Rumors Suggest Leonard Floyd
April 28th, 2016
Rumors hint Georgia edge rusher Leonard Floyd jumping up to the Bucs at No. 9?
So it is 13 hours from the start of the NFL Draft as Joe posts this story. So let’s let the rumors fly.
Two guys Joe puts a lot of stock in, well plugged-in Peter Schrager and draft guru Mike Mayock, who annually has one of if not the most accurate mock drafts, believe one player is in the crosshairs of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
And that would be Georgia defensive end (he played outside linebacker in a 34 defense) Leonard Floyd, who is a freak athlete at 6-6, 248 pounds. He’s projected as an NFL edge rusher.
First, Schrager put out on Twitter what he heard last night that links the Bucs and Floyd.
5. A team with a Top 10 pick flew to meet with Leonard Floyd, last second, on Tuesday. Keep eyes on JAX at 5, TB at 9, NYG at 10. @NFLonFOX
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) April 28, 2016
Well, picking Floyd at No. 5 seems terribly high unless everyone and their brother have overlooked this guy. It is hard to believe that both Joey Bosa and DeForest Buckner, stud defensive ends, wouldn’t be on the board when the Jags pick.
But the icing on the cake to the rumors is Mayock’s mock draft. He has the Bucs selecting Floyd at No. 9.
Said Mayock, via the Athens Banner-Herald: “When you watch him play they’ve got him as an off-the-line linebacker, they’ve got him on the edge, they’ve got him covering slots, his athletic ability is amazing and his burst off the edge is rare. So at the end of the day in a pass-first league, teams are going to lean on what he can do as opposed to what he can’t do. And what he can do is get off the line, come off the edge.”
Now of course this doesn’t mean the Bucs will pick Floyd. But given Mayock’s usual accuracy in his one and only mock draft each spring (accurate by mock draft standards) and Schrager’s solid sources, thus far this is the closest anyone has come to breaking who the Bucs will pick, other than those guessing it will be Vernon Hargreaves.
April 28th, 2016 at 5:30 am
Saw mayock’s pick when it came out. Charlie Campbell is hearing the same thing, re Floyd. He will be used like Anthony Barr.
April 28th, 2016 at 5:35 am
Its either true or its not lol. Never know at this time of year. I think 9s high for floyd from what ive seen. I trust licht tho so cmon 13 hours lets get over with
April 28th, 2016 at 5:40 am
whelp this sucks, if thats the case trade back cause this is a reach at 9
disappointed indeed
April 28th, 2016 at 5:45 am
Pr
You werent happy with bosa either. N you didnt answer my question yesterday about bosa. Wby cant he be a product of mike smiths defense too? So who would your pick be if everyone so far cant make your cut?
April 28th, 2016 at 5:55 am
Nice height but a little light. Not sure drafting a player that can not play all 3 downs is ideal for a top 10 defensive pick. Would be an extremely underwhelming pick
April 28th, 2016 at 5:58 am
Floyd might have to bulk up a bit for the NFL….he has a very narrow frame. But if he could get to around 255-260lbs, without affecting his speed, he might end up being a very effective edge rusher. I’ve heard some people say that he only weighs around 230 right now…so he’d have to spend a lot of time in the weight room to get his weight up.
My question is…if Buckner/Bosa/Ramsey are all gone when the Bucs choose at #9, do we reach for a guy like Floyd/Spence/Rankins/Dodd/Ogbah…or do we trade back a bit and try to get one of these guys in the 15-20 range? I’m sure there will be some club that tries to move up to get a guy like Elliott or Lynch, and give us an opportunity to get an extra pick or two.
April 28th, 2016 at 5:59 am
Floyd has better potential as a game breaker edge player than Buckner and Bosa.. And who said 9 is high? You? Because you read mock drafts and he hasn’t been mentioned? You don’t know how teams rank players. Not all teams rank players the either..
April 28th, 2016 at 6:07 am
Bosa and Floyd is “everyone”? I’ll be damned… who knew!!!
lmao Im not gonna bother with posters who feel as if people owe them any kind of explanation. My opinions are mine and I don’t need to explain them to anyone. Plain and simple.
