Jason Licht “Did A Good Job This Weekend”
May 1st, 2023
Singles out Bucs’ GM.
Via attrition, osmosis and death, helmethair Mel Kiper has become the father of draftniks. He just celebrated his 40th year providing BSPN with draft analysis.
And in grading teams for last week’s draft, Kiper gave a shoutout to Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht for what Kiper believes is an underrated, strong draft class.
This Bucs class isn’t flashy, but it shouldn’t go under the radar. General manager Jason Licht landed three really good players with his top selections. Calijah Kancey (No. 19 overall) is a penetrating defensive tackle with elite first-step quickness who had 7.5 sacks last season. He might have been a top-five pick if he were a couple of inches taller.
Offensive lineman Cody Mauch (48) impressed by taking a step up in talent level at the Senior Bowl. It sounds like the Bucs see him as guard, but I think he could start at right tackle in time. And defensive end YaYa Diaby (82), who made my pre-draft favorites list, has the tools to become a steal. He had nine sacks last season and was extremely impressive during the athletic testing at the combine.
On Day 3, I liked edge rusher Jose Ramirez (196) as a late flier and tight end Payne Durham (171) as an upside play to find a pass-catcher. Licht did a good job this weekend.
So what grade did the Father of Draftniks give Licht? He got a “B.’
Kiper isn’t the only guy to give Licht props. Joe got an unsolicited text after the second day of the draft from a former NFL suit, “Love what Jason is doing.”
The athletic ability of some Bucs picks is really off the charts. Joe’s not worried about second-round pick offensive lineman Cody Mauch or tight end Payne Durham (fifth round). But the defensive guys, well, now it’s up to Bucs coach Todd Bowles and his assistants to mold them.
No excuses, gentlemen.
May 1st, 2023 at 8:13 am
licht was never the problem. look what BA did with licht players.
with this head coach it does not matter who we draft.
May 1st, 2023 at 8:16 am
robert Says:
May 1st, 2023 at 8:13 am
licht was never the problem. look what BA did with licht players.
with this head coach it does not matter who we draft.
^^^^^^^^
Defeatist attitude.
May 1st, 2023 at 8:22 am
Robert , you are one of the guy’s who do nothing but complain about Bowles. at least give him a shot this year. He has his coaches and he had a hell of a draft. If he can’t do it this year, he will definitely be run out of town.
May 1st, 2023 at 8:27 am
meh, I view last year as his second chance. he was horrible with the jets and now he is here. how many chances does he get?
May 1st, 2023 at 8:27 am
With 5 of the last 6 first draft picks (4 first and 1 second) going to the front 7, there really is no excuse for the defense.
May 1st, 2023 at 8:28 am
LOL, Cody Mauch was picked not so much for his athletic ability, but for his ability to put away Cuban Sandwiches.
May 1st, 2023 at 8:29 am
“No excuses, gentlemen.”
This almost gets said as if circumstances don’t matter and we want the desired outcome we expect instead of having to deal with reality. Publicly, I’ve heard nothing from any coach on this staff that sounds like “an excuse” and it’s kind of an irrational stance to take, but go head and cook Joe lol
May 1st, 2023 at 8:39 am
Coach Bowles is an outstanding defensive coach. This draft puts Tampa in position to be a top five defense. The talent is considerably above league averages. How well the team will do? Depends on what the new offensive coordinator brings and, of course, injuries. Given the salary cap issues, this roster for exceeds expectations.
May 1st, 2023 at 8:48 am
I trust Bowles with the defense. I just hope he trusts the new OC enough to get out of his way and let him score some points.
May 1st, 2023 at 8:52 am
Personally, I think this was Licht’s best draft. Though, time will only tell.
May 1st, 2023 at 9:00 am
How many starters did we get?
May 1st, 2023 at 9:01 am
I like how Licht went BU early and often.
May 1st, 2023 at 9:15 am
The thing I like about this draft class with the exception of the tight end who will be a good red zone threat is the athleticism of the picks. Especially guys like Mauch. Dude can really move. And pure speed with a late round receiver who can fly and let’s not forget the free agent running back from the “Cuse” who runs a 4.3. Hopefully his medical situation is fine.
May 1st, 2023 at 9:38 am
@ George
I would guess we got at least 2 starters – Kancey and Mauch.
However there are several picks who will probably be getting some playing time as rotational and key reserves – Diaby, Dennis, Durham, Palmer and Hayes.
Not to mention UDFA – WR – R. Jarrett, RB – S. Tucker, OL – C.Murray and DB – K. Merriweather…
May 1st, 2023 at 10:00 am
I agree with having confidence in bowels only in the defense. Really wish he would have stayed the defensive coordinator. Is he perfect there not even close but he got us a Super Bowl ring with the way the defense played in 20 n the defense kept us in games last year n Brady got us a few wins cause of it. Hope he just focuses on defense let new OC do his thing but he’s never bin in this position. I believe we will have a top 5 defense this year or better.
May 1st, 2023 at 10:04 am
The more I look at this draft the more I like it. Imagine getting a pass rusher in the 6th round?
