Josh Allen Sweepstakes Is On!
January 28th, 2019
Defensive fixture
The Bucs need a pass rusher. Shoot, everyone needs a pass rusher.
Yeah, the Bucs have Jason Pierre-Paul, thank goodness. But JPP, 30, may not outlast new coach Bucco Bruce Arians. JPP’s contract is up after the 2020 season.
The “Joe” typing this at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters is completely adamant that, selecting No. 5 in draft in April, the Bucs must draft a pass rusher. No player on defense changes games on a regular basis in the new NFL as does a pass rusher.
Not a tackle. Not a corner. A pass rusher. The most important position on a football field is a quarterback, clearly. The kryptonite of a quarterback is a pass rush.
Joe is pining for the Bucs to draft Kentucky manbeast edge rusher Josh Allen, and this morning Joe’s appetite for Allen was whetted by this line from mock draft-scowling, L.L. Bean-wearing, Second Amendment abolitionist, Mike Florio-arguing, parrot-insensitive, chewing-with-his-mouth-open, soup-gulping, California train-romancing, anti-football proliferation, outhouse-admiring, airline-napping, steerage-flying, Yogi Berra-worshiping, urinal picture-taking, video game-playing, Taylor Swift-listening, pickpocket-thwarting, Bucs-uniform-frowning, Allie-LaForce-smitten, Big-Ten-Network-hating, pedestrian-bumping, olive oil-lapping, popcorn-munching, coffee-slurping, fried-chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving, circle-jerking, craft beer-chugging, cricket-watching, scone-loathing, college football-naïve, baseball-box-score-reading, NPR-honk, filthy-hotel-staying, fight-instigating, barista-training social activist Peter King of NBC fame reporting on conversations he has had with NFL personnel men following Senior Bowl practices and game.
After Ohio State’s Nick Bosa, the best edge rusher seems clear: Kentucky’s Josh Allen.
Now looking at the draft order, only one team in the top-five may be looking for a quarterback. King also reported this morning the vibe around the league is the Raiders will draft a QB — typical Chucky — in the first round. They have three first-round picks.
The Cardinals, 49ers, Jets and Bucs are not looking for a quarterback. So that means the chances of Allen being there for the Bucs at No. 5 are bad. Each team in the top-five needs a pass rusher, with the possible exception of the 49ers.
However, teams just outside of the top-five do need quarterbacks. The Giants and the Jags select at Nos. 6 and 7, respectively.
Joe is praying some team gets Kyler Murray fever and bolts into the top-five with a trade. It would also help if John Mara and Shad Khan, owners of the Giants and Jags, get antsy and force their conservative team’s overseer to make a trade.
Right now, Allen on the board at No. 5 seems a pipe dream. And it makes Joe want to friggin’ cry!
January 28th, 2019 at 10:12 am
There are strong chances that we will find a trading partner at 5…..if no trade is made above us, we have:
Giants 6
Jags 7
Broncos 10
Dolphins 13
Redskins 15
It is entirely possible that even the Giants would want to trade with us in order to assure they have the first choice…..it would keep others from a trade with us.
I like the idea of trading, especially only down a slot or 2 since our partners will be taking QBs the position player at 5 would still be there for us.
January 28th, 2019 at 10:19 am
Put on the tape…Devin White is a game wrecker.
January 28th, 2019 at 10:21 am
Sounds like usual Joe.
The Bucs picking just out of reach of a need stud.
Reminds me of how bad I wanted them to just trade up and get Ramsey a couple years back. Just of reach.
January 28th, 2019 at 10:28 am
Game wrecker for sure, but at 6’1″ and 240, White is entrenched at linebacker. And probably on the inside. Our Bucs have linebackers to spare. Allen, at 6’5″ and 260 has the length and bulk to quickly be a force at DE. If there’s a way, Allen is the guy.
January 28th, 2019 at 10:29 am
I am with you on Devin White and the bucs need a qb on the defense who can play sideline to sideline and just be the man out there. Devin White or Gary would be great picks there at 5
January 28th, 2019 at 10:30 am
OT is a more pressing need than DE at this point.
Bucs can’t afford to pay big money to inconsistent Donovan Smith – (an inconsistent LT is a QB’s true kryptonite btw).
That #5 pick needs to go towards the best LT prospect the Bucs can identify…
Sorry Joe – Allen will be gone by then anyway as you said.
