#WeaponsForWinston
January 21st, 2017
Will enjoy the draft.
There were times last year when Joe just wanted to throw rocks at passing cars. Joe was so peeved at the Bucs offense.
For reasons unknown, the Bucs did not address the wide receiver position after the 2015 season. And the chickens came home to roost.
In looking back at 2016, a campaign in which the Bucs missed the playoffs by one win, the lack of receiver depth very well could have cost Tampa Bay a playoff berth.
If the Bucs don’t make the playoffs in 2017, it won’t be because of a lack of receivers, types Jenna Laine of ESPN. She believes Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht will go all in on acquiring wide receivers in the draft.
It has been said before, but it’s blatantly obvious how much the Bucs lacked in their receiving corps by the end of the season. Mike Evans can’t be the only real threat. I expect Tampa to draft, at the very least, one new receiver, possibly two — especially if Vincent Jackson doesn’t return. The Bucs need some speed and a player who can stretch the field. A player with a big catch radius opposite Evans would bode well for their passing game too, helping Jameis Winston take things to the next level.
Joe fully agrees and is of the mind the Bucs will acquire a wide receiver (or two?) in free agency. Sad thing is, there likely will not be a game-changing wide receiver available.
Thus, Joe is of the mind Licht will go after wide receiver depth in March and hope to get lucky with a wide receiver in the draft.
January 21st, 2017 at 4:56 am
There’s no #2 candidate in FA worth the risk and the money. However, Cordarrelle Patterson might be a nice addition as a slot guy, deep threat, and returner.
Evans needs to get paid before we put down ridiculous money on a wideout. We need to draft for the #2. I’m guessing Licht would agree.
January 21st, 2017 at 5:12 am
I see nothing wrong with signing a vet receiver in free agency to be a bridge #2 and drafting a WR on Day 2 in the draft to develop behind that vet. Sign a Garcon or Britt to a relatively short term deal, 3 years maybe, and you can sign a WR on day 2 to compete for the #3 receiver and develop as the #2. Malachi Dupree, Cooper Kupp, Taywan Taylor are some Day 2 options. Dede Westbrook is another option, I just dont like his size as a #2.
Round 1: Edge rusher
Round 2: WR/RB
Round 3: RB/WR
January 21st, 2017 at 5:15 am
Seems to be near-unanimous agreement in Bucsville that we need to add some ‘weapons for Jameis’ in either FA or the draft (preferably both). Our problem in 2016 was that we couldn’t keep any of our WRs, RBs or TEs healthy. That obviously crippled our offense. But … we’ve still got a decent ‘base’ to build around (ME13, Humphries, Brate, Rodgers).
Convinced that Bucs will grab a speed #2 WR in FA to stretch the field PLUS add another speedy WR in the draft to develop (probably not until Rnd 4 or so however unless a real stud just falls into their lap). Still like Desean Jackson if he’s available, but there are several others who’d add a lot as a #2 WR.
Gut feel is that we’ll add a RB with very good hands in either the 1st or 2nd rnds IF certain guys are there (seems to be a chance that Mixon will be there in the 2nd rnd … have read several articles about him & now think he’d be a great fit for our offense). Other than that, Bucs probably won’t draft a RB until Rd 4 or later. Wouldn’t be at all surprised to see us add a TE in Rnd 2-4 either. One way or another, Jameis will get some weapons this off-season.
January 21st, 2017 at 5:33 am
I hope Cooper Kupp lasts until round 3. I think he can turn into a very good #2 WR. He’s got good hands and YAC ability. He’s got as good of a chance as any WR after round 1 to pan out.
January 21st, 2017 at 5:38 am
Licht has a history of signing “bridge FAs” and drafting rookies to learn behind them. I think/hope that will continue at the WR spot this year.
January 21st, 2017 at 5:49 am
Aside from Mike Evans, historically the bucs have a HORRIBLE history in the draft drafting WRs…….
All of these “so called” good players drafted never really pan out.
It’s going to take the GM and the whole bucs staff to really find those hidden gems in the draft and in free agency.
