Jackson Doesn’t Prevent Drafting WR
February 23rd, 2017
Many WR options
Stop adding two-and-two and coming up with six.
Joe noticed commenters here who openly pined yesterday for Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to sign expected free agent receiver DeSean Jackson also believe signing Jackson means the Bucs wouldn’t draft a wide receiver.
Whether the Bucs sign Jackson or any other free agent wide receiver should not prevent or should stop Licht from drafting one.
In fact, Joe would lay cash Licht does just that.
First, if you speak of wide receiver depth, what depth? There is none. None! For example, Joe has a cop neighbor regularly receives missing persons notices concerning the whereabouts of Freddie Martino. Has anyone seen him since catching a career high four balls in the Week 13 win at San Diego? (Joe suspects he can be found with his Band of Renown in the velvet-lined lounge of the Vero Beach Ramada Inn.)
Just look to last offseason. The Bucs had no depth at cornerback. Hell, they didn’t have NFL caliber starters at cornerback. Licht signs Brent Grimes and followed it up by drafting Vernon Hargreaves. They needed an edge rusher; Licht signed Mr. Beasting Robert Ayers and drafted Noah Spence.
Joe expects the same this offseason: Licht will sign a free agent wide receiver (again, it may not be Jackson) and Joe will guess Licht drafts a wide receiver sometime within the first two days of the draft.
Licht once referenced both Ayers and Grimes as “bridge” players. Once their contracts are up, Spence and Hargreaves, respectively, should be rolling.
A key free agent receiver landing in Tampa will not bind Licht’s hands in the draft. Licht will likely repeat last year’s pattern: sign a wide receiver for an immediate impact and draft a receiver to be groomed.
Given how there is zero depth at wide receiver, Joe would be shocked if Licht adds only one receiver this spring.
February 23rd, 2017 at 9:09 am
Agree 100% Joe. I’ve been saying this bridge player concept for about a month now.
Signing D-Jax doesn’t mean we are done at WR. However, what it does mean imo is that we don’t have to rely on a WR early in the draft. We can sit back and use our early picks to address other positions and get a WR in rounds 3-5.
February 23rd, 2017 at 9:13 am
I would be a bit surprised if Djax did indeed return to philly. That organization gave chipper waaayy too much power. He ultimately used it to dismiss some of the best players on the team. I don’t recall they’re ownership making any statements that would’ve suggested they were slightly opposed to what he was doing. Money does talk but if money’s are somewhat equal I’m not sure I would go back to a team that just allowed the new HC to push me out the door while smereing my name in the process.
February 23rd, 2017 at 9:26 am
I’m of the opinion you’d look to sign both desean and stills. And still draft 2 weapons in the first 2 days. Don’t let the lack of weapons hold this team back another year. And don’t marginally address it and risk that they all have to stay healthy the entire year either.
February 23rd, 2017 at 9:28 am
I’m not sure how many people think we only need one WR but their comments should be ignored. For me personally, I would like to see us take a younger WR in FA and then another guy in the draft.
February 23rd, 2017 at 9:37 am
We NEED an RB!!! We need a WR!!! If we sign DJax I still believe we’ll draft another WR…but perhaps not in the first round.
My hope is an RB in round one…or…a WR…or a killer DE. I would not be upset with any of these three but please no TE or safeties. OK cue the kicker jokes.
February 23rd, 2017 at 9:44 am
If they sign Jackson….it allows Licht to pursue a better value pick in the 2nd or 3rd round like they did with Spence. Some of these top tier WRs are projected as true #1s and while that would be great for Winston, we already have a true #1 in Evans…I would rather see us snag a top tier RB or TE, possibly a dynamic safety and look for a solid value play at WR in rounds 2-4.
February 23rd, 2017 at 9:48 am
Why sign another 30 year old “Bridge Player” when we could sign a 24 year old player, Kenny Stills, to a cheaper and longer contract. Stills can run more types of routes than DJAX with the same speed. Build a Dynasty that can grow together and win championships for years to come. Not all these bridge players who are going to make our team old and ca strapped in two years when he have to pay Jameis and others. I’ve always liked DJAX, but we can get Stills and Coredalle Patterson together and concentrate on drafting OJ Howard or a DE. Then pick up Mixon later on.
