Bucs Draft No. 1
January 6th, 2016
Rated highly.
Yes, Joe has written about it before, the grand slam off the bat of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht is the highlight of 2015.
Yes, Joe knows this is not a baseball site. But the first four picks Licht drafted last spring, America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet and Kwon Alexander, not only all started, but all four played outstanding football for rookies.
In his look at the 2015 draft, former NFL scout turned NFL talking head Daniel Jeremiah believes Licht’s second draft with the Bucs was knocked out of the park.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jason Licht and Lovie Smith look to have hit a home run with first overall pick Jameis Winston, and Kwon Alexander was a legitimate Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate before he was suspended for the final four games.
If Licht can get, say, three more productive starters out of the 2016 draft — three good starters is normally thought of as a decent draft — Licht will have earned a contract extension with Team Glazer.
The first draft class of Licht’s, two seasons removed, is starting to look a wee bit shaky, much more than it did a year ago, but that can be fixed when Mike Evans gets his mind right.
Licht’s second draft class? Hard to argue at all with that.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:09 am
Speaking for Pablo
Pablo’s 2016 Mock Draft
Round 1 – – – – – – – Z DE
Round 2 – – – – – – – – – – – – -Z CB
Round 3- – – – – – – – – -Z S
Now, Pablo doesn’t want you to waste your time filling in the blanks….Pablo is disturbed because Pablo couldn’t find any players with names ending with Z that the Bucs should draft. Pablo is concerned that Trump may have scared them off….Pablo is a Marco Rubio & Ted Cruz supporter. Pablo pays his taxes from his Pasco County roof job…(Don’t ask if Pablo claims his table dance tips) Pablo is an American Citizen and intends to vote….under several different names”
January 6th, 2016 at 10:14 am
The question here is how much influence did/does Lovie have on the draft picks…It seems to me that when you evaluate Lovie, all the evidence shows quite a bit…..He controls most everything he is involved with.
I suspect that he and Light make the choices somewhat together….but to give Licht complete credit for the draft is unreasonable.
The same goes with FA….I suspect Lovie had a stronger hand in that because players were chosen that he was familiar with.
Who knows who wanted Brindza…for example.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:42 am
so Lovie gets blamed for all the poor signings, because he has all the power, but Licht gets all the credit for picking #1 overall? We will see in a year from now on the 2015 class, 2014 is already a waste, look at every pick except mr penalty Evans, all not playing or hurt.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:43 am
Brindza was a GM move. During training camp, lovie doesnt have time to look for new kickers. Lol
January 6th, 2016 at 10:44 am
Given that KC kids year, i dont think Alexander had a shot at Droy. Second place could have been his, but who cares about second place?
January 6th, 2016 at 10:50 am
Sims wasn’t a waste. He actually had a great year. Pamphile being a late round pick has made a great impact as a back up when he was called upon. Evans is our best WR, by a lot. Even in a down year you can’t say it was a bad pick. ASJ is injured. You can be disappointed or frustrated a guy is injured, but that doesn’t mean he is a bust. Hopefully he turns it around and can stay healthy next year. Overall 2014 was an ok draft. I’d give it a C+. It wasnt great but wasnt bad. 2015 we can all agree was an A+++++. Congrats bucs FO and coaches.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:51 am
I think its way too early to claim 2014 a bad draft…
We have Evans, ASJ, Sims & Pamphile….
Evans will be a long-term winner (short term problems)
ASJ could turn around to be a very productive TE
Sims has already been worth the pick IMO
Pamphile is a good backup and may start if Mankins retires.
Id give 2014 another year before judging….
January 6th, 2016 at 10:54 am
Licht’s first draft is shaky. Evans needs to grow up and also show consistency and ASJ needs to get and stay healthy.
You simply cant blow the first two picks on underachievers.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:56 am
I agree Sims was a good pick. I hated it at the time, but I’ve grown to a be a big fan. Especially when they use him for the reasons he was drafted…. Speed in space
January 6th, 2016 at 10:59 am
Sorry but Sims will never be a good pick unless he starts, which means we have to let Doug Martin go for that pick to be worth it. But that sounds like the Bucs right? Replacing a good player with a lesser replacement. But yeah multiple RBs taken much later than the 3rd round or UDFAs are doing as well or better. Wasting high draft picks on RBs is not the recipe to success.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:08 am
If the BUCS can re-sign Martin for no more than $5M a year
they will keep him
otherwise they move on.
RB’s are not regarded very well these days.
