Jason Licht: Humphries Primed For Best Year Of His Career
March 12th, 2017
GM Jason Licht offers insight
When discussing the Bucs’ need and/or perceived need for running backs and receivers, Joe constantly tells fans to focus on what the Bucs actually think their needs are.
That’s the key element.
Joe’s not urinating on a fan’s analysis; just don’t lose sight of the team’s attitude.
More on the running backs later today, but yesterday offered a great example of insight into the Bucs’ mindset on their receiving corps.
General manager Jason Licht was asked about how the running game might be impacted by the addition of speedster wide receiver DeSeasn Jackson.
Did Licht talk about the running backs? No. He was thinking a lot about 23-year-old Adam Humphries, Tampa Bay’s slot receiver on the rise. Humphries caught 55 balls for 622 yards and two touchdowns last season, and Licht envisions greater production.
“You know, you have to focus on DeSean and, obviously, Mike Evans,” Licht said. “So then we have Cam Brate and Adam Humphries. I don’t think anybody’s going to be happier than Adam Humphries right now, because Adam Humphries is going to be the forgotten man. He may end up having the best year of his career.”
That sure tells Joe the Bucs have no plans to draft a receiver to replace Humphries. And it likely indicates the Bucs have zero plans to draft a receiver in the first round.
There’s only one football, and Licht appears to be thinking that Evans, Jackson and Humphries will be a massive contributors together for at least two seasons.
Remember, Joe is illustrating here how the Bucs likely think, not offering an opinion on Humphries or depth at receiver.
March 12th, 2017 at 9:02 am
If Corey Davis is available at #19 how do you pass him up?
March 12th, 2017 at 9:04 am
Need more depth still. One will go down at some point, that’s a given.
March 12th, 2017 at 9:04 am
Exactly. I have no doubt that Adam has been working and grinding all off-season to continue his development as an athlete.
March 12th, 2017 at 9:04 am
Who Slumphries ? Ya he always starts out red hot
March 12th, 2017 at 9:08 am
humps the perfect slot guy he’s got good hands not afraid to cross the middle and can give u some decent yards after the catch a lot of teams would be happy to have that guy i don’t know why bucs fans constantly talk down on him your 3rd receiver isn’t supposed to be a world beater he’s gotta be reliable
March 12th, 2017 at 9:10 am
We need an explosive player at RB
I want them to either draft Dalvin Cook or Christian McCaffrey in the first round
March 12th, 2017 at 9:10 am
Again…I’m hoping Brate is one of the real surprises at training camp. I expect Hump to be himself…a solid slot receiver…but Brate has far more upside.
If he can add 15lbs of muscle and work on blocking he could become something special like Tyler Eifert of the Bengals.
Brate is 6-5…he has a long enough frame to add some more poundage to that skinny body. He’s probably working with the greatest nutritionists and lifting coaches in the land and perhaps even a TE guru to help his blocking. He’s a smart dude and he knows where he needs to up his game.
March 12th, 2017 at 9:20 am
I suppose that these recent signings free up Licht to package picks to move into the top 10 and take Jamal Adams or Dalvin Cook or Malik Hooker, if he’s been stricken with one or all of them. I’m just always against giving up draft picks I guess. Too many firsts and seconds wasted through the years, and too many superstars league-wide that were picked late.
March 12th, 2017 at 9:22 am
We’re still drafting a WR somewhere in the top 4 rounds but it will more likely be a potential outside threat than an underneath slot guy like Hump
If I had to guess. I never thought we’d go WR r1 regardless because I didn’t think the value would be there with Davis n Williams likely gone
March 12th, 2017 at 9:27 am
Hump is good..but he’s in another zip code from dangerous. And he’s in another country from worrying defensive coordinators.
Like someone mentioned above. Corey Davis is there? How do you pass?
March 12th, 2017 at 9:27 am
I think Christian McCaffrey would make a great slot receiver/back. Probably puts Humphries on the bench.
March 12th, 2017 at 9:28 am
Man Hump about to be wiiidddee open all season long, much like that guy in dallas. Yes forgotten indeed DC’s won’t be gameplanning for Hump I expect a huge year from the young man. And Pete you correct about Brate these two will make a gang of money for themselves next season.
