Let It Be So
April 25th, 2018
Has comforting intel.
Every little bit helps.
Yes, if there are four quarterbacks taken in the first six picks in tomorrow’s draft, it is a lock that the Bucs will have one of what fans call “The Big Three” on the board when the Bucs select at No. 7.
Who are these “Big Three?” Running back Saquon Barkley, defensive end Bradley Chubb or guard Quenton Nelson.
And if four quarterbacks are not selected in the first six picks? Better hope someone other than the Big Three are selected.
And in the eyes of Daniel Jeremiah, that will happen. Jeremiah, a former scout with the Crows, Browns and Eagles, has all kinds of contacts throughout the NFL and Joe knows he is tight with various general managers.
Jeremiah, in this week’s edition of his podcast, “Move the Sticks,” says scuttlebutt within NFL circles is that the Colts, picking at No. 6 one slot ahead of the Bucs, are drooling over Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith.
“The name that I just keep hearing over and over again [with the Colts] and I am going with where-there-is-smoke-there-is-fire theory here, and that’s Roquan Smith from Georgia,” Jeremiah said.
“It seems like he has really, really positioned himself well.“To me, I am to the point now if [the Colts] stay [at No. 6] and don’t pick Roquan Smith, I’d be surprised.”
Jeremiah then gave specific reasons why Smith makes all the sense in the world for the Colts.
Joe is crossing his fingers this happens. Even if there is a run on quarterbacks in the first five picks, if the Colts go outside the box with Smith and, say, there are only three quarterbacks selected in the top six, that makes the spot the Bucs are at all the more attractive for a quarterback-hungry team to trade up.
Joe has long been a proponent of trading back tomorrow night.
All-you-can-eat buffet available starting at 6 p.m. and runs all night long. Be there!! Joe and Ira Kaufman will be in the house with the Stick Carriers and The Commish. Raw energy and Bucs love everywhere.
April 25th, 2018 at 11:09 am
I’ll be happy in this scenario either way I think. I’ll be OK with Nelson being the pick or a trade down. I love what he could do to finish building this O-line but also love philosophically trading down basically in almost any situation other than needing a QB
April 25th, 2018 at 11:09 am
Firmly in the Trade Back Crowd as well.
Bucs have 2 picks in the top 3 rounds but they HAVE to draft a CB, a RB, an OG, and either a SS or Dline all in the top 3 rounds.
April 25th, 2018 at 11:09 am
Music to my ears!!
April 25th, 2018 at 11:14 am
Not happening. Remember Joe they are telling media that because they’re mindset is Barkley or Nelson won be on the board. After the first three picks they will have a good idea of who they will get and it won’t be R. Smith sorry. That’s just the last hope to keep Tampa Bay honest in the draft and hold #7 down to the wire then pull the trigger with Buffalo and watch the magic from there ppl. We are gonna be responsible for history and four QBs inside the top 10 maybe 5 because there’s going to be the Cardinals who will want a QB like Jackson before the Dolphins pick who have definitely expressed open interest too as well
April 25th, 2018 at 11:19 am
LB at #6? YES – PLEASE!!
Imagine the hand wringing in the Buccaneer war room if 4 QBs go 1,2,3,4 AND a LB goes at #6 to Indy….
Licht would have to choose between Barkley and Nelson – Or Chubb and Nelson…
Man would THAT be a nice “problem” to have…
April 25th, 2018 at 11:19 am
If Nelson is gone then try and trade back at all costs and draft Landry or Josh Jackson
April 25th, 2018 at 11:21 am
Chances are one of the “big three” will be a bust. So, naturally that is the one we will get….
April 25th, 2018 at 11:23 am
The generational player will not be among the 3 that everyone thinks they are
Roquan Smith is that player…
Quenton Nelson will be available at 7 when it is time for the Bucs to pick….
“Forrest Gump will not draft Quenton Nelson”
Kobe the Parrot
April 25th, 2018 at 11:25 am
If they draft Roquan, that probably means they traded back to 12… (or anywhere)
April 25th, 2018 at 11:27 am
Kobe what do you want the bucs to do if Nelson is there at 7?
April 25th, 2018 at 11:33 am
I am ok with trading back, but I think it is potentially a big mistake to trade back any further than Arizona at 15. The Bucs have a chance to get a huge difference maker at 7(Chubb, James or Nelson).