January 28th, 2019 at 10:31 am
Nick Bosa, Josh Allen, Brian Burns, Clelin Ferrell, Jachai Polite, Rashan Gary, Montez Sweat, Zack Allen, Ed Oliver probably rushes from outside sometimes as well. there are plenty of options outside Josh Allen
January 28th, 2019 at 10:39 am
Likely won’t be there at #5 unless someone comes up and gets Haskins
January 28th, 2019 at 10:41 am
Best scenario for us is a trade down with Giants (worried about being leaped) or Jags and get our LT while stock piling an extra 2nd for ammo to get back in the first! Since Licht sucks at drafting in the 2nd!
January 28th, 2019 at 10:42 am
Devin White was the best player in college football last year. Put on the tape and you’ll come around. While the QBs and skill guys get all the hype, this kid went about his business and demonstrated incredible range, motor, toughness and game-smarts. He’s an alpha-rabid dog on the field and exactly the kind of stud player/personality this team sorely needs.
January 28th, 2019 at 10:53 am
@Frank I am in agreement. Devin White should be the pick. He has the big time playmaking ability and personality this defense needs to flip fast.
January 28th, 2019 at 11:13 am
I say if we draft Devin White which would be good we can have David outside Alexander middle and White other outside. That would make the Bucs with the best linebacker core in the NFL
January 28th, 2019 at 11:26 am
I would throw my vote for Josh allen if not trade down a few spots and with extra 2nd pick use for the trenches or a RB.
Jason Licht just let me know if you need any other advice for the rest of the draft.
Texas Bucs Fan Association’s only member
January 28th, 2019 at 11:29 am
Niners out of any of the teams in the top 5 need an edge rusher. Buckner, Armstead, even Solomon Thomas are bruisers on the inside, but are in dire need for a guy who can bust an LT around the edge.
While would love to see this guy in pewter, still think we need help on the interior more than edge, esp with McCoy’s perceived future not with the Bucs. Even with McCoy we get pushed around and gashed up the middle with regularity.
Prediction is Quinnen Williams will be the best player from this draft and Bucs will need him more than an edge rusher.
January 28th, 2019 at 11:31 am
Devin White is good, not the all-world beater you would pick as an LB in the top 5
January 28th, 2019 at 11:36 am
Yah. He Won’t be there.
Trade back with giants or Jags who want Haskins and get extra pick.
And take devin white. The kid is being compared to Patrick Willis and Ray Lewis. That would mean Kwon is gone unless he wants to do 1 year 5 mil prove it deal. They are both from LSU so it would be interesting. They have Kwon and Beckwith coming off significant injuries and Lavonte is one year older, so it is a big need especially if running more of 3-4
I understand going oline at 5. But the two considered top olineman are not worth that high of pick. They are not generational lineman so will go in 10-20 range.
January 28th, 2019 at 11:37 am
Fortunately the Bucs have many holes and needs….so they will be able to take a very good player after only 4 names are announced…maybe Chuckie will want our pick at 5 so he can whomever with their first pick and then trade with the Bucs so he can take his QB…we get his last 2 first round picks a his round 3…or swap 2nd round picks
January 28th, 2019 at 11:48 am
Joe that was funny about Peter King the first time you wrote it. Might be time for some new material.
As much as I’d love to see Allen fall to us, not going to happen. QBs aren’t worth moving up for so spots before us won’t change much.
January 28th, 2019 at 11:56 am
Allens my first choice in the whole draft. Having said that i think we need to go OLine first round. Wouldn’t mind the LT from the gators. He will be climbing the boards soon too. Id love to trade back a little and gather picks. Then again id do that every year cuz i love the draft. Considering the probable 3-4/hybrid switch it opens the door for a lot more options at edge rusher, and its a deeper draft at that position than OL imo. Id love Allen tho. Gona be a stud. Cmon draft!
January 28th, 2019 at 11:59 am
@Pickgrin … “OT is a more pressing need than DE at this point. Yea verily. Right now we have JPP & Nassib, plus Curry & Gholston (and oh ya, Spence) under contract. We can survive this year with those DEs. Right now we have NO LTs under contract … zip, zero, zilch. The ONLY way Bucs can GUARANTEE that Donovan will be a Buc next year is if they franchise tag him, for probably around $14-$15 mil (we have NO real leverage).
Drafting a LT seems to make a lot more sense in that scenario than tagging Donovan for that much $$$. IF Donovan doesn’t get snatched up as a LT for big $$$ by some team, we (hopefully) could work out a deal for less money to use him as a RT, Guard & backup LT if our draftee gets injured (or flames out like Aguayo?). The alternative there is to franchise tag him & pay him for 2019, then see how he responds to the new coaching staff. Licht’s drafting & FA moves have left us with very little leverage at this point.