March 12th, 2017 at 9:29 am
Rob I think McCaffery would make for a great slot as well bro.
March 12th, 2017 at 9:30 am
Pass rush, pass rush, pass rush…
March 12th, 2017 at 9:32 am
I think it is unlikely we will draft a WR in round 1….but, I don’t think zero likelihood is how I would describe it……if the right WR is there at 19…..I can think of nothing better than Humphries being our #4 receiver. Receivers get injured often….it only take one to go down to change the depth chart….
I think TE or RB would be our target in the first round unless their is a top Safety available.
March 12th, 2017 at 9:34 am
@Rob W I think that CMac would put Adam on the bench… as a returner. But they could still be on the field together. Christian McCaffrey is a phenomenal runner of the football. And a great receiver out of the back field. Hump would still be our main slot receiver.
And if anything, added another Legit receiver option in the Backfield like McCaffrey would give Adam even more freedom/ opportunities against Lb’s.
March 12th, 2017 at 9:35 am
However, if Desean gets hurt we are back where we were last year. They need a receiver.
March 12th, 2017 at 9:41 am
I think Koetter could use Humphries exactly like McCaffrey, same skill set, less speed though. If Humphries is willing to be used that way (and my guess is he will) why not? Then you can add a Kupp or Z Jones and play the 3 of them at WR and Humphries at RB, maybe with OJ Howard (if Cook and Fournette are gone) as our first rounder (which I was vehemently against but am starting to warm up to). I still think we should go O-Line, RT scares me to death. I would love to see us pick up Connor Barwin, we can probably get him on the cheap, his motor never stops. J Smiths ACL worries me.
March 12th, 2017 at 9:44 am
How refreshing to go into a draft not needing to target a specific position!
March 12th, 2017 at 9:46 am
I kinda hope he takes a look at Barwin also jj.
March 12th, 2017 at 9:47 am
Hump is a complimentary player. He isnt an every down do all player. He sucks at running routes and getting open down field. He has consistent hands and can be a little shifty with the ball in his hands. But he doesnt get seperation. And most importantly he can not replace either Evans or Jackson if one of them is out with an injury. We need to have someone on roster than can do that to some degree. So while humo might still be heavily involved in the offense, we still need more than just 3 WRs on the roster. In order for koetter to open up the playbooks and really do what he wants to do, he needs to have 5 WRs capable of being NFL WRs. No more dyes or reedys etc. we need actual NFL talent.
March 12th, 2017 at 9:48 am
Nah if a WR they can’t pass up falls to them they will draft a him because Djacks isn’t getting any younger.
March 12th, 2017 at 9:54 am
Well, you all know the story….battle begins in the trenches.
Still need another DE (Barnett if there #19)
O line could use a huge upgrade by drafting Ramczyk
and of course a strong RB.
March 12th, 2017 at 9:56 am
Since the bucs arent even sniffing at the free agent RBs, it makes me think they are going to keep martin and draft a RB between the 2nd and 4th round of the draft. Quizz is there to man the position until week 4, then Martin comes back and resumes the starting spot. If martin faulters at all then quizz and the rookie take over while Martin gets tossed out like last nights garbage. I feel like the bucs want to give martin a second chance. His crimes against the team aren’t ones that would force a team to cut him. And unless the bucs need to create salary cap space there isnt any reason to re sign him to a lower deal. Lets just go about our busine and see what martin does in training camp and pre season. If the bucs are unhappy with what he is doing cut him then. We still have plan B in a rookie to replace if need be.
March 12th, 2017 at 9:57 am
Uh… Humphries was our #2 last year, and he wasn’t very good. I don’t care what the numbers say, which biggest play of the year was off a deflected ball. The guy can’t get open versus #2 corners. I think playing against #3’s he’ll do better, but ideally he’s be playing against teams 4th corners. Adam has a role on the team, but the team shouldn’t be thinking that role is as a #2 WR for when Jackson misses time.
March 12th, 2017 at 10:06 am
Adam humphries has 0 experience at RB. No way on earth are they converting Hump to running back. Not happening.
