Divided We Stand
April 14th, 2017
It’s been a long, long time since Bucs fans — even the hardest of the hardcores — have had such wide-ranging desires and goals for the team in the NFL Draft.
Stick four season ticket holders in a room and good luck getting a consensus on what positions the Bucs should address in the first two rounds later this month.
Joe has realized, whatever the Bucs do, there will be an uneasy vibe across much of the Tampa Bay area, despite the rampant optimism surrounding the 2017 Bucs.
Consider the 24-hour, JoeBucsFan.com poll that concluded this morning. It’s all linked here.
Joe asked: In the first round of the NFL Draft, what position do you want the Bucs to select?
Votes from 2,154 fans were as follows:
Running back: 31.3%
Defensive end: 23.5%
Wide receiver: 16.0%
Tight end: 11.0%
Safety: 8.4%
I don’t know: 5.4%
Other: 3.25%
Cornerback: 1.16%
So the large majority of Bucs fans don’t want a running back in the first round. In other words, the masses are hoping this afternoon that Dalvin Cook or Christian McCaffery won’t get a congratulatory phone call from America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.
If the Bucs draft a stud receiver on Day 1, then legions of fans will shake their heads at a perceived opportunity lost.
Joe’s not going to extrapolate all the math here on what the vote above means for fans’ feelings about what the Bucs should do in Rounds 1 and 2 combined. However, it’s obvious general manager Jason Licht won’t have many new fans in couple of weeks.
Joe is very open-minded when it comes to this year’s draft except for one particular area. If the Bucs don’t walk out of the draft with a legitimate NFL wide receiver, then that will be unacceptable.
For two consecutive seasons, the team’s poor receiver depth was crippling. That just can’t happen again. Absolutely can’t.
April 14th, 2017 at 12:48 pm
AGREE 100% Joe, again, another reason not to move up to draft a RB. One of our first 4 picks needs to be a WR. Our first 4 picks, in my dream scenario are, RB,WR,DE and Safety. Not in that particular order. If you put a TE in there for WR ok but Licht had better figured out a way to get 5 picks in the first 4 rounds and picked a WR in addition.
April 14th, 2017 at 12:50 pm
I love Dalvin Cook but if he and Corey Davis are available at 19, I’m leaning towards Davis, a guy who looks like a True #2 Star WR.
April 14th, 2017 at 12:54 pm
What? I was led to believe that there was only one acceptabe player in this draft to take at pick #19? I was told over and over again that 1000+ wanted one player, and one player only?
Now I’m confused. The sheep are slowly starting to leave the flock I guess.
April 14th, 2017 at 12:56 pm
I’ll be super sad if we don’t come out of the draft with a new RB & new WR
Ideally both will be top 3 round picks but i could live with a WR in the 3rd and a RB in the 4th or 5th even if it’s a guy I like but it needs to be addressed
I don’t care what else they do as long as those 2 positions are addressed.
April 14th, 2017 at 12:56 pm
Best player available would have been the #1 answer if offered.
April 14th, 2017 at 12:57 pm
“Nole&aBuc Says:
April 14th, 2017 at 12:56 pm
Best player available would have been the #1 answer if offered.”
Yep. I’m a FSU homer and would go that over RB or Cook.
If it’s Corey Davis or Dalvin Cook I’ll go Davis. I also think Davis is by far the best WR in the class tho and WR represents a 10-12 year lifespan vs the RB usually lasting 4-6 years
April 14th, 2017 at 12:58 pm
Well I voted for DE but we draft a RB or WR you won’t get no complaints from me. Its like this: If you go to the Olympics hoping for gold, are you going to cry if you get silver? Not me!!
April 14th, 2017 at 1:00 pm
Did you guys read what soap had to say about Desean Jackson and Mike Evans and the whole Hard Knocks thing? Wow. That’s all I can say. He let them have it.
April 14th, 2017 at 1:00 pm
Sapp not soap lol
April 14th, 2017 at 1:02 pm
The reasons we are so divided in our preferences is because we don’t need a QB and we are picking at 19 and not in the top 6. I personally prefer it this way, means we are not a loosing team.
April 14th, 2017 at 1:06 pm
D-line please, much more valuble position to take than running back – too deep at RB this year to take one first round. Derek Barnett sounds nice, if he’s availible.
