The Cost Of Missing On Cook
April 4th, 2017
Investment.
Joe understands the thought, for some Bucs fans, of trading up in the first round is akin to the horror of coming home from work and finding Rosie O’Donnell lathered up in your shower.
Yes, it costs to move up in the first round. But when it comes to the Bucs and Dalvin Cook, perhaps not trading up to land the star running back may be chump change compared to the price of losing him in the draft.
The Stinking Panthers, NFC South rivals to the Bucs, pick at No. 8. They need a running back, terribly so. Imagine if the Bucs have to try to defend Cook for the next decade, twice a year?
In baseball, teams have pulled unorthodox if not expensive tactics just so a bitter rival cannot bolster its roster. When George Steinbrenner and Theo Epstein ran the Yankees and Red Sox, respectively, Steinbrenner often, sometimes at great cost, signed talented players he knew he didn’t need or who wouldn’t play much, just to make sure they didn’t end up with Epstein, on the roster of the Red Sox.
Just this weekend, speculation was that the Cardinals re-signed future Hall of Fame catcher Yadier Molina, 34, for the rest of his playing days, in part, to ensure he didn’t find himself in a Cubs dugout for good. The Cardinals are paying Molina now some $20 million a year.
Joe sees a similar situation with the Bucs. Tampa Bay clearly needs a running back in the worst way. Yeah, common sense suggests better value for a running back later in the draft, but that does not factor in the Bucs, if Carolina drafts Cook, tangling with him twice a year for maybe 10 years.
As the old auto repair TV commercial made famous; “you can pay me now or you can pay me later.” The cost, initially, might be steep for the Bucs to move up and grab Cook. The cost later when Cook is running wild on the Bucs might be crippling.
Why not just pony up so that Cook can instead terrorize the Stinking Panthers for the next decade, twice a year, including the rest of the division?
April 4th, 2017 at 7:09 am
The panthers GM has been quoted all over the internet as saying he made trades this offseason to accumulate extra draft picks so that THEY could move up. This article is a moot point and focused on the wrong player, unless the Bucs plan to trade into the top 5 and draft Fournette.
April 4th, 2017 at 7:15 am
The price is too high.Draft Mixon later
April 4th, 2017 at 7:17 am
Very interesting perspective Joe in a class full of RBs. Completely see your point – however, the costs to move up the board may costs you a starting caliber safety or pass rusher.
In essence, you pay now to grab cook but the cost later maybe far too great to the holes on the roster.
Just a thought. Great write up.
April 4th, 2017 at 7:21 am
Take best available player or mortgage our future? Yeah I will take option A please with a coke.
April 4th, 2017 at 7:22 am
Moving up to get him tells me how much they want to win now , even if it didn’t pan out it shows they are all in.
I think we will regret it if we don’t get him and many here saying not to draft cook will be the same saying Bucs are dumb for not drafting him.
Worst case take Mack in 3rd , mixon in 5th that way ok to miss on him
April 4th, 2017 at 7:24 am
Ridiculous when McCaffery might be the better overall back anyway. I’d snap if they traded everything away to move down past Carolina. Rb is far from the only roster hole Joe
April 4th, 2017 at 7:28 am
Sorry, Joe. That’s a terrible strategy. Think long game man. No running back is long game thinking. Can’t do it
April 4th, 2017 at 7:40 am
Interesting, but wrong idea. No. I know all the folks in Florida can’t see the Forrest for the trees here with him, but he isn’t some generational talent at RB. Sorry.
April 4th, 2017 at 7:46 am
Nope. If one of the podcasts is any indication the other Joe even disagrees with the Joe who authored this one.
April 4th, 2017 at 7:55 am
I agree with “Maze” I personally think that McCaffery is a better prospect. I think he has a larger chip on his shoulder, an NFL family petagree which leads to a high football IQ and the fact he went to Stanford and not Free Shoes University tells me he’s very smart. Not to mention he can used as KR, PR, RB and WR and Cook has some off the field issues and some fumbling issues that need to be worked on. So if cook falls to us, I wouldn’t be upset if we take him but I would not reach.
April 4th, 2017 at 8:00 am
I’m all in favor of trading up for Cook but only because he is truly worth the cost, not because we are worried about what another team may/may not do.
As soon as we let other teams dictate our strategy, we’ve lost. I have 100% faith in Licht.
Oh and screw the Panthers. They’ll draft Fournette, may even trade up themselves to do so, and end up with another often injured RB. Screw. The. Panthers.
April 4th, 2017 at 8:09 am
I don’t know what is more ridiculous, Joe thinking the Bucs should trade up for a RB? or that a RB last 10 years in the NFL?????