February 23rd, 2017 at 9:54 am
Why is Ayers “Mr Beasting”? Was his on-field performance all that beastly?
February 23rd, 2017 at 9:55 am
Sign Jackson and Stills, then draft a WR.
February 23rd, 2017 at 10:02 am
You’d take Stills over Jackson?
February 23rd, 2017 at 10:04 am
I agree with Buc4ever. I’d prefer the younger players like Stills if for no other reason than JW3 will have bookend WRs that will be there, theoretically, for the long haul. And, absolutely, we need to draft WR.
@Dallas- I was asking myself that question all year, especially when his demeanor was compared to GMC. I didn’t see the “beast” on the field, at least in production. He was OK but hardly the elixir some anticipated.
February 23rd, 2017 at 10:06 am
@Bucsfanman
The rookie they draft will be there for the long haul.
February 23rd, 2017 at 10:08 am
I don’t quite understand the love for Stills. He is coming off his rookie contract and about to be on his 3rd team already. Does anybody question why? I feel like if he was a WR that can be a building block Miami or the Saints would want to keep him. I guess that’s just me tho.
February 23rd, 2017 at 10:17 am
I would sign Robert Woods and draft WR ArDarius Stewart and WR Kermit Whitfield. I like John Ross, but he’s more likely a 1st Round pick. My 1st Round pick would be DE Taco Charlton.
February 23rd, 2017 at 10:36 am
No doubt Popp! But that rookie can be left to develop and/or we would have a WR corps that is unrivaled. Eventually and regardless, somebody is going to get injured.
I don’t have a problem signing older players. I’m just not overly keen on it.
February 23rd, 2017 at 10:39 am
Do any teams have a worse worse WR corps after thier #1 WR than the Bucs? Probably not. Humphries should be our 3rd or 4th best WR, and when he is, our offense will be rolling.
February 23rd, 2017 at 10:42 am
Exactly.
February 23rd, 2017 at 10:47 am
To the guys wanting to only sign younger players to longer contracts, how many times has that blown up in the face of teams? Be very careful in dismissing production for potential. Potential is a terrifying word in my book when it comes to free agents that have been in the league long enough to show what they’re made of. Cough….Anthony Collins….cough.
Stills has been in the NFL long enough for everybody to know what he’s about. D. Jackson has been in the NFL for 10 years running deep routes and he still beats guys. Is he going to miss a game or two a year? History says, yes. Is he going to produce in the games he plays? History also answers, yes.
It’s not time to be cute and develop a free agent like Kenny Stills, sign a proven veteran like Jackson and develop a mid round rookie.
Kenny Britt….absolutely not. He’s an inconsistent proven knuckle head. Talent or not, he’s a moron.
February 23rd, 2017 at 10:48 am
Miami does want to keep Stills but they have two young drafted receivers they must pay. And yes I would take Stills over DJAX because Stills is young, fast and can run the entire route tree, including the bubble screen which Koetter love. All DJAX is going to run is the go route. He is 30 and speed is the first thing to go. We sign Stills and Patterson or even Goodwin and we will have players who can go deep or take slant to the house. Speed kills and I don’t want another 40 year old Galloway running one route.
February 23rd, 2017 at 10:53 am
We must compete with Atlanta who has Julio, Sanu, Gabrielle, and Hunter. All with speed and are dangerous whenever they touch the ball. And I didn’t mention their RBS who can do the same thing.
February 23rd, 2017 at 10:57 am
Just for info, SI just came out with their Top 50 prospects ranking just prior to the Combine ( http://www.si.com/nfl/2017/02/22/nfl-draft-2017-big-board-prospects-player-rankings# ). What’s really interesting I think is how many Juniors and Sophomores are in that Top 50. There are only 5 seniors in the Top 20 … and 4 of them played for Bama.
