“The Godfather” Finds A “Sapp” In The Draft
April 22nd, 2016
Will the next Sapp be drafted by Tampa Bay next week?
Gerald McCoy may not be the next Warren Sapp, but perhaps he could play alongside the next Sapp.
Every year, a highly-touted draft pick gets the inevitable Sapp label. There’s never been another Sapp, but everyone’s looking. He was a such a dominant force and a uniquely gifted athlete, in addition to the historic mouth and attitude.
Noteworthy this year is who is issuing the Sapp call. It’s The Godfather, Gil Brandt, the legendary scouting guru and architect of the first Cowboys dynasty.
Now 83 years old, Brandt is still going strong, working for NFL.com and hosting on SiriusXM NFL Radio, as well as traveling to numerous pro days and working the NFL Scouting Combine.
Brandt identified underrated studs in the NFL Draft for NFL.com, and he pegged Louisville defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins. Considering Rankins is considered a top-15 pick by nearly everyone, that’s impressive. Rankins has got the street cred, but Brandt still thinks he deserves more, so he wrote on NFL.com.
5. Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville: Rankins had a tremendous Senior Bowl week, but for the most part has stayed under the radar. Some of that is intentional, as Conor Orr wrote about this week. Reminds me a lot of Warren Sapp with his strength, speed, quickness and burst. Opponents are going to have a difficult time blocking him.
As Joe’s written previously, Joe would love to see Rankins in Tampa, as long as the Bucs complement the pick with a defensive end in the second round. The need at DE is just too great to let slide.
April 22nd, 2016 at 6:06 am
Yep. And he’s not even guaranteed to start. You bench the captain McDonald?? No way.
April 22nd, 2016 at 6:25 am
turn in the card!then get Ogbah
April 22nd, 2016 at 6:32 am
I would absolutely bench McDonald if we draft him. You put the best players on the field to produce. I for one would love to have him on the team. He can also spell McCoy.
April 22nd, 2016 at 6:33 am
The starting RDT is Spence. McDonald only started when Spence was injured so it’s not too much of a stretch to think (the 9 overall pick) Rankins would start in the rotation.
April 22nd, 2016 at 6:39 am
If the Bucs could pull off something like…Rankins in Round #1 and someone like Ogbah/Dodd/Lawson/Spence/Floyd/Nassib in Round #2…I’d be totally fine with that. GMC and Rankins together would be a potent combination, and a major disruption to opposing backfields.
April 22nd, 2016 at 6:50 am
Imagine Both McCoy & Rankins getting double teamed. Even above avg DEs will have a field day. IMO.
April 22nd, 2016 at 6:58 am
I we stay at 9, Bosa or Buckner if they slip. Rankins over Hargeaves for me but if they choose Hargreaves this tells me that they are sold that his height and 4.5 40 yard dash will not be a problem and i would be okay with that.
April 22nd, 2016 at 7:05 am
Hope for 2016 season McCoy shuts up and plays like sapps left toe
April 22nd, 2016 at 7:15 am
Y’all better listen to finisher. Rankin’s next Sapp??? Didn’t appear that way to me when my Noles played them. Will he be pretty good probably so,will he compare to a HOFr I don’t think so. And for all you wait til the second rd to snag Ogbah stop fooling youselves he won’t make it to the second.
April 22nd, 2016 at 7:19 am
Would love to see them use the pick on Rankins. He would make our team better.
April 22nd, 2016 at 7:24 am
@stanglassman
believe you have your injuries mixed up Macdonald was starter in 2014 and was supposed to be starter in2015 but he got injured early in the year and Spence took over.Macdonald was said to be our best free agency acquisition
in 2014.AS for rankins,licht says you have to look three years out in the draft.
both McCoy and Macdonald will be entering their 9 th year.
April 22nd, 2016 at 7:24 am
Emanuel Ogbah’s numbers much like 813 showed you all yesterday are relatively the same as Joey Bosa’s. Only diffrence is in 2014 they both were double digit sack guys. In 2015 one wasn’t. Now since you probably believe the hype that my guy Ogbah is lazy you might be thinking it would be him right??? Wrong. Ogbah had 12 sacks in 2015 Bosa had 5. Guess they’re both somewhat lazy after all.
April 22nd, 2016 at 7:30 am
I’m starting to think Rankins is the guy. I read that he had a 3.5 GPA coming out of HS which sounds exactly like the type of guy that Licht was referring to in some of his predraft news conferences.