March 12th, 2017 at 10:08 am
They looking for Martin to come back with vengeance which is why they signed Rogers. Humphries is doing just fine as he always will, we need to concentrate on that o’line and the secondary. This year lack of a push on offense and secondary coverage will kill us. 1st draft pick will be TE the y for our x and offensively its needed the most.
March 12th, 2017 at 10:12 am
Draft OJ first then McCaffrey. That dude can run but with only 10 reps of 225 don’t ask him to pass block……they’ll go right thru him like wet tp! With these two beasts our pass and run game will explode! If our defense gets better from where they left off last year then watch out playoffs!
March 12th, 2017 at 10:12 am
Brag on a guy, then draft his replacement.
Happens all the time.
“This guy sucks and I can’t wait to turn in the draft card to get him out of here” is a rarity.
Not that Humphries sucks but coaches pre draft comments are not to be relied upon.
Joe might agree, but in this case wasn’t asked about Humphries or the passing game.–Joe
March 12th, 2017 at 10:14 am
Just went through some of the latest mocks and still dont see TE Evan Engram going in the first….
I guess you and I are missing something LUV (or everyone else dont see what we do)
if true, we hit the trenches with our 1st and then will probably have to trade up into the 2nd for Engram. Theres your slot….and bigger and faster. While I like Hump, I’ll take Engram all day over him.
Talk about a match up nightmare!!!!!!!!!
March 12th, 2017 at 10:20 am
For the past few months I have envisioned a 1st RD WR pick for Tampa, A complement to Mike Evans. How quickly the dynamics change when Djax enters the picture and WR does not become our #1 need. Not so fast, If Corey Davis, Mike Williams, or John Ross falls to 19, I believe we should take them for 2 reasons. Injuries, and build for the future. There is no better example than 2016 when we entered the season with Evans, Vjax, and ASJ. To a fan we felt we would dominate the NFC South. How did that turn out? Thankfully Hump stepped up along with several PR players, and Shep. We should learn that” Weapons for Jameis,” is priority number one and if we start passing on top draft prospects because we are now all warm and fuzzy about our passing arsenal, WE WILL GET BURNED!!!
March 12th, 2017 at 10:25 am
I just want to know how much Hump got paid for giving DJax #11? Come on, Joe, hook a brother up! lol
March 12th, 2017 at 10:26 am
Undisclosed amount, but it was for a local charity.
March 12th, 2017 at 10:28 am
As a fan, my preference would be to grab Dalvin Cook to complete our running back stable, and our offensive playmakers as a whole. Or Ryan Ramczyk the tackleout of Wisconsin. The guy has some skill as a pass blocker and that could really complement Donovan and Ali. Plus the fact that the o line has been ignored in free agencey could indicate that Licht has his eye on that position come draft night.
March 12th, 2017 at 10:33 am
Humphries is a 4 or 5 at best. Raise your standards. If bucs count on Humphries and or Martin it would be incredibly foolish. Hump does not put fear in any defense and Martin is a slow fragile unreliable PIECE OF S!! T
Do you people want the bucs to next step in thier growth or do you want to keep failing in love with mediocre to garbage players. Hump is mediocre and the Gerbil is garbage.
March 12th, 2017 at 10:38 am
Best player available
March 12th, 2017 at 10:40 am
Draft Cook let Martin go get a safety in 2nd wide receiver 3rd outside linebacker in 4th OL in 5th Wr in 6th and CB in 7th
March 12th, 2017 at 10:42 am
we in the 6th would be a great kick off or a punt return Specialty
March 12th, 2017 at 10:54 am
Tmax, on New England he would catch 80-100. There you go with your fantasy league , Madddin thinking. He would be a good number three. Of course, with your vast talent evaluating experience, I’m sure you know more than Koetter, Winston etc.
March 12th, 2017 at 10:54 am
Maddon
March 12th, 2017 at 10:55 am
I like Humphries, and I agree he should surpass his 2016 numbers, but I am going to be pissed if the Bucs don’t draft TE Howard (if he is available in the first round) and/or a WR in the first three rounds.
March 12th, 2017 at 10:56 am
Guys we are talking all about wr but we need a center
March 12th, 2017 at 11:02 am
Adam “baby Welker” Humphries.