January 28th, 2019 at 12:01 pm
I feel fine about the Bucs spot. The combine is going to be fun in terms of these DTs like Oliver/Simmons/etc. There may end up emerging a consensus top like 7-8 elite talents vs just 3-4.
January 28th, 2019 at 12:08 pm
*hunting for tapes…..
January 28th, 2019 at 12:28 pm
@ #5, pick ed oliver or q.williams…..
if there’s a trading partner, trade down collect picks…ed oliver may still be there all the way until pick #10…..
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
January 28th, 2019 at 12:29 pm
There aren’t 3 QBs being considered as top 10 picks (only two). All the experts are saying outside of QB Bosa and Allen will be the first two picks off the board. Unless a photo of him getting high with a gas mask on emerge the Bucs won’t get anywhere near him.
January 28th, 2019 at 12:34 pm
I believe our DE are fine. JPP, Nassib & Curry. I believe out 1st pick should be OL. Preferably J. Williams. This years Nelson.
January 28th, 2019 at 12:48 pm
yeah, all the mock’s ive seen have josh allen gone before we pick…..
imo, our problem is the middle of the dline….we need quality production and depth at the DT position….
shutting down the run along with playing tighter coverage on the outside will improve the defense tremendously….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
January 28th, 2019 at 1:06 pm
Going to be the exact same situation as last year, missed out on top tier talent like Saquon or Chubb, will be too late to pick Bosa or Allen this year.
Don’t get your hopes up.
January 28th, 2019 at 1:23 pm
Why are you saying LT is a bigger need? Could argue all day on different points but performance speaks for itself.
Top end offense League worst defense……..How does it not smack you in the face that we need to use the #5 pick on defense? We don’t need another elite player on offense. That’s utterly ridiculous. We need elite player on defense cause we gone none….as in zero.
It would make more sense if there was even a bonefided Top 5 Tackle in this draft it might make a little sense. But there isn’t. All the Top 5 players are defense…….It should be the easiest pick this franchise every made sure nce our biggest need matches BPA.
Sheesh…..Don’t know what y’all are thinking. Just cause you want a LT don’t mean it has to be with the #5 pick. That’s not how your supposted to use a Top Five pick.
January 28th, 2019 at 1:28 pm
Everyone got the Jets taking Josh Allen.
My hope is the QB hungry teams trade with the Jets. I think this will be a very likely scenario too. Ideally two teams trade up ahead of us. That’s gives us a very real chance at landing a Bosa or Allen.
January 28th, 2019 at 1:33 pm
I say if Q. Williams is there we should take him. Dude is NFL ready and has huge upside still.
January 28th, 2019 at 1:41 pm
Joe, the top 2 teams with the best defenses entering into the playoffs got knocked out in the WC round, and the last 4 standing had the highest PPG in the league. You know what this means? It means you don’t need and elite defense to win championships, you need an elite offense. This team can pick up yardage with the best of them but didn’t get into the endzone anywhere near as much, we need an improved O-line to fix that.
January 28th, 2019 at 2:48 pm
Jimmy Jack –
Assuming you read what OneBucPerson posted above – go back and read it again.
“Just cause you want a LT don’t mean it has to be with the #5 pick. That’s not how your supposted to use a Top Five pick.”
Its not that I want a LT – the Bucs NEED a LT. And they absolutely cannot afford to pay $15M to Donovan Smith next year via franchise tag – just so he can prove yet again that he’s too inconsistent to be paid long term as a top 10 tackle.
Jameis deserves a REAL top 10 tackle – not a guy who plays matador 2-3 plays per game pretty consistently and is only occasionally a good run blocker – yet still wants to get paid like none of those “issues” exist….
The #5 pick is EXACTLY where you pick up a true franchise LT prospect. Left Tackle is either 2nd or 3rd on the premium position list behind QB. DE is the other and we have JPP and Nassib for now. And would be picking either the 2nd or 3rd best DE of this class at #5.
In the Bucs position this year – it’s likely better to try and get the first OT off the board and hopefully get that LT position squared away long term. The right way! – via the draft with high end talent.
Sounds like a lot better idea to me than paying an inconsistent LT BIG $ so he can continue being a liability to this offense on WAY too many plays per game and per season.
This is all assuming that the Bucs deem a LT in this year’s class worthy of the #5 pick. I’m all about draft value and I know Licht is too. You have to be sure you are getting a rock solid prospect at #5 – regardless of position. You CANT fail with that high of a pick. Not every draft has a LT or any OL player worthy of a top 5 pick.
