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BY IRA KAUFMAN

They’re now in the hands of Tampa Bay’s coaches, which is a good thing.

The Bucs stuck to their draft board during the premium rounds and came away with three players that will need development.

Until Bruce Arians arrived and hired a savvy staff, the word “development” appeared to be a foreign concept around One Buc Place.

Not anymore.

These men and women teach. They challenge. They inspire. They get players better.

There’s every reason to believe outside linebackers coach Larry Foote will get the best out of first-round pick Joe Tryon. Kyle Trask will be working closely with Byron Leftwich and Clyde Christensen. And don’t think for a moment that Arians, the ‘ol QB whisperer, won’t be in Trask’s ear during training camp.

Third-round selection Robert Hainsey, a solid right tackle at Notre Dame, is about to get a crash course in interior line play. Hainsey showcased his versatility at the Senior Bowl, moving up on Jason Licht’s board, and could prove to be a capable performer at tackle, guard and center.

He’s Harold Goodwin’s baby now.

Licht entered this draft feeling liberated — and it showed.

He prefers to draft players with considerable college experience, but Tryon doesn’t fit the mold. He started only 14 games at Washington and didn’t play at all in 2020.

That didn’t stop Licht from selecting an edge rusher with a mean streak and a fast motor. You can debate whether Tryon should be considered a project, but it’s a stretch to think he’s polished enough to make an immediate impact on the pro level.

That’s alright, because the Bucs boast two of the NFL’s premier edge rushers in Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul. Tryon’s initial role will be to give JPP and Barrett a breather, work diligently on his craft, soak up everything Foote says and contribute on special teams.

Bright Lights, Slow Roll

The Bucs dominated the second-round national headlines by selecting Trask, a two-year starter in Gainesville. Instead of focusing on Trask’s minimal mobility and average arm strength, Tampa Bay was swayed by what Trask CAN do – deliver footballs accurately, and on time.

Let’s not get carried away here. If Brady twists his ankle in the middle of the regular-season opener, don’t expect Arians to turn to Trask under center. That’s not the way Arians is wired.

He’d much rather trust a veteran.

Drafting Trask now gives Arians and his palace guard an opportunity to assess his skills and his NFL future. He may have what it takes to replace Brady one day, or he could be found wanting.

Trask will get snaps in the preseason and all he wants is an opportunity to prove his skeptics wrong. Sounds a little like a guy named Brady.

Speaking of Brady, the Bucs did the smart thing by keeping him in the loop about their draft plans. Brady knew there was a decent chance the Bucs were going to come away with a quarterback, so he wasn’t blind-sided.

That’s how you treat a 7-time Super Bowl champion.

Surely, Brady won’t feel his job is threatened whatsoever by the 64th pick in the draft, but you never know. Derrick Brooks always said he came to training camp fearful somebody was going to take his spot.

It’s hard to imagine Brady working any more diligently on his craft. He’ll see Trask for what he is, a potential successor when No. 12 decides he’s had enough. Brady will make that decision, nobody else.

It’s fashionable to say Brady is expected to mentor Trask, helping him transition to the pro game. There’s only one problem … with that scenario: it’s not Brady’s job.

That’s Clyde Christensen’s job. Brady’s job is to be the best player he can be for the 2021 Bucs.

This coaching staff prides itself on maximizing potential. Look at the job they’ve done with young players like Ronald Jones, Carlton Davis, Devin White and Tristan Wirfs.

Like most rookies, Tryon, Trask and Hainsey will need to be coached up.

They’ve come to the right place.

Ira!

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