FAB 5. SR’s Buc Shots
• I’m excited to announce that PewterReport.com will be hosting another Draft Streaming Videocast live from One Buccaneer Place next week. PewterReport.com’s Trevor Sikkema and I will be hosting this live streaming video broadcast on all three days of the 2018 NFL Draft starting on Thursday, April 26. We’ll have special guests during the Draft Streaming Videocast, including PewterReport.com’s Mark Cook, and future Pewter Reporter Riley Auman, the son of Tampa Bay Times Bucs beat writer Greg Auman (we’ll try to get him on, too), to discuss not only what the Bucs and their NFC South counterparts are doing during the draft, but also all of the other NFL teams, too.
We had tremendous feedback on our initial Draft Streaming Videocast last year and are bringing it back in the same YouTube broadcast format. Simply visit PewterReport.com and click on the Draft Streaming Videocast story and you can watch it from your web browser. No additional downloads or apps are necessary to view our three-day online draft program. Here is a link to one of the streaming videos we did during last year’s draft from One Buc Place.
And when the Bucs have a press conference to discuss the draft picks, or dial up conference call between the draft picks and local Tampa Bay reporters, a member of our PR staff will be on hand to cover those events and report fresh information as soon as they occur to the Draft Streaming Videocast audience on PewterReport.com. Get over 15 hours of live Bucs and NFL Draft analysis straight from the PewterReport.com staff. There’s no other place to be for the best Bucs draft coverage.
Here are the times for PewterReport.com’s Draft Streaming Videocast:
Round 1: Thursday, April 26 – 7:30 p.m. ET until conclusion
Rounds 2-3: Friday, April 27 – 7:00 p.m. ET until conclusion
Rounds 4-7: Saturday, April 28 – Noon ET until conclusion
Please note that this will be the last SR’s Fab 5 column until after the 2018 NFL Draft concludes, as I won’t have time to finish one by Friday morning with the draft beginning on Thursday night and my hosting responsibilities on PewterReport.com’s Draft Streaming Videocast. Rest assured that PewterReport.com will have plenty of draft stories and analysis columns Thursday through Sunday on the website for you to read and enjoy.
• PewterReport.com’s fifth and FINAL 2018 Bucs’ 7-Round Mock Draft will be published on Sunday, April 22, so visit the website and don’t miss it. This mock draft has a big surprise and features something we’ve never done before. Stay tuned to PewterReport.com as our 2018 Draft Position Previews continue this weekend and check out the last Bucs’ 7-Round Mock Draft we’ll do this year.
• The 2018 NFL Draft is almost here and we’ve got another draft-oriented Pewter Nation Podcast for your listening pleasure, as Trevor Sikkema, Mark Cook and special guest and former Buccaneers guard Ian Beckles mulled over options for Tampa Bay at No. 7 and other various topics. This edition of the Pewter Nation Podcast has already been one of the most popular ones we’ve done thanks to Beckles’ appearance, so be sure to give it a listen.
You can click here to listen to Episode 70: Back With Beckles
If you didn’t get a chance to listen to our previous Pewter Nation Podcast, which had some hilarious moments along with plenty of Bucs draft analysis, you can click here to listen to Episode 69: Bear Necessities Of The Bucs Draft
If you haven’t listened to this week’s podcast yet, it’s the perfect way to enjoy your lunch on a Friday afternoon or battle rush hour traffic on your way home from work. In addition to listening to the Pewter Nation Podcasts on PewterReport.com you can also subscribe to the free podcasts at PodBean by clicking here and on SoundCloud by clicking here.
• Based on the information the PewterReport.com staff has acquired, I suspect the Bucs’ draft pool for the No. 7 pick includes – in no particular order – Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson, North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb, Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, Florida State strong safety Derwin James, Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea, Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward and Notre Dame offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey.
If Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht receives the right offer and elects to trade down to the middle part of the first round, I think the Bucs’ draft pool of players they would consider includes – in no particular order – Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, Iowa cornerback Josh Jackson, Louisville cornerback Jaire Alexander, UCF cornerback Mike Hughes, and UTEP guard Will Hernandez.
