“The Best Fit For Our Team”
April 24th, 2019
LSU linebacker Devin White
A loved and hated former Buccaneer was talking all things Tampa Bay and the NFL Draft this week, and he was very clear in his first-round calls.
Joe’s talking about mercurial Michael Clayton, the former superstar Bucs rookie wide receiver whose career plummeted in historic fashion before he resurrected himself in New York and won a Super Bowl.
Clayton told WDAE-AM 620 that he has no confidence in general manager Jason Licht but he does have confidence in Bucco Bruce Arians taking charge and leading all aspects of the team, including getting the best out of Licht.
In Round 1, Clayton says he’d be pleased to see the Bucs land Quinnen Williams or Nick Bosa. Clayton doubts they’ll be there and said the fast-impact player he most wants certainly should be available.
“But the perfect fit for what we need to do, losing Kwon Alexander, is hands down Devin White,” Clayton explained. “He’s a better linebacker than Kwon Alexander. No disrespect to Kwon, but he just covers better. When you turn on the tape, his speed is second to none. He’s an impact player.
“He can cover back side of the backfield, which is something that we definitely need playing in the NFC South with Christian McCaffrey and Alvin] Kamara. You need a guy like Devin White; he’s a gamechanger. You know that he has the ability to step on the field as a rookie and play. Like I said, you can’t pass on [Quinnen] Williams, I understand. You can’t go wrong with the fifth pick whoever is there available. But the best fit for our team to make an impact is hands-down Devin White.”
Clayton was adamant that he is not being biased for White because he’s a fellow LSU player. And Clayton also was firm that he’d absolutely take White over Kentucky defensive end Josh Allen.
Interestingly, Clayton thinks White is more of a fit with Arians’ stated offseason goal: reload versus rebuild. If one believes the Bucs have enough horses off the edge, then sure, Clayton makes sense there. But who believes that?
For later rounds, Clayton talked about what Joe has referenced several times: if Arians wants to win now, then he’ll likely need to trust Todd Bowles to make something out of the Bucs’ shaky defense and draft more offensive players in order to outscore teams.
Clayton has his eye on wide receiver Jalenn Hurd out of Baylor, calling him an “unstoppable” Kellen Winslow, Jr. type of player, and shifty running back Myles Gaskin from Washington.
Join Ira Kaufman and Joe at the annual NFL Draft blowout. Everything will get rolling at the South Tampa Buffalo Wild Wings around 5:30 p.m. All kinds of drink specials!! TVs inside and out. Buffet available!!!
April 24th, 2019 at 10:44 am
Unless licht tries to get cute this will be the pick might as well. What sucks about this draft is I can see the need for linebacker, dl and corner. You’ll only get 2-3 and don’t think your gonna get anyone at corner to beat out VH3 or a starter at linebacker in round three even if you do get a good player. It would be a pipe dream to trade down and still get white
April 24th, 2019 at 10:44 am
Jalen Hurd is going to go earlier than expected similar to what antonio callaway did when he was supposed to be a 4th round pick
love clayton being a real bucs fan and calling it like he sees it. Martin Fennelley said basically the same thing on a podcast this morning
April 24th, 2019 at 11:03 am
I mean it’s hard to be mad at the idea of White when basically every scout or analyst has him in the top 5-10.
Even Brett Kollman, who broke his film down and has concerns about his mental instincts/game, had him in his top 5-6.
However I still would prefer Ed Oliver / Josh Allen for the positional value.
April 24th, 2019 at 11:04 am
Hurd was suppose to go in the 6-7 round in Feb/March now people are talking about him in the 2/3 round. Not bad for a Wr who can’t run a route or catch the ball well. Don’t get me wrong the kid is going to be good one day, he’s a play maker. It’s gonna be a year or two from now. He SHOULD go late 4/5. Cowboys take him in the 3rd is my guess. Too bad because the Bucs really liked him as a day 3 guy.
April 24th, 2019 at 11:04 am
I sure hope Nassib or JPP don’t get hurt. There won’t be any worthy DE’s by round 2.
April 24th, 2019 at 11:05 am
Maybe after White is the pick the Clueless Joe on the podcast will understand a 3-4 is based of the strength of LB’s not an edge rush. Your edge rush comes from LB’s in a 3-4
Who on this roster is gonna cover Kamara or McCafferey out of the backfield?
