I liked what I saw from all those rookies in bursts here and there. This has the makings of a solid class when they settle into the NFL
1. Egbuka
When Grizzard set up the skinny post for Egbuka and he nailed it early in the season EE showed had special qualities. Helped the Bucs navigate a tough period early in the season but he was hitting that rookie wall late in the year. Overall still loving the selection and he along with McMillan bring a nice energy and aggression out there. Godwin looks to be returning to form so this trio will be fun to watch moving forward.
2. Morrison
He is always playing the ball but he is still susceptible to the long ball over his head which he will adapt and learn over time. Still a steal given he should have been a first rounder and I think he will push for boundary CB playing time with McCollum or even overtake him at some point. He is that good if he learns to read go routes properly.
3. Parrish
I have seen enough of him and you can pencil him in as the opposite boundary CB to McCollum/Morrison at this point. Breaks on the ball from off and quarters coverage consistently. Plays the correct distance for off coverage for pass deflections and INTs. And, added bonus he can kick inside and play nickel. Might be the best draft pick of this class right up there with Egbuka.
4. Walker
Don't know and we will not know for a while but a young talented edge rusher is always welcomed as he seems more dynamic and not flat footed like Braswell.
5. Roberts
No point re-signing Gaines and Hall. Roberts filled some big shoes playing all over the line but he needs some reinforcements and younger blood playing alongside him. Looked like a great value draft selection and it paid off.
7. T. Johnson
Skeptical if Johnson could stick on the roster but he did and he proved to be a mainstay on the roster. T.Johnson is another great value draft selection.
Overall I think Licht nailed this draft class but I think with 2026 the focus will shift to fixing the front seven and adding some reinforcement along the interior OL. Mayfield didn't look comfortable in the pocket and the Bucs front seven was gashed just almost as much as the porosity of the pass defense.
Egbuka - A
Morrison - B
Parrish - A
Walker - TBD
Roberts - B
Johnson - A
It was a damn good draft but it didn't address need very well. No gripe with it at all.
Sounds about right and then you have the 2025 undrafted players who I think have a shot of being a core part of the future too like Nick Jackson, Benjamin Chukwuma, Conor Bazelak, JJ Roberts, Garret Greene, Ben Scott, and Josh Williams.
Egbuka - A
Morriosn - B
Parrish - A
Walker - NA
Rorberts - A
Johnson - A
really hard to tell
if you rated guys like Cadillac Williams and Michael Clayton after their rookie years, they would have gotten A's too
Tez Johnson could very well like be like those before him Trey Palmer, Tyler Johnson, Scottie Miller, etc. which were late round fliers, had a few big plays, and off the team by 2027 season. Who knows. I see everyone giving him an A and was a solid player, but in terms of franchise pick, yeah dude may be off the team in a year or two.
Walker may not play a snap for us and may be out of NFL by 2027 as well.
Edbuka, Morrison, and Parrish have a chance to make an impact but jury still out. Edbuka growth will depend on if Mike Evans remains with the team. If Mike is back, the snaps will be spread more thinly.
Roberts is ok pick so far
Late round draft picks that stick and contribute a few years are always A's in terms of value. You don't expect them to stick even year 1 and the WR group was the hardest group to breakthrough so I have to give his T. Johnson his props for that. He outplayed Palmer for a job and probably pushes Shepard off the roster for good.
T. Johnson had meaningful snaps and was decent depth when needed. Sure beats drafting project players late in the draft which probably still haunts Licht today (eg 2021 draft).
Walker's situation is pretty common with guys that have his injury history but I give him more leeway than guys that consistently injured at the NFL level. Given Walker isn't a WR or CB I think he has a chance of coming back strong.
Roberts was a quality home run in value given the pressure he generated and where he was drafted. Put some more guys around him that can fly to the ball and I think he will look better and better.
Egbuka and Parrish did make an impact as rookies but we obviously want to see more because their potential is exciting. Morrison too when Morrison and Parrish looked like legit boundary CBs.
really hard to tell
if you rated guys like Cadillac Williams and Michael Clayton after their rookie years, they would have gotten A's too
Tez Johnson could very well like be like those before him Trey Palmer, Tyler Johnson, Scottie Miller, etc. which were late round fliers, had a few big plays, and off the team by 2027 season. Who knows. I see everyone giving him an A and was a solid player, but in terms of franchise pick, yeah dude may be off the team in a year or two.
Walker may not play a snap for us and may be out of NFL by 2027 as well.
Edbuka, Morrison, and Parrish have a chance to make an impact but jury still out. Edbuka growth will depend on if Mike Evans remains with the team. If Mike is back, the snaps will be spread more thinly.
Roberts is ok pick so far
Just grade it by the curve of value.
Tez in the 7th is amazing value. Palmer in the 5th was decent value.
Tez is a great pick even if he never plays another down for us. 322 and 5 TDs for a 7th rounder? That's easy to grade.
Egbuka was an A+ but his falloff has me concerned. I still say an A or A- but his yips cost is a game or two imo.
Corners look good but had some growing pains.
Walker can't grade but he's likely done...
Roberts is a depth pick
Overall a good draft on paper thus far but it totally ignored need
Egbuka was an A+ but his falloff has me concerned.
This is something we need an explanation on. It has to be more than “He had some drops, and Baker threw elsewhere”
His ceiling is Rice like. He runs such amazing routes. We need an OC who naturally plays in to his ability for YAC. Like he could be 1500 yards plus for a long time if used properly.
