Don’t Share With Sony
February 5th, 2018
Can he make it to Day 2?
A lot of fans are juiced up for the Bucs to potentially land Georgia running back Sony Michel. The more Joe reads about the guy, the more Joe wants to jump on the bandwagon.
No, he’s no Saquon Barkley — still Joe’s top RB choice if somehow the gods smile upon the Bucs and the guy slips just somewhat in the draft.
The problem with the Bucs offense is that it was one-dimensional. The Bucs had no running attack for most of the season.
This Michael is quick (4.5-speed in the 40). He can catch and can apparently block — a key element for scouts. What impresses Joe even more is that he shared the load with Nick Chubb at Athens. So Michel has less wear and tear (658 touches) on the tires than Barkley (793 touches), who even ran back kicks.
But can this Michel last until the second round for the Bucs? Some say he might last until Round 3.
If Barkley is impossible to touch and the Bucs cannot get defensive end Bradley Chubb, perhaps a trade down with a quarterback-needy team would be in order? Those extra picks could help secure a trade back into the first round, or up earlier in the second round, to secure Michel.
February 5th, 2018 at 8:13 am
This may be the year to trade down….
February 5th, 2018 at 8:18 am
No chance he lasts to round 3, unless he gets injured between now and then or goes joe mixon on someone. Even with that he gets drafted before the third.
February 5th, 2018 at 8:19 am
I’ve been saying it for awhile and I’ll keep saying it….
Rd 1 Bradley Chubb DE – gane changer. Has moved, power and is relentless. They NEED to get him and with 3-4 QBs going and a RB and the ND lineman …. he might be there at 7
Rd 2 Sony Michel RB GA. I think he will be there. There are a lot of running backs in teams just 10 that take them early. I think he is a game changing running back with his quickness and speed and he can catch and he’s a decent blocker.
February 5th, 2018 at 8:19 am
I like Michel too but we need to figure out how to create a running game with 4th and 5th round RBs. We have way to many holes on D to use a 2nd round pick on the RB position…saying that, I don’t have much faith in the current team’s leadership to be able to scout and coach up a 4th or 5th round RB…so maybe we have to draft 1 early to try and offset that weakness.
February 5th, 2018 at 8:23 am
Round 1: Josh Jackson
Round 2: Sony Michel
February 5th, 2018 at 8:30 am
Only if he lasts until round 3. First two rounds need to be oline and dline only.
February 5th, 2018 at 8:34 am
now you’re making sense…big trade down to fill many holes.
February 5th, 2018 at 8:43 am
Thank god we beat the saints and don’t have the 3rd pick
February 5th, 2018 at 8:45 am
Living in Georgia I’ve seen a lot of Sony Michel, you see some of it on the video, but for the guy who is supposed to be the speed back at Georgia he lives to finish runs by punishing DBs. With his speed and elusiveness he knows he can set them up with that punishment now, and run by them later.
February 5th, 2018 at 9:13 am
We don’t need speed, we need power. Someone who can put the fear of impact into defenders. THAT’s what we need.
February 5th, 2018 at 9:14 am
Actually, I’ll compromise. We need one of each. No point in keeping 2 of our current RBs.
February 5th, 2018 at 9:32 am
guice/ Michel/ r.jones……get one of those 3 and we should be fine…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
February 5th, 2018 at 9:34 am
Not a problem with me….would love to have him! I just want to work on the spotlight shining the brightest right now….D line. First two picks D line, 3rd pick RB Penny.
February 5th, 2018 at 9:52 am
Bradley Chubb or Mt. Vea. Either one and Bucs fans should be pleased.
February 5th, 2018 at 10:01 am
I dont know how much trade value the #7 pick has this year. Most of the QB needy teams are already ahead of the Bucs and trading up for a QB is where the value is.
As far as Sony goes, I like him. He would be a great round 2 pick. There are a few other RBs I would rather have tho.
What I would do (not that it matters) is if Nelson and Chubb are both gone at #7. Trade back for whatever you can and draft either Guice or the best CB available. Then come back in round 2 and get Arden Key who I expect to fall due to iff the field concerns. Then RB in round 3 if we go CB in the 1st.