I will trust the guys who get paid by the Bucs to make that determination. If the Buccaneers Big Board says the best OT in the draft is #9 on their board and the #2 or #3 player on your board who happens to play DE or MLB or CB falls to you at 5 – then of course – that’s a no brainer. You take the best player available at a position of relative need with the #5 pick. No ifs ands or buts.
Conversely though – if you have an Offensive Tackle rated 3rd or 4th or 5th on your Big Board – and he’s there when your pick comes at #5. You take that OT – and pray that he plays up to your rating – because if he does – he’s gonna be really good for you long term.
January 28th, 2019 at 3:01 pm
I agree with Pickgrin. We’re not desperate for a DE. We absolutely MUST draft OT if the right player is there.
January 28th, 2019 at 3:33 pm
So Walter Football has Juwon Taylor as the best tackle prospect…CBS has him 31st overall pick including all positions…3rd tackle.
This draft does not include any “generational” OL like Quentin Nelson was last year. There are several good prospects…most like Jonah Williams for Bama but he is projected 7th and Greg Little from Ole Miss is between Williams and Taylor.
I’m not a Gator or a Nole but I watched some Florida games this year and I wouldn’t mind getting Taylor he looked good to me and is perhaps one of the reasons Felipe Franks had a good season.
Bottom line…this draft is loaded with defensive players not so much on offense. But again if we really want an OL first and consider that an important need we can definitely trade down and have a good selection.
If like Joe we’re desperate for Josh Allen…and I take his points…then we’re probably going to have to go in the other direction.
@LUV So if we wanted to trade up we’re only talking a few spots to get Allen could we pull that off with our #5 and perhaps a player like DJAX? I do not wish to give up any draft picks because we need some rookie contracts to offset our payroll which is now pushing salary cap concerns. Might take GMC or even a combination of players.
January 28th, 2019 at 5:41 pm
LT at #5!!! Best move for the long term future of the team!!!
January 28th, 2019 at 6:31 pm
Pickgrin……..We can go back and forth all day arguing which is the biggest need. But I think it can be looked at very simply…………We have the worst defense in all of football. It’s very easy to see(at least to me) that our biggest need is on defense.
On offense we can literally put the exact same team on the field as last year(maybe not Djax). We are talking about a Top Ten offense we can retain.
Sure there are needs on offense but all of them are a very far cry then the glaring needs we have on defense.
We are talking about a defense that is basically incapable of winning games for us.
The need for a LT is there but it doesn’t even come close to how many improvements need to be made on defense.
If this defense doesn’t improve we will be a losing team again. It will be unavoidable. You can’t say that about LT. Defense is in fact our biggest need.
As far as draft value goes. Look at St Pete’s post above. There’s only defense in the top 5. The only reason to take an OL that high is to fill a need. Teams reach for LTs all the time. Not wise to do it with a #5 pick.
January 28th, 2019 at 6:35 pm
And to think Joe, it wouldn’t have even been #5 if we won that last game
Jameis was trying hard to make drafting Dwayne Haskins a wrong move…I hope we ar right
And don’t get mahommes’ed!!!!!!!
January 28th, 2019 at 10:27 pm
Correct and JW cannot function while on his ass. Left tackle at #5
January 28th, 2019 at 11:38 pm
Yes let’s draft a decent LT in one of the best DL drafts ever.
January 29th, 2019 at 9:29 am
Chucky WILL NOT draft a Quarterback in the first round. He never has and never will. He’ll trade for one or dip into free agency. He prefers veteran QBs.
Brad Johnson, Jeff Garcia, Brian Griese (twice)…even traded for the rights to a retired Jake Plummer.
January 29th, 2019 at 9:38 am
As far as our first pick, I see us trading down…but I firmly believe the plan will be to gradually make the change toward more of a 3-4, so any defensive players we take will lean in that direction…or at least will not work against it.
I’m thinking Joe #2 will finally get that first round RB he’s been wanting on an annual basis.
I do not think it will be OL. I think we have all the future starters on this team already. Warhop was not getting it done.
LT Donovan Smith
LG Cappa or Liedke (sp)
C Jensen
RG Ali Marpet (hoping Arians has common sense)
RT Wester
That is the future of the OL starters. At least for this year.
January 29th, 2019 at 9:41 am
A real surprise would be if Arians took a QB. If no one trades up for one, he might be tempted if the right one falls into his lap.