April 4th, 2017 at 8:09 am
As an FSU fan, please don’t trade up for Cook. I’m cool if they take him at 19 or if they don’t take him at all. I’d rather trade back to get more picks if we have a partner and are targeting someone later. I don’t care if they find a way to trade back in every round. More picks, more lottery tickets.
April 4th, 2017 at 8:13 am
Ha! We would shut that little man down. I hope the panther’s do draft Cook, just so all the homer’s on this site can watch him get smacked up by Kwon and crew year in year out.
I also find it interesting, that when discussing any other prospect, your stance “he hasnt even taken a snap”, but your mind Cook is already an all-pro ROY future hall of famer. Funny stuff Joe.
April 4th, 2017 at 8:14 am
I like Cook, but we talk about him like he is a sure thing. Last summer we talked about a kicker being a sure thing… remember that? Yeah, its a lot to pay for a kicker but at least the kicker postion is solved for 10 years.
If you pay that much for an rb and he isn’t great, then you set the team back a few years. Rbs are not sure things. He could be AP, but he could be Ronnie Brown or Doug Martin. I think the Panthers might like us to trade ahead of them knowing we are taking a big risk and giving up a lot of picks.
April 4th, 2017 at 8:22 am
Mixon isn’t getting out of the 2nd round, most current big boards have him ranked in the top 20, even saw a mock recently with the Bucs taking him at 19, as far as potential, Mixon is the best RB in the draft, I’d love the Bucs to down to late 1st/early 2nd and draft Mixon, Bucs have no qualms giving 2nd chances to guys they believe have the talent worth it like Jameis n Spence
April 4th, 2017 at 8:26 am
Budda Baker at 19 please and Mixon/Freemon in the 2nd!!! McCaffrey will not be an every down back, an we already have him on our roster (simms)!!
April 4th, 2017 at 8:28 am
My hunch is that the Panthers would prefer Fournette over Cook. Really doesn’t matter all that much though since the cost of the Bucs trading up from #19 all the way to #7 would be cost-prohibitive given our other needs. Jason Licht might be somewhat of a gambler, but he’s not about to mortgage the Bucs’ future on a gamble like that.
April 4th, 2017 at 8:33 am
If we trade that high in the first (will never happen) and don’t draft Fournette over Cook I will do something I haven’t done in years, question the Buc’s drafting strategy.
The reason Cook is a better option than McCaffery is merely power, if we jump ahead of Carolina then why not draft a bona fide steamroller in Fournette? Stay at 19 and draft the best available weapon.
April 4th, 2017 at 8:39 am
Or load up on bolstering the d to stop him. Franchise QB’s like Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Ben Rothelisberger, Eli Manning, and Russell Wilson all won titles without their teams drafting a 1st round RB.
If Jameis is a franchise type guy he doesn’t need a 1st RB
April 4th, 2017 at 8:41 am
I wouldn’t even take Cook at 19. Trading up for a running back in the first round is insane.
April 4th, 2017 at 8:42 am
Shoulder issues, off field issues, fumbler. HARD PASS in the first.
April 4th, 2017 at 8:43 am
Architek:
Thanks.
April 4th, 2017 at 8:47 am
Ok, three things.
First-I understand what you’re saying about facing Cook with the Panthers, but if we were to trade up in front of the Panthers to get him, we’d have to at least trade up to #7, and that’s assuming that the Chargers would even want to trade back that far. In order to do that, if you look at the value chart, we’d AT LEAST have to trade our first three picks to move up that far. Too steep a price. If the Panthers take Cook at #8, and if Licht is fearing facing him, maybe the better move would be to 1) Take McCaffrey, if we are actually intent on taking a RB in the first round, and 2) take one of the top DT’s in the second round, thus helping to defend against Cook. If we don’t take a RB in the first, we could go Safety with the above-mentioned DT in the second, with RB and WR in the 3rd and 4th picks. Better value, and we won’t be mortgaging the future.
Second, Theo Epstein is probably the best executive in all of sports, and every sports personnel guy could take notes. I’m BY NO MEANS a fan of either the Red Sox or the Cubs, but damn. If he can make both of those clubs into champions, just WOW.
Third, Rosie O’Donnel? Damn, thanks a lot for that visual…sheesh.
April 4th, 2017 at 8:50 am
It all depends on draft class. The only way that I draft up to get him is if he slips a little and all it would take was the first and a 5th. This class is LOADED with nfl starters. Drafting for now very rarely works. Let me ask you this question Joe, moving up to in front of Carolina would take, based on trade value charts our 1,2 and 3 this year. So the true cost of moving that far to draft him would like trading Derek Barnett, Zay Jones and Marlon Mack for Dalvin Cook. I know how I would build my roster.