January 21st, 2017 at 7:36 am
Guys this isn’t a very deep receiver draft…I’d much rather find a veteran WR in Free Agency…Emmanuel Sanders, Desean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, or even Brandon Marshall are a few of my personal favorites…Personally Id take OJ Howard over any of these projected 1st round receivers…Howard and Brate would be a nice TE tandem in Koetters offense…
Imho we need to use this draft to get better in the trenches on both sides of the ball…pretty much every game we lost last year was because we got dominated in the trenches…if we’re gonna become playoff regulars we must get better on the offensive and defensive line…
January 21st, 2017 at 7:48 am
I just don’t get all this Cordarrelle Patterson love. Everyday someone is on here saying they want him. The guy had been given every chance in the world to be a receiver in this league and has not done anything with it. Why would that change here?
January 21st, 2017 at 8:00 am
I dont see any fa recievers available that excite me other than kenny stills.
Much like miami signing grimes a few seasons ago, last season I was hopi g we got Rishard Matthews. Thought he only signed a one year deal but I was wrong.
Not interested in Djax….gon a have to strike gold in the draft Jason
January 21st, 2017 at 8:06 am
@Ndog I can’t speak for anyone else, But I want Cordarelle Patterson strictly for his propensity to be an explosive Return man. The field position battle is one of the hidden margins of victory. The shorter the field is for your offense, the higher the percentage is that they score.
Additionally, Patterson would make a much better #5 receiver than Freddy Martino or Bernard Reedy.
January 21st, 2017 at 8:36 am
Like to see Kendall wright. He would come cheap and I think he could be great depth at a young age too
January 21st, 2017 at 9:05 am
Kevin…26 yrs 6’4 233 pounds 4.35 speed 1007 yards with Cleveland QBs doesn’t excite you (Pryor), 24 yrs 6’0 195 4.28 speed 42 catches 723 yards 9 TDs as the 3rd option with Tannehill doesn’t excite you (Stills), somebody get Winston these guys phone number, neither of these guys would break the bank, just got to get to them first
January 21st, 2017 at 9:09 am
I’d like us to aim for the best receiver in the draft and get him Forget about day two wr, when have they worked for us? And there is no VJ in his prime to go get in FA. You guys keep throwing these mediocre receivers out there that probably couldn’t beat out Adam Humphrey for a two position.
January 21st, 2017 at 9:10 am
And Guzzle, Cleveland has 100 million to spend, who’s saying they aren’t signing Pryor.
January 21st, 2017 at 9:25 am
Wtf Joe, why can I not post, Literally saying nothing offensive.
January 21st, 2017 at 9:31 am
WR Draft Prospects I wouldn’t mind the Bucs picks per round:
Rd1
Mike Williams
Corey Davis
Rd 2
ArDarius Stewart
Curtis Samuel
Rd 3
Artavis Scott
Stacey Coley
Rd 4-5
KD Cannon
Rd 6-7
Rodney Adams
January 21st, 2017 at 9:38 am
Chris….Cleveland doesn’t have Jameis, a more immediate contender, no state tax, and Cleveland doesn’t have you as a fan so that’s 3 gigantic pluses going the Bucs way, and the most important factor is it’s freaking Cleveland
January 21st, 2017 at 9:41 am
Plus Pryor became almost intolerable last year amongst his teammates complaining about losing, not a good fit for a rebuilding team
January 21st, 2017 at 9:45 am
@Guzzie…..Cleveland is down right putrid you can’t blame anyone for complaining in all honesty. Place is a dead end career ender. There not winning anytime soon and haven’t for years. People who reign their are either all about money or have family there and don’t want to move them ( Joe thomas)
January 21st, 2017 at 9:48 am
Forgot to mention Pryor in my earlier post…Sign Pryor, draft OJ Howard in the 1st round…
2nd. DL
3rd. OL
4th. WR
5th. RB
…
January 21st, 2017 at 9:49 am
Tell me how Garçon and drafting a speedy WR wouldn’t go a long way to fixing our WR depth. Have the rookie battle with Hump to get on the field until he is ready.
January 21st, 2017 at 10:24 am
Dalvin in the first
C in the 2nd
WR in the 3rd
WR in the 4th
Power RB2 in 5th
6th optional.