February 23rd, 2017 at 10:59 am
Just for info, SI just came out with their Top 50 prospects ranking just prior to the Combine . What’s really interesting I think is how many Juniors and Sophomores are in that Top 50. There are only 5 seniors in the Top 20 … and 4 of them played for Bama.
February 23rd, 2017 at 11:02 am
Telling you I want Derrek Barnett
32 Sacks in 39 games!!!! Put him on the other side of Spence. Wind ’em up and Let ’em Loose!
February 23rd, 2017 at 11:03 am
Sign stills (should be cheaper option) draft either davis or williams in 1 or smith-shuster, zay Jones, malachi duprI, or Godwin in round 3. All great outside #2 options with stills in the slot. Upgrade d line and s and rb with other picks, get Campbell or jpp too.
February 23rd, 2017 at 11:18 am
Precisely what gotbucs said. I’m sorry give me 30 year old Djax over 24 year young Stills right now any day.
February 23rd, 2017 at 11:21 am
Lakeland you had me also until you got to the taco part. If Djax doesn’t pan out as a acquisition then those options you stated would be quite nice bro.
February 23rd, 2017 at 11:23 am
And I agree gotbucs its not the time to get cute. I said it over the weekend. The moment is “right here right now”. This offseason and draft imo are the final major pieces that will play the biggest roles on our winning our first championship.
February 23rd, 2017 at 11:25 am
@SB
I would take Barnett over Taco Charlton and Charles Harris.
February 23rd, 2017 at 11:26 am
i like this idea actually of getting our solid no. WR in free agency but still drafting for the future– there is some great prospect WRs available after the 4th round this year still a guy like USC’s Darreus Rogers perhaps
February 23rd, 2017 at 11:28 am
You give me Djax to play opposite of ME, give me C Jason Kelce to sure up the O line,Calais to sure up the D line. And lastly Mr. Obvious Dalvin to make this offense “The Greatest Show on Grass”. I’ll give you a Superbowl win.
February 23rd, 2017 at 11:30 am
Wow.. Really? Great insight!
February 23rd, 2017 at 11:57 am
Take no chances sign jackson sign stills draft a guy and cut one of them next year if they dont produce. Take no chances
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:01 pm
NOLE….if Dalvin Cook is there at 19, then I would draft Cook. Then it would be: 1. Dalvin Cook 2. Adarius Stewart. 5. Kermit Whitfield. 3-4-6-7 BPA.
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:06 pm
If Leonard Fournette ,Dalvin Cook, Corey Davis and Mike Williams is gone at 19 then i would have to go CB or DE.
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:24 pm
Signing a middle of the pack Free Agent to a position that he is also planning on drafting has been Licht’s MO the past 2 seasons (Bruce Carter->Kwon, Grimes->VHIII). It’ll be interesting to guess which position e does it with this year as WR, OL, and S have a need for starters as well as depth.
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:25 pm
get desean and john ross… opens up the field, desean does not have to play all the snaps and john ross gets a chance to develop without all the pressure.
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:32 pm
That’s what’s up Lakeland. With those last picks I could understand taking some developmental projects at positions like safety,DT and CB. But these first picks. To me should be strictly weaponry.
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:37 pm
Oh yea R.O. you see me type Dalvin everyday but I’m thinking bout trenches as well. Man if we get Jason Kelce and Calais. Its over for the league.
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:41 pm
That’s my free agent wish list WR DJax,C Jason Kelce(not sure if he’s a free agent tho) and DT Calais Campbell. Give me those three and we ready to make a serious push.
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:53 pm
Yes he does prevent it. You just don’t accept it.
We would have: Evans, Jackson, Adam Humphries, Derel Walker and Cecil Shorts. Three of which are starters, one if a big possibility of becoming a superstar (Walker) if he does as well as he did in the CFL.
Now, we normally keep 6 WRs. Does anyone really believe all 6 will be great WRs? No. Plus we have guys like Freddie Martino to develop. Or Josh Huff.
While I agree they are nothing to write home about at present, but you are assuming the Bucs don’t feel guys like Martino and Huff are worth developing.