April 4th, 2017 at 8:52 am
This is good for conversation. But, lets think about the rationale of this discussion for a minute. Take Cook completely out of it. Tampa Bay would move up at great cost to draft a player just so that team X does not get said player in FEAR that we have to play said player twice a year??!!
If we weren’t 2 years removed from 6-10 and needed ONE guy, then this strategy might be worth entertaining. Take a look at our roster folks. We are NOT one player away! Good teams build a foundation through the draft. Hinging your foundation on a player like Cook, a RB, who has a limited shelf-life as it is, does not seem wise in the long run.
If there at #19, no-brainer!
April 4th, 2017 at 8:53 am
I’m an FSU grad and a huge fan of Cook, I think he is the best overall back in this draft. Do not trade up to top 10! We still have huge holes in this team. O-Line, S, WR, DE, a second TE. Now if he is there at 15, you trade up all day if you can find a partner. Give Martin and your pick and a 5th if there is a sucker out there. I like McCaff. too and would be happy to have him, but as a pure RB, it is not even close. If we draft C Mc, say goodbye (and good riddance) to Simms. JMO.
April 4th, 2017 at 8:56 am
trade up from 19 to 7 out of fear? Of a specific RB? There are tons of other players they could still take that would terrorize us. He’s not the only good prospect and I’m a crazy Fsu homer lol. Maybe a defensive player is worse news if it’s like adding another Luke keuchly.
We need to draft to make our team as good as possible. If that means giving up 3 premium picks that could net us stud starters for a single RB then do it but I don’t see it really making any sense.. drafting on fear of what another team may pick seems like a recipe for a failed draft
April 4th, 2017 at 8:57 am
It would cost you at least a 2nd, 3rd. and 6th. If you really want to “Win Now” you might trade your 1st RD 2018. Not that I support drafting Dalvin Cook but I can assure you the way things look 3 weeks out we will have to trade up to get him. But you know we are used to getting a top player, (Winston, Hargreaves) both have really improved our team. What I am saying is “Why Not,” go for the best RB in the draft. Take Mixon in the 2nd at 50.
April 4th, 2017 at 8:57 am
Idk if I’d rather us face Cook or Fournette twice a year… Either one is gonna be a tough task, but we’ll be aight.
April 4th, 2017 at 9:00 am
Panthers would be laughing there ass off at us, thinking the whole time “did they think we wanted Cook”? Lol
April 4th, 2017 at 9:04 am
Like Gruden said when we played Vic and the falcons in back in the day.
“Everybody is talking about Vic and not once they mention our DEFENSE!!!!”
With Chris Baker on the line I’ll take our DEFENSE over any QB or RB this year!!!!
In Licht I trust!!!!
April 4th, 2017 at 9:07 am
“Why not just pony up so that Cook can instead terrorize the Stinking Panthers for the next decade”
So you are advocating moving up to #7 to get in front of the Panthers??? That’s it – Joe has officially lost it!
Maybe if Joe had consulted the draft trade chart and seen it would roughly take our 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th round picks to move from 19 to 7 – he wouldn’t have written this ridiculous piece. Last coach who tried this (Ditka to get Ricky Williams) got fired pretty quickly and never got another HC job in the NFL again….
April 4th, 2017 at 9:08 am
Fournette is a better running back
McCaffery is a better prospect
Cook, Fournette or McCaffery would be great to add.
But, I’d rather see Bucs trade back and bring more prospects in than trade up for any of them!
April 4th, 2017 at 9:21 am
I wouldn’t trade up into the top 10 for him either, but it is fair to ask have you guys every seen him play? He has ridiculous burst, tremendous vision, great hands, speed for days and oh yeah understands we has to be leaned on cause the oline is beat up, or the QB is too young, or the defense cant be on the field all day. These kind of things you cant measure or see on the highlight tapes, you have to watch the full games and then you get a feel for the player and this player is special, period!
April 4th, 2017 at 9:21 am
Trading up for cook is exactly what Licht needs to do to make up for last seasons wasted first and second round picks. Toss in the leader of the losing culture cancer93 in the trade and bucs will be a contender for the next 8 to 10 years.
April 4th, 2017 at 9:22 am
Wow just wow. Wake up!!!! Cook is not the only impact player in this draft. As koetter, licht, and all experts say, this draft is loaded. Now we have an idea to trade up by giving up at least 3 premium picks in order to keep the panthers from drafting cook? Come on man, you can’t be serious.
April 4th, 2017 at 9:26 am
Tmax you need to lay off the spray paint if you think Vernon Hargreaves and Noah Spence were “wasted picks.”
April 4th, 2017 at 9:26 am
If high-priced players on your dline come out of hiding for more than 2-3 plays a game then you don’t have as much to fear from opposing RBs. Let’s see how Licht handles himself in this draft. I think he plays it safe after going all “Earnest Goes to Vegas” last year.