I seen enough from this defense this season to know its biggest need by far is health. Best in the league for a 6 or 7 stretch. Two good free agent defenders or one elite free agent defenders(JPP) and that side pretty much set. Some want a safety,I can’t see that happening after the way Tandy performed the second halft of the sesson.
January 21st, 2017 at 10:25 am
Carlos Henderson LTU. He is exactly the type orb playmaker we need to draft. He has great speed, runs routes well, can stretch the field and has reliable hands. And the best thing is he is an unheralded small school guy unlike Corey Davis. So he should still be there in early round 4.
Another great option is Cooper Kupp. He can flat out ball. Yet he has maybe a 2nd round tag.
January 21st, 2017 at 10:26 am
And defense I keep mentioning they spoke to Lasco several times last years combine period. A dual threat RB great hands out the backfield. It my guess that will factor into whom ever they take at RB(Dalvin).
January 21st, 2017 at 10:28 am
Draft was mainly all defense last season. I totally expect it to be mainly all offense this time around.
January 21st, 2017 at 10:29 am
All you RBs can found in the later rounds, same can be said for your WRs. Dime a dozen every draft.
January 21st, 2017 at 10:30 am
As for RB I love Jamaal Williams from BYU as my favorite RB in this class. He is big and runs with higher pads level than ideally for a Big RB. It he has outstanding vision and can hit holes hard. Late 2nd or early 3rd great option.
If is in early Round 2 RB Alvin Kamara looks to be the best one. Assuming Dalvin Cook is out of reach in the 1st. He can do eventually a lot of the Cook things can do.
Go watch some films!
January 21st, 2017 at 10:43 am
1st RD: Whoever available amongst Corey Davis or Dalvin Cook. If both gone Best DE/DT available. Charlton, Barnett, Thomas or DT Adams (I would even try to trade down a few spots).
2nd RD: love the safeties in this range here. FS from Utah or Budda Baker from Washington specifically.
3rd RD: RB Jamaal Williams from BYU or WR Carlos Henderson from LTU. Or a TE maybe Jordan Legget from Clemson or Jake Butt from Michigan.
4th RD: Best DT fit available.
5th RD: Best returner available. Hopefully is a developmental CB to follow Smith from last years draft in the depth chart.
6th RD: Develomental DE. The guy from FAU probably still on the board.
7th RD: Joe Mixon from OU if still there.
January 21st, 2017 at 10:57 am
They need to build the Offensive Line first. SMH
January 21st, 2017 at 11:00 am
I have not seen too much of Pryor since I avoid watching the Browns like the plague. I do trust however that the Bucs free agent scouting department will get us someone who will help Jameis. Maybe that will be Pryor. Who knows?
January 21st, 2017 at 11:04 am
Bucs HAVE to get at least one top FA WR. I like Desean, Ted Ginn, or E. Sanders. Bring some quicks to this offense.
January 21st, 2017 at 11:07 am
Alvin Kamara. I’m going now Kelvin.
January 21st, 2017 at 11:08 am
Sanders hittin the market??? If so that should be the main target. See Sanu in Atlanta.
January 21st, 2017 at 11:10 am
Christian McCaffrey!! Nuff said.he will be the next David Johnson
January 21st, 2017 at 11:38 am
Mixon
January 21st, 2017 at 11:52 am
Mixon and Kamara are nice the only distinguishable difference between those two and my guy is the acceleration. Dalvin’s is undeniably elite in that dept.
January 21st, 2017 at 12:16 pm
If we were able to get Pryor/Stills I would love to get O.J. Howard in the 1st. Just another weapon for Jameis and a good blocking TE which is something we also need. If this were not the situation I would like a young beastly DE like Barnett (who I wouldn’t mind moving up a few spots for) or Taco (who we could probably be able to move back some spots and pick up).
January 21st, 2017 at 12:34 pm
OJ Howard is a luxury pick the Bucs have Brate, how much will a rookie TE contribute, especially a backup TE, everyone will call him a bust when he has 22 catches and 250 yards with 2 TDs, waste of a pick won’t help much this year
January 21st, 2017 at 12:52 pm
Guzzie I can’t understand why they don’t understand that. Go against my wish for Dalvin fine I get it. But TE in the first or WR2 in the first???