April 14th, 2017 at 1:09 pm
I think it is a positive thing that the poll was so divided. It shows that ther is no HUGE hole that NEEDS to be addressed in round 1. I think the last 3 years, everyone was on the same page that we needed a wr, then qb, then cb. This year there is no glaring hole, thus more fans voting based on who they like in the draft. Good days are coming.
April 14th, 2017 at 1:10 pm
As long as we come away with a starting rb, a #2 te and a after the catch wr I’ll be happy. A bouns would be a productive de and s.
April 14th, 2017 at 1:11 pm
Corey Davis over any rb who falls to us. Then draft the best Rb in rds 2-4. Kamara/Foreman/Hunt/Conner
April 14th, 2017 at 1:13 pm
Conveniently left offensive line off the poll list.
It’s know as the option called “other,” which includes other positions.–Joe
Why improve the one area that makes both the running game and passing game improve? A QB without grass stains all over his back side would be something to see one of these years. Everybody does realize that in order for deep routes to develop Winston needs to not be running for his life, right? And in order for running plays to develop is helpful to have the running back not have to make his first move two yards behind the line of scrimmage, right?
I guarantee that Cam Robinson and Forrest Lamp will be in heavy consideration when the 19th pick clock starts running. They will both be stellar guards, and in Lamp’s case center is also an option.
For this team to get where it needs to be the o-line needs to be built so that most running backs with a speck of ability can function behind it and the d-line needs to be built so that our LB’s and Safeties can run free to the ball.
April 14th, 2017 at 1:14 pm
My vote is for a game-changing TE like Njoku but I could live with Cook or McCafferey.
April 14th, 2017 at 1:15 pm
I am just glad to see the building enthusiasm in the area. I hope they open at home against the Bears and Mike Glennon and would like to see mostly bucs fans there. And I hope it is a one o’clock game too.
April 14th, 2017 at 1:15 pm
We need a DL player similar to Robert Ayers. With Ayers healthy, I believe we went 7-2 or something like that. We need a player to fill Ayers’ spot if he goes down again which past history says he will.
April 14th, 2017 at 1:16 pm
I think it is a huge step forward if Licht doesn’t trade up for a power forward!
April 14th, 2017 at 1:17 pm
I concur Joe. A WR HAS to be a priority in this year’s draft. Where they’re drafted is irrelevant as long as it they contribute and can be groomed.
April 14th, 2017 at 1:22 pm
If we didn’t have arguably the worst group of running backs in the NFL
I would think differently but unfortunately our backs are awful.
Draft Cook or McCaffrey if they are available at 19.
April 14th, 2017 at 1:24 pm
Yeah the one thing I left out is I was down on Corey Davis (before doing research) and up on Mike Williams but after watching Corey davis’ highlights I got past the competition level against him because the kid reminds me of Antonio brown. Dude can flat out play and a dream of davis, Baker/obi, Godwin rounds 1-3 would make me salivate Homer Simpson style
April 14th, 2017 at 1:24 pm
I think a lot of these reflect the sentiment that the top 6 skill players (Williams, Davis, Ross, Fournette, Cook, McCaffrey) will all be gone by our pick. If you put names on a poll…I would be willing to bet that the vast majority would choose one of those 6 guys. 6 WRs/RBs in the first 18 picks hasn’t happened since 2005. Throw OJ Howard in the mix, and the last time 7 skill players went in the Top 18 was 2000. My money is on one of those guys being there for the taking. Cook, Davis, McCaffrey the most likely possibilities.
April 14th, 2017 at 1:30 pm
A what is your second choice poll would be very telling.
April 14th, 2017 at 1:41 pm
I voted “I don’t know” in that poll. Now, I wouldn’t vote any different but I have been thinking. The thought of adding David Njoku to this offense is really interesting to me.
The 2 TEs has been a hot topic on here for a couple months now and, I guess I was against it to a certain degree. Njoku doesn’t have to play in-line tho. He can line up there but also in the slot or split out wide.
I know the same case has been made for Evan Engram after his flashy 40 time. I would just prefer Njoku over Engram. Honestly with our current roster I would take Njoku over Howard.
April 14th, 2017 at 1:42 pm
Just make the team better! Protection for Winston and get the Qb!