WR/RB/DE in first three rounds in no particular order. Won’t trade up past 4th round value for Cook.
April 4th, 2017 at 9:27 am
The Panthers are going to draft fournette. You can take that to the bank.
April 4th, 2017 at 9:31 am
“Rosie O’Donnell lathered up in your shower.”
Now Joe don’t be so sexist!
April 4th, 2017 at 9:32 am
Even if the Bucs take Cook off the board before the Panthers pick, there’s a good chance that either Fournette or McCaffery is still there for them to take, and both of those guys could be nightmares to defend. There are lots of other good backs later in the draft, like Marlon Mack, and they could take a late round flyer on Joe Mixon and end up with the best back of the bunch. Stay at #19, build that defense, and don’t worry about who lines up on the other side!
April 4th, 2017 at 9:33 am
Man I would be so pissed if this happened. I love me some Cook but trading up that high would be a horrible move. Seriously, you guys go check out Kareem Hunt from Toledo. Between the tackles runner with good size, speed, vision, balance, and power. We could grab up this kid in the 3rd possibly and not have to mortgage the future for Cook.
April 4th, 2017 at 9:34 am
He’d be lucky to have any woman lathering up in his shower!
April 4th, 2017 at 9:35 am
I agree with birdie completely. Mixon in the 3rd(ish) would be better than trading up to get Cook in the first.
April 4th, 2017 at 9:36 am
I completely disagree with this logic. Trade away future picks so you dont have to play 1 guy twice a year? That’s a little dramatic, no?
April 4th, 2017 at 9:36 am
There are several potential world class running backs in this years draft, so we can’t prevent Carolina from drafting every one of them.
Sorry, I am not on the Cook bandwagon.
We have Rodgers, and a hungry Doug Martin coming back this year, as well as the other backs.
Can we get better at running back ? Sure we can, but we have other needs too, like a safety, and/or a pass rusher.
The addition of DeSean Jackson instantly makes our running game better, because teams must respect his speed. They will not be so quick to stack the box now. Then, if Marpet works out at center, and Sweezy returns to his old self, look out NFC South. Sweezy was a real road grader back at Seattle. Marshawn Lynch did not do it all by himself!
I
April 4th, 2017 at 9:37 am
In a Draft so deep in RB talent why give up picks to draft a player that is not the BEST @ his position!! MIXON , MIXON, MIXON!!
April 4th, 2017 at 9:39 am
I am a huge fan of Cook and think he is the best running back in this draft, but that being said, I really don’t want to trade up (especially that far) into the top ten. The only way I would be ok to trade up is if oj howard or corey davis fall to number 15 or so. Also, I will keep saying this, Mccaffery is not a first round running back. He may be a do it all player but if we are drafting a running back in the first round then he better be able to run between the tackles, something mccaffery struggles to do unless he has a good ass offensive line.
April 4th, 2017 at 9:41 am
ndog..I believe it was Tampa Tony that said. “You FSU guys act as if Cook can just take over a game.”
That’s when I paused for a bit. Most have not watched him play. Maybe seen highlights here and there. Dalvin Cook took OVER games. They leaned heavily on this kid. He was expected to be the hero, and he delivered more often than not.
He’s the real deal. Not quite a slam dunk like JW was, but he’ll do well in the NFL. Worthy of a 1st rounder? Yep no matter how deep the draft is at RB.
April 4th, 2017 at 9:42 am
Why not swing big for THE #1 rated RB in Fournette….OR….Mixon as the better value? Frankly there’s a reason Cook seems to be falling in the draft….his biggest value presently is clicks on this site….at least from a Bucs perspective.
April 4th, 2017 at 9:42 am
Lets draft Obi Melifonwu @19,if he”s there and Mixon in the 2nd.Melifonwu is an athletic freak!
April 4th, 2017 at 9:44 am
Another Cook article….
April 4th, 2017 at 9:47 am
If Cook is there at 19, that’s one thing…but this draft is TOO DEEP at RB to waste a 2nd or 3rd round pick to move up a few spots!
It doesn’t make sense Joe!
April 4th, 2017 at 9:48 am
You don’t move up that far for a guy with character/work ethic issues.
April 4th, 2017 at 9:50 am
You don’t mortgage your entire draft to block a division rival from picking a player. Cook, if he stays healthy, will get his. But like in defending against Payton, Sims, Stewart, and Williams, you contain him and play your game. The two players (at least) it would cost to move up so far will between them more than make up for not having Cook for the life expectancy of an NFL running back.