Something like:
1) Denzel Ward/ Josh Jackson
2) Arden Key
3) Nick Chubb / Rashaad Penny
February 5th, 2018 at 10:08 am
what’s wrong with barber?
February 5th, 2018 at 10:09 am
Seeing a lot of consistency in these comments, even from you Joe. Trade-down with a QB-needy team I think is a definite possibility, but only if Chubb isn’t there at #7 like you said (RB in Rnd 1 is a non-starter to me … too many other needs take precedence, as in FIX THE DEFENSE FIRST). If we stay at #7, could see us taking Vea or Payne (or even Fitzpatrick) if Chubb’s already gone.
Having watched Michel play, I’ve been very impressed (like hard-nosed RBs in the Alstott lineage). Doubt he’d make it to Rnd 3 however, so we’d need to grab him in either late Rnd 1 (if we traded down & had 2 Rnd 1 picks) or Rnd 2 (if we didn’t trade down). I’m really hoping that Licht fixes our OLine in FA (LG free agent to replace Pamphile & hopefully C to allow Marpet to slide back over to RG). Really don’t want to see us spend another high draft pick on offense other than for a rookie RB … we’ve got way too many defensive needs at this point, and FA doesn’t hold a lot of promise on the defensive side of the ball (except CB potentially).
February 5th, 2018 at 10:36 am
sub 4.5 speed
February 5th, 2018 at 10:49 am
Destin, we would’ve never had any better than the fifth pick, even with a loss, try to keep up.
February 5th, 2018 at 11:22 am
I’m no longer on the Chubb bandwagon. By virtually all accounts he’ll be long gone before 7…Walter Football has him going to the Colts at 3. If he’s still around at 7…WHY? Kind of like what’s wrong with him. If it was weed ala Sapp I wouldn’t worry…but he should not be available at 7 and if he is something is wrong.
Walter Football has us taking Nelson at 7 which seems to make the most sense.
Since everybody has said he’s a generational guard and the problem for him is that he is a guard…not a sexy pick. I’ll take him any day.
I’m OK with trading down but again I don’t know who wants to move up after the top three QB’s are already off the board. Perhaps somebody has the hots for Baker Mayfield?
I do not like drafting for need in the first round…take the BPA or trade down.
We can address “need” in later rounds. Should be able to get good guys for the DL in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
February 5th, 2018 at 11:53 am
what’s wrong with barber?
nothing….but if he goes down, we’re screwed….big time….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
February 5th, 2018 at 11:55 am
@StPete … “If he’s still around at 7…WHY? Kind of like what’s wrong with him.” StPete, just out of curiosity did you ask the same question when OJ was available at #19 last year? (I’m guessing No BTW). He was passed over by 18 teams because, although he was probably the BPA starting at about the #10 pick, those teams didn’t NEED another TE as badly as they NEEDED someone else in some other position. Other teams knew what their PRIORITY NEEDS were, and they picked the BPA who matched those priority needs.
Chubb MAY be available at #7, or he may not. What’s for sure to me is that DLine is unquestionably a top PRIORITY NEED for our Bucs. If Licht doesn’t aggressively act to FIX THIS DEFENSE, then 2018 will be a repeat of 2017. And it won’t get fixed by dedicating picks # 4-5-6-7 to the defense, expecting that things will magically be OK & we can all sing Kumbaya. We were 5-and-friggin-11.
February 5th, 2018 at 12:04 pm
Sony would be a good value in the 2nd rd. His stock will go up as the process unfolds and he will more than likely be a late 1st round pick IMO. The kid has talent.
Although I’d rather we draft DL or OL players with our 1st and 2nd rd picks unless a RB was clearly the BPA.