April 14th, 2017 at 1:47 pm
I’m in the get the dang RB…either Cook or McCaffery…but I suspect I’m like a lot of Buc fans. We have preferences but the desperation has gone. It’s obvious the year we took #3 all the chips were on the line and our greatest need for decades had been a franchise QB.
I think feelings grew a lot more passionate over the QB debate because of the importance of the position and our historical lack of having a franchise QB.
This year seems different because there are a variety of picks that can make us a lot better. I would love to get Dalvin and Curtis Samuel…but if we don’t but end up with other great players I’m not too concerned. I feel like we have a lot of needs but nothing that stands out so much more than the others….other than RB LOL.
April 14th, 2017 at 1:58 pm
Signs of an improving team.. we don’t have a major glaring hole leaving us to pick our own perceived need. This is an exciting time to be a bucs fan, I think we will just take the best overall player and not regret the decision one bit. I am expecting another big draft!!
April 14th, 2017 at 2:01 pm
I think Dalvin will get a congratulatory call from Jameis no matter if the Bucs draft am or not
April 14th, 2017 at 2:02 pm
I am in the minority and believe everyone is giving up on Drug Martin too soon.
I’m far from being his biggest fan, but he plays big when $$$ is on the line.
He messed up royally and we hold the cards. It would be foolish to take a RB before the 4th round.
I voted for DE, but would be fine with S, WR or a top tier OL or DL.
We need to build a team and not get caught up in all the pre draft speculation and shiny toys that are being talked about 24/7.
This is the draft to solidify our team as a true contender.
We can get a shiny new RB next year if the one we chose in the later rounds doesn’t work out.
Be reasonable Bucs’ fans…..we’re very close.
April 14th, 2017 at 2:07 pm
Lord, you would rather use our first round pick on a guy that would come in as our 3rd receiver as opposed to a RB who would be our expected stud starter from day 1??? I am ok with a 3rd rounder or later on a WR, but not before that because he is not going to overtake ME or DJax.
April 14th, 2017 at 2:12 pm
And Briandorry I will keep posting it I guess, almost zero mocks now have Cook gone by the time the Bucs are on the clock. We will know in a couple of weeks if he is the guy Licht wants because he will be available when he submits the card.
April 14th, 2017 at 2:17 pm
Without a running game we will have the same issues on offense like last year…we need a back to take pressure off jameis
April 14th, 2017 at 2:29 pm
Outstanding Defenses win Championships. Just ask the Denver Broncos!
April 14th, 2017 at 2:29 pm
@Q
We had a great running game 2 years ago and wound up 6-10.
I don’t agree with the logic.
April 14th, 2017 at 2:42 pm
As I have continued to look at the players available the players I want the most out of the first round are Jamal Adams, OJ Howard, Taco Charlton, Ryan Ramczyk, Garett Bolles, or Malik McDowell.
April 14th, 2017 at 2:43 pm
This whole article is ridiculous. I mean, there is an NFL draft coming up, and the hometown team, the Bucs, look to add some key pieces and most people want to read and address the subject. Man, Joe doesn’t get it focusing on this. He should follow the model of the pro sportswriters over at TBT, the Pultizer prize winning prize winner prize award paper. For over at TBT, none of this NFL draft nonsense is addressed today….instead, topping their sports articles is: Info about an NBA wanna be; a former Bucs player who didn’t even suit up last year who got busted with a gun at the airport; or a battle for the Miami Hurricanes QB just a few short months away. Yup, too bad we are stuck with relevant stuff here on this site. TGFJBF. Thank God for Joe Bucs Fan.
April 14th, 2017 at 2:45 pm
@TouchDownTampaBay
I hope you are right, but I am concerned Dalvin Cook, Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey will all be gone when we pick at #19.
Hopefully, I am wrong and we get one of them, but Charlie Casserly(former GM of the Redskins and Texans) says that Dalvin Cook is a top 10 prospect and he doubts he will make it to our selection.
April 14th, 2017 at 2:49 pm
I voted for RB and want Dalvin Cook since he has a past history being with Jameis at FSU. But if we took McCaffery, that’s no problem to me. After that, get a WR, and then move towards the Defense and just do best player available in that department.
April 14th, 2017 at 2:55 pm
Funny thing is even on the Pewter poll found on Bucs.com RB is leading currently at 19% of the votes with 533 votes. But this phone call you mention is What intrigues me. Why no one will ask what Joe is referencing is head scratching to me. No one is curious as to what Joe is implying by stating neither Dalvin or McCaffery will be receiving a phone call today??? Leads me to believe a few things. I’ll keep it tho. Draft night approaches.