April 24th, 2019 at 11:10 am
Me too Lord Corn. I respect Kollman, saw it the day it posted and have been skeptical of White ever since. Maybe Q will fall in are lap and all will be happy. The fan base would love Cashman (4th) and forget all about it.
April 24th, 2019 at 11:10 am
I agree with Clayton. Especially this….
“He’s a better linebacker than Kwon Alexander. No disrespect to Kwon”
And I don’t think it’s close. He’s larger, faster, and possesses the ability to truly effect a game.
I also share his fear of Allen. We simply HAVE to take Quinnen if he’s on the board…probably Bosa although there are some questions there…so White appears the guy…again unless through some miracle we get Quinnen.
April 24th, 2019 at 11:15 am
It’s going to be white unless Q Williams or Josh Allen falls. That simple.
April 24th, 2019 at 11:17 am
Good prospect for sure… just doing see how you can pass on DL.. unless somehow we’re f$cked and the draft goes
Cards- Bosa
9ers – Williams
Jets – Allen
Raiders – Oliver
At that point I’d just trade back to the biggest QB needy team.
April 24th, 2019 at 11:21 am
I still think it is White, maybe be Jaylen Ferguson is availing the second, I still think the Bucs are in play for Mo Claiborne after the draft and if they can trade or either cut GMC. I really want guys who were productive in college, enough with the MJ Stewart who all of a sudden was going to become a ball hawk. I also heard in the BA press conference is that the LBs will be blitzing up the middle forcing QBs to the edge rushers. That equals Devin White, even though it is lying season, like BA said
April 24th, 2019 at 11:25 am
In addition: scouts only question his instincts, because he has only been playing LB for 3 years, prior to that he was deceased a RB. So if he has been that productive in the SEC, a couch that has coached both Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis, who he has been compared to then you have him learning from LVD and Buchanon…
April 24th, 2019 at 11:27 am
Manziel’s scenario is the 1 scenario I’d actually advocate just pulling the trigger on White at 5 and not f*cking around.
1-Devin White ILB
2-Jerry Tillery DT/DE
3-Oshane Ximines OLB/DE
4-7 BPA at OL/CB/RB/S
I’d be happy with something like that. I can live with a lot of scenarios honestly.
April 24th, 2019 at 11:27 am
It’s a no-brainer..
April 24th, 2019 at 11:28 am
i’m hoping White in the first, Dexter Lawrence or Rock Ya-Sin in 2. It wouldn’t break my heart for Simmons to be used with our 2.
April 24th, 2019 at 11:29 am
And felt that way before all the love.
April 24th, 2019 at 11:36 am
Said it before. White is the pick. This guy had the second most qb pressures in college. And BA just said LB will live blitzing the middle plus Kwon lost beckwith lost. White will be the leader. DE in second round. Keep Gerald. GMC deserves a second chance heck with the coaching we had the last 5yrs the guy has seen it over and over.
April 24th, 2019 at 11:38 am
not bias….lol….ok…sure…lol….
he may be fast but can he defend the pass?….judging by his 1career int at LSU im not so sure…..
TB said we’ll have 3 safeties on the field at times…..thats plenty speed to “chase down” RB’s from the back side or out the backfield….
d.bucannon will be playing LB in some looks and safety in other looks…he’ll be able to stick with kamara and cmac….
selecting ed oliver and pairing him with VV would shut down the run and make teams predictable….similar to what they’ve been doing to us the past 2years….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!!
April 24th, 2019 at 11:39 am
White over Allen? Makes zero sense
April 24th, 2019 at 11:40 am
Me an Clayton speak the same language
April 24th, 2019 at 11:40 am
Love to see us trade down with the Seahawks for their two first round picks (21, 29), a second and we swap third round picks as a sweetener.
April 24th, 2019 at 11:43 am
Scratch that, Seattle doesn’t have a Second round pick…
April 24th, 2019 at 11:48 am
I rather have Allen but I be OK with White.
April 24th, 2019 at 12:01 pm
I agree with MC. White unless QW. and White over Allen. exactly who is going to cover any RB. who ? I think in a 3-4 the MLB is a vital position. we have the ability to get a DE in 2nd that will be productive. There is no other MLB close. I grew up a NY Giant fan in NY, and was there when they drafted LT in the top 5. We were like hmmm. Well he changed football forever. I am not saying White is LT by any means but you can’t underestimate the impact of a great MLB on the whole D.