April 4th, 2017 at 9:50 am
plenty of other good rb’s in the draft that can provide great production with the group of rb’s we already have….he isn’t a once in a generation rb…..look for mixon or donte foreman…
and if the panthers do draft him, defending him twice a year wouldn’t be as hard as joe’s trying to make it out to be….we have 2 great linebackers that can run….if anything we could trade down, get an extra pick and draft jarred davis which would turn cook into a wasted pick vs us twice a year because we’re stuffing the run between the tackles and have fast athletic linebackers that can chase him down….GO BUCS!!!!
April 4th, 2017 at 9:53 am
The best available are
@ RB Cook/ Mixon
@ TE Njoku
@ S Obi/ Baker
However draft order would dictate options like taking a TE in the 1st rd only if the availability of Cook has deminished then and only then would you take the noted TE in the 1st… but you never, never Ever Ever Ever pass on a RB like Mixon who’d be a steal in the 2nd and due to upside and potential not a incident that occurred 2yrs ago… and I don’t see any socialist going after her for her crossing the line and being socially responsible… Dafuq outta here…
Dafuq outta here.
April 4th, 2017 at 9:53 am
You have to ask, is Cook on the same level of say, Julio Jones, falcons have made it to the conference finals with Julio and lost to the 49ers and have made it to a super bowl lost to the pats. If you think Dalvin is that guy, you do it, but if he is not, be ready to pay the piper
April 4th, 2017 at 9:54 am
Does nole write these articles? Are u trolling joe? This is getting ridiculous.
April 4th, 2017 at 9:55 am
My bad socially irresponsible
April 4th, 2017 at 10:03 am
“With the 19th pick of the 2017 NFL draft, GM Kobe Faker takes”
The next khalil Mack/Von Miller and 2017 ROY….from the Temple Owls
*Will be the best pass rusher/ pass defender/ linebacker he takes his first steps on the grass of 1 buc place” Kobe Faker
Mr. Hassan Reddick
April 4th, 2017 at 10:11 am
There is no way the Bucs will trade up for Cooks. First of all, he’s not even the best RB in the draft so trading up to grab a RB that’s in the pack of a MCCaffrey and Mixon. No, our GM is smarter then that.
April 4th, 2017 at 10:15 am
I never ran a website before, but just going off of the number of comments the Dalvin Cook related articles get they seem to be very popular.
So why wouldn’t Joe keep making Dalvin Cook articles? Lol.
April 4th, 2017 at 10:23 am
Baseball and football are completely different. And you mentioned free agency tactics in baseball to compare to football draft tactics. In all your scenarios, you mentioned known commodities. No one would sell away the future (to move above panthers it would take EVERY pick this year plus our first next year) for a universally rated #2 PROSPECT at his position. If he is there at 19, take him, or take bpa in a position of need. Thats how teams get better. Carolina would be so excited if we traded up above them just to keep them from getting 1 guy. I know i would be if they were to ever do something so foolish.
April 4th, 2017 at 10:24 am
Man, too many articles about cook might be jinxing it the way johnny football career was. I actually hope we get McCaffrey.
April 4th, 2017 at 10:27 am
So Joe should start writing about the all important backup long-snapper position? Or drafting a QB in the seventh round?
As always, there are thousands of stories in the archives to read if focusing on the biggest hole on the roster bores you.
Buckle up cowboy, draft is a month away.
April 4th, 2017 at 10:29 am
Very glad Joe is a blogger and not the Bucs GM
April 4th, 2017 at 10:32 am
P.S. Simms sucks and and is so damn brittle. Almost Cadillac bad. Comparing him to McCaffery is embarrassing. Miss on him than Mixon is next in line
April 4th, 2017 at 10:34 am
I dont think the decision to go up and get cook is even remotely affected by the idea of him going to a rival. If we were that scared of a rival getting one player – a RB at that, then we have some serious confidence problems. Dline beating the opposing teams Oline is the goal and that works regardless of whether Carolina attempts to win via run game or via Cam Newton.
April 4th, 2017 at 10:45 am
Joe I spoke up on this in a earlier post I think trading up to get Cook is a wonderful Idea
April 4th, 2017 at 10:46 am
Cook will get ROY watch and it don’t matter where he lands
April 4th, 2017 at 10:47 am
To me the best complete back in the draft
April 4th, 2017 at 10:51 am
He can catch passes wonderfully… and that’s about it.
That is, when he can stay healthy.
Matt Forte? ROTFLMAO!!!
April 4th, 2017 at 10:52 am
Buc1987
Great Post.
Dalvin is a game changer for any franchise, but for the Bucs whom have perhaps the NFL’s worst group of running backs he would make a dramatic difference on our team.
April 4th, 2017 at 10:53 am
Hey how about this? Stop the run.