April 14th, 2017 at 3:02 pm
Seems like we have been divided on most things since Ive been posting on here.
April 14th, 2017 at 3:02 pm
That’s the fun of it…..
April 14th, 2017 at 3:12 pm
USFBUC – Jamal Adams? Lol! What about Myles Garrett? Unless Jamal Adams gets busted with a prostitute while snorting coke off her back he is not going to be available. By all accounts he is going to go somewhere between the 3rd and 9th overall pick. I don’t not want to trade away the farm to go up in the draft to get a safety!
April 14th, 2017 at 3:12 pm
“TouchDownTampaBay Says:
April 14th, 2017 at 2:07 pm
Lord, you would rather use our first round pick on a guy that would come in as our 3rd receiver as opposed to a RB who would be our expected stud starter from day 1??? I am ok with a 3rd rounder or later on a WR, but not before that because he is not going to overtake ME or DJax.”
Only Corey Davis for R1 and only because I think he’s that good (top 5 or 10 talent imo – over Mike Williams). Djax is a 2-3 year solution max since he’s 30 and usually misses a few games a year. ME & Davis are 23 and 22 and would set Winston up for most his NFL life… And a 3rd WR still plays tons of snaps every game.
I think ideally we will land Cook tho; and then a guy like Godwin R2 or Carlos Henderson R3 if I were just guessing right now.
.
April 14th, 2017 at 3:17 pm
I said it two weeks ago, stud Tackle in the first.
Get a 10 year RT or move Smith to RT and put Ramczyk at LT.
35 sacks, 109 QB hots last season, 3.6 YPC…seriously….protect #3.
Round 2 I’d pick Curtis Samuel, a poor mans’ McCaffery. 4.3 40 and a blurry mismatch in the slot, and/or 3rd down back.
April 14th, 2017 at 3:20 pm
Oh no Pistol Pete……..our line is just fine!
Just ask Joe. Donovan Smith is the greatest thing since …….
April 14th, 2017 at 3:20 pm
Maybe I can help you out with your question NOSBOS. Nobody is asking a question because everyone else clearly understands what Joe is saying and there is no hidden message. It is obvious. A lot of fans don’t want the Bucs to draft a RB. Therefore, those fans will not be happy if Jameis Winston is calling Cook or Mcaffery congratulating them and welcoming them to Tampa.
April 14th, 2017 at 3:22 pm
Our core OL with Marpet especially is promising, but we do need to address the OT situation.
April 14th, 2017 at 3:36 pm
I’d guess they want to see how Benecoch / Wester / Pamphile look potentially at RT before deciding that we are f*cked at that spot. All 3 are young and can play there but the question is how well they’d do…
April 14th, 2017 at 4:10 pm
I voted Safety. I like Baker and Peppers. I have a good feeling about Peppers. He has proved he can play the run and go man cover. He’s got the range. I know everyone is stats oriented, but this guy moved to LB to help his team win. He could have stayed at Safety, where his stats would have been padded better, but he moved to a new position for the team. That kind of commitment don’t grow on trees. J.J. Wilcox and Keith Tandy are our starters. How confident are you in them? Not mention the depth is Chris Conte and nobody. We really need a 1st or second rnd WR. if we do that I’m happy.
April 14th, 2017 at 4:16 pm
Hola from Spain B1tches!!!!!!! Couple of Sangria Pitchers in and I can easily see that, for the first time in a long time there is no one position that screams a must have first rounder!!!!!! We will draft BPA and possibly be elite in this league on one side of the ball!!! Nothing is so dreadful that calls for that first rounder!!!
Make this team Elite!!!!!!
The Buc Realist approves this message!!!!!
Adios Amigos!!!!! (being in Barcelona with limited spanish, Were is PABLO when you need that Fu@ker!!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 14th, 2017 at 4:21 pm
The raiders are making big moves to get to the SB meanwhile the Bucs are celebrating the world class athlete that is Adam Humphries oh and Jaquizz Rodgers.
April 14th, 2017 at 4:27 pm
Joe, the reality is most stick carriers trust our GM to make selections that improve our team. At the end of this draft, our Bucs will be better, and we are all excited about that and can’t wait for the season to start. Go Bucs!