• Count Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin and left tackle Donovan Smith as big fans of Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley. Both of Tampa Bay’s offensive players would love to see another Penn State product in the huddle, especially given the team’s need at running back.
“He’s a special player,” said Godwin, who played with Barkley in college. “He can do it all as a running back, but what I think sets him apart is off the field. He’s a very humble dude. He’s always looking to do something for his teammates. I think he has a bright future ahead of him. I would be surprised if he’s there when we pick. He’s a really hard worker. He’s one of the hardest workers on the team and brings the juice. He’s the same guy, day in and day out.
“I think in the middle of training camp his freshman year he had a really long touchdown run and we said, ‘Wow. This kid is good. He can really be something.’ I think in the Buffalo game when he first jumped over somebody we thought he was the real deal. Coming into his sophomore year the one thing he needed to work on was his pass protection, and the next two years he really worked on his craft and perfected that. Being on the field for all three downs is becoming more and more valuable for running backs.”
Smith, who is entering his fourth season in Tampa Bay, didn’t play with Barkley at Penn State, but has watched him intently as a proud Nittany Lions alum.
“You’ve seen it, everybody’s seen it, the world has seen it,” Smith said. “He’s a special guy. Just between his size, speed and cutting ability – all of that. All the things he can do – it’s crazy.”
I asked Smith if he thought there were similarities between Barkley and New Orleans’ versatile Alvin Kamara, who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie last year.
“Versatility-wise, yes, but I’m going to rock with my Penn State guys,” Smith said. “Saquon is better. He can touch the ball in any phase of the game, which is huge. There are some similarities there, but I don’t think he’s as big as Saquon – or as talented.”
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• Bucs middle linebacker Kwon Alexander was asked to comment on the rehab of defensive end Noah Spence, who is back from shoulder surgery last fall and has noticeably bigger arms.
“That man got swole he got swole,” Alexander said, referring to Spence’s “swollen” physique. “He’s going to be ready. He looks very powerful. That’s what he wants to be, powerful. He hasn’t lost a step. He’s eating healthy and doing everything he’s supposed to do. He just can’t wait to get back on the field. He hasn’t been on the field so he can’t wait. He’s going to go out there and dominate, I know he is.”
Spence had a sack-fumble in the 2017 season-opening win against Chicago, but re-injured his surgically-repaired shoulder in a Week 2 loss at Minnesota and went on injured reserve a few weeks later. Spence had a more involved shoulder surgery than the one he had last offseason, and this surgery was designed to prevent his shoulder from constantly dislocating. Spence, a second-round pick in 2016, had 5.5 sacks and three forced fumbles as a rookie while playing most of the season in a shoulder harness.
• Congratulations to the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars for going back to more traditional looks with their jerseys. The Dolphins made a mistake years ago by inserting navy as another accent color to go along with white, aquamarine and orange. The Jaguars made a mistake of having ugly two-tone helmets with black fading into gold. Both mistakes have been rectified for the sake of all of us watching, as we will be in the preseason as Tampa travels to Miami in Week 1 and hosts Jacksonville in Week 4.
• Here are some Bucs roster house-cleaning notes. Linebacker Adarius Glanton legally changed his name to Adarius Taylor in honor of his late father. Buccaneers.com’s Scott Smith first reported his name change.
“Glanton was my mother’s name and my father’s last name was Taylor,” he explained. “He passed away when I was nine. I decided a couple years ago that I would take his name before I got married.”
According to Buccaneers.com, Taylor married his fiancée, Kristen, on February 24, and she took his new last name.
Also worth noting, are some new jersey numbers for the team’s new players. Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul will wear No. 90, defensive end Vinny Curry will wear No. 97, defensive lineman Mitch Unrein will wear No. 98, defensive tackle Beau Allen will wear No. 91, center Ryan Jensen will wear No. 66 and kicker Chandler Catanzaro will wear No. 7.