April 22nd, 2016 at 7:30 am
I remember vividly watching Warren Sapp at the university of Miami. Stop this none since Rankin’s AINT Sapp.
April 22nd, 2016 at 7:41 am
You have to draft the best players available without reaching on picks just to fill a need. This is a second rate class of DE’s/edge rushers if you don’t believe me compare Joey Bosa or Spence to Dante Fowler and the group of guys that came out last year. I’d take a DE in the second rd if one falls but a top 10 pick on this group isn’t a good idea. We’ll all be back 3 years from now debating over who they should draft to replace him.
April 22nd, 2016 at 7:52 am
Andy Reid is a pretty darn good coach. His theory….give him a decent QB..an edge rusher…a tackle..and a great corner and he’ll take care of the rest.
We have a more than decent QB, we have a tackle and a guard and decent complimentary pieces on our OL.
We NEED a stronger pass rush! Hopefully some of that will come from the edge but if you bring in a Rankins and GMC and Spence and McDonald are studly they will force this issue up the middle…either getting the QB…batting a pass…hurrying a throw or…forcing the QB to roll…hopefully into one of our DE’s.
It’s a team and improvement of some pieces will automatically improve the others…if we had a killer rush up the middle with Rankins and GMC our DE production will improve as well thanks to that pressure up the middle.
I want a DL or DB and I trust Licht to find the right ones.
April 22nd, 2016 at 7:59 am
Waterboy I just took your advice and looked up Fowler’s numbers Ogbah’s are better.
April 22nd, 2016 at 8:11 am
Yeah but it’s not always about the numbers. If you watched Fowler at UF he was reaking havoc in the backfield. He had a ton of QB hits and was always pressuring the QB. The tape never lies.
April 22nd, 2016 at 8:19 am
Rankins has been hanging on to the Top DT ranking on most boards for some time. Bosa and Butler are ranked higher, while Lawson would be a consideration. At this point I feel an edge rusher is our top need. I guess because of his value Rankins would be a good fit at 9, but I agree 39 needs to be the best edge rusher we can get. Just don’t screw-up and get a CB.
April 22nd, 2016 at 8:25 am
I could live with Rankins. But our most urgent need is at DE. We shall see. Draft only days away.
April 22nd, 2016 at 8:32 am
Waterboy here’s another one for you go back and look at Kalil Mack’s college numbers. Keep in mind he played four season’s in school. Come back and explain to me Ogbah’s numbers wouldn’t have been better. Demboyz men lie women lie numbers never lie.
April 22nd, 2016 at 8:39 am
Im seriously feeling a trade back headed our way, probably the Titans. And we need that more than picking #9 unless Ramsey makes it to the Ravens and we move up for him.
So at 15th, Rankins could be a great pick, but then we’re getting rid of one of the DT’s after this season. If Floyd is still there, I’d rather grab him. He can play OLB, DE, can even cover the TE. His speed and high motor, to me, makes him the best value for us at #15. Yes he would benefit from putting on some muscle if he’s going to dig in and go. But he’s young and can add 20 pounds pretty quickly. Trust Hayes and the trainers. Then move back into the 1st for Ogbah.
April 22nd, 2016 at 8:45 am
An interior DLine rotation of McCoy, Rankins, McDonald and Spence could definitely do some damage, and increase the effectiveness of the DEs we do have. Building from the inside out looks like a good philosophy this draft year.
Only way I’d pass on Rankins is if Ramsey was still available at #9 (very doubtful). I love Myles Jack as a LB, and it’d be hard to pass him over if he was still there when we pick, BUT … we do need DLine help more. Picking Ogbah in the 2nd round would be awesome, but again doubt he’d be there when we pick. Surely though we can grab a good DE at that point (Lawson, Dodd, etc).
April 22nd, 2016 at 8:54 am
MadMax
I agree. really like Floyd but Walters and Charlie Campbell are the only ones pushing him. I think with a few more pounds at 6’6 and speed the guy would be lights out at edge rusher or like you say OLB. He has been at the top of my wish list since February, but you know they won’t pick him even if they trade back to 15.