April 14th, 2017 at 4:36 pm
“Best Player Available” — I voted Other.
April 14th, 2017 at 4:44 pm
@DB55 – I’ve said this before but we are essentially one year behind the Raiders path imo. They laid a foundation with a couple good drafts and added a few key FAs and in Carr’s 3rd year it finally came together and mostly because of his improved play.. We actually are ahead of schedule as they were 7-9 in 2015 vs us going 9-7 in Winston’s 2nd year.
Get Winston 2-3 more weapons and this team will be putting up points like we’ve never seen before
April 14th, 2017 at 4:49 pm
Some of you guys are such fsu homers its ridiculous seriously. How the hell do you say wr is not a need but rb is that makes no dame sense. We have 4 rbs already martin, sims, rogers and also the rookie from last barber and im not even counting smith. The pick should be T but if you guys have noticed this is 1 of the worst oline drafts in a while seriously. you look at almost every mock draft and thier is maybe 1 oline in the the first round and its a guard for good reason they are garbage most of these guys listed as t will be guards when its all set and done. We pick 19 so stop dreaming about o j howard the dude is going in the top 10. Another guy derek barnett come on seriously at 19 you guys are not realistic these guys will not be around. The pick is wr and its zay jones he will be thier for us at 19 and trust me we are going to be glad we got him. Do you guys really think jackson wont miss some games what about hump do you guys think he can make it through whole season without getting hurt hell no. Im not knocking these guys i love them both but its very easy to get hurt. All i want is for our guys to be able to still compete if any of our starting wr goes down. hump is a slot not a outside guy so who you gonna move to 2 if evans or jackson go down. Now seriously tell me wr is not the need but rb is .
April 14th, 2017 at 4:52 pm
Pro football is, now more than ever, quarterback-driven. A QB we have. We need receivers on offense and an edge rusher on defense. A RB would be nice to have for third and one situations, but not much else.
April 14th, 2017 at 5:03 pm
Lol, Hectic has it all figured out. We need to use our first pick on a guy that is a reach in the first and will be used as a 3rd option and insurance when DJax gets hurt. Thanks for clearing all this up Hectic. Thank god you are not the GM.
April 14th, 2017 at 5:07 pm
This draft is so deep at a lot of positions we could use. I’m not going to be upset with who we draft in the 1st. Even if we take Cook, there will still be DEs or WRs or CBs that could turn out good in the 2nd or 3rd. Even if we take Peppers I’ll keep an open mind that Licht made the right pick until proven otherwise. It’s not just the first pick I’m looking at, it’s how who we take first affects who we’ll target in rounds 2-4.
April 14th, 2017 at 5:12 pm
If we can hit on those first three picks, no matter the positions, we’ll be well on our way to sustained success. I’m curious as to how the Bucs feel about Bond and R.Smith. That will go along way into what positions we draft later, and who we pick up after teams start making cuts.
April 14th, 2017 at 5:12 pm
Man Joe, get Miko back on payroll! The ignorance of some of our Bucs faithful has scared her away from commenting on posts. It’s like having an insider be apart of the fan base.
April 14th, 2017 at 5:18 pm
Hectic, I don’t know about Zay Jones in the first, but I wouldn’t mind trading up in the second to take him. I don’t think he’ll last to pick 50, but I think he’ll be there early on day 2. I’d try to trade back a few spots in the first and use the pick we got to move back up in the second for Jones. Many possibilities, but I don’t believe Jones will go in round one. If our first pick is Davis or Ross, then Jones is off our radar anyway.
April 14th, 2017 at 5:33 pm
@Joe … “So the large majority of Bucs fans don’t want a running back in the first round.” Same could be said for all the other positions Joe, since no choice got even close to 50%. I think Bucs fans who voted are only saying that Bucs still have needs (RB, WR, DE, TE, Safety, etc) but that none of those is dramatically ahead of the others. Still hoping that we can find 3 starters / key rotational players in this draft. If we do, Bucs should have a decent chance to win the NFC South.
April 14th, 2017 at 5:40 pm
Hectic…so they should draft Zay Jones as an insurance policy?
I don’t like that idea at all and all the rb’s you say we have…suck.
We draft a position that’s going to be out on the field at 19.
