Debating The Bucs’ Greatest Need
April 19th, 2018
The chief stats nerds have weighed in with their spreadsheets claiming the Bucs’ greatest draft need is among the greatest team craters in the NFL.
But that is certainly open for debate.
Everyone paying attention knows the Bucs desperately need a major upgrade to their stable of running backs and cornerbacks.
Peyton Barber and Jacquizz Rodgers have plenty of upside, but they aren’t scaring any defensive coordinators. After soon-to-be 35-year-old cornerback Brent Grimes, the Bucs’ options have offensive coordinators leaguewide yearning to face Tampa Bay.
So what’s the greater need?
General manager Jason Licht will take questions from Joe and local media this morning and he will be asked about that. Don’t expect an answer.
The PFF Tribe, aka Pro Football Focus data interpreters, claimed in a recent ESPN.com story that the Bucs have the greatest nightmare in the NFL at running back. Heck, the PFF Tribe didn’t even place the Bucs among the three most needy teams at corner.
Here’s an excerpt of the RB woes below:
It seems Bucs running backs broke tackles far less frequently than fans broke wind watching them.
…[Doug Martin] averaged only 2.2 yards after contact per attempt, tying him for 47th in the league among that same group. Martin and Charles Sims’ departures leave only Barber and Rodgers in the backfield with carries from a year ago. Barber had a mediocre season in relief then starting in place of Martin; despite putting forth plus-grades, he forced just 12 missed tackles on 108 carries, which ranked 42nd among 45 running backs with at least 100 carries.
Tampa running backs forced a total of 29 missed tackles last season, meaning 19 running backs forced more missed tackles individually than the Bucs did as a unit. No running back was a real threat out of the backfield in the passing game, either, dropping nine passes on 91 combined targets.
Man, the PFF Tribesman really make Joe laugh. They give “plus-grades” for Barber but claim he’s not breaking tackles. Well, maybe that means he’s, you know, got great early vision?
Yes, Joe likes Barber but realizes the Bucs need more.
The need debate on cornerbacks vs. running backs is a good one. There’s a divide at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters, for sure.
April 19th, 2018 at 10:05 am
Running back.
April 19th, 2018 at 10:07 am
Trenches, build the foundation before the penthouse. Something Tampa Bay has not figured out since Dungy.
April 19th, 2018 at 10:12 am
PasstheBuc is hitting the nail on the head!!!!! I would love to see a the best DT tackle with the #7 overall pick!!!!! Talent that will let the D-line rotate and stay healthier!!!!!! I would rather grab best available free agent CB then a DT after the draft!!!!!!!! Find the RB in the second!!!!!!! Grab Guard in the 3rd!!!!!!!!
The Bucs lose too much in the trenches, and to think “mission accomplished” with free-agent cast-offs for the D-line is flat out wrong!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 19th, 2018 at 10:16 am
The biggest needs are RB and CB, we need quality in those positions…..on the other position we need depth……and good depth
April 19th, 2018 at 10:19 am
What passthebuc said!
April 19th, 2018 at 10:20 am
I’ll take 2 of each…and pray that we hit of 50 percent of our picks. LOL
April 19th, 2018 at 10:25 am
Joe…..ask Licht (or anybody) if they agree that Bucs coaches can’t develop young CBs……So, if that’s the case, why draft one?
As far as greatest needs….there are some things we know and some things we don’t know that affect that decision…
We don’t know the extent of Dotson & Sweezy injuries…we also don’t really know if Benenoch will be a capable starter.
We know the 2 RBs we have are worthy of a roster spot….we don’t know if we will pick one up in FA…..but it is surely a need.
We know that Grimes is solid but old…..we don’t know if VH3 and or Smith will improve significantly and we don’t know if we will pick up a CB in FA.
We know JPP to some pressure off the pass-rush woes….but probably not enough. We don’t know if Spence can stay healthy.
So our biggest needs are:
RB, CB, Oline, Pass Rush.
As to the order in priority…I think it depends on what we know….
One thing is quite certain…..there will be a player at 7 that fills one of those needs…..and there should be a player in the 2nd round that fills another one.
April 19th, 2018 at 10:25 am
We need Denzel Ward with our first pick.
