Jacksonville GM: Jason Licht Tried To Trade Up With Me
April 24th, 2020
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Fantastic inside information delivered by an exclusive NFL.com report.
The Buccaneers were very prepared to trade up to No. 9 last night at the last minute, according to a report from Michael Silver as he shadowed Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell through the draft.
A few minutes after the Cardinals picked LB Isaiah Simmons, Licht started dialing up Caldwell offering up third- and fourth-round picks.
“That was the backup plan, however, and it wasn’t necessary: The Cardinals selected Simmons and, at 9:12 p.m., the Jags were officially on the clock. Caldwell, who was about to contact Henderson and inform the former Florida cornerback of his impending selection, instead fielded another call — from Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht, who was looking to move up from the 14th pick. After a very quick conversation, Caldwell said to the Khans (who were on their yacht) and Marrone (who was home with his family), “Tampa would give us a third and a fourth, and he wants us to give a 6 back. I don’t really want to give the 6 back. …”
Obviously, the deal didn’t go down. But who were Licht and Bucco Bruce Arians so eager to draft?
Joe’s got a list of picks and teams below:
It makes sense that Licht was chasing a tackle for a two reasons. First, the Bucs drafted a tackle. Second, Licht said last night that he expected the run on tackles to start earlier.
So which tackle was Licht after? Did he nearly trade up too far for Wirfs? Or was highly-touted Alabama right tackle Jedrick Wills the guy?
A fun piece of Bucs history here and the full story is via the link above.
1. Cincinnati: QB Joe Burrow, LSU
2. Washington: EDGE Chase Young, Ohio State
3. Detroit: CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
4. NY Giants: OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
5. Miami: QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
6. LA Chargers: QB Justin Herbert, Oregon
7. Carolina: DT Derrick Brown, Auburn
8. Arizona: LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
9. Jacksonville: CB CJ Henderson, Florida
10. Cleveland: OT Jedrick Wills, Alabama
11. NY Jets: OT Mekhi Becton, Louisville
12. Las Vegas: WR Henry Ruggs, Alabama
13. Tampa Bay f/IND via SF: OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
14. San Francisco f/TB: DL Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
April 24th, 2020 at 2:50 pm
Im guessing Wills….he also dropped further than I thought. But it couldve been Wirfs and they knew Cleveland was going OT (so glad they grabbed Becton, OVERREACH!!) But we got Wirfs so all is good.
Great info, thanks 🙂
April 24th, 2020 at 2:50 pm
Pretty clear that it was either Wills or Wirf, not sure which they had rated higher, but if I had to guess, I would have guessed Wills at 9.
April 24th, 2020 at 2:52 pm
Correction…my bad, Browns grabbed Wills, Jets were going OT and grabbed Becton.
April 24th, 2020 at 2:52 pm
I think we got a good one in Wirfs. This will be an interesting draft to review a few years from now. I am curious to see how all the OT’s and CB’s selected end up doing. I recall seeing 5 or 6 CB’s selected.
April 24th, 2020 at 2:52 pm
I assume it was wirfs. Which doesn’t surprise me. He was expected to be the first or second OT gone. Seems like we saved out third rounder by not getting that draft trade. Although maybe it was for becton. We will never know. We got ”our guy.” Couldn’t be happier with Wirfs, wont have a kid to worry about off the field. He is the OT I wanted the whole time. Pumped. Time for a RB then a Safety. Lets. roll . GO BUCS
April 24th, 2020 at 2:54 pm
I think Becton would have had a tough time with the heat out there. I really do. This kid is going to be special. SO happy.
April 24th, 2020 at 2:54 pm
Jason can’t hold his water
Marginal operator
April 24th, 2020 at 2:55 pm
I think it was probably Whirfs- I think they really valued him being well-coached.
April 24th, 2020 at 2:55 pm
I’d say it worked out in our favor. We got a stud and didn’t have to give up that 3rd rounder. Hopefully Licht can hold back his desperation today and find us a beast RB, plenty of them left.