Not Zay Jones. That high? You’re high! lol
April 14th, 2017 at 5:43 pm
LC
Agreed but they sign pro bowl FAs while we sign guys like Darryl smith, josh huff and Chris Conte. They draft a guys like amari Cooper we draft vg3 who predictably gets owned by Cooper. They go out and get Marshawn while we debate if AP and Doug Martin are good enough for the team.
Idk maybe I’m delusional but I seem to remember the falcons signing some probowlers while we signed Jr Sweezy.
Results are the bottom line. But we don’t want to spend the money (cough cough ghost Johnson and Revis) and we most certainly don’t want to draft anyone with character concerns. Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t marshawn have character concerns coming out of college? Chit didn’t he assualt someone at the airport a day before getting signed? It’s the TB mentality and righteousness that keeps us from competing. Look no further than the crown-prince of TB Mr. Who touched my action figures.
April 14th, 2017 at 6:03 pm
To me, if you draft a pass catching te that will make some noise it will put less preasure on the need for wr. But it is ridicilous to say thar not drafting any one position is unacceptable. Thats because we have so many holes including both lines which is the foundation of any team. If this team is gonna set here and draft all skill position players we may as well flish winstons future down the toilet…….the way you guys are clammering for rbs and wrs sounding like we are one player away which is a strech to say the least.
The great cowboy 49er and patriot teams had way more then the few skill players that got all the highlight reels. Don’t be foolish enough that one or two skill players will get us anywhere close to some of the greater teams that won championships. We could use more Playmakers on offense but more importantly we need to get stronger where it matters most.
April 14th, 2017 at 6:05 pm
DB55 – I wished we signed OSemeli instead of Sweezy I’ll say that.. but the Raiders have also had a share of busts & bad draft picks just like us. DJ Hayden / Sean Smith have both not done well and Hayden was their 12th overall pick and Sean Smith was given shut down CB money.
It just seems odd that there’s a pattern it seems where you focus on only the positive with another team and only the negative with us. You only focus on Light’s misses and not his hits; and only on other teams hits as if they aren’t missing as well. That’s why i keep saying you gotta grade on a curve and grade GMs compared to others.
We signed Desean Jackson – not sure how much more high profile it gets than that and Chris Baker was rated as one of the best signings in all of FA by multiple sites.
April 14th, 2017 at 6:44 pm
Ugh.
Dear Joe,
You put a poll up asking what position you want the Bucs to draft (most, since it’s not a checkbox, you can only choose one so the voter’s choice is their prioirity). Then you made a statement in this article “So the large majority of Bucs fans don’t want a running back in the first round. ” Not true at all, or at least not measured. Just because a voter says that they prioritize WR over RB does not mean that they do not want a RB in Rd 1, it means they value one position over it. The Bucs surely have priority positions they want to address, does that mean that the 2nd position they have listed is one they DON’T want? Of course not.
April 14th, 2017 at 6:44 pm
@TouchdownTampabay – I said these are the players I would most like to see the Bucs get. I didn’t project Adams falling to 19 nor did I suggest trading up to get him. I said I like these guys. That said the draft is still a little ways off and just a few days ago Cook was being projected as a top ten pick now he is projected to fall into the last first round with at least one projection saying he and McCaffrey could fall to the second round. Hell there are some even suggesting that the Browns might actually be dumb enough to take a QB with the number 1 pick. You never know what could happen but you do now know who I like in the first round.
April 14th, 2017 at 6:45 pm
End of the first
April 14th, 2017 at 6:51 pm
I got WR as the least needed on the team. Why waste a pick on a player that wont beat out evans, desean or hump? For depth keep developing martino and pick a FA or 2 after the draft.
April 14th, 2017 at 6:52 pm
@Hectic – I agree with some of the others here. I love Zay Jones as a prospect but taking him in the first is crazy. There are a number of WRs, Jones included, who will be available to take in the second and maybe even into the third.
April 14th, 2017 at 6:56 pm
As a longtime Bucs fan I can remind myself the most important position is already filled. QB is good to go. Yeah we have needs still, but we have progressed this roster so much that during the draft all Jason needs to do is best available player where we have a need. I am confident RB will be figured out. Feels great going into this draft. We are building something special again.
April 14th, 2017 at 7:02 pm
Love the impassioned aguments to draft one player or another.