RB by platoon is the commonplace now and putting all your ducats into on RB is just not done these days.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:10 am
Sims is getting enough carries to be worth it IMO….doesn’t need to start to be worth the pick…..I suspect he will be used even more in the passing game.
The guy can’t help where he was picked….perhaps not worth a third….but it was still a productive pick.
Look at some of Dominick’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks……if you measure productivity against Dominick’s drafts…..the last two drafts have both been spectacular.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:16 am
Howard can only hope the Glazers give Licht everything he needs,
and by everything I mean stacks of cap cash to pay players who
deserve it and want to win.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:21 am
Really? I don’t think so. For one, Sims was only in on 42% of all snap last year. When you use a 3rd round pick, you’re expecting a starter. So until that number becomes 60%+, that pick went to a reserve role. A 3rd on a backup player is very poor value. Beyond that, let’s examine those first 3 rounds shall we?
2012: Barron, Martin, LVD. That’s 3 starters (and sorry but Barron is being used properly now and is making impact plays. He’s a starter)
2013: Revis (yes, it counts), Banks, Glennon. Should be 2 starters and a QB who showed promise in a dumpster fire.
2014: Evans, ASJ, Sims. A starter, and injury list star, a 3rd down back.
2015: Winston, Marpet, Smith. 2 clear starters and Smith was ok but probably isn’t the answer at left tackle. I think he can be a starter as an LG or RT.
So actually they look remarkably similar. Both got about 5 starters and a nice backup out of it. So yeah, if your attempt was to make Dominik look better or Licht to look worse, mission accomplished.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:30 am
Could be some wishful thinking, hoping they drop enough…but
1. Ramsey CB (may have to move up with Glennon as bait)
2. Jonathan Allen DE Alabama
3. Spencer Drango OT/G Baylor
4. Cyrus Jones CB/Returner Alabama
5. Jake Elliot Kicker Memphis
6. Jonathan Jones CB Auburn
….and hopefully we’re signing a stud DE/WR/DB in free agency…if not, my mock changes.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:34 am
Are you a Lovie hater Bucrightoff? That post jus doesn’t hold water. Perhaps Lovie hatred rubbed off on Licht?
First off whenever you can get a franchise QB it’s a freaking home run. There hasn’t been a draft where a franchise QB was landed in long long time and that’s if you give Trent Dilfer a title of franchise QB. Perhaps you’re also not on board with Fameis like the rest of the league? If he wins Offensive rookie of the year?
Barron sucked here and St Louis is a losing team…Martin and LVD were solid picks….but you low rent Sims horribley. 42% of offensive snaps if they are quality which clearly Sims had this year with better health then a 3rd round pick is certainly worth it and in fact a huge success since 50% don’t even make it.
You state you opinion of Smith’s proper position as if it’s accepted because you’re an expert…but apparently you are on an island there. I’ve read a little speculation before the draft that Smith MIGHT be better suited at guard..I’ve heard no talk of that by mid season because Smith played well as did Marpet.
Kwon has the possiblity of being even better than LVD and MLB is more critical that a Will LB.
Amazingly…coincidentally all these former Bucs “good players” are playing for losers except for Goldson who is on the luckiest team in the league…the Deadskins.
NONE of the players who have left would have made a gnat’s ass difference in our W-L record and none of them with the exception of Goldson were locker room standouts either.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:36 am
@Joe
OK you really got me with that one. Bucs draft #1 is far different from the Bucs 2015 draft is judged the best.
i was anxiously opening this piece to see what miracle Licht has pulled off to trade into the top spot. I couldn’t believe it. Because it wasn’t true. LOL
Next time I’ll wait until I see if your using words like draft as a noun or verb.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:48 am
@ Rightoff…
You’re real clever at excluding Dominick’s failures in the first three rounds…
How about….Bowers, Price, Foster, Benn….Myron Lewis…Freeman, Roy Miller
Sure….like with Barron….some may play better elsewhere….so you might be able to chalk that up to coaching….. b
January 6th, 2016 at 11:49 am
But the simple fact is these players didn’t play well enough for us to be resigned…..
You can try to defend Dominick all you like…..he failed miserably and it’s part of the reason we lack talent today.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:53 am
Tampabaybucfan Says:
“You can try to defend Dominick all you like…..he failed miserably and it’s part of the reason we lack talent today.”
Man, I wish that there was a small group of “real” buc fans, that would have told us this years ago!!! even though some would call them “haters” and “chaos fans” But would have told the truth the whole time!!!!
