Bucs Could Use An “Untouchable”
January 21st, 2014A Wyoming standout is drawing rave reviews
What would be more intoxicating than the Bucs having a dangerous speed threat in their passing game, a guy that could break off tight routes in the slot, rack up yards after the catch, and stretch a defense?
Perhaps only a beastly defensive end or retired Buccaneer Rachel Watson could inspire more excitement?
Tampa Bay hoped Kevin Ogletree would be that speed/slot guy in the passing game last season, but that was a mistake greater than banking on Da’Quan Bowers to strike fear into the hearts of NFL offensive coordinators.
The Bucs’ best hope of finding a dangerous No. 3 target behind Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams likely lies in the NFL Draft. Joe took note yesterday when former NFL receiver and current NFL.com draft analyst Bucky Brooks shared how speedster Robert Herron, the pride of the woeful Wyoming Cowboys, turned heads at yesterday’s Senior Bowl practices.
» Wyoming WR Robert Herron: Herron opened eyes in the scouting community with his speed, quickness and route-running skills. He was untouchable in 1-on-1 drills against big, physical corners, showing exceptional burst and separation quickness. In addition, Herron used a variety of stems and releases to stack defenders at the top of the route to create separation with hard plants and head fakes. Herron’s surprising polish as a route runner took me by surprise based on his reputation as a speed demon. If he continues to impress as a slot receiver with big-play ability, Herron could make a huge jump on the boards heading into the NFL combine and pro-day workouts.
Joe’s researched Herron and he very well could run a sub-4.3, 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting combine next month. That doesn’t mean a hell of a lot (keep in mind Chris Owusu also possessed such blazing speed), but it would drive up his draft stock. Joe’s much more impressed by praise of Herron’s separation and polished route-running skills.
A high school track star, Herron was listed at Wyoming last season at 5-10, 187 pounds. He could be a guy that suits the Bucs in the third round, though the Bucs traded away their 2014 third-rounder for Darrelle Revis.
January 21st, 2014 at 9:43 am
Careful, sounds like Dexter Jackson (App State, Chucky’s #2 pick).
January 21st, 2014 at 9:47 am
We could trade down in the first and pick up one or two extra picks…having a shot at players like this may give us an incentive.
January 21st, 2014 at 10:05 am
Does he have hands?
January 21st, 2014 at 10:05 am
You can fill any position in the later rounds. In the first round, my opinion is that you draft for speed. You can’t teach it and speed kills as long as it’s a complete package.
January 21st, 2014 at 10:09 am
Ya’ll gonna stop sleeping on my picks.ahahaha
LUVMYBUCS Says:
January 5th, 2014 at 3:09 pm
@Brandon
Like Smith. Since Tedfords Luvs small, fast wideouts WR Robert Herron might get a look.
LUVMYBUCS Says:
January 8th, 2014 at 8:42 pm
With Mike Will & VJAX(Hope to see him more in the slot this year) on the outside.
Some solid (Fast) later round prospects -Paul Richardson -Josh Huff -Robert Herron -L’Damian Washington
January 21st, 2014 at 10:11 am
Good call LUV lol
January 21st, 2014 at 10:17 am
These smaller WRs who perform well during Senior Week scare me.
See Sinorice Moss, Lavelle Hawkins.
January 21st, 2014 at 10:18 am
@PRBucFan
What Biggie say?
I’ve been in this game for years, it made me a animal
There’s rules to this sh#t, I wrote me a manual
A step-by-step booklet for you to get
Your game on track, not your wig pushed back
They don’t know..lol
January 21st, 2014 at 10:24 am
lol smh
January 21st, 2014 at 10:29 am
Jeremy Gallon showed well in the Shrine game too. More quick than fast, but has been very productive
January 21st, 2014 at 10:31 am
Watkins in the 1st, ASJ in the 2nd, and Huff in the 5th…..give Tedford and Glennon a fighting chance to be great.
January 21st, 2014 at 10:34 am
What? Sign a guy that I have NEVER heard of??