I’ve stated who I like and I’ll state who I don’t. That is all.
April 28th, 2016 at 6:20 am
Bosa is slow. End of story. You can’t flex into a 3-4 with a guy like that either.
April 28th, 2016 at 6:22 am
Joe, you realize that Mayock hit on like 3 or 4 picks last year? And 2 of them were Winston/Mariota? Kiper picked better than him lol.
April 28th, 2016 at 6:23 am
To play what position? This is a brain-dead move. The guy is a one trick pony. He’s fast. Hooray for him. 9th?! He has no pass rush moves beyond speed. This is ridiculous. He’s small for an end, and he’s not a natural linebacker, and we don’t play a 3-4, nor can we easily… This better be smoke.
April 28th, 2016 at 6:25 am
Having him play with his hand in the dirt means one thing. A check at the line and a run to that side. The tackle will devour him, and then you just need to put a move on and it’s a first down,
April 28th, 2016 at 6:26 am
Clicky linky in the second paragraph. Mayock has the highest accuracy rate over the past five years of anyone you’ve ever heard of. The four guys ahead of him, only their mothers know who they are.
April 28th, 2016 at 6:28 am
If this is the pick I will have to trust Licht. The guy has been pretty spot on with the previous drafts so I will have to back him until he proves otherwise. Draft can’t come any sooner I’m over this long wait.
April 28th, 2016 at 6:31 am
People seem to forget who the Bucs d-line coach is. Same guy was able to squeeze blood out of turnips like Wallace Gilberry and Ghost Johnson.
April 28th, 2016 at 6:33 am
Amen. There is no valid reason not to have the draft longer than six weeks after the combine.
April 28th, 2016 at 6:35 am
Dang this is the only guy I didn’t YouTube at work last night…
April 28th, 2016 at 6:38 am
If I watch the draft and am waiting and anticipating the Bucs to pick at #9 and hear Leonard Floyd, I will scream Bust at the TV. Hopefully the Browns grab him ahead of us. If that’s our choice for defense, than let’s grab the mauler, Conklin for our offensive line. Hopefully Bucs made a midnight run to Athens, to fire up another smokescreen for a team drafting behind them who will trade up to get this kid.
April 28th, 2016 at 6:39 am
@ JOE it’s gotta be about $$$$ i’m sure the NFL drags the process out just to stay relevant in the off season which is understandable i mean at the end of the day this is a business.
April 28th, 2016 at 6:40 am
If he turns out to be like Justin Houston, I am in! Go dawgs, woof!
April 28th, 2016 at 6:42 am
AC:
Probably right.
April 28th, 2016 at 6:50 am
If mayock say we are drafting flyod we are drafting floyd. He always nails the bucs picks. He definitely has an ear on the inside of one buc place.
And i would a ok with this pick. We need the sam backer of the fiture and if he is the Pass rusher people say he is he will be our situational pass rusher too. Win/win. I like this guy beter than buckner or bosa.
April 28th, 2016 at 6:54 am
I really don’t like this guy at 9. But if Licht likes him and Mike smith uses him right it could be a great pick. Lack of production in college is scary, but it could be from missuse.
GO BUCS
April 28th, 2016 at 6:58 am
Not excited with Floyd as the pick. I’m optimistic we land Jalen one way or another. I would give our 3rd this year and our 2nd to move up to the Chargers pick. Win win for both clubs. They can still pick up either Tunsil, Stanley or Conklin at 9.
April 28th, 2016 at 7:00 am
Swap chargers pick with our 3rd this year and 2nd round next year.
April 28th, 2016 at 7:01 am
I am a bit embarrassed to say I picked Floyd Jan, Feb, and Mar. The first of April the only ones agreeing with me were Walt and Charlie Campbell. I agree with joe, Mayock has not been that accurate so I was really surprised to see Floyd. I would take him over Hargreaves in a heartbeat because he can rush the passer and is versatile. In April I solidified my stance on our need for a pass rush at #9, Hoping thats what we get but not necessarily Floyd.