I think the trade charts need to be thrown out if a team is moving into the top 10 of the draft. Even if the Bucs trade with Arizona at 15 I would only be ok with it if Arizona gave the Bucs their 1st and 2nd this year and their 2nd and 3rd next year.
April 25th, 2018 at 11:35 am
I’m sure Licht has plenty of his own intel too can’t wait!!!
April 25th, 2018 at 11:36 am
Barkley or Chubb would be OK. If they aren’t there we should get the cornerback Ward from Ohio State.
April 25th, 2018 at 11:38 am
@ LC
You draft nelson
Forrest will draft secondary player at #7 or tradedown but the 1st player will be cb or safety
The reason no free agent secondary player was signed is because gump is going to fill the position tru the draft
April 25th, 2018 at 11:39 am
I would be jolly AF if we get a member of the big three, aka the blue chip prospects.
I think Chubb is gone bc of the value placed on pass rushers, and Barkley is just too damn good of a prospect to fall. I realistically hope Nelson is there. Who can say no to a generational talent such as himself; compared to Tony Mayberry.
Let’s go bucs! Big 3 or trade down. If the pick at 7 must be made without big three on the board: flip a coin for Davenport or Mount Vea- trench warfare please!!!
April 25th, 2018 at 11:40 am
Whoever gets Roquan, I hope he does well. More than one media outlet is calling him the next Derrick Brooks. High praise and an even higher bar indeed…
April 25th, 2018 at 11:42 am
@Mclaurin
I’m just curious how the Colts picking Roquan at 6 has anything to do with keeping the ‘BUCS” honest?
Why is that “Not Happening”? Roquan is an extremely talented LB and if the Colts like him they might very well take him. I’m sure the Bucs, who pick after them, are not on their minds AT ALL!!!!
April 25th, 2018 at 11:43 am
Andrew Luck has not thrown a pass in 17 months. I do not care that Irsay says it was a ” simple labrum repair ” , having gone through one myself and being able to generate a ball speed of 150 after 6 months of rehab , it looks and smells like a botched job by the doc or he re-injured and needs more surgery. Colts will draft a QB if one is available at 6 and the Bucs will get Nelson at 7.
April 25th, 2018 at 11:48 am
“The reason no free agent secondary player was signed is because gump is going to fill the position tru the draft”
I hope it’s because they spent up their initial wave of $$ and are waiting to see how this draft falls. That makes the most sense to me. Dumb to pigeon hole your draft that hardcore but then again you call him Gump for a reason. Even though he was ranked 11th in GMs recently on review of his drafts relative to the rest of the league in terms of value. And even though he’s shown a history of passing on major needs to go with value.
The value of CB is in Round 2 not Round 1. I’d prefer something like:
R1-Nelson OG
R2-Jackson/Oliver CB (both taller CBs)
R4- BPA at RB (Mark Walton?)
Then sign Reid or someone at S.
I think Barber is a bit underrated and while a RB is important; our interior should be massively upgraded to the point that the run game should massively improve.
I could live with the above scenario and taking Mark Walton if Michel/Chubb/Penny/Johnson/Jones are all gone. Walton is very Devonte Freeman esque and would be a good compliment to Barber. Throw in Scarborough or someone later and that’s a fine rotation for me.
April 25th, 2018 at 11:59 am
@Lord Cornelius
And this draft is deep with CB, So once all these CB’s are drafted, there will be many CB’s cut before the season!!! The Bucs will have opportunity to get a CB in Free-agency round 2!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 25th, 2018 at 12:00 pm
Im thinking 49ers will try to trade up with colts to secure Nelson before we have a chance. Best case scenario IMO because we need defense early in this draft.
April 25th, 2018 at 12:06 pm
If Fitzpatrick was playing that last drive and sailed it out of bounds no one would’ve known it was on purpose. I blame koetter for not having the 5th pick
April 25th, 2018 at 12:07 pm
With Bechwith injured, i think forrest is leaning toward strong saftey(james) than corner . i think they invision james around the box playing alongside kwonie and LVD
*also no fa rbs coming to visit….
