after five years of this approach, the team’s talent seems to be on a downward trend.
thats an interesting point all on its own. No doubt of the difference between 2021 and 2025 but more like a valeyy in between those dates. Not that the 2026 is super talented but up from prior low?
Let's not forget Crosby failed a physical.
I'd rather Crosby play half a season with the raiders and see what appetite they have to trade him mid season for next year's picks.
That way we can see if this team has any life. If we are 5-3 or something then you can pull the trigger.
If we are 2-6 then we dodged a bullet.
I'd rather let Crosby potentially come to us vs getting in a bidding war.
Picture Licht getting a LB/Edge/corner/LB in the draft and the defense plays ok... Then trading next year's 1st and 3rd for Crosby to take us to the next level.
That's how I would approach it. Make Licht and Bowles show signs of life without Crosby then add him to get over the hump.
In one of the Fab 5, SR suggested that the Bucs might trade for Crosby with a player because that would give them som eof the cash they'd need to pay Crosby. Evans was projected $15-20 million per and he's gone. LVD maybe next? Still no Crosby or any other high level FA for that matter
Why is trading for Crosby so important when players like K. Thibodeaux can be had for a fraction of a cost in a trade?
Why is trading for Crosby so important when players like K. Thibodeaux can be had for a fraction of a cost in a trade?
Have the giants made him available? If so I agree
Why is trading for Crosby so important when players like K. Thibodeaux can be had for a fraction of a cost in a trade?
Because the problem is edge rushing and Crosby is the "best available" so he is the primary focus, deserved or otherwise.
And the framing is also a team that for 4 or 5 years has not been a big active player in FA so some of it is about the team proving they are tryng to win it all
@alldaway - let’s go get him. That would at least be something. My point is get a difference maker.
Safest and smartest thing to do is trade down and draft an OL. Not donk off picks for a player that failed a physical from multiple team doctors.
Safest and smartest thing to do is trade down and draft an OL. Not donk off picks for a player that failed a physical from multiple team doctors.
I am hoping for that scenario, but I realize that the #15 pick is worth a lower 1st (20) and a 3rd (84). So the value we are looking for might not be there. IMHO, the Buccaneers need to do a better job of picking and developing players so they can trade some backups that other teams feel could be starters.
@chas - that’s the biggest problem, and a reason why I don’t think we should trade down. We don’t develop players. We need guys that can hit the ground running. Thats why I’d prefer we trade up into the top 10 and get a difference maker or trade some picks and get a Crosby.
I am hoping for that scenario, but I realize that the #15 pick is worth a lower 1st (20) and a 3rd (84). So the value we are looking for might not be there.
With the amount of holes we have, moving back 5 spots and picking up an additional 3rd is a no-brainer.
IMHO, the Buccaneers need to do a better job of picking and developing players so they can trade some backups that other teams feel could be starters.
Not gonna happen with this coaching staff.
Of that list, I would rather only have Faulk or Lawrence and no to the others for no particular reason. I also am of the opinion that they should prioritize one of the top LB out of the first 3 rounds as well. I don't think picking 15 helps either of those. I think Faulk will be gone. To me the best bet (if Faulk is gone) is to trade down into the mid 20s and see if you can't add a 2nd or 3rd to go along with it. Then you could address all of those needs potentially (LB and Edge in the first 3 rounds) with talent that could have the potential to be really good for the team.I think there are some guys that the Buccaneers would have a chance to draft at 15 (perhaps even trade back and get a little bit later) that could make a difference. The issue is the defensive scheme, position coaches, and the defensive coordinator have a historic problem of not being able to get the most out of their defensive line players.
- Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami
- Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
- Cashius Howell, DE/EDGE, Texas A&M (2nd round)
- Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF (2nd round)
- Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri (2nd or 3rd -- DWI arrest needs to be investigated)
Overall, I tend to agree with you. The edge rushers in this class are weak in comparison to previous years.
So as it stands right now, our starting OLBs will be Yaya Diaby and Anthony Nelson or Chris Braswell. Muhammad isn’t an every down OLB. He will mainly play in passing down situations. We’re going backwards from last year. And Faulk or anyone else we get in the draft won’t be starting this year.
That is just incorrect, ehinote. Whomever they draft in the 1st will absolutely be starting this year, whether it be Faulk, a LB, a TE, or an O-Lineman. 100% they will be starting.So as it stands right now, our starting OLBs will be Yaya Diaby and Anthony Nelson or Chris Braswell. Muhammad isn’t an every down OLB. He will mainly play in passing down situations. We’re going backwards from last year. And Faulk or anyone else we get in the draft won’t be starting this year.