Grading The Bucs
May 1st, 2017
The Big Idea
So the draft is over and every football fan from Asia to Israel and everywhere in between is grading draft classes for their favorite teams.
Some grade all teams, such as Evan Silva of Rotoworld.com. In his breakdown of the Bucs draft,
Silva graded them a little better than OK, giving Tampa Bay a B- grade.
Tampa Bay is building a bully on offense, ending elite combo tight end Howard’s surprising fall after landing vertical lid lifter DeSean Jackson in free agency. Howard is the best blocking tight end I have ever seen come out of college. He will help clear running lanes and protect Jameis Winston, two areas in which last year’s Bucs struggled. Defensive back was always Tampa’s biggest need, and explosive athlete Evans helps address it, in addition to offering field-flipping kick return value. Although it didn’t necessarily address a pressing need, I am a fan of third-rounder Godwin as one of this year’s most athletic and physical receivers whose calling card is winning contested catches. Beckwith is an early-down thumper coming off a torn ACL. McNichols needs to improve as an inside runner, but he was a dynamic receiving back at Boise State and offers a higher ceiling than his sometimes-frustrating college tape suggests. While Tu’ikolovatu’s upside is nonexistent as a 26-year-old rookie with zero pass-rush ability, he offers role-player impact versus the run and was a worthwhile seventh-round pick. Among NFC teams, this was my second favorite haul.
Most of what Silva types Joe agrees with except for his main premise that the biggest need of the Bucs was in the secondary. A guy who couldn’t read an eye chart could see running back and wide receiver were greater needs.
But the strength of this draft class could hinge on Justin Evans, the safety selected in the second round. He has a reputation as a hitman, but what scares Joe is the very first thing out of NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock’s mouth when Evans was picked. Mayock noted Evans is known almost as much for his missed tackles as he is for body-rocking people.
This is a major pet peeve of Joe’s, just drives Joe out of his mind. It’s simple fundamentals to wrap up. Defensive backs trying to blow up ball carriers and not tackling was a hallmark of the lazy Lovie Smith dark ages, and Joe was sure the Bucs were finally past that.
So long as Evans rids himself of this nasty habit, this past weekend could be yet another draft haul for Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
May 1st, 2017 at 8:09 am
“…a little better than OK”? Are you classifying a C grade as OK?
May 1st, 2017 at 8:12 am
I’ve seen it all across the league for a long time now. An its not just the safeties.
Poor tackling has become the hallmark of the league. Very few teams tackle like our 99′ defense, or that Baltimore defense. Tha’ts why so many of us see the quality of football is diminishing. Those key fudementals are being either forgotten, or not taught properly.
May 1st, 2017 at 8:21 am
I’m not so worried about Evans tackling. Wrapping up and technique can be taught, it he was afraid of contact that would be an issue. The safeties that have no interest in contact can’t be fixed. This guy likes to hit, so I figure he is good with contact, just needs to be taught fundamentals. This sort of thing happens with guys with tremendous athletic ability, they get by being better athletes so long they are never taught fundamentals, in sure Mike Smith with straighten that out.
May 1st, 2017 at 8:21 am
Poor tackling is a by-product of non-pad practices, the league has done away with hitting in practices, basically, as a result, you see poor tackling all over as LUVMYBUCS has pointed out!
May 1st, 2017 at 8:25 am
That’s why we paid big bucks to our D coordinator. Teach him how to wrap up. It can be done. Lynch struggled early in his career.
May 1st, 2017 at 8:26 am
Even though I LUV the potential of Justin Evans.
I just didn’t think we would pass over – a 1st round talent like CB Chidobe Awuzie. Especially given the age of Brent Grimes.
Unless I knew there’s a team or two that plans to release/trade a quality veteran – due to cap constraints. Which very well might be the case.
Who knows? What Jason & his staff have up their sleeves.
May 1st, 2017 at 8:37 am
Its a solid draft class on paper. OJ Howard is an immediate starter, Justin Evans and Kendall Beckwith (if healthy) are both in winable position battles, Godwin can compete for playing time early, Stevie T can make the roster as a backup.
McNichols is the interesting pick to me. Him winning the starting job in camp is almost a pipe dream, but he can compete with Charles Sims to be the main 3rd down back and contribute thay way.