Like what we decide here matters!
But its really cool to see posters visions of the Bucs. Both where there are, and where the posters think they are going.
A Rb puts us over the edge?
Or a risky Pick sets us back for years!!
The difference is
In Licht we trust.
Im confident that he will land us a great draft
April 14th, 2017 at 7:15 pm
DB55 you act like the Raiders are better than us or something. Heck we beat them last if not for a bs call that didn’t affect the play at all. We are every bit the team that the Raiders are and if we get a good runningback in here we will be better than them. This will be the 2nd year in this defense and now we have a #2 receiver. I feel totally confident we will have a better record than them next year and one thing is certain we have a better coaching staff for sure than that goof ball Del Rio.
April 14th, 2017 at 7:36 pm
Plus look at who they beat and then you realize we are clearly better than them now. Their wins were against the following :
Saints (we beat)
Titans
Ravens
Chargers (we beat)
Jaguars (they suck)
US (bs call gave it to them)
Denver
Texans (they sucked)
Panthers (we beat twice)
Bills
Chargers
Colts (they suck)
So their best win all year was against Denver?
We won at Atlanta and beat Seattle! If we played their schedule we might have won 13/14 games!
April 14th, 2017 at 8:02 pm
The bottom line is we should be considered a playoff team right NOW, before the draft. We didn’t lose any major contributors and we added Jackson and Baker. Couple that with the fact that all of our young guys, most importantly Winston, should only keep getting better. If we can avoid the injury bug, and hit on 2 of our first 3 picks, we should not only make the playoffs, but have a chance at a big run. I haven’t felt like this since we were 9-3 in 2008!
April 14th, 2017 at 8:05 pm
I dont think everyone would be mad if the bucs drafted one position over another. This wasnt a circle all answers that apply. I could only pick one ao i picked what i thought. But i would not throw a fit if the bucs draft a Rb or WR or whatever. This team is finally at the point where there are not drastic needs. We have our needs still, but we see promising results from most roster spots. But all positions could be upgraded. Just go best player available. If it fits a need then that is a bonus.
April 14th, 2017 at 8:22 pm
Nole, Joe is saying that most fans TODAY, are hoping that Cook and McCaffery aren’t getting a call from Winston ON DRAFT NIGHT. Oh, I forgot, Winston is calling Cook tonight to congratulate him on Goodell letting Cook fall to the Bucs. Sorry
April 14th, 2017 at 8:45 pm
My first pick if available is Barnett. Njoku if not Barnett.
April 14th, 2017 at 9:10 pm
Weapons for Winston will be a failure if they don’t add another receiver
April 14th, 2017 at 9:20 pm
Best player available at a position of need is the way to go. Trading up(Aguayo) or reaching(Danny Peebles) for a certain player can bite you in the a$$ hard. Licht has done pretty well so far IMO. I’m confident that most of the holes that need to be addressed will be. I agree with Joe that we need another receiver but I hope we go DL in round 1.
April 14th, 2017 at 10:09 pm
If one of the top two OTs are available, we should take em. Watched Newton in 15, Prescott last year with all day to throw. Protect America’ QB. We can get a #1 running back, a #2 tight end, a rotation edge guy and a sit, learn, improve to take over from Djax receiver later in the draft
April 14th, 2017 at 10:21 pm
Comment #84 is dedicated to the 84 years of Mr Dan Rooney
RIP
April 14th, 2017 at 11:06 pm
@ dooshlarue….never mentioned anything about records….just mentioning some common sense ….you need to read clearly
April 15th, 2017 at 7:36 am
Want a winning team? BPA at a position of need. It’s that simple.
April 15th, 2017 at 7:37 am
I also believe (hoping) people are wrong about Aguayo.
April 16th, 2017 at 7:17 am
Trade out of the first round and get some extra picks for depth. A lot of potential starters in the second and third rounds this year.
April 16th, 2017 at 9:46 am
All I can say is, take what you have been given there is plenty of opportunity for us to get big time players. We need to move when it makes sense and we need to have a smart plan before us.
Get what we are being given. You know what you need, you know who you need- go get them. RB is not a big need, so let’s stay focused.
Big needs are: Tightend, Defensive end, corner, safety, Wide receiver. In no particular order. We nabbed a runningback off the street last year and it was sufficient. There is plenty of depth in this draft.