And then, of course, there is Russell Shepard.
Yes, Jackson WOULD prevent us from drafting a WR.
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:54 pm
Joe, you are just not looking at the current WRs since the season ended if you do not think there is depth.
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:54 pm
And imagine if Vincent Jackson resigned as well.
February 23rd, 2017 at 1:21 pm
Lakeland, I love Kermit Whitfield, but I’m not sure he gets drafted before the 6th, if at all. I’d take a flyer on him in the 6th or 7th if he’s there. He can do some damage in the return game. I’d rather take a developmental OL-man in round 5.
February 23rd, 2017 at 1:21 pm
NOSBOS,
I love the idea of that. DJax, Kelce, and Campbell in Free Agency….(I would add Fullback to this list, Tolbert or DiMarco)
Then All In for Dalvin Cook.
Add DB’s, DE’s, and WR’s with whatever picks are left. And if a TE is best available at any of those picks, I’m good with that too.
Go Bucs
February 23rd, 2017 at 1:25 pm
Time to be silly but what if:
Find a way to get Usain Bolt….if he can catch ….just dreaming…noone could catch him and they would have to trippple team him…lol
February 23rd, 2017 at 1:25 pm
I’d like us to sign D-Jax and one of the younger FA WRs, and draft another in one of the first 3 rounds. That might mean that Shep has to go, though. I’d like Shep to stay for his ST work.
February 23rd, 2017 at 1:37 pm
I would be shocked if they didn’t draft a WR pretty high regardless of who they get in free agency. Let’s face it, if your free agent WR goes down with an injury, then you’re right back in the same situation again. Unacceptable. I would not be surprised if they drafted 2 WR and signed DeSean Jackson. In fact, that would be my plan if I were GM.
February 23rd, 2017 at 2:08 pm
Marine Licht pull that off we set. Matchpoint.
February 23rd, 2017 at 2:28 pm
Louis,
I will get in on the silliness.
How about we go sign 5 Sumo Wrestling Mofo’s to play on the Offensive Line. Imagine that big SOB from Street Fighter, with them hands Winston would have all day to pass the ball…..LOL
February 23rd, 2017 at 2:45 pm
BuccaneEric75..after the combine.I believe Whitfield will blowup like Nitro.
February 23rd, 2017 at 4:01 pm
We’re talking World Class speed…….Whitfield has world-class speed. He set the Florida high school state record in the 100 meters with a time of 10.21 seconds. He should run the 40 in the low 4.3s and has a chance to potentially sneak into the upper 4.2s.
And we’re talking about a WR who caught 91 passes during the past 2 seasons. But you’re right he might not be drafted…but Taylor Gabriel, Victor Cruz, Wes Welker, Willie Snead, Allen Hurns, Adam Humphries, Doug Baldwin wasn’t drafted. These are players similar to Whitfield. Is he worth a 5th Round pick..no doubt. When was the last time we had a player like him? Can catch the rock, run the rock, return the rock. We need to quit wasting late Draft Picks on trash. There’s still talent there, we just gotta find it.
February 23rd, 2017 at 6:20 pm
I hope and pray the bucs fix the offense through free agency and fix the rest of the defense with the draft. First pic they should do anything they can to get Jamal Adams. He is exactly what we need in the backfield on the defensive side of the ball. Then they should draft a dt in the second round preferably Carlos Watkins if available then get a receiver in the 3rd rd which should be juju smith schuster. Then do whatever else they want with the draft. Maybe work on the offensive line with young talent.
February 23rd, 2017 at 8:08 pm
And whoever said move up to get Dalvin cook is on crack. You don’t move up for a running back. Those dudes come a dime a dozen. You can get a 3 down back in the 3rd or 4th round.
February 23rd, 2017 at 9:03 pm
Licht will sign a bridge guy with guaranteed money running out with Evans money starting to be paid him. The one thing against Jackson is small size. Winston seems to struggle to be super accurate. Might lead licht to get larger reciever like Terrance Williams. Good value and can compliment Evans with a rookie from draft. Putting competition at #4 spot with all the leftovers