April 22nd, 2016 at 8:58 am
@nole…the key thing that your missing is that bosa did it in 3years….ogbah had to redshirt to catch up to the college level….their would be no comparison if bosa played all 4years…. so your basically saying you want a inconsistent player that’s known for half assing and not showing up against weaker competition…great…we have too many players on the roster that display inconsistent effort and lack of passion/focus….dodd,lawson,nassib are all better imo….ogbah will be there in the second round…and even then I still wouldn’t draft him….GO BUCS!!!
April 22nd, 2016 at 8:58 am
rankins would be McCoy’s replacement people. The often injured / playing hurt McCoy would easily be expendable after this season with a very minimal cap hit, if rankins is the pick. If Rankins works out it gives the Bucs the flexibility to dump the often injured overrated pay check cashier that enjoys losing. I’d rather a defensive end but Rankins would allow the bucs some flexibility and an easy out from that HUGE McCoy contract. I don’t see the trade down scenario there will be too good of a player available at 9 for licht to pass up given the trade activity that has already taken place. The locker room needs a change of heart and to weed out those who accept losing. Winston made it very clear there are defensive players who have accepted losing and that is unacceptable.
April 22nd, 2016 at 9:08 am
@nole….did you even watch any other game of his besides the opener his jr year….that year allow he was dominated by Missouri state, iowa state and Kansas….vs quality opponents like Oklahoma,tcu and ksu he was mia…this pass year he was dominated by tcu ole miss Oklahoma cent mich and Kansas….Kansas for crying out loud…your a joke thinking this kid is any where close to bosa….check out his numbers from those games and get back with me….if you still like him after watching him get man handled by Kansas and Missouri state then you just don’t know football…just a highlight watcher….GO BUCS!!!!
April 22nd, 2016 at 9:26 am
Give me Rankins and Dodd and I’m kicking my feet up and smoking a cigar. Dodd will be better than Lawson!!!!!
April 22nd, 2016 at 9:33 am
@Nole
It’s more than the game stats you have to watch the tape to compare the players. I’ve seen college games where guys go unblocked and end up getting a sack or times where they aren’t matched up against a quality player on the other side of the ball. I agree with you that Ogbah is an intriguing prospect but I wouldn’t draft him at #9. I also agree that Rankins is not the next coming of Sapp. Look at the comparison of Mack and Ogbah that I posted below, they’re close in the 40 but Mack appears much more explosive by looking at the other measurables. Another thing that’s missing is Khalil Mack had heart that’s something you can’t measure but I’m not sure about Ogbah. Check out his games on draft breakdown.com
Kahil Mack
40 YARD DASH: 4.65 SEC
BENCH PRESS: 23 REPS
VERTICAL JUMP: 40.0 INCH
BROAD JUMP: 128.0 INCH
3 CONE DRILL: 7.08 SEC
20 YARD SHUTTLE: 4.18 SEC
Ogbah
40 YARD DASH: 4.63 SEC
BENCH PRESS: 20 REPS
VERTICAL JUMP: 35.5 INCH
BROAD JUMP: 121.0 INCH
3 CONE DRILL: 7.26 SEC
20 YARD SHUTTLE: 4.50 SEC
April 22nd, 2016 at 9:33 am
I’ll be honest, my dream draft has us swapping with the Titans, getting Rankins at 15, tho I think New Orleans gets him first, then trading back into get Spence. While Ogbah has super sexy numbers, he gives it away really quick with poor technique and sketchy effort. He had a very, very good game versus FSU, two years ago. Since then its kind of meh. If Hayes has put his stamp on him, thats all I need but nearly every year this kid is on the board. Incredible natural talent, but….
I will say this, if Spence wouldn’t have strained a hamstring at the Senior bowl, then went out and run a 4.5-4.6 like the film and all of his coaches say he runs, he wouldn’t be on the board when we pick. Still with that, he was the third highest defensive lineman as far as explosion, behind Rankins and Nkemdeche
April 22nd, 2016 at 10:36 am
Tmax like always that was wisdom,waterboy I respect your breakdown,813 you just talkin out yo arse.
April 22nd, 2016 at 10:50 am
Rankins may well be the best fit at #9 where BPA meets need meets value.
Do we NEED a DT? No – not really. McDonald and Spence are both good players and we have a perennial all pro undertackle in McCoy.
Compare that trio to our 3 best DEs – Ayers, Jack Smith and Gholson.
DT is somewhat of a strength of this team even after releasing Melton.