• Just in case you didn’t get the memo from Fab 1 that this is Kwon Alexander’s defense now, there’s this from Alexander during his press conference on Thursday when asked about adding players to the Bucs from the upcoming draft.
“That is what we need and we need some more dogs on the team, so whoever comes on the team has to be a dog because I am going to turn them into one if they are not,” Alexander said. “That is how it is now.”
• You have to love this quote from Bucs general manager Jason Licht from Thursday’s press conference.
“Personally, I like guys that hate to lose more than they love to win,” Licht said. “So, I think that’s the mentality I kind of can sense throughout this building.”
What’s the old saying? Ah, yes – “Never met a winner that wasn’t a sore loser.”
The Bucs got rid of some players that weren’t sore losers last year and will be better because of it in 2018.
• I am excited to welcome Mike Cassens as a new advertising partner to PewterReport.com. He owns Mike Cassens Realty, which is part of the Sure Way Realty Group in Tampa, so please turn to him for all of your residential real estate needs in the Tampa Bay area (Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties).
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Cassens is a big Bucs and Bulls fan, so you’re in good company when you choose him as your realtor. Be sure you tell him that PewterReport.com sent you.
• And finally, Cassens is also advertising a charity golf tournament that his non-profit organization We Are Tampa Bay is putting on called the Tampa Bay Red Zone Charity Golf Classic. The theme is “Turn Back The Clock” and participants are encouraged to dress up in ‘60s, ‘70s or ‘80s vintage attire and have fun at this golf tournament, which will feature current and former NFL players, great prizes and the chance to win a car.
The Tampa Bay Red Zone Charity Golf Classic will be held at Cheval Golf & Athletic Club in Lutz, Fla. on May 6, 2018 from noon until 7:00 p.m. with a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m. This scramble golf tournament features greens fees, an event t-shirt, 
dinner, a raffle ticket into player exclusive drawing, free domestic beer and house win on the course and at the awards ceremony following the event.
The admission price is $125 per player / $500 per team and you will be paired with a former college or pro football player or other celebrity. At the Tampa Bay Red Zone Charity Golf Classic 100 percent of the proceeds go to the charity, which is All Sports Community Service Foundation & UnsignedPreps Organization.
The UnsignedPreps Organization takes local high school athletes from lower income areas in Tampa Bay on bus tours throughout Florida to area colleges for football camps to increase their exposure to those schools and increase their chances of going to school on scholarship. There is still time to sign up yourself or a foursome for the Tampa Bay Red Zone Charity Golf Classic. Visit WeAreTampaBay.com or click here for the direct link to the golf tournament website.
I hope we get Nelson. If Denver is shopping around the number five pick, I just don’t see the Bucs trading down. Could happen, but unlikely. I like James and Vea. Hope Bucs pick James. Most of the mocks I’ve seen show Vea going a bit later and I really don’t want to overpay for him. Still, if he’s the best player, what choice do Bucs have? He sure won’t be around in the second. I wish we got change when we overpaid. If Vea is really a fourteen pick, the NFL should give us an extra mid round pick.… Read more »
I think we should draft Nelson if he’s there at no. 7, but I would feel better about trading down a few spots to 12, if Buffalo’s game for a trade. We’ve got some glaring holes to fill on defense, as well as drafting a RB for the offense. The question in my mind comes down to this – does the offense get better by adding a potential All-Pro guard at no. 7, or drafting a really good RB at either 7 or later in the first or up high in the 2nd? Adding Quenton does make Tampa’s offensive line… Read more »
It seems like the Bucs have interviewed a ton of candidates pegged as mid to late 1st rounders for them not considering a trade back. If the big 3 / 3 QBs go top 6; we could easily drop to 12 and land a Vea/James/Ward/Fitzpatrick considering Roquan Smith and/or Edmunds are extremely likely matches to the teams picking 8-10. Not as high on Fitzpatrick but I’d imagine he’s a great fit for a lot of teams picking 8-11. I’d expect him and at least 1 LB to go there; meaning we’d have a pick of Vea/James/Ward. Derwin James + a… Read more »
I agree, but I think James is gone before 12. Also, based on what I keep reading and hearing about Mike Smith’s defense, we would probably be better off drafting Josh Jackson than Ward for a bigger body that would probably play zone D better. If going man-to-man more often, then yeah Ward all the way.