March 12th, 2017 at 11:04 am
Humphries is a clear slot guy forced to play as the #2 in his second year, a completely different position. He did damn good for having no running game and no #3 WR. D Jax is gonna open up the middle of the field for Hump and Brate, this could get ugly this year if we draft the right RB and/or TE. Engram in the second would be a dream. Of course Cook is my #1 in the first but Ramsczyk if he is gone is my play. Move D Smith to RT and Draft a C. If Elflein somehow reaches the 3rd take him, he is a starter from day 1. Still need one more speed WR maybe in the 4th or 5th. Dede Westbrook is apparently a piece of s#!t that may drop like a stone in the draft. He and Mixon are toxic but both have unbelievable talent. Mixon’s interviews apparently are not going so well. Dude can’t get out of his own way and I would be surprised if any team drafts him. Man o Man this year is way more fun than last year so far!!
March 12th, 2017 at 11:14 am
I prefer in this order:
McCaffery
Davis
the miami TE
March 12th, 2017 at 11:14 am
All yall want is players with big names leave Hump alone he has given what is expected solid and cosistency. Joe hadnt given him a chance since he’s been there but every yr the man has gotten better
March 12th, 2017 at 11:19 am
Koetter promised speed, speed, speed and explosiveness. V- Jax is a start and I say that emphatically, a start. We need to put together some deals so we can obtain some of this much talked about speed and explosiveness. But have no doubt about it thoroughbred players are not going to just fall into our lap, we must go get them. We are very close to Superbowl quality, just need a few more pieces. The offense is almost elite, take a page out of the Falcons playbook and go get the superstar you need to push you over the hump because I promise you he isn’t going to just fall into your lap. Jamies Winston in my opinion is going to be an elite QB, you just have to keep putting weapons around him and protect him
March 12th, 2017 at 11:24 am
If Mccaffrey is there at 19, we have to pounce. I was watching highlights of him this morning and Stanford was down 30-0. Dude was still balling like it was 20-20 score with 2 minutes left in the game. This guy is right or should be right in the Bucs wheelhouse as he LOVES football.
March 12th, 2017 at 11:25 am
RB/CB/TE/WR will probably be who they focus on in the first 4 rounds … in any order, such as:
Maccaffery/Tankersly/Shaheen/Reynolds
or
Tabor/Foreman/Dede/Kittle
or
Ross/DezKing/Leggett/Perine
or
Njoku/Zay/JourdanLewisMixon
Any of the above would be a-ok with me
March 12th, 2017 at 11:29 am
@VaBuc….I was the first to sing Hump some praises on this board when we picked him up as a free agent….and I still believe in him, just not as a 2nd and he wont be now unless injuries force him into that role again. While I’d like someone like Engram (who wouldnt) it not to dis on Hump at all. I think he’ll be around for a while.
March 12th, 2017 at 11:30 am
Yeah, Kittle is the sleeper TE.
March 12th, 2017 at 11:34 am
If available they will draft DeSean’s future replacement. Humphries might end up being a backup WR. #WeaponsforWinston.
Atlanta who?
Go Bucs!!!
March 12th, 2017 at 11:36 am
*****************
^ Personally, that last one might be my favorite as Njoku could be the most dynamic pass-catching TE in the NFL within 5 years, Zay Jones is a bad boy, Jourdan Lewis could be the top cover corner in the draft despite his small size and would be a perfect guy for Brent Grimes to groom … and Mixon … Mixon is an amazing talent and would represent the best “value” in the entire draftt if Tampa gets him in the 4th round
However … I also wouldn’t mind seeing Tampa just use a 5th and 6th round pick on receiver Josh Reynolds and slot guy Tayshawn Taylor either … that would free them up to use one of their first four picks on an offensive lineman … personally perhaps my favorite draft would be:
1: Ryan Ramczyk … Bucs NEED a quality RT
2: Adam Shaheen … beast TE that has a super-high ceiling
3: Jourdan Lewis … perfect guy for Grimes to groom
4: Joe Mixon … best value in the draft
5: Josh Reynolds … future #2 receiver and great deep-threat
6: Tayshawn Taylor … dynamic slot receiver
7: Ben Bouleware … Darryl Smith’s replacement
*******************
March 12th, 2017 at 11:42 am
Only problem I have with Ryan Ramczyk is that he is coming off hip surgery. For that reason, I’d rather have Garrett Bolles.