April 24th, 2019 at 12:12 pm
Q has one year under his belt as starter. This Q fest I’d somewhat trivial. If Q was a can’t miss prospect what happened in the national championship. Losing was not my issue Clemson was clearly better. But to have been a complete no show on a stage that Big is somewhat alarming to me.
April 24th, 2019 at 12:12 pm
Impressed Joe with the way you set up Michael Clayton in your intro … “Loved and hated” (nice touch). Almost as good as your “whose career plummeted in historic fashion before he resurrected himself in New York”.
But your coup-d’etat came with the “If one believes the Bucs have enough horses off the edge, then sure, Clayton makes sense there. But who believes that?” Uhhh, believe it or not, some of us JBFers do if fact believe that we’re currently better off at “the edge” than we are ‘in the middle’. Shocking I know, but if the Bucs can’t ‘fix the middle’ of our defense, this year will be a repeat of last year.
Michael Clayton hit the nail on the head IMO. IF Quinnen Williams is there, draft him then pick up the best MLB available in Rnd 2 or 3 (depending on who’s available). IF Williams isn’t there when we pick, then draft MLB Devin White, and then pick up the best DT we can get in Rnds 2 or 3 (again, depending on who’s available). Round out our Top-4 picks with a OLineman and a stud RB (who knows how to catch a football) and I’ll be happy. Just as soon as we sign a FA outside corner after the draft.
April 24th, 2019 at 12:12 pm
Joe
I’m hoping you respond to this and maybe an article. But the fact Donavan isn’t there is an issue for me. Do you agree his decision to stay home should be respected?
Dude is all over Twitter right now. Not like he’s doing anything special. And he’s tweeting in defense of his decision to stay home.
April 24th, 2019 at 12:12 pm
Do 3-4 OLBs never cover RBs or something?
Josh Allen was great in coverage and could do that I’d assume.
April 24th, 2019 at 12:16 pm
“Lacks instincts” but outperformed Luke Kuehly numbers in college and out here in this world winning Butkus awards and ish.. Imagine what he’ll look like when develop some then.
April 24th, 2019 at 12:19 pm
No one proclaiming Devin White doesn’t have some weaknesses. Every headliner in this class does. But like Michael stated he’s the best fit. Ya see when you watch his film you clearly come away understand his “down hill” game is second to none. That coincides with Bowles attacking style.
April 24th, 2019 at 12:27 pm
I would love Joe to elaborate on how Clayton resurrected his career. He did nothing in NY to contribute to the Super Bowel. Shocker! He went to LSU and thinks the Bucs should draft the player out of LSU. Clayton is a BUST on the field and a BUST on the radio.
That said, if Williams and Allen are gone I do think White would be a great pic.
April 24th, 2019 at 12:33 pm
would rather see clayton as GM than licht. Devon White should be a safe pic if Allen or Bosa are gone. need a corner and running back in later pics.
April 24th, 2019 at 12:38 pm
That’s right…ignore the OLine again and watch the stuffs and interceptions continue.
But that’s ok, you can always rationalize it by labeling rookies as busts
April 24th, 2019 at 12:43 pm
Alanbucsfan Says:
April 24th, 2019 at 12:38 pm
That’s right…ignore the OLine again and watch the stuffs and interceptions continue.
But that’s ok, you can always rationalize it by labeling rookies as busts
.
.
.
OL& DL rounds 1 thru 4…
April 24th, 2019 at 12:48 pm
JOE!!! Don’t quote Michael Clayton. He is not even in the top 10 of Bucs wide recievers statistically and he’s worse on the radio than he was on the field. If you look at his stats, he was good for ONE year. ONE. And “resurrected” in NY? Do your homework man. He had (1) target that whole SEASON (2011) and did not play in the SuperBowl. I don’t know what 620 and the rest of the media continue to perpetuate this lie. The dude is more of an example of this franchise failing and less an example of it any of it’s (limited) glory!!!
April 24th, 2019 at 12:54 pm
NOS
how many ints did white have in college?….
outperformed luke….i think not(if you watched football and not google stats)
lacks instincts…i thing so….
white is a good player, but he aint the best thing since sliced bread…lol…
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
April 24th, 2019 at 12:57 pm
Buccernutter,
So Donovan Smith signs a brand new big deal and his first act is to NOT show up?… with no good reason?
