK thanks for that clarification, but I still don't see them getting rid of Davis. That would mean you have two holes to fill in the defensive backfield, one safety and one cornerback. As I said Licht could always draft a CB because that's always a need position. But there are other more pressing needs to be addressed in the draft (as far as we know before the free agent period) IMO. ÂDavis has a $20.5M cap hit next year. If they release him outright they save 6.5M. If they designate him as a post 6/1 release they save $14.5M. Not out of the realm of possibility to release him, especially since they have to sign or tag Winfield and re-sign Evans.Â
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That's a good question, because as far as the 2nd tier goes (after Williams and Maye) a lot of the hype is going to the guys who are going for the Heismann or will be involved in the college playoffs. Nix, Penix, McCarthy and Daniels are getting a lot of the attention right now and perhaps rightfully so. I'm not downplaying the value in playing in pro style offenses and having big game experience.  But I'm just wondering after all the hoopla of the college season is over where things will stand when the NFL talent evaluators get to see them in the combine, pro days and what they see from the film they watch. Everybody agrees that Maye and Williams are the top two, but the othrs are all over the place from top five to the second round. ÂAny suggestion on who that QB should be?
As for the Bucs, I think they very well could take a guy like Penix or Nix in the first round, or they could wait and get Ewers or maybe Riley in the 2nd. Or trade up to the end of the round to get the 5th year on somebody. But again it will be interesting to follow the predraft process to see if the hype on some of these 2nd tier guys holds up or if somebody else rises up. Â
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Before we even consider taking a QB in round 1 we have to let Trask start. Anybody who says they know what he is or isn't is lying. If the Bucs lose to the Colts they should start Trask the rest of the way to see what they have. Baker isn't the problem but he's not the answer either.Â
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agree with this.Â
not sure it works out that way but ..
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The Bucs passing on a QB, when they absolutely need a QB, in a seemingly LOADED QB draft would be such a massive fucking failure, Licht should be fired before he can call-in the non-QB pick.
Wouldn’t surprise me though if Bowles was still the HC and he want Mayfield as his QB lolÂ
He’s gonna want to give White his massive contract so expect the more of the same foolishness there
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Point taken,but Licht has drafted two QB's for this organization already. Do you want him picking this one?
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The Bucs passing on a QB, when they absolutely need a QB, in a seemingly LOADED QB draft would be such a massive fucking failure, Licht should be fired before he can call-in the non-QB pick.
Wouldn’t surprise me though if Bowles was still the HC and he want Mayfield as his QB lolÂ
He’s gonna want to give White his massive contract so expect the more of the same foolishness there
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Here's the way people are rating the QBs right now. And again, I think it's going to be fun to watch how these rankings change when the predraft stuff comes out. Of course not all QBs will necessarily declare for the draft.
Anyway, here's how people are ranking the 2024 QB prospects:
CBS:Â Williams, Maye, Sanders, McCarthy, Penix, Nix, Ewers, Daniels, Pratt, Leonard.
PFN:Â Maye, WIlliams, Nix, Daniels, McCarthy, Penix, Sanders, Beck, Pratt, Milroe.
PFF:Â Williams, Maye, Nix, Daniels, Penix, Sanders, Beck, McCarthy, Ewers, Leonard.
SI:Â Williams, Maye, Penix, Ward, Sanders, Leonard, Nix, McCarthy, Ewers, Travis.
Buzz:Â Williams, Nix, Maye, Daniels, Penix, Sanders, Ewers, Beck, McCarthy, Pratt.
Kiper:Â Williams, Maye, Sanders, Daniels, McCarthy, Beck, Leonard, Ward, Rattler, VanDyke.
Walter: Williams, Maye, Sanders, Daniels, McCarthy, Rattler, Penix, Ewers, Nix, VanDyke.
Drafttek:Â Williams, Maye, Penix, Nix, McCarthy, Daniels, Ewers, Leonard, Travis, Ward.,Â
Countdown: Williams, Nix, Maye, McCarthy, Penix, Daniels, Travis, Beck, Leonard, Rattler.
Tankathon: Williams, Maye, Penix, McCarthy, Daniels, Nix, Ewers.
Notes:
Penix has 7 INTs as does Maye, and most of the QBS above have 4 or less. Licht had to let Winston walk because of that. If Bowles is still here, or even if he isn't, INTs will be a deal killer IMO. Â
Daniels has the highest yards per catch in the NCAA at 11.8. McCarthy was next of the likely candidates at 9.9, Nix 9.8. Seems like Daniels is rising, and I think that will continue. Â
Nix has 35 TDs and 2 INTs. Hard to argue with that. Daniels has 36/4. I think he and Daniels will be the next two if they don't catch Maye altogether.Â
McCarthy has the highest QB rating of the bunch other than Daniels and Nix who are 1 2.  McCarthy had 4 INTs but 3 came against Bowling Green in September. Then he went 7 games without another INT until he threw another against Maryland. He's playing a balanced offense with a legit NFL coach. Licht will want as close to a sure thing as he can get. He can't afford to miss on this pick. An early prediction would be that if the Bucs are drafting around 10 to 15. Williams, Maye, Daniels and Nix will be long gone. Sanders will go back to school, and McCarthy will be on the board for the Bucs and Licht will grab him. Â
Bowles will not let Trask see the playing field. To do so, Bowles would be admitting he made a mistake in playing Mayfield over Trask.ÂThat's a good question, because as far as the 2nd tier goes (after Williams and Maye) a lot of the hype is going to the guys who are going for the Heismann or will be involved in the college playoffs. Nix, Penix, McCarthy and Daniels are getting a lot of the attention right now and perhaps rightfully so. I'm not downplaying the value in playing in pro style offenses and having big game experience.  But I'm just wondering after all the hoopla of the college season is over where things will stand when the NFL talent evaluators get to see them in the combine, pro days and what they see from the film they watch. Everybody agrees that Maye and Williams are the top two, but the othrs are all over the place from top five to the second round. ÂAny suggestion on who that QB should be?