April 24th, 2020 at 2:56 pm
Sounds like a panic buy, glad it worked out and we got the beast
April 24th, 2020 at 2:58 pm
CLEARLY Wirfs was the man they wanted, he should’ve gone 4th and when he didn’t, they were panicked and willing to trade to 9 to get him… and that’s why they got so desperate to move up ONE spot – they were afraid SF would’ve traded away their “in case he drops” pick.
April 24th, 2020 at 3:00 pm
Of course Jacksonville isn’t going to deal with us. Tony Khan helps run the team with his dad, and Tony Khan also owns AEW Wrestling. The Bucs just traded for the WWE 24/7 champ. The bad blood here is obvious.
April 24th, 2020 at 3:01 pm
Dodged a bullet there!!! Thanks Jville!
April 24th, 2020 at 3:06 pm
We’ll never know if it was Wills, Becton or Wirfs. Whatever he says about it from this point forward can’t be trusted as truth. Regardless, I’m good with the pick and the price paid. Bucs just keep on winning the offseason.
April 24th, 2020 at 3:06 pm
Glad J’ville turned us down or we’d be missing a 3rd tonight…..
April 24th, 2020 at 3:07 pm
@Rod Munch,
The wrestling connection is a huge reach. Does anyone care about a 24/7 title? Lmao, it’s a PR stunt and a joke.
April 24th, 2020 at 3:10 pm
Don’t look now but Brady might be already causing the Bucs money/picks:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/boston.cbslocal.com/2020/04/24/nfl-teams-miffed-at-tom-brady-want-bucs-penalized-interactions/amp/#scso=_VDmjXtixBpWtytMPl5ytuQ1:151.42857360839844
April 24th, 2020 at 3:11 pm
I hope someone runs out and drop kicks Gronk after a TD, just from a pure entertainment perspective that would be amazing. Gronk tearing his shoulder in the process would probably be BucLuck.
April 24th, 2020 at 3:13 pm
And…isn’t that somewhat unethical to be blabbing what another GM is offering…..and during the draft to boot……it just seems that way……
April 24th, 2020 at 3:16 pm
Willis
But i like this kid. Plus he is used to right side.
Perfect fit
April 24th, 2020 at 3:19 pm
He was after Wills probably. Glad the deal fell through. The Bucs need their 3rd rd pick.
April 24th, 2020 at 3:21 pm
Im hoping we don’t rush to grab a RB if there is a good player like Epenesa, Delpit, Mckinney,Blacklock, Baun, Winfield, Fulton, Shenault, etc…
There are 4 or 5 running backs that would fit our needs, so I feel like we can be a little patient. We could grab a big impact player like one above and still get a great RB in the 3rd or in a trade up later.
April 24th, 2020 at 3:21 pm
wills
and when that fell thru, he wasnt going tolet anything stop him from getting wirfs…
GO BUCS!!!!!
April 24th, 2020 at 3:22 pm
Caldwell’s been the Jacksonville GM since 2013 … record 36-76 (32% winning percentage) with 1 winning season. He could’ve had a Rnd 1, Rnd 3 & Rnd 4 pick by moving down 5 spaces (#9 to #14) and STILL gotten Henderson.
But at least Caldwell still has his Rnd 6 pick. There is that … Duh. And now Jacksonville’s record since hiring Caldwell starts to make sense.
April 24th, 2020 at 3:31 pm
Wills was the better talent hands down but we were lucky to land the guy we did.
April 24th, 2020 at 3:35 pm
Had to been for Wills. But thank god it didnt to thru. A 3rd n 4th would’ve been way too much to give up. We got a strong OT even if he wasnt my preferred choice. We got our guy. Now get another 2nd or 3rd and get our RB, Safety, and slot WR. I’m loving our offseason so far! Keep it up!!
