A Double Mack Mock
February 23rd, 2014Could the Bucs really pass up Sammy?
Bucs icon Warren Sapp and Brian Baldinger talked through a reasoned, joint mock draft last night on NFL Network, and the veterans of the trenches were in agreement with their top-7 draft picks, including the Bucs’.
Here is their prognostication order:
1) Jadaveon Clowney – Houston
2) Jake Matthews – St. Louis
3) Johnny Football – Jacksonville
4) Teddy Bridgewater – Cleveland
5) Blake Bortles – Oakland
6) Greg Robinson – Atlanta
7) Khalil Mack – Tampa Bay
So are we to believe the Buccaneers would pass on stud wide receiver Sammy Watkins?
Jiminy Christmas! This Watkins fellow is considered to be a standout, instant star in a draft class especially deep with quality wide receivers. The electric Watkins arriving in Tampa would almost instantly make Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams better. Hell, the entire offense would be impacted. Snagging Watkins at No. 7 would almost be like the Bucs grabbing Julio Jones like the Falcons did years ago, without mortgaging a ton of draft picks to trade up.
Yes, Joe gets that Mack is an amazing talent who already is lighting up the imagination of Bucs general manager Jason Licht, and surely Lovie Smith’s.
Joe would be excited by the arrival of Mack, but Joe also would be queasy if Watkins is passed over.
As for this early mock draft, Joe has a hard time buying it. Houston needs a quarterback. (Anyone think Bill O’Brien doesn’t want one?), St. Louis already has an elite pass rush, and Oakland is not going to draft Bortles. It’s just not an Oakland thing to do.
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:08 am
Like you said joe. Add a j jones type of talent and not cost a damn thing . In today’s pass happy league and a pretty good defense already how do you not. But I guess FA will answer that ?
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:12 am
Joe,
When you have the fourth best pass rush in the division, you don’t win bet Kant games.
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:14 am
* Joe,
When you have the fourth best pass rush in the division, you don’t win many games.
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:14 am
If somehow Glennon works out and we drafted Watkins (which would help) we would have 4 very inexpensive players at skill positions…..QB, WE, TE & RB…….
What a great position to be in to draft either Mack or Watkins….Minnesota needs a QB so they could trade up and mess this entire Mock up.
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:14 am
Watkins’ speed would be amazing to watch, as he runs downfield to wait on the under thrown pass.
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:27 am
We’ll be getting a star player regardless.
Pretty sure we’ll go BPA, on OL or DL.
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:32 am
In related news, not having a 3rd rounder in a draft deep with WR talent is annoying.
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:35 am
St. Louis does have an elite pass rush. Good thing Jake Matthews is an offensive tackle. They could use one of those with jake long being broken and Saffold isn’t exactly great.
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:45 am
Our offense isn’t going to be able to do SQUAT if we don’t fix our offensive (and I do mean offensive) line first. Would feel better with the Sammy, Mack or QB pick if we address the OL in free agency next month.
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:49 am
Well, no matter how you look at it, it looks like a great problem to have. I mean trying to decide between Watkins or Mack. Either one can help. Being that Lovie is more of a defensive minded coach, makes it at least a 51% probability he would select a defensive player first. Especially when it can be an elite pass rusher like Mack is projected to be.
But a playmaker on offense would be a welcomed addition, especially this guy Watkins, who scouts say is a notch ahead of the other receivers in the draft. Like I said, it’s a great problem to have. This selection could be scrutinized in future years or called the greatest draft move ever. Who knows unless you have that proverbial crystal ball. Hopefully the Bucs get it right!
Go Bucs!
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:50 am
Here is how I think it will play out.
Pick 1 – Texans – Teddy Bridgewater, QB
Pick 2 – Rams – Greg Robinson, OT
Pick 3 – Jaguars – Johnny Manziel, QB
Pick 4 – Browns – Jadeveon Clowney, DE
Pick 5 – Raiders – Sammy Watkins, WR
Pick 6 – Falcons – Jake Matthews, OT
Pick 7 – Buccaneers – Blake Bortles, QB
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:51 am
@Mort – Joe knows Matthews. Joe’s implication was that Clowney, if he doesn’t go to Houston, won’t go to the Rams, either.