As for the Bucs, I think they very well could take a guy like Penix or Nix in the first round, or they could wait and get Ewers or maybe Riley in the 2nd. Or trade up to the end of the round to get the 5th year on somebody. But again it will be interesting to follow the predraft process to see if the hype on some of these 2nd tier guys holds up or if somebody else rises up. Â
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Before we even consider taking a QB in round 1 we have to let Trask start. Anybody who says they know what he is or isn't is lying. If the Bucs lose to the Colts they should start Trask the rest of the way to see what they have. Baker isn't the problem but he's not the answer either.Â
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Bowles will not let Trask see the playing field. To do so, Bowles would be admitting he made a mistake in playing Mayfield over Trask.ÂThat's a good question, because as far as the 2nd tier goes (after Williams and Maye) a lot of the hype is going to the guys who are going for the Heismann or will be involved in the college playoffs. Nix, Penix, McCarthy and Daniels are getting a lot of the attention right now and perhaps rightfully so. I'm not downplaying the value in playing in pro style offenses and having big game experience.  But I'm just wondering after all the hoopla of the college season is over where things will stand when the NFL talent evaluators get to see them in the combine, pro days and what they see from the film they watch. Everybody agrees that Maye and Williams are the top two, but the othrs are all over the place from top five to the second round. ÂAny suggestion on who that QB should be?
As for the Bucs, I think they very well could take a guy like Penix or Nix in the first round, or they could wait and get Ewers or maybe Riley in the 2nd. Or trade up to the end of the round to get the 5th year on somebody. But again it will be interesting to follow the predraft process to see if the hype on some of these 2nd tier guys holds up or if somebody else rises up. Â
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Before we even consider taking a QB in round 1 we have to let Trask start. Anybody who says they know what he is or isn't is lying. If the Bucs lose to the Colts they should start Trask the rest of the way to see what they have. Baker isn't the problem but he's not the answer either.Â
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This is why Licht needs to step in and force Bowles' hand. Bowles isn't concerned about the franchise from 5 years from now. He's concerned about winning this season and keeping his job. Licht is the one that needs to think about the future, which was why he drafted a QB with a 43 year-old QB on the roster.
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Bowles will not let Trask see the playing field. To do so, Bowles would be admitting he made a mistake in playing Mayfield over Trask.ÂThat's a good question, because as far as the 2nd tier goes (after Williams and Maye) a lot of the hype is going to the guys who are going for the Heismann or will be involved in the college playoffs. Nix, Penix, McCarthy and Daniels are getting a lot of the attention right now and perhaps rightfully so. I'm not downplaying the value in playing in pro style offenses and having big game experience.  But I'm just wondering after all the hoopla of the college season is over where things will stand when the NFL talent evaluators get to see them in the combine, pro days and what they see from the film they watch. Everybody agrees that Maye and Williams are the top two, but the othrs are all over the place from top five to the second round. ÂAny suggestion on who that QB should be?
As for the Bucs, I think they very well could take a guy like Penix or Nix in the first round, or they could wait and get Ewers or maybe Riley in the 2nd. Or trade up to the end of the round to get the 5th year on somebody. But again it will be interesting to follow the predraft process to see if the hype on some of these 2nd tier guys holds up or if somebody else rises up. Â
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Before we even consider taking a QB in round 1 we have to let Trask start. Anybody who says they know what he is or isn't is lying. If the Bucs lose to the Colts they should start Trask the rest of the way to see what they have. Baker isn't the problem but he's not the answer either.Â
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This is why Licht needs to step in and force Bowles' hand. Bowles isn't concerned about the franchise from 5 years from now. He's concerned about winning this season and keeping his job. Licht is the one that needs to think about the future, which was why he drafted a QB with a 43 year-old QB on the roster.
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Licht is not going to undercut Bowles while there is a playoff chance.
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Maybe a loss to the Colts, who knows?
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And eventually playing Trask is not admitting a mistake in going with Mayfield?
If Bowles and/or Canales saw Trask as the better option he'd already be on the field because they are trying to win. Their interests are 100% aligned. Their asessment may prove to be wrong, but there is no anti-Gator conspiracy.Â
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OK thanks for that clarification, but I still don't see them getting rid of Davis. That would mean you have two holes to fill in the defensive backfield, one safety and one cornerback. As I said Licht could always draft a CB because that's always a need position. But there are other more pressing needs to be addressed in the draft (as far as we know before the free agent period) IMO. ÂDavis has a $20.5M cap hit next year. If they release him outright they save 6.5M. If they designate him as a post 6/1 release they save $14.5M. Not out of the realm of possibility to release him, especially since they have to sign or tag Winfield and re-sign Evans.Â
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Sometimes it's best to just bite the bullet and let someone who isn't playing well and is often hurt and has a huge cap number go. Davis isn't worth the contract due to inconsistent play and injuries. Time to move one. Does that create a hole at CB, sure, but there's FA and the draft.Â
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As for QB, I agree that they should take one in the first round. But who that is depends on where they end up drafting and also who the new coaching staff thinks fits their system.Â
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I also think they bring David back for one more year and sign a FA to compete with Dennis for the other ILB spot.Â
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This draft should be about finding their longterm answer at QB and filling holes where needed (OLB, CB, S, C).Â
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But again, I see lots of changes between now and the draft (coaching staff, cuts, FA signings, etc). So other than QB, it's just way too early to dive much deeper.Â
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