February 5th, 2018 at 12:17 pm
Yellow caution light on Saquon Barkley :
2 games vs Indiana Hoosiers – that mediocre Big 10 team-
2016: 33 rushes 58 yds
2017: 20 rushes 56 yds
By the way , 2016 game Chris Godwin had 2 td catches
February 5th, 2018 at 12:23 pm
Trade down to Buffalo for #21 and #22 hoping DT Vita Vea and DE Sam Hubbard are still on the board. That’s the only way I’m down for taking a RB in the second. If we got Nelson at #7, I’d like to trade down in the second for more picks, go all defense till Round 5 where we get Nyheim Hines (NC State) if he’s still on the board and we can also get a RB (BPA) with one of our sixth round picks.
February 5th, 2018 at 1:05 pm
Only 5 backs worthy of being drafted by Bucs: Barkley, Guice, Michel, Jones & Penny. As long as we get 1 of those 5 at the proper draft value we’ll be ok. Gotta get the 1 thru 4 picks right!!! Imperative!!!
February 5th, 2018 at 1:13 pm
D line, D line, D line!
February 5th, 2018 at 1:14 pm
Sony will go too early for us, so we’ll have to settle for Penny in the 3rd or 4th, which isnt bad.
February 5th, 2018 at 1:27 pm
D.R.
I hear you and take your point. OJ was available because TE’s are simply not nearly as valuable as DE’s and last year was the perfect storm.
DE’s are the second most valuable position on the team if you go by who gets paid what…and I’m a show me the money kind of guy. Only QB’s and some WR’s make more than DE’s.
Business Insider has an interesting chart on this.
http://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-highest-paid-positions-2014-9
For sure I’d double my research if for some inexplicable reason Chubb drops to us at 7.
Barkley is projected by Walter Football to go first and then three QB’s..including the 2nd pick with Chubb going 3rd and Minkah going 4th.
What could change it I guess is if some team is really “Jonesing” for Baker Mayfield and maybe Lamar Jackson from Louisville. If two more QB’s went ahead of Chubb and we get him I’m fine….I just don’t see it happening.
I’m pretty much with you though…we NEED to improve our pass rush #1.
February 5th, 2018 at 1:29 pm
If Chubby is gone..Trade down Bucs. If you can. try to get 2 for 1 and plug your many holes. But..we Won’t. You gotta get more help for this soft Defense.
February 5th, 2018 at 2:07 pm
Or…
Trade back to #21 and #22 and get CB Joshua Jackson and DT Vita Vea/DE Sam Hubbard.
Michel in the second.
Defense the rest of the draft. Trade down in the third for another pick.
February 5th, 2018 at 2:13 pm
Sub 4.5 ! You can’t teach speed.
February 5th, 2018 at 2:23 pm
^^^And with an extra 5th or 6th round (I’m assuming) trading down in the third:
Trade down 2 of three of our sixth rounders for another fifth. Trade both fifths for one fourth.
Round 6: 1 pick
Round 5: None
Round 4: 2 picks
But I’m also not a GM or know how any of these teams will work.
February 5th, 2018 at 2:41 pm
TRENCHES! Build the trenches.
If we were ONE RB away from being good I’d say go get ’em. BUT….WE ARE NOT!!!!!!
D-Line has to be the priority. Anything else and people should be fired (they should be fired already!).
February 5th, 2018 at 2:50 pm
Trade the #7 to the Bills for the #21 and #22 and use those on two defensive lineman (any two of: Key, Davenport, Vea, Payne, Hurst or Hubbard) and then we could use our 2nd rounder on Michel.
I love Michel’s game but I’d honestly rather sign Carlos Hyde in free agency and then use that pick on another more valuable commodity like a CB or even OG … that’s just me though.
February 5th, 2018 at 2:51 pm
^^^ Or if we get another fifth trading down in the third it could be:
Round 6: 2 picks
Round 5: None
Round 4: 2 picks
Trade up using both 6th rounders and a 2019 6th/7th rounder for another 4th.
Round 6 or 7 (2019): None
Round 6: None
Round 5: None
Round 4: Three
Round 3: One (traded back)
Round 2: One
Round 1: Two (#21 and #22 from Buffalo)
Seven Picks in Jason Licht’s first four rounds. I believe that would be very badass. When am I gonna get a GM job?
February 5th, 2018 at 3:29 pm
Take Nelson. One of the biggest problems for our running game was too little running lanes. Watching the right side of the Eagles O-line opening up lanes for Blount to steamroll through made me envious. Would love to see that type of Offensive line in Tampa.