Watch what you wish for Kwon. If we get Nelson I hear that dog gets to the second level, and mauls linebackers! You might have to run from that dog in practice! I see the Giants drafting Josh Rosen, here’s why. Eli isn’t getting any younger, and hasn’t done much for the Giants since they won their last S.B.. Couple that with the fact, the Giants won’t be picking that high next year, and the Q.B. class is weak. They can still get one of the top guards, running backs, or others at the top of the second round. Why… Read more »
Agree Giants take a QB for exactly the reasons you lay out. This is a QB league and if Rosen is there they’d be crazy not to take him. Ely’s has a good run.
Great stuff Scott. As far as the draft coverage will you guys be tipping picks before they happen? I want to watch but I genuinely want to be surprised when Goodell announces the pick, that’s why I stay off Twitter during the draft haha. Thanks!
Another great Fab 5! My two cents on our selection at number 7. I think Barkley is one of those special guys that only come around once a decade or more so if he is there you can’t pass on him….he won’t be there. With that being said, I have always maintained football games are won and loss in the trenches. If we take James, I believe he will be the pro bowl player you want with a high draft pick like this but I truly think the team will be better served with Nelson or Vea. One last thing…..loved… Read more »
I like the idea of picking a mauler, for either the OL or DL, at no.7. We had problems all season long at the goal line, and if either or both are addressed adequately next week, it could make all the difference in close games.
Thought?
https://247sports.com/college/florida-state/Bolt/Florida-State-Seminoles-football-safety-Derwin-James-reportedly-declines-personal-workout-Tampa-Bay-Buccaneers-117517644?utm_source=247Sports%20Newsletter&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=180420_091504_Florida%20State%20Seminoles&utm_content=Link&liveconnect=91-AA-5D-31-27-A9-31-D5-98-0A-2B-87-FB-46-21-2C180420_091504FloridaStateSeminoles
Saw that, too, only on the NBC PFT page. Personally, I don’t want anyone on my team that refuses to work out for me, and I can’t imagine for a second Licht is all too happy about such a selfish attitude. I would be incredibly disappointed if we took James at 7, and I felt that way BEFORE I heard about this.
You can’t be disappointed in a player when it was his agent who told him not to. He wanted to, but given that a player already blew out his knee at a private workout already why take the chance. His athletic ability isn’t in question anyway, it’s his mental part. He’s an athletic freak we just need to see if he can handle the metal aspect of the game.
Sure I can. Why take the chance? Okay… For that you would need some background (I’ll try to keep it short, I promise). I’m retired military who served with some elite units where you had to try out for those units (go through “selection”). People have DIED during these “try outs” (so to speak, of course). People have certainly gotten badly hurt and had their careers end. Still, if you really WANT to be part of that unit, it’s a risk you have to take, because they’re looking for team players–people focused SOLELY on being part of an elite team.… Read more »
Yes he didnt work out. Its the same thing christian McCaffrey did last year. It was James’ agents recommendation after two players blew out their knees this year in private workouts. Just stood on his combine numbers.
And McCaffrey turned out to be a pretty terrible #8 overall pick. I don’t care who recommends it. If you’re THAT fragile, you’re an injury waiting to happen.