April 28th, 2016 at 7:06 am
Sorry, meant to say I agree with joe on Mayocks Accuracy
April 28th, 2016 at 7:07 am
I hate to have to coach up a #9 pick and make that pick based on pure athletic ability…thats what you do in the later rounds… When was the last time a lean long legged defensive end drafted in the top 10 panned out? I’ll have to trust the Bucs on this one but I just don’t believe this is our pick at 9….Go Buds!
April 28th, 2016 at 7:10 am
Floyd is a lightweight that’ll get absolutely dominated against the run. Pick a guy in the top ten who’s a one-down player? My trust in Licht’s judgment would take a huge beating, just like Floyd will on every run play of his entire NFL career.
April 28th, 2016 at 7:17 am
Not a big fan. He gets devoured in the run game. This would be Gaines Adams 2.0.
They can’t even pin point the #1 pick this year, the 2016 draft is a complete crap shoot.
April 28th, 2016 at 7:23 am
Nobody makes a “last second trip” unless a trade scenario emerges. Could easily be Jacksonville too. Floyd doesn’t look like a good fit in a 4-3. Spence would be a better option.
April 28th, 2016 at 7:36 am
I keep returning to Noah Spence as our 1st pick… Trade back and get this beast!
April 28th, 2016 at 7:37 am
As most have said above. He needs to gain weight, He will get thrown around like a rag doll in the NFL with his frame.
April 28th, 2016 at 7:39 am
Some of you need to pay attention and forget the past. Bucs are no longer going to be strictly a 4-3. Mike Smith has stated numerous times he will be running a hybrid and the bucs will be playing in a 3-4 at times. I’ve been on the Floyd bandwagon for some time and believe Floyd’s versatility will be a good fit for Smith and his hybrid scheme. To many of you are looking at Floyd strictly from a 4-3 standpoint. I’d be fine with Floyd just no VH3 or Buckner
April 28th, 2016 at 7:48 am
I hope they trade back!
April 28th, 2016 at 7:49 am
Floyd, cant defend the run. If you pick in the top 10 you have to get a guy that is capable of being a three down player.
April 28th, 2016 at 8:00 am
This would be a terrible pick unless they are drafting him to play OLB exclusively. How many elite DE, and I mean really elite, are small like Floyd or Spence?
April 28th, 2016 at 8:11 am
I’m not a fan of this pick, but in Licht I trust.
April 28th, 2016 at 8:24 am
Not a fan of this pick. He will be 25 years old during the season. He is a 34 olb, scrawny and did not do much at Georgia. He is a pure bet on the future and not what he has done. . I’d rather trade the pick for mo wilkerson.
April 28th, 2016 at 8:38 am
PR
Wow dont you know how to debate lol. Ok negative nancy your opinion is yours, since i didnt know tbat. You need to be a PR saints fan youd fit right in
April 28th, 2016 at 9:01 am
I’m going to barf if this is the pick. Outside of QB/RB, the Bucs need to pick BPA!!!!!!!
We have three DTs on the roster right now and only one of them is a legit starter IMO.
BPA
BPA
BPA
BP f**king A!
Go Bucs!
Can’t wait!
April 28th, 2016 at 9:08 am
Floyd’s shortcomings may make him unworthy of a top ten pick, but he’s exactly what we need in our DL rotation. We’ve already got run stuffers. We need speed on the edge and from what I’ve seen this guy is exactly that. We brought in Jay Hayes for a reason and an NFL trainer and diet will easily put 10-15 pounds on this prospect. I think it’s the best we can do as far as need meeting bpa.
April 28th, 2016 at 9:26 am
please no….as a gator fan I watched him for 2 years and he did absolutely nothing….too light in the pants….we ran right at him and he couldn’t handle it…2014 we had over 350yards rushing…last year we had over 200 yards rushing and he was the main reason why…his speed and athleticism is rare but he easily gets washed behind the qb and has a hard time disengaging with blockers…Anthony barr was a lot more physical and weighed closer to an nfl player coming out of college….GO BUCS!!!