May 1st, 2017 at 8:38 am
@LUV
I was also hoping for Chidobe Awuzie
May 1st, 2017 at 8:41 am
Potential Cornerback upgrades
Possible Cap Casualty
• Vontae Davis (28) – $10,250,000
• Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (31) $9,000,000
• Kyle Fuller (25) $3,082,228
Verifiable Trade Rumored
• Richard Sherman (29)
• Malcolm Butler (27)
May 1st, 2017 at 8:43 am
Joe,
Tackling is very teachable. Instincts are not. I would much rather have a guy that needs to work on his tackling fundamentals, then a Guy like (Sabby) Melifonwu who has questionable instincts and needs to work on his pursuit angles. Good pick. Guy is a ball hawk.
May 1st, 2017 at 8:44 am
I made a comment saying pretty much the same thing. No denying Evans range and Athleticism, but he seems to take some really poor pursuit angles at times, and the kid 100 percent must learn to wrap up. I’d say the guys has an incredibly high ceiling, and could become a Patrick Chung type of Bruising Center fielder if he lives up to it. I’d say his floor is probably around Conte under Lovie… *shudders*
So if there’s one Pick I would change, I’d Swap Evans for Kareem Hunt or Alvin Kamara. Can’t shake the feeling that we should have come away from one of the top RB prospects in such a good pool of guys.
But, In Licht we trust. Here’s hoping that everything Clicks for Evans in year 1, and that Jeremy McNichols has a break-out rookie year.
May 1st, 2017 at 8:45 am
Joeypoppems
I think he’s an immensely talented cornerback.
May 1st, 2017 at 8:46 am
It seems like most draft analysts approve of the Goward and Godwin picks and are just kind of okay or disappointed with the rest of them. For me I am curious why we didn’t take a RB, or DT earlier since while we were “happy” with RB we still needed one and DT was a need as well.
May 1st, 2017 at 8:46 am
I still think the biggest need is a proven edge rusher. Maybe the cap issue will free one up. But the draft was excellent. Not many (any?) holes left. Good reason for optimism this season.
May 1st, 2017 at 8:47 am
LUVMYBUCS, I also wanted us to draft Chido … he’s got the potential to be a special corner IMO. Personally doubt that Justin Evans’ poor tackling technique (as others have described it) will be an issue … safeties who continually miss tackles don’t last long in the NFL. Mike Smith & company will break him of that pretty quickly I’d bet. He’s got the instincts to be a very good free safety, which is exactly what we need back there.
May 1st, 2017 at 8:47 am
Come away *with*
May 1st, 2017 at 8:47 am
That is exactly how I feel Blake – all the talk of we don’t need a RB and then we take one in the fifth? Even if we don’t want Mixon and therefore don’t move up to get him Kamara was taken at the top of the third.
May 1st, 2017 at 8:50 am
12-4
Ray Jay aka the #honeycombhideout
🗾 Lol well it’s better than den of depression Joe
May 1st, 2017 at 8:54 am
The grade was actually a B+, not a minus. Not so bad and the 2nd highest grade in the NFC, not that it means anything. I love the OJ Howard pick. But since Beckwith might not play this year, AND he plays a part-time position at SLB, I do NOT get that pick! It very much reminds me of when we picked Sims and badly needed OL.
We needed DL (Jaleel Johnson, DT), DE (Carl Lawson- I really liked Lawson), better RB (Samaje Perine). Moving up was fine, but why not take one of these players in a position of need?
May 1st, 2017 at 8:54 am
Well that’s the one caveat to what I said I think. I think we 1000% would’ve taken Mixon in the 2nd should he have fallen those extra 2 spots.
I also have a gut feeling that us trading up in the 3rd was for James Conner, only to see Pittsburgh take him for seemingly no reason 2 picks ahead of us.
But these are just my theories.
May 1st, 2017 at 8:55 am
Good points guys. The tackling is definitely something that they cant spend much time on in the pros. Theres much more time to practice that in college. Im curious about this field flipping return value i havnt heard much of. Time to look it up. Evans was definitely a curious pick with the guys still available. Go bucs
May 1st, 2017 at 8:56 am
I think Justin Evans and the whole missed tackle thing might be a little premature. The kid did have 165 tackles in 2 years(99 solo,66 asst), so it’s not like he misses every other tackle. Time will tell though. For what it’s worth, he had a lame hammy at his pro day, and the scouts feel he’s faster than his 4.65 time.