Oh well
January 21st, 2014 at 10:36 am
lol your forever saying the same thing
January 21st, 2014 at 10:42 am
He kind of scares me a little bit. He will be a Desean Jackson or a Dexter Jackson just have to figure which one he will be.
January 21st, 2014 at 11:01 am
with such need for talented players like the Bucs have, they should consider getting as many relative high 1st round picks, or picks in general as possbile. Or freeing up lots of cap >>> try getting a good deal for Revis >> if QB in 1st round, let it be Teddy, every other one is simply waste of draft pick (too many other holes; everything else than a true QB to build around, which only Teddy truly/surely provides would be either bold or stupid). They could look to get GregRobinson Tackle Auburn and Louis Nix III NotreDame. Watkins and Ebron won´t happen (too hard getting the picks). Or that Alabama Tackle a little later in first round plus Anthony Barr high 1st.. Or Watkins with the 7th pick and several FA´s before..
FAgency should be what we are thinking about first anyway.. not draft.. Hester,Bowman, that Center dude. Or Hester, Cromartie.. please not that DT from Bears with ACL injury history.. Better draft LoisNixIII with 7th pick – much more worth it. Lots of possibilitys out there 🙂
January 21st, 2014 at 11:09 am
@PRBucFan
Lol
January 21st, 2014 at 11:12 am
As long as a WR is not slower than average I could care less about speed. We have some speedy guys and their problem is drops. Give me a reliable pass catcher like Ike Hilliard was and I’m happy. Both Jackson and Williams will get down the field easier if we have a solid catcher in the middle.
Ike used to catch everything thrown at him. And if a defensive player jumped the route hee would fight to prevent a pick.
I’ll take that over speed any day…unless we are talking kick returns, which are going to be remove from the game withing the next few years anyway.
January 21st, 2014 at 11:20 am
CAREFUL! let’s think about why this guy is a mid to late round pick right now. I’m going to guess his play on the field viewed live or thru game film. why would one game change a couple of years of observation? it shouldn’t. this happens every year in the draft and almost never fails to disappoint. the bucs drafted a couple of guys recently that were just this. do we remember josh freeman and dexter Jackson. in case you don’t freeman was projected to be a 3rd or 4th round project and because the bucs were desperate for a qb and the hype machine was blowing up they drafted him way too early.same with dexter Jackson. just sayin’.
January 21st, 2014 at 11:20 am
I’d like to see the Bucs go after Julian Edellman from the Patriots. Word is he will be a Free Agent and the Pats are Cap-Strapped. Maybe we have a shot at him. He is a wes Welker type and might be a great slot receiver with speed to compliment Mike Williams and VJax. What do you think about that?
January 21st, 2014 at 11:46 am
@BuccaneerBonzai
IMO
We Need (Versatility)
(Blocking TE)
-TE Brandon Pettigrew (28) 6-5 265
-TE Tom Crabtree (28) 6-4 245
(Mismatch Maker/Vertical Threat/Slot-Out Wide TE)
-TE Tim Wright 6-4 220 (4.6) (Conversion)
-TE Brandon Coleman 6-6 220 (4.5) (Conversion)
January 21st, 2014 at 11:50 am
Brandon Coleman (WR/TE Conversion)*Prospect
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zhPTLZ3Tdc
January 21st, 2014 at 11:51 am
What round was (Slot WR) Kenny Stills drafted in last year? lol
January 21st, 2014 at 12:04 pm
Bucray1…. He played at Wyoming. But the Bucs could use a couple of these guys. Still would like to shake John gruden and ask what the hell he was thinking taking Dexter over Deshaun.
I would love to see Marqise Lee in a buc uniform.
January 21st, 2014 at 12:09 pm
@bigpoppabuc
Nah, that would be Dennis Hickey that was telling Gru, what a can’t miss prospect Dexter was. He would later apologize and say that he overreached for the prospect.