March 12th, 2017 at 11:56 am
RD2 – RB/WR Curtis Samuel/Ohio State 5-11, 196, 4.31
The Bucs got speed with DJax and we get even speedier here plus we add a Percy Harvin flavor to the offense. He’s moving up draft boards but if he’s there in the second, I take him.
BTW, the Bucs have a private visit to Tampa scheduled for TE OJ Howard. And so do the Titans in Nashville. Gonna be a fight over this guy!
March 12th, 2017 at 12:06 pm
Brate had the most TD in the league as a TE and you guys still are not happy with him.
March 12th, 2017 at 12:07 pm
Blake … isn’t Bolles one of those like 25-26 year old rookies?
Macabee … Titans win that fight as they have the earlier draft pick …
March 12th, 2017 at 12:08 pm
@Jonzey
I like your draft but don’t think Cook gets by Colts or Eagles now and I think 19 is too high for McCaffery. I think OJ Howard will be gone and possibly even Njuko which is what i wanted to get. Williams and Davis will be gone by 19 and Ross is too fragile and
I would love to trade back in this super deep draft…. pick up an extra 2nd and 4th. Tons of teams with 3rd and 4th round compensatory picks behind us. If Cleveland don’t go after Garapalo, I think they want to get ahead of KC and get Watson. They would give us their extra 2nd(33), 4th, 5th.
2RDa Obi SS, he will be in the probowl in 2nd year
2RDb Foreman RB, bell cow day 1 starter POWER, LOAD
3RD C Henderson WR, best hands in college and fast playmaker
4RDa Hodges TE, Brate receiving, this guy all around huge 6’7″
4RDb Mack RB, Explosive option if Martin leaves and will replace
5RDa Ford WR, great outside and fights for balls, blocks great
5RDb Hendricks DE, Great motor, might slip as small school
6RD Kazee CB, Fast and small but loves to hit and play slot
7RD Tom C, will start in year 2 after he gains 20 lbs of muscle, super athlete
4-5 starters and return man to replace Shep.
March 12th, 2017 at 12:10 pm
I really wanna see the Bucs draft OJ Howard. They need a true Y-TE and what does it hurt to have two good players at that position. You all saw production drop with injuries… what if Brate goes down? You wanna rely on Branden Myers and Luke Stocker?
The RB position was the best tandem in 2015… I think the top brass know this and Jaquizz is the perfect fill in guy.
Humphries is great in the slot and was a decent return man. He’s gonna have a breakout season. Drafting Howard could add a receiving threat that would help open up the run game cuz the opposing D can’t stack the box.
I’m hoping for the best.
March 12th, 2017 at 12:11 pm
Hump is an awesome fit for this offense since Koetter loves running those bubble screens. I’m surprised NE never gave him a look before he came here
March 12th, 2017 at 12:14 pm
He’ll be 25 in december yes, but he is an incredibly gifted athlete. And he has very wear and tear. I think he only played one year of Junior College, and one year in the FBS.
Rumor has it that the Bronco’s view him as the best Tackle prospect, and I’m in agreement with that.
March 12th, 2017 at 12:15 pm
*very LITTLE wear and tear*
March 12th, 2017 at 12:19 pm
Pit- I don’t think anyone is hatin’ on Brate, but a fast TE that can block opposite him-is very appealing. B Myers and Stocker are getting old and are no threat in the passing game. To have Engram or Howard with Brate could be deadly, that’s all. I think we have other needs first, but I won’t be upset if we draft a TE. Besides people on this website don’t like slower white guys no matter how productive they are, LOL!! J/K
March 12th, 2017 at 12:39 pm
Hump is a very hard worker who has great hands and great speed. I’ve loved him since he got here. He had okay stats last year and since we just added another top notch receiver to the other side along with Cam, he will have a lot more opportunities to get open.