1- secondary
2- rb
4- off lineman
April 25th, 2018 at 12:10 pm
Never happen. Jeremiah’s talking out of his rear – GM’s don’t hang with media talking heads, even if they are former scouts.
April 25th, 2018 at 12:10 pm
I say move back more picks more chances of us getting some good players. I’d love mostly defensive draft and Guice or Michel
April 25th, 2018 at 12:17 pm
The more I think about it the more I think Davenport should be the pick. I think teams that need edge and pass on him will regret it.
April 25th, 2018 at 12:18 pm
@buc realist
What bring in a fa corner to start right before training camp?
Remember 2016 we needed recievers. Gump brought in ceil short right before camp. How did that work? Gump going to do his patchwork again this year
I see no vision from your idol. So far i see him bring in 4 average overpaid defensive lineman in free agency.
April 25th, 2018 at 12:18 pm
I feel like a bad FSU homer for knowing I won’t be happy if we take James at 7. If we do I hope he proves me wrong and is a stud all pro S but I just value him equal to too many other prospects.
Plus Mark Barron scarring experience
April 25th, 2018 at 12:21 pm
@ Joe. your articles the last 2 days are nothing but fillers. You know, stocking stuffers.
We demand you run over to Buc’s headquarters and demand to know who they are picking, who they are negotiating with and any new free agents being considered.
We would like to have this before dinner.
Oh, good luck
April 25th, 2018 at 12:22 pm
It freaking pisses me off when people think we should tank a game for draft position. This is not baseball where there are a zillion games. I watch every single game of every season because I enjoy watching football, not watching quitters and I want to win every one of them. Drafting a single player in a chosen spot will not get you to the Super Bowl.
April 25th, 2018 at 12:25 pm
Colts definitely aren’t picking RB or QB.
Marlon Mack is their starter/workhorse next year and he’s a stud. Also, obviously, Luck is back.
Any other position makes way more sense.
I think they grab Nelson, Chubb, or apparently the LB from Georgia.
April 25th, 2018 at 12:26 pm
@since1976
I’ve had labrum surgery too. Throwing a football and swinging a club are completely different movements.
April 25th, 2018 at 12:27 pm
I really want Davenport
April 25th, 2018 at 12:28 pm
What sçares me is if smitty knows how to use james the correct way?
I think james will be takeover conte s position/responsibilities?
With the way offenses are now with tightend attacks, running backs receiving and 3 wide, safety play is a must
April 25th, 2018 at 12:34 pm
Andrew luck is done. Everythrow the arm/shoulder gets smacked around by defensive players..dude hasnt even thrown a football since oct 17…but they love his progress…lol
April 25th, 2018 at 12:34 pm
Its going to be Derwin James unless something crazy happens and we either get Barkley or a great trade back option. I would take Nelson over James but I have a feeling they will take James over Nelson.
April 25th, 2018 at 12:37 pm
I am confident after the upcoming season everyone will be happy with the Bucs picking either Derwin James or Quenton Nelson
April 25th, 2018 at 12:38 pm
Ahhh, Its almost time men.
The long wait for a balanced attack may be finally coming to an end.
We might actually have an offensive line & defensive line that we’re proud of.
Wow!
#TrenchWarFare2018
April 25th, 2018 at 12:45 pm
Mcruzer
I agree. Losing a game for another player is ridiculous. Honestly I can’t stand the fans that bitch we beat new Orleans. It’s a crapshoot no matter which spot we draft. Smh
April 25th, 2018 at 12:48 pm
Smitty hasn’t forgotten how to coach.
All this talk of inability to develop a DB is silly. The man is a multiple time NFL coach of the year.
They neglected the talent on the defensive side of the ball for years, and neither Lovie or Smitty can work miracles without the horses.
Draft defense, and keep drafting defense.
April 25th, 2018 at 12:56 pm
Who was the moron commenter that kept saying trade Jameis for a quarterback that is projected to go in like the 4th?
April 25th, 2018 at 1:07 pm
@Joe Had a dream month ago we got barkley lol
April 25th, 2018 at 1:17 pm
LUVMYBUCS Says:
April 25th, 2018 at 12:38 pm
Ahhh, Its almost time men.
The long wait for a balanced attack may be finally coming to an end.
We might actually have an offensive line & defensive line that we’re proud of.