May 1st, 2017 at 8:58 am
LUVMYBUCS Says:
May 1st, 2017 at 8:26 am
Even though I LUV the potential of Justin Evans.
I just didn’t think we would pass over – a 1st round talent like CB Chidobe Awuzie. Especially given the age of Brent Grimes.
^^I assume the Bucs figured they could get one more season from the current CB group before focusing on them next offseason but couldn’t wait for a Safety.
IF our O can keep the D off the field, IF our pass rush can continue to pressure the QB, IF IF IF …
May 1st, 2017 at 8:59 am
Yeah I wouldn’t bank on Evans doing much damage as a returner. If there’s one area of play evaluation I’d say Licht has done a really poor job at, It’s identifying good return Guys.
Evans doesn’t appear to buck that trend. Most of his long returns are just running straight ahead foward with guys missing tackles at his feet. Doesn’t really seem to be an elusive or creative/ instinctual runner, Just fast enough to do an adequate Job.
May 1st, 2017 at 8:59 am
You guys that say “tackling is very teachable” fail to acknowledge the obvious. The player (any player) has had good coaching for many years and fails to get it. A lot of coaches outsmart themselves with this same line of thinking. “I can teach him”! If the player in question has failed to grasp what is a simple concept during his many years of playing and getting good coaching, why do you think he will finally get it NOW?!
May 1st, 2017 at 9:02 am
@AceMcBuc
He led college Football with like 23 missed tackles in 2016. It’s really apparent on tape at times. Sometimes it’s just him trying to blow somebody up and missing the target, Often times it’s just poor tackling and failure to wrap up.
May 1st, 2017 at 9:06 am
@Blake_ lol yea me and my homie bout lost our sh!t when Evans was the pick! We wanted Obi. Oh well I said to him. In Licht we trust he replied.
If Evans is a true center fielder THEN I believe VHIII will start taking more chances to jump routes, you play your REAL game as Capt Dirk alluded to this off-season. I’m STOKED
Hopefully we will see more 34 this year. We have the personnel!
12-4
May 1st, 2017 at 9:06 am
@Blake
Yeah, I guess the coffee hasn’t kicked in yet, but it was 38 missed in 2 seasons. Did you know Earl Thomas missed 98 in his career? I never realized that. The things I learn..
May 1st, 2017 at 9:08 am
“A guy who couldn’t read an eye chart could see that running back and wide receiver were bigger needs than the secondary”
Really? Who plays corner outside if either Hargreaves or Grimes goes down? Who is our starting nickel? Have you seen what good NFL quarterbacks do to weak corners in today’s league? I’m pretty sure Licht would have taken a corner anywhere in this draft including the first round if the right guy they liked had been there. As for safety, Tandy, Conte, and Wilcox, have all been in and out of the lineup throughout their careers. Not exactly #1 safeties, any of them. Where’s the athletic centerfielder that most good NFL defense’s have? Hopefully Evans can develop into that player. Every year there’s a need or two that doesn’t get met due to the way the draft falls. Last year it was WR, this year it was CB.
As for RB the same tandem that led the league in 2015 is back plus Quizz. What if Doug and Sims are healthy and ready to go? I realize there are some questions, thats why we got McNichols. Health is the biggest issue at RB, we have plenty of talent.
I can recommend a good optometrist, Joe, if you need one.
May 1st, 2017 at 9:15 am
So did Nosbos come on here saying he was completely wrong and apologize to everyone he treated like they were complete idiots who thought the bucs wouldn’t draft Dalvin Cook in the first round? Or even any round? That guy is something else I tell ya.
May 1st, 2017 at 9:22 am
It seems that licht does some kooky look at me and this gamble pick, when the winning teams pick the winning players from winning programs…no doubt the OJ pick was a great one, but the bucs passed on so many needed players it doesnt make sense
May 1st, 2017 at 9:23 am
Glad to be censored after replying with hard data to racist posts.