But what has NOT been a strength of this team lately is getting consistent pressure on QBs. (there’s the need)
So we have to add talent up front. If Rankins is the best Dline player on your board at 9 (the BPA in an area of need) with no trade down opportunities – you take him. And thus get reasonable value as he is pretty universally graded as a top 15 pick and you get the best DT in what’s considered a deep DT draft.
Then when the timing seems right, you trade back into the bottom of the 1st round where the value is also correct (hopefully with Glennon as the catalyst) and grab the DE you have your eye on whether that’s Spence or Ogbah or Dodd or whoever.
Go safety in the 3rd round if you like one of the choices or LB if Kwon’s boy from LSU is available there in the 3rd round.
BPA at Safety/CB/DE/LB/OL/WR in the 4th round.
Its all BPA from there – WR, OL, return specialist or any spot on defense can come into play depending on who is available and who they really like and feel has slipped.
Do that or something similar and this team will have definitely gotten better with a young talent infusion.
Of course if Bosa slips to 9 you take him. Buckner I’m not so sure about. Many would take him at 9 but I’m thinking he’s better as a 3-4 end. I imagine coach Hayes will be heavily consulted regarding all of these DL prospects.
April 22nd, 2016 at 10:58 am
Pro football focus had ogbah ranked just behind bosa as far as pressure grades…in less snaps I believe as well as Bosa without the offfield issues. Ogbah for the win…if one of our division rivals doesnt snatch him up first
April 22nd, 2016 at 11:09 am
Aunt Geraldine gotta go!!!!!
April 22nd, 2016 at 11:22 am
Hmmm feelthepower they may not understand until he ends up a Panther and commenses to punish our a$$.
April 22nd, 2016 at 11:25 am
But its all good I don’t think I’m alone when it comes to my admiration for this Nigerian Nightmare. He is the only one that has visited OneBucPlace😀…
April 22nd, 2016 at 11:30 am
StPete,
“if we had a killer rush up the middle with Rankins and GMC our DE production will improve as well thanks to that pressure up the middle.”
This would also help keep our MLB clean of OL blockers making his speed & aggressiveness even more of a problem other teams have to deal with.
I am good with Mr. Rankins as our first pick. DE in the 2nd.
April 22nd, 2016 at 11:37 am
Don’t recall our middle being a problem in 2014 when Frazier was calling the defense.
April 22nd, 2016 at 11:48 am
Nole on Sat.-Bucc on Sun. Says:
April 22nd, 2016 at 11:25 am
“I don’t think I’m alone when it comes to my admiration for this Nigerian Nightmare. He is the only one that has visited OneBucPlace”
I was always a fan of Christian Okoye too NOSBOS. When was he in Tampa?
April 22nd, 2016 at 12:28 pm
Nole wrote: But its all good I don’t think I’m alone when it comes to my admiration for this Nigerian Nightmare. He is the only one that has visited OneBucPlace😀…
—————————————————
no, I’ve been pounding his drum for a while….and I think many people view him as reach at nine….I frankly don’t. Look at the history of number nine picks overall. The track record isn’t great as far as halll of famers, etc. the draft is a total crapshoot b) the guy has upside to be one of the best defensive players in this class…..and factor in our coaching he could live up to that potential c) you have to take risks sometimes (in getting the guy you want despite public opinion),especially if you feel he’s the best available and fits a need. We’ve seen Licht take the risk and it paid off with marpet…many whom would have not traded up that far to land a division 3 talent.
April 22nd, 2016 at 1:11 pm
I hear you Pick and Power I’m telling you man I got a feeling about the guy. Especially when everyone else is saying no thru out my life I’ve been on it so many times because I chose my own sentiment and went in the opposite direction bro.
April 22nd, 2016 at 1:13 pm
@nole….lol….facts piss you off huh?…..come on defend your boy…what quality player/team did he dominate besides your fsu…NOBODY….GO BUCS!!!
April 22nd, 2016 at 1:45 pm
What quality team did Bosa or vh3 dominate??? Surely wasn’t FSU.
April 22nd, 2016 at 2:54 pm
@nole….vhg shut down the likes of….Jordan Matthews, odell beckham, Jarvis landry, rashad green, Treadwell….bosa was dominating notre dame before he got thrown out for helmet to helmet hit…still waiting on you to list who your boy dominated….I guess you cant because he never did besides fsu 2 years ago…lol…GO BUCS!!!!