By the way, the “chaos fan” was my favorite label!!!!
January 6th, 2016 at 11:55 am
Comical trying to give Lovie credit for the Draft. Yes Lovie had some say. Obviously he had to be ok with them drafting offensive players to begin with. Thats to the extent of his influence. We all know Lovie is hands off when it comes to offense. Licht has told us when they study offensive players, Lovie practically falls asleep. Does that sound like a guy that has a hand in offensive selections? Has he ever been a offensive mastermind before? No. Use your head people. Lovie is a defensive guy. He has his “Finger prints” (which joe likes to say) all over those guys. See its quite easy to see if you unglue your lips from the guys arse cheeks.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:58 am
Sims, a good pick? LOL…no run ability or power, ball security issues and a one trick pony >> straight ahead speed for an open lane. A 3rd rounder for a strictly 3rd down back is a wasted pick…He Sucks!!!!
January 6th, 2016 at 11:59 am
OK Rightoff
Let’s see how deep your bias runs..
Which one do you think was a better pick
!st Round……Mike Evans or Mark Barron
2nd Round….Donovan Smith or DaQuan Bowers
3rd Round….Charles Sims or Myron Lewis
January 6th, 2016 at 12:00 pm
Comon bucrightoff lol the drafts have been much better and it isn’t close.
Mike Evans looks like the best WR this team has ever had. He has some mental issues on field but has been insanely productive.
Your opinion on LT Smith doesn’t hold weight other than being backed up by some random scouts pre-draft. Dude has done fine for a rookie. And rookie offensive linemen typically struggle early just as do d-line rookies. Smith has been better than a ton of recent 1st rounders and at one of the most important positions.
Ali Marpet looks like a potential eventual all pro and was a D3 player.
Those 2 picks + Pamphile were HUGE reasons for the insane improvemt in O line.
In 2 drafts we have obtained a franchise QB, 2 cornerstone offensive lineman, an elite #1 WR, a starting MLB with star potential, a depth lineman/potential starter in Pamphile; and a pass catching change of pace back in Sims.
In like 5 Dominic drafts we got an elite DT with a top 3 pick, and an elite OLB. Oh and a 1st round running back whose had only 2 good seasons with 2 bad ones in between. Count Revis if you want but that’s a known commodity not a draft pick on a rookie.
Basically good job on Lavonte and massive failure everywhere else.
Whiffed on WRs
Whiffed on DE
Whiffed on S
Whiffed on any lineman other than McCoy
January 6th, 2016 at 12:37 pm
Sims was one of the most exciting players on the field. Look at his improvement from year one to year two. He and Doug make a dynamic backfield.
January 6th, 2016 at 12:42 pm
I believe that Sims is the only player to run for YAC of any distance to score……and that’s in 2 years….
January 6th, 2016 at 12:46 pm
What is with this Charles Sims hatred? Seriously!!!!
Sims, a good pick? LOL…no run ability or power, ball security issues and a one trick pony >> straight ahead speed for an open lane. A 3rd rounder for a strictly 3rd down back is a wasted pick…He Sucks!!!!
First off we have to right off his rookie year which included a serious ankle injury. A guy whose game is predicated on speed and agility cannot afford a bad wheel.
So let’s judge him this year…he sucks? Really? What do you guys expect here?
Charles Sims ran the ball 107 times for 529 yards or a 4.9 yards per carry.
He averaged close to five yards a carry!!! Must be that poor power or inability to find holes!!!
But that’s only half the story. Charles Sims caught 51 passes for 561 yards for an average of 11 yardsa catch and 4 TD’s.
IE Sims totaled over 1,000 yards of total offense in his “limited” opportunities.
Some suckage there. The internet is your friend before making such bold pronouncements as somebody sucks.
http://www.nfl.com/player/charlessims/2543770/careerstats
January 6th, 2016 at 12:46 pm
@TBBF: Dominik’s picks, most of those picks are still playing in the league.
Lord: Seriously, Barron is a stud, did you know that Goldson led the Redskins in tackles this year, McDougal and Tandy were Dominik guys
Lets give these drafts some time but honestly, if you really look at Dominik’s draft even without Schiano say 2011, 2012 and 2013 almost every one of those picks are still playing in the league. Keep bashing on Dominik but do some research first…
January 6th, 2016 at 12:50 pm
BTW..ball security? Sims fumbled twice…once as a runner once after receiving a pass. Martin fumbled five times in those two capacities. More than twice as many fumbles but obviously also double the attempts…percentages of fumbles by Martin and Sims are virtually the same at 1.3%
January 6th, 2016 at 1:24 pm
You’re a moron. Sims had a very good year. He had more TD receptions than Mike Evans in limited situations and averaged 5 yards per carry.