Must have been something in your post that was filtered, links, language, etc. Racist posts? If it’s the “Pablo” thing, Joe really doesn’t consider that racist in the way its been an old joke of commenters here for a long time with a long history. Joe deleted it for you.–Joe
May 1st, 2017 at 9:25 am
How old is it you think wide receiver and running back it’s more of a need then safety. That’s unbelievable to me that you think that. And you’re into football and around football as much as you are and you can’t see what Tampa Bay’s needs are. It’s unbelievable how blind you are and I’m not trying to down you at all but I think you should stick to blogging and your website because you have no eye for what a football team really needs
May 1st, 2017 at 9:30 am
Good luck throwing deep with Evans helping out over top. I can hear Gene Deckerhoff now…
May 1st, 2017 at 9:31 am
Those clamoring for edge rushers need to remember one thing, this defense is transitioning away from the straight up 43 look. They are looking for thumper middle linebackers and tweeners on the outside. Get ready for a more balanced hybrid scheme in the future. Pass rushers are easier to find when you’re playing outside of the 43 restraints.
Godwin is the pick that worries me the most. His film doesn’t equal what he ran at the combine. Watch his college tape and tell me that guy plays at the 4.2 speed. His game film looks like a 4.6 guy, and that’s why he was there in the 3rd. He won’t get separation in the NFL.
May 1st, 2017 at 9:36 am
Tom E. You are 100% correct regarding the tackling and how it is associated with the current limitations due to practice. Tackling is not coachable anymore. If the kid hasn’t received that coaching before the NFL, it won’t, or more correctly CAN’T be coached. The limitations on contact in practice removes the ability to teach proper tackling technique. The “you can teach tackling” applies now to really before they get to college. If it was so easy to teach tackling, It wouldn’t be an issue at the NFL level. Before everyone hates on me, first answer the question, How do you teach tackling, without tackling?
Sure put a tackling dummy out there and teach the wrap all you want but putting the facemask on the ball and wrapping a player is taught so much younger.
Evans will never be a great tackler, best to hope for ok. But he can be a very good safety still by working on things like pursuit angels and understanding tendencies due to film study etc.
May 1st, 2017 at 9:41 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnkK8Y0tQZk
4.6 speed? No separation? Wtf tape have you watched?
2 plays into that reel he shows great wheel’s and separation on a deep post route.
The guy has played with nothing but garbage at Quarterback. And has what scouts refer to as “bad ball” ability. Meaning that even when a throw is off target, the dude finds a way to haul it in. Allen Robinson in Jacksonville is the perfect NFL example of this.
Chris Godwin is gonna be a dog in this league.
May 1st, 2017 at 9:52 am
Blake just for the record it was reported after the draft 28 teams had Mixon off their draft board. We clearly know one of those was Cincy so do you really believe we were one of the 3 teams left that were considering him after what we went through with ASJ and now Doug? I highly doubt we were ever going to draft him and we were simply doing out due diligence. He was never a option for this team as if you notice we are quickly getting rid of the poor decision makers on this team. Heck that might have been why they passed on Cook.
May 1st, 2017 at 9:55 am
HEY JOE
How about some respect for these NFL shows… We pick up a top 10 draft pick at 19 an Ive heard 2 seconds on the after draft shows.
NO talk about our FA moves and GREAT picks…
Maybe after a few QBs and RBs get their bells rung from the Monsters from the D that will be Hitting this year we will get some respect…
Ive heard more about the 2nd pick which everyone knows that was a dumb pick
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 1st, 2017 at 10:03 am
@Ndog
IF, those reports are Accurate, then yes I do believe that we were one of the other 3.
This is based off of comments that Koetter made in his last presser.
When he references he was happy to see Andy Reid and Marvin Lewis get guys that we wanted, but that it hurt to see some others go to divisional opponents.
Granted, this is speculation on my part, but I’m fairly certain for the Reid/ Lewis comment, he was referencing Kareem Hunt and Joe Mixon.
May 1st, 2017 at 10:04 am
Mr. Silva says: “Among NFC teams, this was my second favorite haul.” and still only give the Bucs a B- ? What does that say about the NFC draft?
May 1st, 2017 at 10:08 am
If you watch Evans vs Tennessee, such a bad bad game for him, looked like he shouldn’t be playing football.
May 1st, 2017 at 10:19 am
I’m glad none of you guys are GMs.