April 19th, 2018 at 10:30 am
No question the trenches are most important to having success in nfl
However, grimes is 35 and we can’t trust he plays all 16 games this year which probably will be his last. After that we have zilch, nada ,nothing.
I mean absolutely zero talent. At running back it was more doug Martin and his drug abuse and koetter being to loyal and wanting jameis to stay more upright which makes some sense. Barber and Rodgers have rushed for over 100 yard marker.
They need to draft 2 corners and bring in 4 more in undrafted.
April 19th, 2018 at 10:35 am
The Bucs need to focus on right guard and right tackle. With Dobson knee surgery and Sweezy not cleared for practice…they both have to be replaced before the season starts.
April 19th, 2018 at 10:39 am
In an homage to two of my greatest buddies in my growing fan club….@JeffBuc and @JoeyPoppems…THIS Bucs fan is going to second the motion of a running back being the most pressing need.
That RB would be SA-QUON, Say-gone Barkley!! Licht has some draft tricks up his sleeve.
Go Bucs!
April 19th, 2018 at 10:43 am
Only Nelson, Barkley or B Chubb worth the 7, anyone else is interchangeable IMO. If we are forced to pick at 7, I would choose D James over Fitzpatrick just because of his athleticism. I really like Fitzpatrick and wouldn’t be all that sad if we chose him. I do not think that D Ward is worth the #7 pick. At 5’11 191 lbs, he may be the best corner in the draft, but not worth the #7 (especially in Smitty’s ridiculous defense). Trade back is the best thing we could do if we can find a partner. Would love to get Buffalos 2 first rounders and then maybe trade again with NE for 12 and get both of their first rounders, that is how we could fill our needs on this roster.
April 19th, 2018 at 10:45 am
Bill Byrne right on, I cannot believe licht was this far in the dark during the early FA period and now the bucs have a huge friggin hole, that does not look good going into the season……trade the pick if nelson not there drop down get the ND OT then an RB in round 2 or lower in the draft
April 19th, 2018 at 10:50 am
I think the sheep are starting to see the light. McIceCream is softer than the stay puff marshmallow man and the pillsbury dough boy combined.
Maybe their getting tired of seeing every team running a dive play up the gut for TDs and 1st downs all day.
All this org needs is a heart, a brain and some courage. #GoYucs
April 19th, 2018 at 10:52 am
Tmax thinks we need a DT to replace GMC….(hopes he is cut)
I’ll stir something up:
Greatest needs…….QB, TE, LB, K
April 19th, 2018 at 10:52 am
the greatest needs are DE, RB, then CB…..
CB’s would look a lot better if they need someone to pressure the QB…..offense would look better if we had RB’s with vision that didn’t run into the backs of the olinemen…..
licht just got quality talent and depth at the DT position with more to come im sure…..there’s not even a DT worth the #7 pick!!!!!!….WTHYT!!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!!
April 19th, 2018 at 10:55 am
Barkley….not likely….Guice..very doable will fix the RB problem and Barber will continue to provide excellent depth.
April 19th, 2018 at 10:58 am
The Bucs biggest need isn’t CB or S or RB or anything like that, it’s blue-chip, pro-bowl caliber leaders who can elevate the play of people around them.
BPA or bust.
April 19th, 2018 at 10:59 am
DB55
coaches have to play to the strengths of the players……GMC’s strength is pass rush…..gholston’s strength is run stuffing…..
coaches should tell gholston to gain 15 pounds because he’s being kicked inside as a DT since all he wants to do is stuff the run and tell GMC to lose 10-15 pound so he can play DE since all he wants to do is get sacks and smile……
win win IMO……
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
April 19th, 2018 at 11:01 am
it’s blue-chip, pro-bowl caliber leaders who can elevate the play of people around them.
^^BINGO^^
I’ll take that……good answer!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!…..GO BUCS!!!!!
April 19th, 2018 at 11:11 am
It doesn’t matter what order you rank our needs in, the simple fact is we have more needs than quality picks. So Licht needs to be busy in free agency, if he doesn’t get a DB, or RB or O lineman in free agency then were going into the season with a big problem. And also depth at line backer.