April 4th, 2017 at 10:53 am
That’s fair, but football is backwards compared to baseball in that teams don’t let stud players get away in football very often at all and when they do it is because of salary cap concerns which baseball does not have.
In football, the most valuable players that are available are not the thirtysomething free agents, but the stud college players entering the draft, partially because of rookie contracts.
Joe’s premise still holds true: Don’t let a stud player (especially your biggest need) get in the hands of your division rival that will haunt you for maybe a decade.
April 4th, 2017 at 10:55 am
Jason licht doesn’t move up in the first rounds of drafts. He only goesmoves down to get more picks. Now any round after that he will move up if he sees fit to do it. Obi Melifonwu for the first round for me. I think that kids the next Kam Chancellor and I’d love to have a Kam Chancellor type player on our team. Then hopefully budda baker could drop to us in the 2nd and we can plug him in at nickel and he can lay ppl out! He is perfect for the nickel spot. Then draft any running back they see fit after that.
April 4th, 2017 at 10:55 am
Stop saying draft Mixon. He is nowhere in the same league as Cook. I am a nole homer and will admit and other than a few guys over the past 10 seasons only a few I called studs. This is one of them. He truly is a once in a liftetime type back that can do it all. If Tampa is able to snatch him in the draft I am serious when I say bucs will be super bowl bound within the next 2 to 3 seasons!
April 4th, 2017 at 10:58 am
Looking into the crystal ball (three, four years from now) the Bucs will be offensive heavy.
Look at the players who will need to be re-signed at a significant cost: Jameis, Evans, Smith, Marpet, Pamphile and Brate.
Four or five years from now, GMC likely will be gone and perhaps so too will Lavonte David. Don’t think it is a stretch to suggest the Bucs defense will slip in the coming years because guys on offense will need to get paid. By both lack of cash and attrition, defense won’t get any better.
April 4th, 2017 at 11:01 am
Oh also there is no way Dalvin cook drops to us at #19. Teams in need of a 3 down back include jaguars, panthers, eagles, colts. Anyone is naive if they believe he will drop to us. Plus trading up is no way in hell worth it. Losing draft picks in this draft that’s full of great talents is stupid!
April 4th, 2017 at 11:47 am
You only move up that much for a once in a lifetime QB. Just look at Ditka and going after a stud RB!
This draft is deep at RB and TE(best ever).
April 4th, 2017 at 11:50 am
Cook will be hurt and out of the lineup for half that decade Joe. So I don’t believe we will have to face him twice a year over the next decade because he’s not going to be available. I don’t believe he will hold up very well in the NFL considering he’s been banged up multiple times in College. I’d be pissed if we wasted a pick to move up to grab him.
April 4th, 2017 at 11:52 am
Great tradecraft. To anyone who questions the strategy, I say just look at the engagement (number, length and intensity of the comments). It has to be done with finesse and not overused.
April 4th, 2017 at 11:59 am
Bad idea, Joe. Especially when the history of 1st round RB’s over the last 6 years is as horrific as its been.
I’m writing this for the 100th time… good teams don’t spend their premium pick on RBs when it’s proven that later round backs (2nd round and later) can and do become elite just as much, if not more, than first round picks.
Trading up for a RB in the first round isn’t that much better than trading up for a kicker.
April 4th, 2017 at 12:01 pm
Plus I can’t seem to find any highlights of Dalvin Cook running up the middle and getting big runs. They all are of him breaking to the outside. Understandable that happens in college but it’s a total different story in the NFL. When I see highlights of him running up the middle between the tackles then I’d say he’s the man lol.
April 4th, 2017 at 12:03 pm
The Bucs top two backs last year averaged less than 3 yards per carry luckily Rogers was signed and did much better but let’s be honest he is a third team running back. The bucs need cook more than any other team in the entire NFL needs Dalvin cook. I’m not saying give away the farm but if we have a shot to get him we need to do it.
April 4th, 2017 at 12:05 pm
You should have thought about that when you wanted us to win meaningless games especially week 17.
April 4th, 2017 at 12:05 pm
There are so many other strategies that make more since than what you propose. While 19 isn’t ideal, you have some flexibility. No need to trade up to get Cook. Trade the 19 pick for more choices later in the draft, stand pat and get the guy from Stanford. Mixon will be available and he’s as talented as any runner in the draft.
April 4th, 2017 at 12:58 pm
Try to trade back if possible and get more picks, pick up Obi in the first and Mixon in the second. Boo-Yah.
April 4th, 2017 at 1:23 pm
We have multiple holes that need to be filled on this team. I can almost guarantee they will not trade up in the first for Cook or anyone else. Need to trade back and get more picks. I said Mixon before and I say it again. With all of our very good play action and that guy firing through the holes, that could be scary for other teams.