May 1st, 2017 at 10:20 am
Got bucs
Don’t be fooled by his game tape. Those black cleats make you look a lot slower on film. Kid has wheels there is no doubt and even better he excels with contested catches. He’s a gem
My buddies brother played at a and m on defense with evans and when I was talking to him he made me feel better about the pick by saying the kid is humble and works hard. Went to all his classes. Put in a lot of film work and extra time in the gym
He may need a year or two but he will be a great pick. Landon Collins sucked the big one his first year and now he’s a beast. We need to be patient with this kid and not call for his head if he has a bone head play or two this year
May 1st, 2017 at 10:22 am
I was 100% on board with RB being one of the top needs but that was very clearly not the opinion of the Bucs organization. Koetter said it himself in his last press conference. He indicated that they really think a lot of the RBs that we have and McNicols is going to have to earn his way on to the team. As we know, Koetter is a straight forward guy and I don’t think that is BS. The Bucs coaches did not view it as a top need else they would have invested more in getting a better RB or maybe they think McNicols is an upgrade to what we have. Seems to me he is more of exactly what we have, very average RB talent, but now he gets a chance to prove us all wrong.
May 1st, 2017 at 10:28 am
Chis godwin is the key to our offense
Until koetter gets better at playcalling/designing the short pass plays…Slants /short crossing patterns….sean payton playbook
Our offense will only be firing on all cylinders till defenses respect our short passing attack and there will be massive holes all over the field in all levels
Jameis/koetter needs to play cat and mouse and become proficient in the short passing attack to setup the deep passing completions to ME and Djax
Our pass completion to slot reciever was 3rd worst last year at 55%
May 1st, 2017 at 10:33 am
Cataract Joe never sees the full picture of our running problems always laying it at the feet of Doug Martin even though the backs were constantly being met in the backfield. Doesn’t matter many of us up here saw the same thing he don’t believe us. He believes McNichols was drafted to replace Dougie. That’s so precious!😆
As with Evans the kid had almost 200 tackles in 2 years! Yeah he missed some tackles but so have all the greats. You guys need to see the big picture, he sees what’s going on infront of him and he’s seeing the ball carrier. He’s not clueless or unable like the Goat. Who ever said he can’t be taught needs to stop posting because he learned the insticts to play the position and he does tackle. Missing tackles does not denote the inability to learn. All you gotta do is take a 200lb boxing bag oil the sides and make him wrap it up and walk with it as far as he can. Guarantee wrapping up will become 2nd nature to him.
May 1st, 2017 at 10:38 am
Oh yeah Joe stop blaming Lovie for all the problems on this team that hitting thing was already going on the team before him and it is league wide. Even John Lynch didn’t always wrap up. What you wanna blame that on Lovie too???
May 1st, 2017 at 10:42 am
I realize that most experts say that you can not really grade a draft until 3 years pass. I think you can grade with some accuracy after season 1 for example, how many players drafted made the final 53 man team, how many cracked the starting line up and how many were major contributors.
I think last years draft provided us with a solid starter in VHIII, a lousy Kicker in Robertohhh, a promising part time player in Noah Spence, a back up OL in Benenoch as well as special team contributors in Ryan Smith and Devonte Bond. Only Vitale did not make the roster therefore I would day that draft was pretty solid so far. I think however that this year’s draft will be even better than last year.
O.J Howard will be an instant major upgrade at TE and may even be in the running for offensive rookie of the year if Winston and him grow quick chemistry.
Justin Evans will win a starting role and will for sure be a difference maker in pass defense. Tackling is an Achilles heel for many players now due to the post concussion law suit. I just hope his violent playing style does not draw a ton of personal foul penalties.
Chris Godwin was a solid pick and I think he will see playing time when Jackson needs a breather or if he has any injury issues. I also think he can be affective in the slot if needed. Seems like a really talented team first guy. Nice value pick.
LB Kendell Beckwith is a wild card. If he is healthy, he can win the starting SAM LB position and he and Kwon have history playing along side one another which may be a factor. Large LB who plays well against the run. Limited pass defense skills and will not be on the field every down as the SAM comes off on passing down anyway. Was a position of need due to the departure of Daryl Smith.