Wow!
#TrenchWarFare2018
————-
Hell yeah, Luv!
Preach! Trench warfare is where it’s at!
I hope we get Nelson @7 and then take best d-lineman available at 38th overall. We need to win the line of scrimmage in order to dig ourselves out of the nfc s basement.
April 25th, 2018 at 1:25 pm
SteveK
Amen brotha!
April 25th, 2018 at 1:27 pm
I hope he’s right
if so, select nelson or trade down……
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
April 25th, 2018 at 1:38 pm
Kobe, they said the same thing about Drew Brees back in the day. That’s why the Dolphins passed on him and picked Daunte Culpepper instead. They thought Culpepper’s knee was in better shape then Drew Brees damaged shoulder. They were wrong obviously.
April 25th, 2018 at 1:53 pm
Cmon guys go back and look at the first 10 picks of the last 5 drafts, or just 3. 3 to 5 of the top 10 every year has guys no “experts” mocked. Nobody knows who each team wants. Project all you want but its gona go different than anyone thinks. And theres more than the big 3. Alot of good players in top 100, then a drop off. So I’m hoping for a trade back. Need more top 100 players!
April 25th, 2018 at 1:57 pm
Nelson would be the perfect addition to this line. Our interior would be stifling and it would put Marpet at RG, where he never should have been moved from.
So pumped for the draft!
April 25th, 2018 at 2:06 pm
Agreed Darin it’s unpredictable. My guess is that the Bucs are one of those teams that make a shocking pick and get Davenport at #7.
April 25th, 2018 at 2:07 pm
@LUV- I actually teared up just now!! LOL!
April 25th, 2018 at 2:08 pm
But it would be very intriguing to see a LB go in the top 6 selections. If we get that and we get 4 QBs selected then either Chubb or Barkley falls right in our lap.
April 25th, 2018 at 2:26 pm
In reference to a lot of the comments above… the Bucs don’t “have to do anything” except draft guys who will actually produce for years. Period. They do not need to fill in slots of need. That never has and never will work for them and that line of thinking is a big reason why they are perennial losers.
Draft BPA always. Period.
And…
Keep the focus on where it matters.
The trenches.
The Bucs are so close from having talent and depth on both lines.
Draft Nelson
Grab a young DE in round 2
The rest will fall into place.
FIX THE TRENCHES, FIX THE BUCS!!
April 25th, 2018 at 2:32 pm
#TrenchWarFare2018
#TrenchWarFare2018
#TrenchWarFare2018
LET’S DO THIS!
April 25th, 2018 at 2:52 pm
why do I get the feeling we will land nelson@7 and davenport in the second round only to have dirk continue to air it out and throw sing passes…..lol…
meanwhile on 3rd down smitty rotates JPP for gholston and drops davenport into coverage……lol…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
April 25th, 2018 at 2:57 pm
all jokes aside, I think we’ll come out of the draft very satisfied with what licht has achieved……
unfortunately, the ball will be in the coaches court…..we know how they perform under pressure or if they have to overcome adversity…..they sh!t the bed…..
lets hope and pray they get their sh!t together…..their jobs depend on it!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
April 25th, 2018 at 3:07 pm
For the trade down crowd you wanna make sure to tune in the NYG and DEN selections. Those two sound the most willing to trade in front us of and most likely spots to see QBs get taken.
April 25th, 2018 at 3:10 pm
The two linebackers are going in the top ten, so trading back to 11 or 12 is too far for Indy. Oakland’s been consistently mocked to an LB, so they can’t drop past them and get Smith. The Bears, who want Nelson, or us, are Indy’s choices. I think they test Licht, asking for a one next year with them kicking us back a three or four this year. If, say Nelson and Chubb are there at six and Indy calls, we’d be crazy to take the deal to get Chubb. At that spot, we already got him. The Colts are going Nelson or Smith, and the Bears want Nelson.
April 25th, 2018 at 3:31 pm
@ Lord corn, The value of CB is in Round 2 not Round 1. I’d prefer something like:
R1-Nelson OG
R2-Jackson/Oliver CB (both taller CBs)
R4- BPA at RB (Mark Walton?)
Then sign Reid or someone at S.