April 4th, 2017 at 1:45 pm
Can we at least get some terminology straight?
Somebody posted that Cook is not a generational talent. That’s simply incorrect.
Correctly stated it would say that Cook is not yet an NFL generational talent…or even in the opinion of the poster he will not become one.
But Cook, Fournette and McCaffery ARE generational talents up to the level they’ve played. Mixon is NOT!!!
Google the best FSU running back ever…or even the best overall player and Cook’s name will be all over it….Same at LSU for Fournette or at Stanford McCaffery.
All three of these guys are potential (expected by most) to be first round selections….precisely because they have enjoyed “generational” careers in college. Will that translate to the NFL? Time will tell…but ya gotta give those guys props for their collegiate careers! In fact let’s be honest McCaffery got jobbed out the Heisman two years ago because of the Bama factor. Mixon? Meh!
April 4th, 2017 at 1:49 pm
Now I want Mixon just cuz some of ya don’t like him (sorry SB). Koetter ain’t afraid of bad boys and Mixon seems like the best value.
If you do trade up to top ten you’d be dumb not to draft Soloman Thomas if available or mike Williams.
You can never have too much talent. Btw the draft should really be scheduled for the first weekend in April.
April 4th, 2017 at 1:50 pm
I wouldn’t cal Mixon “meh” but just my opinion.
April 4th, 2017 at 1:51 pm
Joe says: In football, the most valuable players that are available are not the thirtysomething free agents, but the stud college players entering the draft, partially because of rookie contracts.
Joe’s premise still holds true: Don’t let a stud player (especially your biggest need) get in the hands of your division rival that will haunt you for maybe a decade.
How can you speak of what value is, and in the same breath propose to trade away nearly our entire draft for one player?
April 4th, 2017 at 1:53 pm
And while you’re at it sign kap
April 4th, 2017 at 1:54 pm
This is the most idiotic justification for a move-up I’ve ever heard. Jeezus, you guys act like Dalvin Cook is the second coming of Walter Payton or Jim Brown. Forget it. This is a trade-down draft if I’ve ever seen one. Too many needs to trade up for a RB. I’d argue that the need for targets in the passing game outweigh the need for a RB. We can wait.
April 4th, 2017 at 1:54 pm
Your draft strategy should not include moving up in the draft tonblovk a rival from drafting a player. Especially when simialebtalents can be had by staying out….this is as bad as the strategy to draft Johnny Football
April 4th, 2017 at 2:02 pm
In fact even if Cook is there at 19 the Bucs should attempt to trade back for an extra second or third round pick , or later first and second round pick… We finally have the luxury of taking the best players available without being desperate to fill one spot. It would be a shame to waste this opportunity trading up and giving up picks in a deep draft.
April 4th, 2017 at 2:27 pm
Silly season, indeed.
Trade away half the draft so we can block the last place team in the division from getting a RB? Wow….!
I was always really excited for the draft to come so I could see who the team was going to take, then I started reading team blog sites, and now I just really want the draft to come and go so I can be done hearing nonsensical ideas like this.
April 4th, 2017 at 3:02 pm
Cook will either be drafted by us at 19 or we will pass. He will not go before then. And he is not worth trading up for.
April 4th, 2017 at 3:22 pm
Here we go again. People wanting us to trade up to draft a RB that will never live up to his status. First it was Trent Richardson, now Cook. Sorry folks, he’s not that good.
April 4th, 2017 at 3:49 pm
Dirk Koetter on Christian McCaffrey: ‘He can do everything as a running back’
Draft McCaffrey.
April 4th, 2017 at 4:07 pm
Imagine the Pats making this kind of move. That’s right, you can’t because they never would. Even before they were the Pats of today. Obviously we’re not the Pats. But IMO we’re also not 1 RB removed from the SB. Furthermore, I think the likelihood that we’d face Cook twice a year for 10 years is ludicrous even if the Panthers pick him. This is silly season so the projections are always supremely hopeful. But they pale in the face of reality. Todd Gurley seemed like a steal in his rookie year. Then inexplicably 1 more year removed from injury he looks like crap. And the Rams didn’t have a good QB his rookie year either. It’s way too early to mortgage this team’s future. Especially a team with a 23 y/o QB and a very young nucleus of players. Cook is a dynamic player but he has baggage and puts the ball on the ground a lot. Smart teams don’t make this move (trading up; I’m on board with him if he’s there at 19). The last SB featured a 4th round RB on one side and an undrafted FA on the other. It’s worth noting that with the exception of Elliot (1 player) you have to go back 8 years, to the 2009 draft to find a RB picked by a playoff team in the first round (ironically Jonathan Stewart for the Panthers). Pretty bad track record.