April 28th, 2016 at 9:44 am
If Mike Smith is calling to draft Leonard Floyd then we shouldnt draft him , mind you he couldnt find a pass rusher to save his life in Atlanta every end he drafted was some hot garbage … I say draft Sheldon Rankins if not move back get more picks
April 28th, 2016 at 9:45 am
Well, I named him as my official going on the record pick at #9 after watching more video this past weekend. The speed, his length and most of his motor is why. Yes he was misused by GA. I think he should focus on pass rush from the outside and help defend against TE’s, and yes he’ll need to add some weight to his frame, but thats doable. Another thing, with him used in coverage at times, whose to say we dont try him at Safety, and really use him mostly as a Safety blitzer. Thats what I see as a huge option. Its according to what Smith wants to do.
But if we could land him at #9 and somehow get Spence or Ogbah, I’ll be happy. I think Ogbah’s problem was his motor though, not high enough. Hopefully that can be coached and motivated out of him. But thats a problem Floyd doesnt have.
April 28th, 2016 at 9:48 am
@bigpoppabuc we need a STAR at defensive end buddy not a rotational player high energy guy like a noah spence in the second round (i see khalil Mack in him)
April 28th, 2016 at 9:52 am
I’m fine with this pick.
Play him as a traditional OLB in the base 43 and then move him down on the line in sub packages.
Sounds good to me.
April 28th, 2016 at 10:23 am
Who determines whether he’s a reach or not?
Who’s to say he can’t play all 3 downs? I’d be willing to say that he can definitely play all 3 downs, based on my previous comment?
OLB in a base 43 and edge rusher in sub packages.
Nice to see that you already have Coach Smith’s playbook in hand…
This is the most accurate statement made in this entire comment thread.
Licht has done nothing to dissuade our trust thus far. We all believe that he’s a good GM and has done a great job. Lets trust that he knows what he’s doing.
Do you have personal insight into the Bucs draft board? Who’s to say that he won’t be the best player availble when it’s time for them to picK?
Unless you have a copy of the board, your argument holds no weight.
April 28th, 2016 at 10:27 am
I really hope not.
This kid is thin built. He tried to beef up for the combine, and was sluggish
Hes gonna max out around 230.
Too small for DE.
We dont need another Linebacker- we have our 3 starters.
Better to take the top DT, and generate predsure from the inside.
I think we may have some decent DEs, that werent necessarily used to the best of their ability last year.
A 230 pound guy, whos only attibute is a quick first step?
Ill trust Licht- but I sure hope not.
I wont celebrate that pick
April 28th, 2016 at 10:42 am
I just watch some highlights of him in the Bama game and he did nothing. He mostly played the LB position most of the game. he even got trucked by Henry and stiffed armed. This dude is soft! His production doesnt even make him a third round pick! I will extremely pissed if they pick this bum.
April 28th, 2016 at 10:46 am
Guy I work with who lives and breathes UGA football says Floyd has bust written all over him.
April 28th, 2016 at 11:17 am
If the new D staff is more confident in the DL, especially DE, Floyd may make some sense as a hybrid SLB/third down outside rush if, in fact, Smith runs some 46 & 3-4 as the rumors are circulating.
Not my pick at #9, but I trust Licht & Smith on their evaluation.
April 28th, 2016 at 11:21 am
Floyd measured 6′ 5-5/8 & 244lbs at the combine.
If he can gain 20-25 lbs. of solid without losing his 4.6 speed he could possibly be something special.
April 28th, 2016 at 11:21 am
I trust in Light but this is literally the only pick in the 1st that would have me worried a bit besides a RB or QB. I’d feel better with Noah Spence / Mackensie Alexander even.
A player like Floyd maybe is useful in a Mike Smith hybrid D but man he screams Dion Jordan. Tall tweener type that looked good amongst college guys but would get destroyed by NFL o-lines. And he’s 24 already so it’s not like he’s a young guy on the upswing
April 28th, 2016 at 11:22 am
“If he can gain 20-25 lbs. of solid without losing his 4.6 speed he could possibly be something special.”
A lot of weight to gain and keep your speed. He has no inside pass rush moves and not sure he is strong enough even with weight gain to really ever dominate with his hands as well as his speed
April 28th, 2016 at 12:03 pm
The top four mock guys (only their mother knows) had the Bucs taking Ronnie Stanley, VH3, VH3 and Rankins respectively.