RB Jeremy McNichols is an interesting prospect with strong skill sets in pass protection and receiving. I am not sure depending on if Martin is retained combined with Rodgers if McNichols will be on the 53 man roster but I think at very least he is on the practice squad though he could beat out Sims or Barber on the final 53 man roster. Good value pick at a position of need. We could have grabbed a more dynamic RB a little earlier though. I may have picked a RB where we picked Beckwith and hope he was there for us in the 5th round. Maybe the Bucs had a feeling he would be off the board before the 5th round?
DT Stevie Tu’ikolovatu is a hole clogging run stuffing DT/NT. I am pulling for him to make the team and he has a chance to contribute on running downs. Seems like a humble guy but his age and lack of penetrating to disrupt pass plays may make him a long shot.
I think this year’s group will go down as a very good draft with the possibility of being a great draft. Much much better than the 2016 draft.
Go Bucs!!!
May 1st, 2017 at 11:07 am
WHERES NOS???….LOL….GO BUCS!!!!
May 1st, 2017 at 11:22 am
^He’s going to shirk his bets, I can already tell.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:29 am
I think he’s posting on poohterreport under a slightly different name. There were too many similarities to be a coincdink. Writing style was totally different though. No ebonics😉 and was very pleasant in his posting. 😎
May 1st, 2017 at 11:50 am
The bets were all for fun anyways, in my view. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:58 am
LMB and Tom E. nailed it.
Because of the CBA, the number of pad practices has dropped significantly. The time to “clean up” physical traits—like tackling at the pro level—has been decimated.
AND from the Pee Wee level through college, fundamentals just are not being taught and reinforced for the same reason: nobody wants their delicate flowers to get hurt.
Football is a physical game, and the fundamentals of the physical side have gone lacking.
May 1st, 2017 at 12:10 pm
Conte Piscateli Says:
May 1st, 2017 at 8:21 am
I’m not so worried about Evans tackling. Wrapping up and technique can be taught, it he was afraid of contact that would be an issue. The safeties that have no interest in contact can’t be fixed. This guy likes to hit, so I figure he is good with contact, just needs to be taught fundamentals. This sort of thing happens with guys with tremendous athletic ability, they get by being better athletes so long they are never taught fundamentals, in sure Mike Smith with straighten that out.
————-
Watch some tape. Despite what you read, this guy DOES NOT LIKE TO HIT. He’ll only hit a player if his back is turned. And once the ball carrier turns to go upfield, he throws himself at the guy’s feet (and almost always misses). If he approaches from the side, he won’t stick the guy, he’ll jump on his back and go for a ride. HE ABSOLUTELY CANNOT TACKLE… anybody that says they aren’t worried about it, has no idea how bad this guy is. He makes Keith Tandy’s attempt to tackle Tavon Austin, look like a John Lynch tackling clinic video. This dude routinely missed 3-4 tackles a game worse than Tandy did on Austin… his UCLA and Tennessee tapes were horrifying.
That being said, he has great instincts in coverage, excellent athletic ability (not to be confused with speed because he isn’t particularly fast) and can make a play on a ball…. but that tackling though… beyond atrocious.
May 1st, 2017 at 12:13 pm
Rayjay:
Justin Evans will win a starting role and will for sure be a difference maker in pass defense. Tackling is an Achilles heel for many players now due to the post concussion law suit. I just hope his violent playing style does not draw a ton of personal foul penalties.
————————–
The only thing VIOLENT about Evans and his playing style is how you’re going to wretch and vomit when he misses tackle after tackle after tackle.
May 1st, 2017 at 12:21 pm
Nope it was a B+ Joe sorry buds
May 1st, 2017 at 1:20 pm
I grade the draft an A..I notice one thing that is mention a lot concerning Justin Evans. He misses a lot of Tackles..Ok how about this..HE MAKES A LOT OF TACKLES..matter of fact he made 165 tackles in 2 seasons at Texas A&M. Justin Evans was a Solid pick by Jason Licht. Has good ball skills, good in coverage, has a lot of range.
May 1st, 2017 at 1:55 pm
Joe- I think it’s hilarious that you think Conte is a “startable” safety and feel good about him.. I remember him more for chasing down plays from behind (at safety lol) than his one miracouls pick 6. This was our strongest position to pick for other than another elite proscpect at rushing he passer (the rest went to start the 2nd rd). I like conte as a backup and special teams ace, but not tormenting WRs/QBs as our center fielder.