February 5th, 2018 at 3:33 pm
NFLNut Says: I love Michel’s game but I’d honestly rather sign Carlos Hyde in free agency.
And couldn’t you just see Carlos Hyde running through the hole created by Marpet – Nelson?
February 5th, 2018 at 3:39 pm
^^^ Then trade two fourths for a second. That’s 6 picks for Jason in the first four. Two in both the first and second. HOLY COW!!! Know none of this is likely but I’m just one of these people that wouldn’t mind trading back and thinking of all these situations could be super sweet. ^^^
Round 1. 2 Picks (#21 and #22)
Round 2. 2 Picks
Round 3. 1 Pick (traded back)
Round 4. 1 Pick
February 5th, 2018 at 4:06 pm
^^^ 1st Round: CB Joshua Jackson + DT Vita Vea/ DE Sam Hubbard ^^^
2nd Round: RB Sony Michel + DE (if we get Vea in 1)/ SS (if we get
Hubbard in 1)
3rd Round: SS/DT
4th Round: DE/DT/CB
February 5th, 2018 at 4:28 pm
He is a very good back. Wow.
February 5th, 2018 at 4:30 pm
Problem with trading down is Licht will get like the 27th pick and in return get a couple extra 4th and 5th rounders. I can just see a few more Jeremy McNichols on our team. “Well we didnt think he wouldnt study the playbook.” How do we draft a guy that doesnt study the playbook i will never know. Even Snoop wias disappointed with that jokester.
February 5th, 2018 at 5:03 pm
He is going in 1st unless he has injury before or after combine
February 5th, 2018 at 5:17 pm
StPete … Had never seen that Business Insider chart of salaries before, but it’s actually very interesting. What’s really fascinating is the spread (min to max) for RBs, DEs & WRs (QB range seems actually very tight). What also caught my attention is range exceeding about $5 mil in just about all positions (OK, except kicker, punter & long snapper).
Far as Chubb goes, I don’t think Licht can pass him by if he falls to us. Our DE need is just too great. Personally in favor now of going DT (Vea or Payne) if Chubb is gone. But things change, and the Combine is still ahead.
February 5th, 2018 at 7:18 pm
Is the defense really the problem? Yes and no. We need to fix the rushing offense and our pass defense. If you compare 2017 (5-11) to 2016 (9-7), there is a difference of – 1.2 points per game on offense and +.08 points per game on defense.
2017 – Defense 23.9 PPG 15th
2017 – Offense 20.9 PPG 18th
2016 – Defense 23.1 PPG 15th
2016 – Offense 22.1 PPG 18th
I would like to draft Sony Michel but there are to may other priorities. Maybe Nick Chubb will be there in the 3rd? Either through FA or the draft the Bucs need on offense LG. On defense CB/DE. I still believe in Doug Martin and should give him another year. If they do not get Brent Grimes re-signed CB becomes the priority over all.
February 5th, 2018 at 7:39 pm
Nick Chubb remind me of Peyton Barber. Tough inside runner. We need a player with juice. (in Gruden voice)
2nd round
1.Derrius Guice
2. Sony Michel
3rd
1. Rashaad Penny
2.Mark Walton*
3rd/4th round
1.Martez Carter
2. Kalen Ballege ( LeGarrette Blount clone)
February 5th, 2018 at 8:03 pm
I would be fine with the trade down option especially if it gives us a chance at getting Sony. This kid is the best all around back in this draft. He is built for the NFL and compared to Barkley he has the better build to last and to pick up blocks. This kid can be our L. Bell for the next 5-7 years and would give Jameis no more excuses. Its put up or shut up time
February 5th, 2018 at 8:10 pm
Go defensive line or Nelson in the 1st and Sony in the 2nd.
Adding an all pro guard and potential star RB with our 1st 2 picks sounds like something Licht would do.
Trading down would possibly allow for someone like Payne or the DE Davenport whom I personally believe can become a star. If Spawn can get healthy they would make a formidable pairing for years to come.