I will say this though.
These guys fit the 4-3 scheme – the Bucs staple since forever and not the Bowles 3-4. Interesting.
May 1st, 2023 at 10:07 am
Either Mel has no appetite for controversy any more or he has lost his fastball.
He used to be good, now not as much
May 1st, 2023 at 10:16 am
Outside QB and the OL, the days of “starters” are over because football has become situational, especially on defense.
I mean, for instance, if a D runs nickel 75% of the time, is the nickel DB a “starter?”
May 1st, 2023 at 10:18 am
Snowflakes and petunias advocate for excuses and against results.
“Reality” is helping the players improve on technique, on teaching them flawless comprehension of their assignments, and then adjusting the scheme to the talents of the team as a whole, thus producing the desired result.
Results, are everything. No more excuses.
May 1st, 2023 at 10:35 am
Joe, you forgot to mention who Kiper’s favorite RB was in the draft… it’s Sean Tucker.
May 1st, 2023 at 10:36 am
Is he? Joe never heard or read Kiper say this.
May 1st, 2023 at 10:38 am
Marine Buc… why everyone so high on UDFA Murray? Haggard is the better prospect and at a position of need… BTW. Merriwether is okay. But Izien has a better shot of making the team. His measurables are fantastic and he’s started 41 college games and made Big 10 Honorable Mention a couple of times.
May 1st, 2023 at 10:49 am
I love this draft but we won’t really be able to accurately evaluate it until at least year two. Some of these guys will need to be developed.
Even with the 1st Round DT, while he will IMO be disruptive on day one, he’ll make a big jump in his second year after a year in the weight room.
May 1st, 2023 at 10:58 am
Cody Mauch is actually an exceptional athlete and had an RAS (relative athlete score) of 9.3 Payne not so much 6.58 but he doesn’t need to be anything more than a big body receiving TE for us.
By far the worst athlete we drafted was Hayes.
May 1st, 2023 at 11:04 am
@ Brandon
I agree – both of those guys look solid as well.
I didn’t want to have to list everyone. My point is – there will probably be several UDFAs who make the final roster…
I like C. Murray – but that doesn’t mean I don’t like Haggard. I just don’t know much about him.
May 1st, 2023 at 11:07 am
I think wheeling and dealing tends to hype up a teams draft perception. We didn’t swing big for any player, didn’t snag a QB early, it was pretty vanilla but sometimes less is more.
May 1st, 2023 at 11:41 am
@Joe… I’ll have to find the video or quote… I definitely saw it after he was signed. Kiper didn’t say he was the best… just his favorite.
May 1st, 2023 at 11:44 am
Thanks.
May 1st, 2023 at 11:45 am
Found it… I know you hate links so just type in “Kiper favorite Sean Tucker”… it links you to an ESPN article that requires a subscription as well as another article.
May 1st, 2023 at 11:45 am
Thank you for the links Brandon! Unfortunately, the Syracuse(dot)com story only has the first two graphs. — Joe.
May 1st, 2023 at 12:13 pm
Im pretty happy….it was a solid draft….LOVE the Taz Kancey and Mauch picks bigtime!!
May 1st, 2023 at 12:56 pm
You say Hayes was by far the worst athlete but you should read more about K States defense and how Hayes plays in it.
This dude has played 6 seasons in a defense that was 3-3-5 and can play several positions.
He understands the game at a higher level than Dean RIGHT NOW.
That will never change.
You can have the big fast dumb players and I’ll beat you with Heart Determination, Intelligence and Instincts all day long.
May 1st, 2023 at 1:19 pm
I think this draft is going to be on The Right Side of History!
May 1st, 2023 at 2:39 pm
Top guesses of former NFL suit applauding Licht:
A) Jon Robinson
B) Steve Keim
C) Mark DirtStar Dominik
May 1st, 2023 at 3:15 pm
Overall, a very solid “reload and retool” draft.
BTW, like cobraboy said, especially on defence, starters are ill defined anymore. As for Mauch, he will be a starter sooner than later in this offense Canales is constructing. Yaya and the Kancey Man will be part of a rotation even if they do eventually start. The others will be either rotational or depth while playing STs. Depth players start if the injury bug hits.
May 1st, 2023 at 3:17 pm
Turner is intriguing. Hope he’s ok.
May 1st, 2023 at 3:19 pm
Overall, a very solid “reload and retool” draft.
BTW, like @cobraboy said, especially on defence, starters are ill defined anymore. As for Mauch, he will be a starter sooner than later in this offense Canales is constructing. Yaya and the Kancey Man will be part of a rotation even if they do eventually start. The others will be either rotational or depth while playing STs. Depth players start if the injury bug hits.
May 1st, 2023 at 6:02 pm
shocked he didn’t take jaylen duncan OT or several other juicy prospects when he took Josh Hayes, but the rest of it made sense
May 2nd, 2023 at 12:23 am
@Robert
Todd Bowles actually won 10 games with the jets with Fitzpatrick as his QB. So no he wasn’t terrible.