April 24th, 2020 at 3:41 pm
I was texting with Wills’ agent last night (from Young Money) during the draft and there was no mention of the Bucs, but that doesn’t mean anything as Wills’ camp didn’t think they’d fall out of the top 9.
Wills was most likely the Bucs target as he started at RT for Bama and could slide right into the starting position a little easier than Wilfs who had some struggles with run blocking. Wills is the better run blocker and the ‘safer’ pick. Wilfs might have greater upside if he can improve.
April 24th, 2020 at 3:46 pm
I don’t know how Caldwell still has a job. Boy, and I thought Licht was bad.
April 24th, 2020 at 3:47 pm
@Defense Rules Says:
April 24th, 2020 at 3:22 pm
He could’ve had a Rnd 1, Rnd 3 & Rnd 4 pick by moving down 5 spaces (#9 to #14) and STILL gotten Henderson.
Jeez – of course you are correct. His chance for C.J. Henderson at 14 was probably 90 percent. That is the epitomy of bad game theory analysis by Caldwell.
I was only thinking about it from the Buc’s point of view. Caldwell really screwed up. You have to take that deal if you want Henderson every single time.
April 24th, 2020 at 3:47 pm
Oh! I forgot to mention, for what its worth but I think the Bucs should trade D. Smith for T. Williams. Maybe even throw in Howard.
April 24th, 2020 at 3:56 pm
TYPO: WIRFS not WILFS. Heh.
April 24th, 2020 at 3:59 pm
Ndog wow Brady visited a coach. At least all Winston did was sexually assault a woman and possibly rape another. Yeah Brady is the dirt bag in this scenario.
Man you are an idiot
April 24th, 2020 at 4:02 pm
Yup, only the Jags would pass up good draft capital to stay put (and hold on to their 6th round pick omg) only to reach for a guy from my Florida Gators. For everyone who hates Licht, thank your starts there are still greater fools out there running other teams.
April 24th, 2020 at 4:02 pm
Brady is a thug .
April 24th, 2020 at 4:04 pm
Ndog that’s fine how money Jameis cost the Bucs ?????? On and off the field?????????? Even before the drafted him thei had to hire a team to investigate him lol. He never stop costing the Bucs money and never made them any lol. Beat bro your spit getting tired.
April 24th, 2020 at 4:15 pm
it all worked out just right but it shows some desperation on part of Licht–too much to pay for a right tackle.
I like the guy we got, and glad to still have a 3rd rd pick
April 24th, 2020 at 4:17 pm
lambchop – dude, I was kidding. That was really obvious by how absurd the comment was.
April 24th, 2020 at 4:21 pm
Maybe in 3 years when Licht and Arians are no longer employed and Wirfs is a backup guard on his second team the truth will come out on who they would have selected had they had a choice of those three. My Money is on Wills.
April 24th, 2020 at 4:58 pm
Itz…with prognostications like that, I suggest you not bet on anything.
April 24th, 2020 at 5:11 pm
I don’t remember a time with 4 OT’s drafted in the first 13 picks.
April 24th, 2020 at 5:32 pm
Ndog
the SB rings will be well worth it….
GO BUCS!!!!!
April 24th, 2020 at 6:01 pm
That’s Jacksonville for you. They could’ve got their guy in the Buc’s spot. If you want to draft one of the tackles, it might make sense, but a third and a fourth (throwing back the 6th) and you still get the same guy you’re going to draft at 9. How could they not do that deal?
April 24th, 2020 at 6:34 pm
I must say, I’d be really tempted to give away our 3rd to secure Swift early in the 2nd. Swift can do it all and has plenty of juice. I just don’t know if we can afford it. Still need to add a safety, depth on the d-line, and need to take advantage of all the depth at WR in this draft. For those reasons I’d sit tight and keep both picks tonight.
April 24th, 2020 at 8:28 pm
So licht let a player he was willing to give an extra 3rd and 4th round pick walk for a 6th round pick. Is he really this dumb?