April 22nd, 2016 at 3:33 pm
So Joe is believes need is the most important thing to target in the draft, then says he is OK with drafting a DT in the top 10 over more pressing needs when the Bucs have McCoy, McDonald and Spence as starting quality DT’s and Ayers and Gholston as players who will sub onto DT on rushing downs because he likes the prospect.
Well that stance was clear as mud.
April 22nd, 2016 at 3:52 pm
Bro just because you ramble off with your mouth doesn’t make bs coming from it so homie. I aint got to list your a$$ a d@$! thang bro. Duke numbers speak for themselves. Ogbah didn’t make the scedule he was to busy playing the game. And again I couldn’t have been the only one to take notice Licht INTERVIEWED HIM PERSONALY. Lends me to believe he was impress…
April 22nd, 2016 at 3:54 pm
Testy because lil vh3 not about to be a Bucc. And don’t get me started on nose candy loving bosa.
April 22nd, 2016 at 5:19 pm
lol….yeah your a nole alright…no one mentioned the schedule….I mentioned the team that dominated him…obviously you still cant find one single game that he dominated in…how sad….the truth hurts….vhg will be a buc I aint worried….aint you a betting man?…I bet VHG goes before your buddy…lol…litch interviewed mariota and doral green beckham last year and what uni do they wear…not the bucs…everything I stated were facts that you cant dispute….I guess every job you interviewed for you got hired…YEAH RIGHT…number only tell one half of the story….please get started on bosa…I want to see you make a fool out of yourself….LOLOLOLOL….GO BUCS!!!
April 22nd, 2016 at 5:23 pm
licht interviewed him and has him on the bucs draft board as a second round pick…right behind dodd and nassib…GO BUCS!!!
April 22nd, 2016 at 5:34 pm
just so you don’t think your boy is soooo special….the bucs have a list of 30 prospects that will visit one buc place….per sbnation…bucsnation.com….
Private visit or workout
Teams can host 30 prospects for a visit, plus any number of local prospects. They’re also allowed to work out any number of prospects at those prospects’ local facilities. Oftentimes reports won’t distinguish clearly between private workouts and visits, so I’ve lumped them together.
CB Eli Apple, Ohio State (via Rand Getlin)
CB Anthony Brown, Purdue (via GoldandBlack.com)
CB Frankie Williams, Purdue (via GoldandBlack.com)
CB Vernon Hargreaves, Florida (via Rand Getlin)
CB Xavien Howard, Baylor (via Craig Smoak)
S Vonn Bell, Ohio State (via Rand Getlin – “meeting, workout and/or visit”)
DE Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State (via Josh Norris)
DE Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky (via Ian Rapoport)
QB Brandon Allen, Arkansas (via Greg Auman)
DT Andrew Billings, Baylor (via Walter Football)
FB/LB William Ratelle, North Dakota (via Tony Pauline)
DT Sheldon Rankins, Louisville (via Tony Pauline)
LB Nick Kwiatkoski, WVU (via Tony Pauline)
OL Rees Odhiambo, Boise State (via Tony Pauline, “meeting/working out”)
WR Cody Core, Ole Miss (via Tony Pauline)
DT Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss (via Tony Pauline)
LB Aaron Wallace, UCLA (via Tony Pauline)
OL Stephane Nembot, Colorado (via Tony Pauline)
LB De’Vondre Campbell, Minnesota (via Tony Pauline)
OL Dominick Jackson, Alabama (via Tony Pauline)
DL Joel Heath, Michigan State (“spoken with”, via Detroit Free Press)
LB Myles Jack, UCLA (via Walter Football)
CB Cyrus Jones, Alabama (via Aaron Wilson)
S Miles Killebrew, Southern Utah (via Luke Easterling)
T Justin Murray, Cincinnati (via Greg Auman)
T Zach Sterup, Nebraska (via Walter Football)
LB Antwione Williams, Georgia Southern (via Greg Auman)
G Joe Thuney, NC State (via Walter Football)
RB Jonathan Williams, Arkansas (via Jon Ledyard)
T Shon Coleman, Clemson (via Greg Auman)
CB LeShaun Sims, Southern Utah (via Greg Auman)
QB Kevin Hogan, Stanford (via Sirius XM)
….seems licht was impressed by a lot of prospects…your welcome @nole….LOL….GO BUCS!!!!