April 28th, 2016 at 12:07 pm
Lord Cornelius Says:
Not necessarily on a 6′ 6″ frame. If he “slows” to 4.7 that’s still very fast.
April 28th, 2016 at 12:34 pm
Would not be a good pick at all for the reasons above. Doesn’t have great instincts or angles as a LBer, and really does not seem to fit the type of player Licht has drafted the past two years which are usually well-rounded players without huge holes to their game.
April 28th, 2016 at 12:37 pm
This pick wouldn’t excite me either like most of you but Licht has earned my trust. Its very egotistical of you to discredit this kid or licht before even allowing him to play a single snap. But we do have a bunch of know it alls on this board now dont we?
April 28th, 2016 at 12:58 pm
Lets just get it over with. All of us have our picks and most of us are..WRONG!
5PM today cannot get here quick enough!
April 28th, 2016 at 1:25 pm
Reminds me of Dion Jordan…
April 28th, 2016 at 1:56 pm
Barkavius Mingo 2.0
April 28th, 2016 at 2:26 pm
So many people don’t believe in Leonard “the freak” Floyd. I do. There is something special about him and its would be about time the Bucs did not draft based on who the safe pick is. He already weighs 244 and plans on putting 10 more pounds on. After he gains some weight and works on his strength he will be a dominant player. The speed in which he can get to the QB or ball carrier is second to none. Use Floyd as a moving chess piece who can play strongside linebacker, cover tight ends, move into the slot, and rush the passer, and you’ll have a major defensive upgrade. Draft him along with either DT Chris Jones or DT Vernon Butler in the second round followed up by a Safety in the third and our defense is on their way.
April 28th, 2016 at 2:51 pm
You guys arent reading the scouting reports on Floyd. He had a thin build, and doesnt have room to add weight. He lost speed when he went to 245 for the combine
Hes gonna play at 230. Its all his frame can carry. Every report says the same thing.
230 pound DEs get crushed in the NFL.
Hoping Licht can trade up for Bosa or Ramsey, or trade back for more picks.
For our needs, the 9th spot isnt a good spot
April 28th, 2016 at 2:51 pm
I think unless something amazing happens I think the pick is leonard Floyd
April 28th, 2016 at 3:05 pm
This would be horrible. Terrible pick.
Take Noah Spence instead
April 28th, 2016 at 4:06 pm
mcshay and kiper are also giving floyd to us. there seems to be many link to the bucs and leonard floyd at this point.
April 28th, 2016 at 4:07 pm
links
April 28th, 2016 at 4:08 pm
Floyd just needs to add few pounds of muscle and develop his edge rushing technique to be great.
April 28th, 2016 at 4:38 pm
Ogbah has the speed and power….and frame to be an every down player at DE!!! let’s find a way to land the nigerian nightmare….
April 28th, 2016 at 4:56 pm
My only question here is if we think that J Smith is fragile because we try to take him, at 258 lbs, and use him as an every down end, what is going to happen with Floyd. Also, how is Noah Spence undersized when he is 7 pounds heavier than Floyd. I’m hoping this is smoke to get the Giants to jump over them and take the pick or con another draft pick out of them to swap spots.
April 28th, 2016 at 4:58 pm
Guys remember he already put on a reported 15-20 pounds at the combine, tell me how he’s going to add another 20 and stay off of the PED list?
April 28th, 2016 at 5:34 pm
I love the kid’s effort. He has the best get off… except for maybe Spence. He has the best bend, except for Spence. His highlight package is great, his lowlight package is bad. I have watched a ton of Georgia football the last few years. He looks lost often at linebacker versus the run. Ironically, what he does best at linebacker is drop and cover.. on the down you drafted him to rush the passer.
Intriguing player, really is. The problem is that if he can’t beat the NFL lineman with just speed. I just went and rewatched some of his game film. His highlights are beastly. After 16 games in the NFL, he’s going to struggle. If you want to see what he might look like in the NFL, pull up his full game versus Alabama last season. Watch his individual battles in the first half, then make the argument that he is the ninth pick in the draft.