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:54 am
Scotty in Fat Antonio, while I agree the offensive line needs to be addressed, I believe it takes longer to train up a QB, so he should be drafted first if the picks before us play out right.
Of course, there are exceptions.
For example if Clowney falls to us, we have to take him. Same with Matthews or Robinson.
In no scenario do I believe trading up is a good idea. Or trading down. If we need another pick, trade Rainey. He performed well enough to get a 3rd rounder.
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:56 am
If I knew the offensive scheme better, it would be easier to decide between Mack or Watkins. I think I know what type of defense Lovie will use and I wonder if Mack fits the profile of the hand in the sand edge rusher. If Mack will be used as a traditional Sam backer, then my mind is made up – I’m taking Watkins.
Both these guys put up HOF tape against Ohio State but which one will provide the greatest day one impact is hard to tell. Mack has too much recognition from respected NFL analysts to dismiss his potential.
At this moment, having seen neither work out at the combine, I lean towards Watkins, but I also have to ask myself would it be easier to find another Mack or another Watkins in this draft if I were to pass on one or the other.
Sight unseen, I’m not going to be unhappy with either pick!
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:56 am
Joe Says
“Joe knows Matthews. Joe’s implication was that Clowney, if he doesn’t go to Houston, won’t go to the Rams, either.”
I agree. I think the Browns will take him and get a QB with their second pick in the first round.
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:59 am
Macabee, I think you should also consider how deep the positions are in the draft. For example, for WR there are several great WRs that will be there in round 2. Therefore I do not believe WR is a priority in round one.
More likely it will be one of the harder to find positions.
Mack is possible, but I don’t think it will be him either.
February 23rd, 2014 at 10:19 am
Agree I love both but, if both Watkins or Mack are there, I go with Watkins. Not a bad problem to have, choi of either. However, I don’t see it happening. Oakland may snag Watkins ir someone else may move up ahead of us to do so.
February 23rd, 2014 at 10:27 am
If anyone moves up…it will be DallASS. They would make a possible good trade partner for us
February 23rd, 2014 at 10:28 am
I think this whole drafting Mack thing hinges on whether lovie and co are getting their moneys worth in Revis. If Revis gets back to taking away one half of the field,then I like the Mack pick. Then you can just move him around and blitz the hell out the qb. If Revis is just good , then its pointless to draft a 4-3 SAM at 7 overall.
February 23rd, 2014 at 10:39 am
I agree, go with Watkins, if he is still there, because he is special.
Tedford used a lot of short timing routes in College, and Watkins will be a threat to take it to the house, every time he touches the ball.
It has been a very long time since we have had REAL speed at wide receiver in Tampa.
February 23rd, 2014 at 10:42 am
LOL…when did we EVER have speed at the WR spot? Galloway? That was short lived as he was always battling hammy issues. I hope Watkins doesn’t all of a sudden have hammy issues.
February 23rd, 2014 at 10:43 am
“…When you have the fourth best pass rush in the division, you don’t win many games…”
Nor do you win many games having the 4th best quarterback…
February 23rd, 2014 at 10:49 am
I view ATL as a bit of a wild card to your mock. Yes, they need an OT, but they also had no pass rush last year as well. A lot of mocks have them taking Mack. You can get a more serviceable OT in FA than you can a DE, no?
February 23rd, 2014 at 10:49 am
Man I think I’d take Martavis Bryant over Sammy Watkins. His size and speed are dead on perfect.
February 23rd, 2014 at 10:53 am
Warren Sapp is soooo close to being a GM in the NFL isnt it just scary??
F him……I change the channel when his fat mug and giggly girl-laugh are on.
February 23rd, 2014 at 10:53 am
@Bucsqb12 Says:
“…If Revis is just good , then its pointless to draft a 4-3 SAM at 7 overall…”
Two things. First, it appears Revis is 100% from the reports he is putting out now. But I also want to disagree with what you said. Having a great pass rush means the DBs don’t have to cover for extended periods, just 2-3 seconds. That might make even Leonard Johnson look good.