January 21st, 2014 at 12:12 pm
Check out Dri Archer from Kent State. Super fast, elusive, can return kicks and play the slot. Very, very dangerous guy with big play ability despite his size. He could be had in the late rounds. Senior year was hampered by injures but he was a major stud junior year.
“In 2012, Archer had 1,429 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, 561 receiving yards, and four receiving touchdowns. His 23 total touchdowns led the MAC and set a single-season school record. Against Ball State, Archer had a 99-yard kick return for a touchdown and set a career-high with 350 all-purpose”…
January 21st, 2014 at 12:16 pm
I think other than QB and oline, Lovie will not be going offense. Not with a defense so close to completion.
I could see him trading our second rounder to move up for Clowney, but that would be the only reason to trade up.
If the second overall pick is not Clowney, he may just fall to us. No way would Lovie pass on him. That means either a vet QB or a second rounder.
If the Jets release Sanchez I would be willing to have him compete with Glennon for this year…if we got Clowney.
January 21st, 2014 at 12:54 pm
Hickey? Wow I didn’t know that. What a bad hunch that was. Never saw a rookie who was more afraid of contact.
Benjamin is a guy I think has a high ceiling, and some good coaching could make him a star, and I think we might get two more seasons out of V-Jax. Benjamin is a guy that could ease that transition.
the biggest question is the slot. Is Williams tough enough to move in there and work the middle, with Benjamin and Jackson outside? Or do you draft Marqis Lee and make him your slot threat? And I believe if they can address the #3 WR spot immediately we’ll see Tim Wright emerge even more.
January 21st, 2014 at 1:13 pm
If we are looking at later round guys, how about L’Damian Washington out of Missouri? Dude is lighting fast; should run sub 4.4, and is a tall,rangy athlete. He wasn’t thrown the ball enough in college because of spotty QB play, but believe me; the guy can play.
January 21st, 2014 at 3:06 pm
Do a little more research, Joe. It isn’t hard. Herron measured in officially at the Senior Bowl at 5-8⅞ 193… which means no matter how good he looks at the Senior Bowl, how fast he runs, he’ll be there for sure in round 3. Too bad we don’t have a #3, yet.
More research, Joe. If you want to see another REAL prospect from Wyoming, check out Herron’s QB, Brett Smith. The guy is an absolute playmaker. Would probably thrive under Tedford. His skill set is outstanding. There are 8 videos of him on http://draftbreakdown.com/players/brett-smith/ Check it out if you want to see what the Bucs SHOULD be looking at in round 2. I’m sure if we also grabbed Herron a little later, the two should have a great feel for the other considering they’ve been together the last 3 seasons.
January 21st, 2014 at 3:27 pm
We have not had a real speedster since Joey Galloway. Herron sounds like a nice fit especially that was in school for 4 years. I believe that if we have a chance to take him, we take Sammy Watkins!!!
January 21st, 2014 at 4:04 pm
The Bucs could definitely use some speed at the WR position. But speed is not the only concern in picking a WR. I would take Anquan Bouldin’s lack of speed and incredible hands over speed 10 out of 10 times.
January 21st, 2014 at 7:15 pm
Odell Beckham, Bruce Ellington, and Dri Archer are a few of my favs…
January 21st, 2014 at 9:06 pm
I agree with MTM, we need some power, but seeming how we have so much money tied up in williams and jackson, it would make more sense to draft speed at the slot and get a MONSTER tight end with height and power. I still think Tom Crabtree would fit the part if he stays healthy. Can’t wait to see what they do. We need this offense clicking. I like the idea of Bringing Bennett back.
January 22nd, 2014 at 1:19 pm
[…] the Bucs will have to go get some speed. Joe wrote about the potential drafting of Wyoming speedster Robert Herron, and there’s now a lot of noise coming out of the Senior Bowl on tiny Oklahoma wide receiver […]
March 14th, 2014 at 11:17 am
Some of you must be joking…you need a fast number three to open up the field. Crabtree? Wow….just the opposite. No additional quality receiver, no winning record. Of course, Jones is still out there….and Smith….so it isn’t hopeless just because this guy walked.