I like that we have options this year and if we get free agency correct (big if) we can be setup to win the division this year. Praying for Licht!
February 5th, 2018 at 9:15 pm
Bradley Chubb won’t slip. Saquon Barkley will be the #1 pick.
At #7, hopefully Quenton Nelson and/or Minkah Fitzpatrick
Both are guaranteed superstars and day 1 starters.
Trade down is a bad idea. We need playmakers, not ok players.
2nd round: Harold Landry
Running back: FA
February 5th, 2018 at 10:32 pm
@Buxfan
Exactamundo. I really like Barber and think he’s a really good power back but we do need a speedy guy that can juke and slip through the holes for that nice one-two punch.
If we were to get Nelson I wouldn’t want a RB in the second and I don’t think the Bucs would either. They have to know how terrible this defense is.
If they were to get Nelson I’m now thinking there is a much larger chance they keep Doug and I wouldn’t be terribly upset if they did. Nelson has shown and is being said to be a possible all-star run blocker in the NFL.
Dirk Koetter calls the most obvious run plays with an Oline that is below average. Doug Martin has had a 1,926 and 1,673 yards years with below average Oline since his career started here. He can get through the holes. That’s what he does.
-LG Nelson+ Good/Decent FA C+ RG Marpet+ O.J. Howard (top blockers).
-RB Martin+ RB Barber+ RB Quiz+ RB FA/UDFA.
If you’re going to give Koetter’s BS running play calls another chance you should give our two 1,600+ yard season RB another chance with another top-tier OG to go with Marpet.
Nelson=Defense round 2-6.
February 5th, 2018 at 11:33 pm
I am hoping the Bills come calling on draft day for #7…If they do, it would take either both their 2018 1st rd picks (21/22) & a late round kicker pick…or #21 & both 2018-2nd rd picks (#53 & 56)…Give me 21-53-56 & I’m a happy man~~~ that would give FO 6picks (#21/38/53/56/69) through 3rds – enough to really address needs….If not, I see the below as a good starting point for discussion!
My 7rd BUCS Mock:
1st = Quentin Nelson/OG – ND
2nd = Billy Price/OG-C -tOSU
3rd = Thomas/Edge-DE – Miami
4th = Andrew Brown/DT-DE – Virginia
5th = Tony Brown/CB – ALA
6th =Darious Phillips/CB-RS -W.Mich
6th = Will Richardson/OT-NCState
7th = Siran Neal/S-JaxSt.
7th = Larry Rose lll/RB – NMSU
1st & 2nd rd picks help interior offensive line concerns…Nelson will become a mainstay at LG & C Price allows Marpet to move back to RG to utilize his quickness. 3rd&4th rd picks address DL/Rush concerns – both guys are upgrades…Thomas replaces Ayers, Brown over Swaggy…3 DB’s in 5th-7th add camp depth w/ potential of 1-2 contributors sticking – I think Neal, Brown & Phillips all fit with Smith’s scheme + Phillips is a dangerous PR/KR guy…OT Richardson has graded out well (per PFF) & faced Chubb every day in practice for years.. (IE…the guys is a Late Rd Sleeper OT that may end-up as a 5-6yr starter in the league!)…Target/Sign RB Isaiah Crowell on a 3-4yr deal(with saved JuiceGerbal $$) to feature back with Barber #2, add Larry Rose lll late & give him a a chance to stick as 3rd down back. (PFF loves the guy…good vision, patient to set-ups up blocks, burst, great hands, good blocker & route runner).
February 6th, 2018 at 5:22 am
Living in Georgia, I’ve watched this kid play and I really like him. He doesn’t spend a lot of time juking and jiving, he hits the hole and runs downhill….fast! As fr trading down…..I’ve been saying it all along, this may be the year to move out of the top 10, into the late teens or early 20’s and collect some extra picks….which we sorely need!
February 6th, 2018 at 12:41 pm
The d lineman who is going to be a star in this league is Vea. He is exceptionally strong and quick and will be a great run stopper and take away any double teaming of McCoy. I would take him over Chubb in a minute. Would love Nelson also at #7