I think Barber is a bit underrated and while a RB is important; our interior should be massively upgraded to the point that the run game should massively improve.
I could live with the above scenario and taking Mark Walton if Michel/Chubb/Penny/Johnson/Jones are all gone. Walton is very Devonte Freeman esque and would be a good compliment to Barber. Throw in Scarborough or someone later and that’s a fine rotation for me.
Agree 100% with this, Either Scarborough or N. Hines along with the aforementioned above and I’m grinning like the Cheshire cat!!
April 25th, 2018 at 3:31 pm
I hope we do trade down. Even if we were to get one of the top three non quarterbacks it wont help. The depth of the draft is late 1st round through third round. And we have only 2 picks. If we do pick at seven Barkley, Nelson, or Chubb would be great.
A SAFETY WOULD BE A BUST OF A PICK THIS HIGH!!!
We don’t really even know how good our secondary is until we see them with a pass rush they can count on. Maybe Conte and Evans aren’t as bad as they looked last year.
April 25th, 2018 at 3:35 pm
Mike Johnson only prays on Sunday. But he would do summersaults if Chubb or Barkley fell to us. Probably won’t. But they are the 2 best players in this years draft.
April 25th, 2018 at 3:36 pm
LC SAYS:(with us trading down)
21-Taven Bryan DT/DE
31-Derrius Guice RB
38-Hughes/Alexander/Jackson CB
95-Ragnow/Teller/Smith OG
102-Alex Cappa/? OT
R5-R7-BPA DE/RB/CB/S
I would love that…..if licht makes that happen, he get a 2year pass!!!!!!…lol….the coaching staff will have no excuse!!!!!!…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
April 25th, 2018 at 3:36 pm
If fewer QBs than expected are drafted and “the Big Three” are taken, the Bucs can trade out of that spot with a team desperate enough for a QB. My candidate is the Cardinals at #15. You take what the draft gives you.
April 25th, 2018 at 3:42 pm
Bucsfanman
Lol, its all good brotha
April 25th, 2018 at 3:53 pm
813 I love Bryan lol. You just can’t teach athleticism like that. Give me him over Marcus Davenport because I’d rather have a JJ Watt over a Zeke Ansah if we’re talking ceiling projection
I hate that I see him mocked to the Falcons a lot. I would be fine with Bryan at 12 honestly. We have no interior pass rusher behind McCoy and we still have STevie T devleoping as a run stuffer
April 25th, 2018 at 3:55 pm
I think Kobe is right. Licht likes his o-line and brags about it. he has brought in no defense backs in free agency. I think he takes James out of necessity, even if Nelson is there, and that would be a big mistake.
April 25th, 2018 at 4:09 pm
LUV Says:
“I would be fine with Bryan at 12”
Over Vea and Payne?? Surely not….
April 25th, 2018 at 4:35 pm
LC
I agree…..and like you, ive seen him being linked to the falcons and I cry every time…..lol….
I would be fine with him at @12 too!!!!!
and yes, I like him over vea and payne…..he’s more versatile….can play inside and out…..34…43….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
April 25th, 2018 at 6:31 pm
**********************
I definitely think 4 QBs go in the first picks, 5 QBs go in the first 10-15 picks and maybe even 6 QBs go in the 1st round.
I also think the Colts want Roquan so it’s possible, if not probable that TWO of the “Big 3” are still on the board at #7 …
**********************
April 25th, 2018 at 6:32 pm
^ the “6” I typed didn’t seem to work … I think 4 QBs go in the first 6 picks.
April 25th, 2018 at 6:48 pm
Trading back would be, pardon my French, extremely freaking dumb. Derwin James, Nelson, Fitzpatrick, Ward and the great Saquon Barkley would all be instant upgrades and all but Fitzpatrick are a 99% lock for the 2019 pro bowl. In 5 years, nobody could touch any of them in a trade for any amount of draft capital.
April 25th, 2018 at 7:17 pm
***************
^ Trading back could be BY FAR the best move.
Imagine we trade back to #11 with the Phins and pick up an extra 3rd rounder and more … Derwin or Minkah may still be on the board.
You can’t just say trading down would be dumb … it all depends who we trade with and what we get in return.
****************
April 26th, 2018 at 12:21 am
How do you know Meat head, won’t pass on one of the big three people?