And as i respect you for your service,and thank you for it, this isnt the military. If im an athlete who could gt injured and lose millions for what,a few shuttle drills? Your comparison isnt even renotely the same. One is fighting for your country, the other is playing a sport. And it has nothing to do with fragile, its called protecting an investment. Tell that to the two kids who lost millions because they blew their knees out. While mccaffery is an example,him doing bad last year had nothing to do with him skipping workouts so not sure how… Read more »
Losing your life is worth a HELL of a lot more than a million dollars, and people DO die during selection (in fact, I believe it’s more common to die during selection than it is to be critically injured during a 2 or 3 hour pre-draft workout). They are both about trying out for teams–NFL teams for one, elite fighting units for the other. You can point out differences in any analogy. In this case it’s like saying the “men are like dogs in that they’ll screw anything” analogy is invalid because dogs have 4 legs and men only 2.… Read more »
Like McCaffrey James sat out his bowl game too. Dalvin Cook “risked it” and played in his bowl game. When both were on the field last year it was no question who the better player was.
Give me the player, not the playa’.
I’ve got a different opinion about all 3 QB’s going before Spot 7 because some aren’t worthy of being picked in the Top 10 of the draft. We still have a chance to trade down. I really have no clue who we will actually draft at spot 7. Right now I’m more concerned as to back up since we don’t know when Spence, Beckwith, Swazzy, Dotson, playing status. Might have to consider trading down in second round pick for another draft pick. Our schedule looks tough. Have we ever had a Bye in the 2nd half of the season? Rate… Read more »
Had a Wk14 Bye when they first started in 1990, as well as Wk10 Bye’s in 1995, 2002, 2007 and 2008. Other than that it’s always been between Wks 2-8.
Looking towards the next 2 years of drafting, only a few high quality QB’s will emerge IMO. This really is the year of the QB. 2019 is full of quality OT and DE’s. I would not be surprised if NYG takes a QB as they don’t expect to be drafting this high again (Gettlemen arrogance). I could see 4 or 5 in the top 10. Not that the value is necessarily there – but I’d project that at least 1 team is coming up into the top 10 to select a QB on draft night. Bucs should be good –… Read more »
There’s going to be some draft night top ten trades. The Colts GM Ballard and the Broncos GM Elway have openly announced their pick is for sale. I agree that the Bucs will not trade down. Will not have to – the goods are likely to be there at #7. It is a QB seller’s market – high demand chasing too few goods. QB needy teams have seen the QB outlook for 2019 and it’s bleak. The Bucs just need to be patient and occupy the cat bird seat. At his pre-draft presser, GM Jason Licht said “There are enough… Read more »
Totally agree with you my friend. Like every year, I’m over the endless Mock Drafts that mean absolutely nothing. As you said, if we stick at # 7 we’ll get a good player who will also fill a need. I’m more interested in what we do on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. Might be in a position to trade down that high second rounder to recoup the third rounder. Always fun.
Scott, I don’t believe that you can definitively state that the Bucs won’t trade back from #7. We’ll have to see how everything plays out. Would love to see Nelson there at 7. I wonder if Meathead is going to be scouring LSU’s LBs this year with Beckwith’s injury? Finally, I haven’t seen anyone around here that the Bucs have a chance to make the playoffs, after the schedule release. C’mon, man! This is the NFL; anything can happen. Finally, I’m good with Kwon is King; Somebody needs to step. Rate this item:Thumb UpThumb DownSubmit Rating00 No votes yet. Please… Read more »
Great Fab 5 Scott, as usual.
Good Fab Five, Scott.
Hey, what happened to “Thumbs Up”, “Thumbs Down”?
Vea would be devastating. He’s massively overrated and not at an immediate impact position. Honestly, Mo Hurst is going to be a much, much better NFL DL. He’s a better pass rusher by a mile and was PFF’s top graded run stopper as a DL. Look at the best defensive tackles in the league, Atkins and Donald. Both “undersized” short, quick twitch disruptive DTs dominate the league today. Not arguing to draft him at 7, but taking the draft’s second best DT at 7 would be awful. Derwin James would be a little disappointing too. There have been 3 Safeties… Read more »
This really seems to be one of the more unpredictable drafts in recent memory, which makes it all the more interesting imo. Whether the Bucs stay at #7 or trade up/down, confident we’ll come out of the draft with solid picks from this draft class. Wouldn’t be surprised if Licht uses a 2019 pick or two to maneuver around the board as well.