The rest of you that wanted RB at 2, I have 4 words for you. Fornette, Mccaffrey, Mixon, cook.. if any had been here then we have a RB in the 2nd rd.. the next tier of the “top” RBs included McNichols you big pile of douches.. this kid has just as good a chance as the rest of them (and who knows, maybe as much as the top 4) to be a starting back, possibly a 3down back with his 3rd down prowess blocking and catching. I look at him as a more productive DougMartin coming out of Boise who instead of trading back into the 1st round to get we let fall to us for basically free in the 5th.
Love this crop of kids, think we have at least 1-2 more starters this year and who knows with a year or 2 of development for the rest of them. (Please remember guys that 3 starters from ANY draft class is an elite NFL draft, tempura your expectations like your shrimp 😉
May 1st, 2017 at 2:06 pm
Per: TeamEXOS – FLORIDA ANDREWS INSTITUTE
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – TeamEXOS clients
• #19 O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
• #50 Justin Evans, S, Texas A&M
• #84 Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State
• #107 Kendell Beckwith, LB, LSU
66.67% of our 2017 Draft prospect trained up the street in Pensacola.
Coincidence?
May 1st, 2017 at 2:13 pm
@Blake
The Bengals also drafted Jordan Willis who the Bucs have shown a lot of interest in. He could have been refering to him.
May 1st, 2017 at 2:18 pm
Something to keep in eye on.
Justin Evans has been dealing with a naggin quad injury.
The injuried limited his participation at the NFL Combine.
Lets hope it he doesn’t re-aggravated his quad injury – heading into training camp.
May 1st, 2017 at 2:19 pm
something to keep *an eye on
May 1st, 2017 at 2:25 pm
And as far as Joe Mixon goes. The report is 28 teams had him off their board which leaves 4 teams. Coincidentally, 4 teams interviewd him at the Oklahoma pro day. The Saints, Lions, Browns, and Bengals. That doesnt mean it was for sure those teams, but it could be.
May 1st, 2017 at 2:43 pm
Good point JP, didn’t consider Willis. Like I said I was speculating, I’d like to believe it was Mixon though.
Could you imagine our Offense if we got him? Man oh man.
May 1st, 2017 at 3:02 pm
The only things that bothered me a bit from the draft were the picks in the second and fifth rounds. It seems like we could have traded back in the second and still landed a safety while picking up at least a fourth round pick. We could have made the same moves in the third round. Then picked up a project OT like Davenport in the fourth. Finally, I would have taken Brantley over McNichols.
Also video is now out (supposedly) showing the girl who was knocked out walking away from Brantley on her own two feet and one of the witnesses and friends of the girl coming back to apologize for her friend’s behavior. There are also two more witnesses that have come forward who are not friends of the alleged victim that are saying the situation played out like Brantley said it did.
May 1st, 2017 at 3:15 pm
The fact this guy doesn’t think WR is a pressing need for the Bucs – uh. That does sort of hurt his credibility. Based on his history you have to except Deshaun to get injured, miss practices, etc – I hope not but that’s reality. Having a NFL level talent, and not a UDFA talent, who can step into that #2 hole, that was a giant need. I love the Goodwin pick. Also as a player I think Hump gets a big upgrade out of this – he can now be that bubble screen guy who can also come in on 3rd down against a 4th corner and school them and get first downs – like Ike did for us for a while.
May 1st, 2017 at 3:31 pm
Dirk Koetter was never going to draft Dalvin Cook or Joe Mixon with their checkered past. Dirk Koetter career was almost destroyed with the Loren Wade, Hakim Hill controversy while he was Head Coach at Arizona State. After the Good Citizens of Arizona forced the ASU to fire him in 2006, Koetter learn his lessons about dealing with Trouble Players. It took 10 years to get another Head Coach job and wasn’t about to blow it by drafting the likes of Dalvin Cook and Joe Mixon. One incident with them and Koetter past would have came back to haunt him.
May 1st, 2017 at 8:16 pm
@Rod – I agree I think Humphries could be a big benefactor of the upgrades to this offense. I think he winds up being one of our guys who is the go to o pick up those mid range third downs.
May 2nd, 2017 at 3:37 am
Joe, not to nitpick but you got Silva’s grade wrong. The grade is at the bottom of the report, not the top. He gave the Bucs a B+ and said it was his second favorite draft haul.