Do your brain and kidneys a favor and lay off the sauce for a while.
January 6th, 2016 at 1:25 pm
@I know why
I’ll give you the same choice I gave bucrightoff (he didn’t answer)
Which one do you think was a better pick
!st Round……Mike Evans or Mark Barron
2nd Round….Donovan Smith or DaQuan Bowers
3rd Round….Charles Sims or Myron Lewis
Mark Barron stunk it up for us….and Goldson & McDougald were not draft picks. Keith Tandy is a roster bubble guy.
I don’t need to do much research to know that many of his draftees didn’t play well enough for us.
I guess you count Josh Freeman as “still in the league”
Bill Cosby need a good defense….maybe you can help him…
January 6th, 2016 at 1:27 pm
All of you guys pining for Mark Barron remember that in St. Louis they moved him to OLB because he was a poor safety. He was drafted to be a safety by the Bucs and did a terrible job. He’s still not good in pass coverage as an OLB.
January 6th, 2016 at 1:32 pm
Yea….and Dominick’s 2nd round pick is “still in te league” …..DaQuan Bowers…..thanks to injuries to Spence & McDonald……
Great pick, Mark…
January 6th, 2016 at 2:26 pm
@ tbbf
Agreed totally… It’s funny that fans on this site was such a huge fan of butt buddy Mark Dominik drafts but Licht’s drafts are producing starters and are considered “shaky”?
January 6th, 2016 at 2:32 pm
Who cares that he likes to AC/DC? Lots of people do. Seems like a random distinction to consistently bring up.
But yeah, 2014 draft shaky to say the least with Michael Clayton reincarnate (without the blocking skills or on-field toughness) and Sefarian-Jenkins – aka Mr. Glass. Sure is tough to look back and know that you absolutely picked the wrong wide receiver. Stings after every dropped pass, flailing hands in the air complaining to the refs and endless penalties. ODB Jr may as well be playing in a different compared Mike Clayton Evans.
January 6th, 2016 at 2:48 pm
…different *league* compared…
January 6th, 2016 at 3:48 pm
Draft some O lineman. Can’t have too much depth protecting our franchise QB.
January 6th, 2016 at 4:04 pm
lol Evans made more highlight type catches in like 1/2 a season than I ever saw in Clayton.
They aren’t comparable. Clayton was a marginal talent who had a good volume year. Mike Evans is a match up nightmare who can win contested balls and make tons of impact plays in each game. He’s had problems with drops / attitude at times but talent wise if you think he is like Michael Clayton I think you’re crazy. Not close. Also ME is only 22 right now lol
January 6th, 2016 at 4:40 pm
It’s funny that fans on this site was such a huge fan of butt buddy Mark Dominik drafts
It’s not just Dominik…everybody from the past seems to look better. Schiano gets plenty of love here…Bruce Allen…Chucky(who btw had an overall losing record with the Bucs after the Super Bowl)
What amuses me is that most of these people never sucked nor were never as good as we believe. Most often the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
January 6th, 2016 at 6:04 pm
Once again dallasBuc shows his intelligence by calling Mike Evans a reincarnation of Michael Clayton. As been already said he has made mire more highlight reel catches and has been more consistent. Oh what he’s dropped some passes? Oh yeah that really makes him into another MC80 ! I guess if Evans was lighter you might like him or maybe like Greg Olsen or Jordy Nelson or Tom Brady or Aaron Rogers !!! Ha ha ha ha ha ! L O L !!!!Just don’t look like Lovie Smith you’ll really hate him then! Ha ha ha ha ha !
January 6th, 2016 at 6:41 pm
Forget Clayton. Evaluation of Evans is poor. His route running bites. Numerous occasions I caught Winston throwing to a spot and Evans couldn’t fight off coverage to get to where he had to be. He made Winston look innacurate at times. Not to mention Winston seemingly throws too hard for him to catch with consistently. We need a legit received here to makes plays for Winston. Be nice if Evans could take a stirde in development and be that guy.
Im not betting on it and would love to see us bring in another wideout
January 6th, 2016 at 6:54 pm
DavidbigRacePimp loves to laugh (type) out loud at his own racebait humor. A real contribution to conversation!