Also, while I wholeheartedly agree with Kwon’s take that player accountability has to be a focus this year (should have already been imo), can’t fathom why this staff hasn’t already had that in place. Understand Koetter seems to more of a player’s coach than a disciplinarian, but believe you need to have a disciplined squad that does their job to have long-term success. Hopefully Koetter is able to find that balance.
If the Bucs stay at #7 I would be happy with either Derwin James or Quenton Nelson.
Earlier i saw Ward as early as 5 to the Broncos…Would we really take Ward with the problems we have at corner?
Even if Buffalo trades up above us, there may still be an opportunity for a QB to slip to us allowing for a possible trade with either Miami or Arizona…but only make the deal for an additional 2nd and 3rd rounder.
1st – CB Jaire Alexander
2nd – RB Ronald Jones
2nd – S Kyzir Whte
3rd – EDGE Josh Sweat
4th – CB Holton Hill
5th – DT Deadrin Senat
6th – RB Jordan Wilkins
6th – G Cole Madison
7th – OT Greg Senat
I agree with the trade rationale and possibly the first pick but I don’t think they take Jones and I don’t think Sweat makes it to the 3rd round.
What about Kerryon Johnson? He’s a guy I’ve been very high on. I have him below Barkley, Guice, and slightly below Jones, but slightly above Chubb, and have dropped Michel and Penny further down due to Pass-Pro/Ball Security issues. Would love to get Kerryon with the second 2nd round pick we get in a trade down. Would be a great 3 down back and would compliment Barber’s game as well. Having a third COP/Receiving guy like Ito Smith [6th round?] (who ran a 4.45 – 40, slower than only Hines and Saquon) would be very good. Rate this item:Thumb UpThumb… Read more »
Ive gone back and looked at all Lichts drafts. I was never expecting him to trade back. He might try to trade up. He doesnt value each draft slot like he should. He needs some cold ones or some sedatives during the draft. Id love for him to actually get more lottery tickets not less one of these years. Lets not think they wont trade back just because Elway came out and said that tho. Id bet every gm in every draft picking top 5 has said that. Denver might be taking a qb for all we know. If someone… Read more »
I like Quenton @ 7 all day for years to come.
Just saw Brian Billick’s Mock for Bucs, Tremaine Edwards! Like it if Big 3 not dropping to #7. He passed on Nelson to pick Edwards, not sure would agree, but good football mind, makes u think about Edwards as real option to be a Buc at 7. Don’t think most would pic a LB with our current group, but LB is QB of the Defense, and think of him as hybrid/edge rusher, and may force more of a 3-4 base defense, rather than current 4-3. Edwards, David on edge with Beckwith and Alexander in middle, aint a bad group! Maybe… Read more »
If Barkley or B Chubb are not there at 7, it has to be Derwin James as the pick. It’s all about fixing the defense. We need a defensive player who will make an impact from day one, and someone who has Pro Bowl potential.
I’m drooling about having two vocal leaders on the defense like Alexander and James. They will be the most vocal players on the defense and both will not only hold themselves accountable, but also their teammates. Both those guys are straight dogs.
Trade down no matter what. unless Barkley falls. I think he is the only player that can make the bucs a playoff team this year. Otherwise we need more picks, the seventh best player does not make us a playoff team, like barkley could. we have to many holes. Even if a QB does not fall. somebody is going to fall even if Denver trades down some top five pick will fall. We have to adjust our asking price as the top 6 picks play out. Now is the time to make the playoffs. Or we go thru another coaching… Read more »
“I hate to lose more than I love to win” is a Jimmy Conners quote who was one of the greatest tennis players of all-time. That said, I’m sure Roberto Aguayo hated to lose and miss kicks as well. It takes a little more than just a dislike of losing, but I agree you want someone with that ‘Warren Sapp’ mentality on your team. Give me the guy who not only gives it his all, is willing to play anyone anywhere. Don’t give me the player that takes his agents advice and sits out as many bowl games, drills or… Read more »