March 12th, 2017 at 12:44 pm
When you look at who Rudy played with/behind in college and compare and contrast that with who he is playing with/behind now… An argument can be made that this kid is the glue of every GREAT passing attack… He simply is not just part of the success… IMO he makes everyone better because he does what they cant… He elevates HIS PLAY BEYOND HIS INNATE ABILITIES which is inspiration to everyone to maximize thier individual skills…
I hope we lock him down for his intire career!!!!
March 12th, 2017 at 1:04 pm
Let me say it again Hump gone be wiiiiddeee open all next season.
March 12th, 2017 at 2:03 pm
Running back is now the missing piece but a wide receiver is needed in the first two rounds. I swear if they go into another draft not thinking about back ups that could replace an injured starter as they have the last two years then Licht is the fall guy like he is at fault for not having anyone on the roster to replace v jack
March 12th, 2017 at 2:04 pm
Trade down and get RB/WR Curtis Samuel in first RD and more picks.
March 12th, 2017 at 2:32 pm
test post…not saying in moderation or anything
March 12th, 2017 at 2:35 pm
well thats weird, post is a no go about not knocking on Brate. Just need another fast pass catching TE who can also block….a bigger body like Engram or Howard.
March 12th, 2017 at 2:40 pm
Joe is drawing conclusions that just don’t make sense. What Licht said did not indicate anything about draft intentions. If anything, the presence of Humphries allows them to bring receivers along slowly if necessary. Also, let’s not forget, you draft for depth because there are always injuries at WR. Always. I see them drafting a guy to become the eventual #2 receiver. Joe, you’re reaching, as usual.
March 12th, 2017 at 2:53 pm
Blake, im not too concerned about minor hip surgery. He even said it went well….updated 3-7
“Wisconsin T Ryan Ramczyk indicated that his doctor told him that “everything looks clean” with his recent hip surgery.”
http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/cfb/137052/ryan-ramczyk
March 12th, 2017 at 3:00 pm
“This picture of Hump and how it is used in certain interpretations is very disturbing” Kobe Faker
March 12th, 2017 at 3:02 pm
^ LOL
March 12th, 2017 at 4:24 pm
Macabee….I’m with you! IF we could pick up Samuels in the 2nd round I would do it in a heartbeat…Percy Harvin without the headaches. And he’s played a lot of RB he’s not the typical fragile fast guy.
But I fear that 4.3 40 bumped him up to the first. We’ll see. If we got Dalvin/McCaffery with 19 or a slight trade up and could also land Samuels we’d have crazy speed and crazy depth at the skill positions and DJAX could mentor Samuels.
We NEED a true RB…and we NEED a true RT…we also need to upgrade at Center.
We could always stand upgrading some other spots but if we get a great RB and a solid RT and Center…Minneapolis here we come!!!
March 12th, 2017 at 4:33 pm
maybe derel walker will be a suprise. I still expect them to draft a receiver or add another FA Wr that’s cheap.
March 12th, 2017 at 5:05 pm
Unless Williams or Davis falls to us in the 1st of course we aren’t taking a WR at #19. That being said, I feel DJax would be better out of the slot. Sign Josh Gordon when the Browns release him. He would be the perfect guy to lineup opposite of Evans with DJax in the slot and Brate or hopefully Cook at TE. Unstoppable receiving core right there.
March 12th, 2017 at 5:08 pm
I’m hoping Seattle signs AP and frees up Latavius Murray to sign with us. Around 4 million would be ideal. He would be a good complimentary back. Him, Quizz, and whoever we draft would be nasty. I also like Peyton Barber as well. He can be good if he handle him properly.
March 12th, 2017 at 5:08 pm
Hump is a solid 3 or 4, particularly with the weapons we have at WR, but what he needs to acquire the most is some attitude. He needs to watch some Julian Edelman/Wes Welker highlights and get a bit of a Mean Streak.
March 12th, 2017 at 6:28 pm
Steven you are spot on sir about acquiring a mean streak. He seems so nice out there. He would be an ok 4 behind our 2 guys and hopefully someone like Gordon.
March 12th, 2017 at 6:30 pm
I’m interested to see.if we get anything out of this CFL guy we signed awhile back. That would be too dope if he panned out to be a good receiver in the NFL as well.