February 23rd, 2014 at 10:57 am
I think the draft goes…
1. Texans – Johnny Football (QB)
2. Rams – Jake Matthews (OL)
3. Jaguars – Teddy Bridgewater (QB)
4. Browns – Blake Bortles (QB)
5. Raiders – Sammy Watkins (WR)
6. Falcons – Jadaveon Clowney (DE)
7. Buccaneers – Greg Robinson (OL)…
If Falcons decide to take Greg Robinson at 6 instead (which is very possible) then Clowney falls right in our lap…It always sucks selecting after a division rival; especially when both teams have similar needs…either way we should get a really good player at lucky #7…
February 23rd, 2014 at 10:58 am
These projections are definitely not going to stand up. Someone is going to trade with the Rams. They want to trade down and collect picks and they are in an ideal position to get a trading partner. I just hope it is the Bucs so we can get a QB. But if we stay put and got Mack at 7 I would still be happy.
February 23rd, 2014 at 11:18 am
@That Guy Says:
“…Watkins’ speed would be amazing to watch, as he runs downfield to wait on the under thrown pass.”
LMAO
February 23rd, 2014 at 11:18 am
A lot depend on what they think of Foster as well. If he isnt a MLB, Mosley jumps into the conversation.
February 23rd, 2014 at 11:21 am
@Bonzai Says:
“…Therefore I do not believe WR is a priority in round one… Mack is possible, but I don’t think it will be him either.”
I agree we will not take a WR for the same reason. But I do think we have a good shot at Mack. Still hoping for us to move up and get a real QB.
February 23rd, 2014 at 11:22 am
BuccaneerBonzai,
I agree with you. That’s why I said exactly that in the third paragraph of my post!
February 23rd, 2014 at 11:31 am
Not sure I am right about this, but the beauty of Mack is the versatility he would give the Bucs. In our standard 4-3, move LVD to middle, Foster to weak side and Mack to strong side. When we go to our nickel, Foster goes back to middle, LVD back to weakside and Mack puts his hand in the dirt. Without a doubt, the Bucs would arguably have the best set of LBs in the NFL. Adding a good DE in FA along with Mack would put the Bucs in the top 10, if not top 5 defenses in the NFL.
February 23rd, 2014 at 11:36 am
@Joe, while you’d be queasy leaving Watkins on the board to pick Mack, I have the opposite feeling. Leaving Mack on the board to pick Watkins would be insane. This is a defensive HC, in his first draft with the Bucs, with an opportunity to draft an elite pass rusher. How could we bypass Mack at that point?
February 23rd, 2014 at 11:45 am
I fell in love with OTs yesterday and the WRs are just crazy good. Picking in Round 1 is going to be mad dog in a meat house. How do you leave something on the table?
February 23rd, 2014 at 12:16 pm
1. Houston – bortles.
2. Minnesota (this is where the shake up begins)- Teddy bridgewater
3. Jacksonville : jadaveon clowney
4. Cleveland: Manziel
5. Raiders: Watkins
6. Atlanta: Matthews
7. Bucs : Mack or Ebron.
8. Rams: Robinson
I see Jacksonville going clowney over a qb bc they heavily courted bortles, Carr and garoppolo. Bortles is off the board so they feel they could get the other guy Carr or Jimmy G later on.
February 23rd, 2014 at 12:26 pm
Bucs can address WR later in draft or FA (Decker, Julian,etc..) Clowney/Mack/Mathews should be top on the board. If they don’t move down, which they probably will.
February 23rd, 2014 at 12:31 pm
Don’t underestimate how snake bitten Glazers are by selecting Freeman as a franchise QB thus setting this franchise back 5 years. I don’t see them gambling now ,at this point, on a 1st round QB. See attendance See Blackouts.
February 23rd, 2014 at 12:37 pm
agree 100% joe
February 23rd, 2014 at 12:49 pm
Barry: attendance and blackouts may be the exact reason they DO feel the need to go QB. Nothing excites a fanbase like a franchise QB, even if he never becomes “franchise”.
February 23rd, 2014 at 12:56 pm
Actually, I am kind of curious. I understand if we trade away picks next year to move up and we take Manziel or Bridgewater the initial reaction from some fans may be anger at losing picks next year and not filling other holes in the roster. But after that, when camp rolls around… How many fans wouldn’t be truly excited to see what this team, with new coaching, new schemes, and new QB can do? I’d be pacing for months til the preseason to see what we have this year! (especially depending on what FA moves are made in addition)
February 23rd, 2014 at 1:02 pm
BamBam:
Yup. This place would go wild. In a good way.