January 6th, 2016 at 6:55 pm
Bucrightoff what are you talking about??? Dominiks drafts were horrible! They killed the Bucs! In the five drafts he/Racheem/Chiano resided over how many are on this team??? Now you’re downing Simms? He was injured early but has been a huge play maker for us. He’s not the fastest but he is patient and lets blocking develop in front of him instead of simply running into the pile. I remember his first big play of the year I think it was a 40 yard receiver screen as soon as he caught the ball he jumped back a step let some blocks develop then he took off for the td. It was beautiful! Then against Bears on his 29 yard run he worked his way thru traffic setting up and catching blocks as they were made. He’s a very intuitive and heady runner. I understood why he was drafted and unlike many I was on board with it. Lovie&Licht together are proving they are a good talent evaluator team. Their two first drafts have been largely successful. The best since I’d say since ’97. When you post stuff like that you need to ask the Joes permission before you do so!
January 6th, 2016 at 7:04 pm
dallasBuc I only do it for ewe since it’s obvious the nasty, vile and personal attacks ewe make against Lovie Smith is because of his color. Ewe call him incompetent even though his career and those who have hired him prove otherwise. You’re not man enough to say what you really you want to call him so ewe hide behind your little computer screen spilling hate in a way he hasn’t deserved. You call me a racist /pimp because ewe think I’m black, shows your intelligence because I’ve already done said I’m not.
January 6th, 2016 at 7:24 pm
Couchfan I normally don’t agree with you but you do make a point. I remember that story when Licht said that but like you said Lovie had to be on board with it. The one thing I do believe Lovie wanted all along was Jameis. He had to to keep his job and to change his past ways and that was not having a franchise qb. He is too calm and this team needed that vocal leader, too many quiet leaders already. You can bet he had a lot of input on Kwon though. So now let’s see how this defensive heavy draft with one quality speed receiver thrown in. All of you want throw out Sefarian-Jenkins it’s still too early because he’s a 2nd round pick.
January 6th, 2016 at 7:52 pm
DavidbigRacePimp- okay first of all I have never once leveled any “nasty, vile and personal attacks” against Lovie Smith because I don’t know the man personally and unlike you I judge a man by the content of his character, not the color of his skin. However, professionally speaking, he has proven his incompetence as the Buccaneers head football coach and the record proves it. Now, if he finished his first regular season with a 14-2 record and I called him incompetent then you would have reason to believe that I am not really looking at the man professionally. But 2-14??? Doesn’t get much more incompetent than that especially when you look at all the executive decisions he made en route to that record and the first overall pick in the draft.
Now, since you have to make sht up to characterize what I have said about incompetent Lovie Smith in order to justify your calling me a racist because it’s easier that defending his awful record that makes you a fool race baiter and a sad little man regardless of what skin color you have.
January 6th, 2016 at 7:57 pm
Awful analysis by bucright….
“First I’m going to only choose the first three rounds because then I don’t have to include Kwon…then I’m going to include a 16 million dollar 30 year old Darelle Revis as though he was rooke 22 year old on a first round deal…then I’m going to say how I think busts under Dominik like Mark Barron were just not used right while Licht’s starters like LT Smith aren’t as good…”
I mean, well played biased person. Well played.
January 6th, 2016 at 8:00 pm
It was a homerun draft…but you have to wonder if they just took that flier 7th on La’ell Collins or didn’t trade their 5th for George Johnson because they screwed up the contract and instead took S Adrian Amos…that could’ve been an all-time haul.
January 6th, 2016 at 9:23 pm
Simms good pick. Evans real good pick. Pamphile asj need another year. I agree 3 more good picks and licht gets extension. Lovie better get that defense good if he wants another year.
January 6th, 2016 at 9:25 pm
Saw the headline and thought YES trade up from #9 to #1 and get us Bosa. I’ll shut up about Lovie until the season starts.
January 6th, 2016 at 9:29 pm
DallasBuc…don’t you know that everyone in Dallas is racist? It’s a red state so it HAS to be full of redneck racists.
January 6th, 2016 at 9:30 pm
D-allasBuc…don’t you know that everyone in Dallas is r-acist? It’s a red state so it HAS to be full of redneck r-acists.
January 6th, 2016 at 9:54 pm
Who knows… Kenny Bell could make that class even better. He has had a year to understand the NFL level. Now he will get another opportunity to make an impact. I hope he does. Just look what happened to our WR corp this year. Jeez. Looking forward…if we have a grand slam next year especially focused on the D side of the ball. We may become 2nd in the NFC South.