Is that what you are telling me?
If so, yes it pisses me off too.
April 24th, 2019 at 12:59 pm
Demon
Yes dude. And I commented on it on several outlets and got ripped cuz it’s “voluntary”. Not surprised with this team though unfortunately.
He’s just laughing at people who want him there. Smh
April 24th, 2019 at 1:07 pm
Can we please not have anything Michael Clayton says on this board . The guy has to be the biggest idiot I’ve ever listen to. It’s amazing to me how in our country just because somebody can play sport they’ve all the sudden become a authority on the sport politics and children and morality.
Let Allen and White both be on the board at 5. It wouldn’t even be a second thought for any GM in the league.
One of the Joe’s has been very adamant about middle linebacker and I agree with him 100%.
April 24th, 2019 at 1:12 pm
I have been hoping for a revamping of our LB corp for years. Would love to have White, I think he is going to be the leader for a long time on any team he lands with. But there is a lot of buzz now that Chucky has fallen in love with Ed Oliver, that he sees him as a modern day Warren Sapp player. That happens, and Allen drops to us we have a major decision to make. I would take either player. We will decide our fate in rounds 2-7 on this draft, but if we get either White or Allen I would be stoked.
April 24th, 2019 at 1:32 pm
I’m not crazy about taking ILB in the top five, but I also say White is a better prospect than Allen. I still say someone offers a can’t pass package with Haskins sitting there.
April 24th, 2019 at 1:40 pm
If you take White at five you simply are not getting all your value out of the 5 slot !!!
April 24th, 2019 at 1:53 pm
Guess all these pundits are simply stupid and JBFrs know better.. Right!
April 24th, 2019 at 2:32 pm
Isaac … White isn’t ‘value’ in the 5 slot? Quick question: are you satisfied with our LB corps as it stands today? White would give us a ILB with the size to counter runs up the gut, plus the speed to cover in the middle. Minter doesn’t have the speed, and Bucannon doesn’t have the size. Not to mention that neither of them has shown the LEADERSHIP potential that White could give our defense (and we desperately NEED leadership, particularly now that GMC is all but gone … cue tmaxcon).
‘Value’ doesn’t mean diddly if we have another losing season because we ignored our most pressing NEEDS. So many promoting NOT taking so-and-so (in this case Devin White) because of some mystical ‘value’ sound like folks who go to an All-You_Can-Eat buffet and pig out so that they can ‘get their money’s worth’, then puke on the ride home because they ate too much.
April 24th, 2019 at 3:43 pm
Q Williams if he’s available – otherwise White should be the pick.
If the Bucs pick at #5 – it better be one of those 2 players. Oliver over White if those are the choices in the unlikely scenario that Williams and White are already off the board.
I wouldn’t hate the idea of trading down a few spots if the compensation was very good (like two extra 2nd/3rd rd picks) – but only if the Bucs are able to land Devin Bush in the process….
April 24th, 2019 at 3:44 pm
meant to say Oliver over Allen if Q and White are off the board
April 24th, 2019 at 3:46 pm
If White is as good as people say he is, then it’s a great safe pick.
Defensive lineman bust at an insanely high rate, at least 50%. So sure, you might get someone good, but you have a very good chance you don’t.
If White comes in and is a pro-bowl player from year 1, which most people say he is, and he’s a guy who elevates himself from time to time to an All-Pro, then why not take him?
The idea of “value” keeping you from getting a nearly guaranteed star vs a lottery ticket is nonsense.
Now, with that said, everything above is reliant on White being as good as claimed, and I’ve watched zero tape this year and have no feel for him, so my comments are based on what I have read and the hype. If the Bucs skip because they don’t believe that hype, that’s one thing, but if they believe hype and skip because he doesn’t fit slot into the “value” chart – and instead take the next Keith McCants, then they look stupid, again. If you pass on White you had better hit on whoever you take, that’s really the big thing.
April 24th, 2019 at 9:21 pm
WHY IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT ED OLIVER, SO SLEPT ON. they should decide whether to take Allen or Oliver, or trade back no more than the bengals and get Devin Bush (just as good as White) and take a DE/DT with the 2 seconds and go from there
April 24th, 2019 at 9:22 pm
????????????????????
Because, perhaps, you are Rip Van Winkle? Or do you traffic in lesser Bucs sites?