February 23rd, 2014 at 1:03 pm
Pretty much a non-issue.
February 23rd, 2014 at 1:25 pm
I think Cody’s mock is the most accurate.
I still have nightmares of Megatron handing the Bucs a victory in the final minute on the #$%^ 5 @#$%^ yard line.
February 23rd, 2014 at 1:34 pm
Shut up Joe Dunn. How dare you talk trash about about a player that was a major contribution to the Bucs winning their one and only Super Bowl.
February 23rd, 2014 at 1:37 pm
Watkins ran a 4.34 on his 1st 40 attempt. We can kiss him goodbye
February 23rd, 2014 at 1:38 pm
BamBamBuc …I’m not getting excited anymore for a long time, no matter who the Bucs draft.
February 23rd, 2014 at 1:49 pm
I remember Joe saying on 620 with Steve that taking Watkins at seven is to high, changing your mind I see?
February 23rd, 2014 at 1:51 pm
I agree 100% Joe… Watkins would take this offense out of the gutter instantly.
February 23rd, 2014 at 1:51 pm
As deep as the draft is at wide receiver, may get really good value taking a wide receiver in second round.
February 23rd, 2014 at 1:53 pm
I agree 100% Joe… Watkins would take this offense out of the gutter instantly. And I simply can’t buy the hype on Mack… Good player, but not top ten talent imo.
February 23rd, 2014 at 1:54 pm
Very true. I also like Lee and feel he could fall to us in the second
February 23rd, 2014 at 1:59 pm
I feel really bad for tha upcoming free agent wide receivers. It’s ALOT of talented receivers in tha draft on paper and film and are testing well in tha combine. It’s gonna be quite a bit of low balling come March 11
February 23rd, 2014 at 2:10 pm
Jeff Janice looks real good too….I see an OL or Pass rusher in first round….lot’s of good receivers out there. I love the idea of Watkins in a Bucs uniform…but a guy like Janice 6-3 – 6-4 running a 4-3 flat. 220 lbs. Thats a pass catcher right there!!!
February 23rd, 2014 at 2:12 pm
go with watkins. however if the bucs are going to give glennon competition it better be a veteran i wouldnt be excited for a 4th round draft qb to compete with glennon like kirwan was saying, that is just stupid you might as well stay with glennon.
February 23rd, 2014 at 2:29 pm
Jeff Janis was flying
February 23rd, 2014 at 2:58 pm
It would be tough to pass on Watkins with all the Caveman Gang nonsense going on.
February 23rd, 2014 at 3:00 pm
I’ve bn bangin the drum for Sammy!!! I would cry if we got him tears of joy lol first burner since Joey Galloway
February 23rd, 2014 at 3:02 pm
LOL!
February 23rd, 2014 at 3:27 pm
Take away Bortles from Oakland and replace him with Watkins and this mock draft is probably accurate.
February 23rd, 2014 at 3:56 pm
The deepest draft in a long while and the Bucs only have 5 picks. Go figure.
February 23rd, 2014 at 4:23 pm
Watkins won’t be our pick.
Get ready to be dissapointed
February 23rd, 2014 at 6:23 pm
PRBuc,
You’re probably right about Watkins, but I wouldn’t be disappointed if we traded down and got Mike Evans or Brandin Cooks. All three would be a major improvement in our offense.
Do not be surprised if one or two of the top rated QBs are sitting there at #7 also. There is too much talent to be had in this draft for any of the QB needy teams before #7 to over reach.
Bortles looks the part but lacks the day one skills for a team to be sure and the rest of the scaredy cats are afraid to even compete in the combine drills. How will they get the nerve to compete on the first Sunday afternoon! Expect the unexpected!
February 23rd, 2014 at 10:51 pm
Very true Joe just bustin your balls. Huge fan
February 24th, 2014 at 11:36 am
Bortles won’t go at #1. Watkins will go to Oakland. They seem to only draft speed.