April 4th, 2017 at 4:36 pm
I think those that have really watched Dalvin Cook see what an enormous impact he could have on the franchise. However, since nothing is guaranteed does it make sense to give up our first second and third to get him…. I would say no.
However, if we can trade our 1st and 2nd to Arizona and get their 1st and 4th to get him then I would make that deal(not sure Dalvin Cook will be their at 13).
It’s possible a team like Arizona would be willing to trade back to draft their QB of the future at 19 and have two 2nd round picks.
I think that potential scenario is a win for both franchises.
April 4th, 2017 at 4:37 pm
^ Gets It.
I understand your point Joe about preventing a rival from getting a player, but moving up 12 spots in the 1st round, for a RB???? C’mon man!
That would be beyond foolish.
April 4th, 2017 at 4:38 pm
^ Was directed at Steven007’s comment.
April 4th, 2017 at 5:26 pm
joe you gotta stop hating on Sims on a team that has had problems with yards after catch he’s one of our best and in 2015 he ran and he ran good to so when healthy he’s a good player joe and that’s a fact
April 4th, 2017 at 5:32 pm
Where is nosbos yet?
April 4th, 2017 at 5:33 pm
Joe can you do a marlon mack article?
April 4th, 2017 at 6:01 pm
Trade up if we have to get the best RB and that is Cook trade up with Cleveland second pick in first Rd
April 4th, 2017 at 6:04 pm
Trade our 11st and 5th to Cleveland for Cook
April 4th, 2017 at 6:19 pm
What is 11st?
April 4th, 2017 at 6:22 pm
The more I read the more I think a top notch defensive player is the wise 1st Bucs pick.
April 4th, 2017 at 6:23 pm
And with our 11st and 5th what may I ask is the pick Cleveland has agreed to give us for Cook?
Keep the sage insight comin!
April 4th, 2017 at 6:56 pm
We most likely would have to give up our top 3 draft picks for this year and probably some of next years to move up 12 spots to get all the way up to 7th pick to get him. That’s a joke man! No way would 1 player be worth all that. NO WAY! Who knows the jaguars might want him and we’d have to give up all our picks this year and next year to get to the fourth pick to get him. Do you still really think he’d be worth it? You mofos are crazy! Give up on Dalvin cook man. Just give up!
April 4th, 2017 at 8:06 pm
This would be a big move and would cost a ton to do so. The only way I would like this move is if it is with future picks because we need players at other positions this year.
April 4th, 2017 at 8:07 pm
There are so many talented players this year that we need as many picks in this draft as we can get.
April 4th, 2017 at 8:32 pm
Dallas…lol…Bucs fans!
April 4th, 2017 at 9:06 pm
Joe – this running back madness has to stop. We need to draft Lineman or Corners in the first round. Investing in the o line is the best way to improve the running game and protect our most important player. If that guy is not there, then go D line or corner. There is always someone to carry the ball out on the street… Do you think zeke would have had the same year playing for the Colts? See the patriots model that has been set for all to follow
April 4th, 2017 at 9:36 pm
I LOVE me some Dalvin Cook … and even I wouldn’t trade up for him … the value just isn’t there.
April 4th, 2017 at 10:33 pm
For the type of RB I think the Bucs are looking for there are several that fit the mold. Cook, Mixon, Kamara, McCaffrey, and McNichols are my top picks. There are other guys too like Hunt and Mack who could go even later in the draft that might be able to fill that role too.
April 4th, 2017 at 10:48 pm
We traded up for a kicker, who stinks.
Surely we can for Cook.
If we do, rookie of the year and playoff bound.
April 5th, 2017 at 7:02 am
I’m OK with anything we do that get us Dalvin Cook.
April 5th, 2017 at 12:01 pm
In this current NFL the running game has become very two dimensional:
1. Coaches use it to protect leads in second half of games.
2. Usually on first and goal, a running play or two will be part of the package.
Other than that teams move the ball and win with great passers and playmakers catching 15 yard passes and getting YACs.
A great back will only take a team so far. The reason the Raiders progressed so quickly is because Derrick Carr got the ball to his playmakers, Cooper and the WR that played for SF.
Bucs should draft best available athlete for its offense to make the passing game more dynamic and to help Winston to put up yardage and completion numbers like Brees and Ryan. No,trade up for Cook. With a wicked passing game you can plug a young RB that hits holes, let Winston, ME, DJax and your #1 draft pick be your home run hitters. We just need a back that can move the chains and break,some tackles.
April 13th, 2017 at 10:00 am
Let us all hope and pray it is not as costly as missing Johny Manziel, who was how that miss in the draft has surely cost us at least a super bowl.