January 21st, 2017 at 1:01 pm
If we were in need of a #1 WR the way we were in 2014 when we took ME I could understand the notion because Vjax was aging. But a #2 WR in the first??? How many targets will he have as a rookie over under 65???
January 21st, 2017 at 1:07 pm
The more and more I think about it you don’t go get Corey Davis or Mike Williams an stunt they’re growth as professionals forcing them to play #2 roles when they’re skillsets say they have the potential to be future #1s. They’ll leave town for #1 money first chance they get.
January 21st, 2017 at 1:15 pm
For reasons unknown, the Bucs did not address the wide receiver position after the 2015 season.
That’s a bit harsh and over the top. Reasons unknown? How about the fact that the “Rock Star” left Licht an EMPTY cupboard. Licht has drafted four OL…he had needs at virtually every position including a #1 pick in the draft that could have produced three good players in a trade down…but he was forced to spend that to get our franchise QB…
He had VJAX and just rolled the dice in the hope that VJAX would remain healthy.
Obviously he came up snake eyes but it was at least a reason along with the tremendous needs everywhere else.
I’m the positive guy here but I gotta confess…there are not a lot of exciting names in FA or the draft. There are no JJ’s or Amari Coopers or ME’s out there.
RB is the only place I see lots of choices. We’re building this team through the draft…OK pick up an FA WR so we can then just go BPA through the entire weakarse draft. There are some nuggets in there that I hope Licht can find.
Which means to me NOSBOS if Dalvin is on the board we take him because at that point he certainly would be the BPA…and the dude is electrifying.
January 21st, 2017 at 1:27 pm
He is St.Pete contrary to other people’s opinion. Honestly were it not for DM’s misfortunes I wouldn’t be shouting get Dalvin wouldn’t make since. I would be making myself look stupid.
January 21st, 2017 at 1:33 pm
O.J. is good but in less Brate’s season ending injury will limit him in 2017 and or you can assure me he would beat out Brate for the starting job I have difficulty in understanding that being the first option. Especially considering the 8 touchdowns Brate caught this season. That number speaks volumes, he an Fameis are on the same page.
January 21st, 2017 at 1:41 pm
St.Pete we go ME on one side lets just say Kenny Stills on the other Brate at the end of the line of scrimmage Fameis under center And Dalvin in the backfield puts us offensively right on par with Atlanta and then people over there in New Orleans my friend. I don’t need my number 2 WR feeling like he should be getting number targets. Dude should be someone who knows he’s a quality number 2. Present to make ME’s job easier. Sanu bought inn in Atlanta.
January 21st, 2017 at 3:18 pm
Bulls(p)it! Ever heard of Vincent Jackson? It was Jason Licht who drafted Mike Evans, not Mark Dominik. Hell, it was Licht that brought in Louis Murphy, not Dominik. That was two years ago.
Blaming Dominik — who was ousted after the 2013 season — for the wide receiver problems in 2016 isn’t just inaccurate, that’s trolling.
C’mon, man!
January 21st, 2017 at 3:26 pm
Bringing in a free agent receiver like Kenny Britt to be number two and drafting a receiver to groom up like Corey Davis would make sense. They need to stock pile on playmakers WR/rd as much as possible. Look at the Falcons, they just have an unlimited amount of play makers and guys who can catch the ball and make something happen. Grab a few DL and OL via draft/FA and a safety
January 21st, 2017 at 4:23 pm
@Nole- Your defense of not drafting WR in the 1st makes sense. We’re not looking for another ‘franchise’ guy, just a solid #2. I also don’t understand the OJ Howard logic. TE in the 1st? MMMM, not sold!
Funny, your Dalvin obsession is a nice respite from the AP conversation!!!
January 21st, 2017 at 6:32 pm
Don’t sleep on OJ Howard. He is a blocking tight end that helps out in the run which we truly need. We were in the top three teams who used an extra blocker because we don’t have a great line or great blocking from the tight end position. This is why Luke Stocker plays he is the best blocking TE but he is not a receiving threat. We give away our played based on our formations. Dual TE sets could be lethal for Jameis. It’s worth a look.. But oh how I would love Cook in 1st. Not sold on any WR in first round. Ok with trading back a couple of picks