April 19th, 2018 at 11:17 am
we need derwin duck
April 19th, 2018 at 11:28 am
Agree with others on trench warfare but just wish we had more picks
And I go RB over CB in terms of need. Having 2 second rounders = can get both RB/CB + address lines in R1 / R3 or R4
April 19th, 2018 at 11:37 am
We need a better kicker. Are there any kickers that Licht could draft in the first or second round?
April 19th, 2018 at 11:38 am
Trading back is THE best option. I think Licht sticks to his newly adopted approach of searching for guys who will play with effort and a chip on their shoulders. With that being said….stack picks…..target Quenton Nelson if you stay, but build the DL and OL at all costs in the first 2 rds….Maybe a CB like Carlton Davis in the 2nd….target Shaquem Griffin or Okoronkwo as a situational pass-rusher….Siran Neal as a safety in the 3rd or 4th…..John Kelly, Bo Scarbrough as 4th rd RBs who would thrive in the Power running scheme we are switching to as stated by Ryan Jensen. I know this isnt a popular perspective, but we would INSTANTLY….I mean INSTANTLY be a vastly improved team for next season.
April 19th, 2018 at 11:40 am
I’m with BucBoi al the way. Get this Defense right. And throw in a RB. I don’t want to hear the truckload of excuses this season!
April 19th, 2018 at 11:46 am
813
I’ve been saying that for 2 years now. Too bad he’s a selfish diva who refuses to play anything other than 3tech.
April 19th, 2018 at 12:11 pm
You know what the Bucs need more than anything?
Wait for it…..
TO WIN.
April 19th, 2018 at 12:15 pm
Agree that trenches are most important and I think our rbs will akready look better eith oline adjustmentsr. No superstar but even without doing too much I think barber and seems could out uo average numbers. Corner in the other hand… don’t know what people are seeing. Dline helps for sure but we have literally no one. I’ll be pleasantly surprised ir Grimes continues to hold his own, but I’m expecting a step back. Who else do we have?
April 19th, 2018 at 12:17 pm
I have more confidence in Peyton Barber as a starting RB than Ryan Smith as a starting CB. Then factor in Grimes is done after this year. Do we really want to be looking for 2 starting CBs again next year?
CB is the biggest need.
April 19th, 2018 at 12:22 pm
A positional weakness differs from personnel weakness,Hence , you could sign CJ Anderson and your O back field would then be average you need three quality defensive backs to make the d backfield average !!!!
Throw in the marginal protection Winston gets and his value as a franchise quarterback and seeing that he’s been hit more than Andrew luck .Lookmistakes that Indianapolis has made you could argue that old line has as much or more important than the two forementioned positions Winston has taken seven years worth of hits in three years and that’s not good .
April 19th, 2018 at 12:27 pm
BUILD THE TRENCHES. BUILD A CHAMPION.
We need: RT, OG, DE, CB, DT, RB, and S.
(More or less in that order too)
April 19th, 2018 at 12:30 pm
If Barkley is gone, trade down with Buffalo for their 2 1st rounders. Take CB Alexander at 12 and the CB from UCF at 22. Use the 2nd rounder on either Hernandez or Wynn, whichever falls. Take the RB Kelly from TN in the 4th to pair with Barber. Problem solved.
April 19th, 2018 at 12:33 pm
RB, CB, OG, SS, OT, DL
Those are our current “needs” in order of importance.
I expect the 1st 3 – RB, CB and OG – to be addressed with picks 7,38 and 102 (if we don’t trade down) in whatever order is appropriate based on how the draft falls. Those are 3 positions of strength in this draft and those “strong” positions match our biggest needs perfectly.
April 19th, 2018 at 12:44 pm
First two picks, RB and CB. Only if Barkley falls to seven will we draft a RB in the first round. CB Denzel Ward or CB/S Minkah Fitzpatrick, should be our first round pick. The best case would be to trade back and get a pair of first round picks for the seventh pick. That way the Bucs could pick up LSU RB Derrius Guice and Iowa CB Joshua Jackson, then grab Alabama S Ronnie Harrison in the second. Done deal.
April 19th, 2018 at 1:05 pm
Fix the D-line and any CB/S will look like an all-star.
Fix the O-line and any RB will look like an all-star.
Doing the same thing over and over is the definition of insanity equating to no playoffs.
April 19th, 2018 at 1:33 pm
^ Good to see at least a few ppl understand what wins championships…
THE TRENCHES!