A Day For The Draft Picks
October 19th, 2023
Rookie special teams ace Josh Hayes.
What a Sunday it was for general manager Jason Licht.
Yeah, Licht hated losing to the Lions. A win likely would have helped the Bucs down the road in their quest for the playoffs.
But Licht did get to see seven of his eight 2023 draft picks on the field, including debuts of tight end Payne Durham and linebacker SirVocea Dennis, both chosen in Round 5. Dennis was on all four special teams units and Durham got six snaps on offense and seven on special teams.
Joe doesn’t forget that the Bucs have 13 rookies on the roster, a stunningly big number that includes undrafted top nickle cornerback Christian Izien.
All that youth, many in prominent roles, and the Bucs are sitting on first place in the NFC South with a shot to significantly widen their lead against Atlanta on Sunday.
Todd Bowles said on the Buccaneers Radio Network that Durham earned his first appearance through success in practice. And Durham promptly caught a throw on the Bucs’ third series against Detroit on Sunday.
Jason Licht said it was the first gameday that all the draft picks were healthy.
Joe firmly maintains Licht deserves immediate induction into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor if his 10th season — this season with all these rookies — ends in another division title. Immediate, not waiting until 2038.
October 19th, 2023 at 9:38 am
It looks like it will be a nice class.
It looks like we are getting better than average value in every round, all the way through.
Well done, Jason.
October 19th, 2023 at 9:50 am
Anyone who’s still saying that we should fire the GM is just dumb!
October 19th, 2023 at 9:53 am
Licht is a bad ass. He’s patched this team together with bubble gum and zip ties for years and drafted fairly well. Looks like he struck gold this year.
October 19th, 2023 at 9:55 am
Agreed.
October 19th, 2023 at 10:02 am
Remember, this is year one of a rebuilding job, after the “future is now” of the Brady years.
October 19th, 2023 at 10:06 am
“What a Sunday it was for general manager Jason Licht.”
Unless you watched his running backs and ineffective interior line run blocking…
lol.
October 19th, 2023 at 10:19 am
Marine Buc
There’s a Zen saying…”You’ll see where you place your attention”.
I consider you a very objective and informed poster like D.R. and some others. Just pointing out that it’s never going to be perfect nor will it be total suckitude.
The Bucs are clearly in the middle of perfect and suckitude right now but what excites me is the major room for improvement with all these young guys already contributing. The entire right side of the OL is still in NFL diapers. Lots of talent emerging in the defensive backfield…two young receivers to provide depth for ME and CG…Can’t say it’s all good but it ain’t all bad and like the old Beatles song goes…”I do believe it’s getting better.”
Of course I’m an old hippie the blog pollyanna who is currently wearing a Tshirt that says…”My attitude is gratitude”
October 19th, 2023 at 10:26 am
It certainly looks great so far. Are any of these guys going to be stars? Because we need some of them to be in order to win big.
October 19th, 2023 at 10:33 am
Camarda is the best punter in the NFL.
Camarda was a brilliant pick.
He’s a punting prodigy.
Matt Gay left the Bucs and became a Pro Bowler.
MJ Stewart left the Bucs but remained an NFL starter.
The miss on Aguayo has been forgiven since the arrival of Camarda.
Licht has a few misses. Mainly drafting two tight ends in the 1st or 2nd round.
Sefarian Jenkins and OJ Howard. But I blame Koetter for the OJ pick. Licht was just being nice to his head coach.
Hargreaves was also a huge mistake. As was Trask and Darden.
But overall?
Licht has done an amazing job!
Now please draft the best center in college football next year in round 1 or trade back and draft the best center at the top of the 2nd.
But I want a badass center to complete our young offensive line.
Hainsey can stay as a reliable backup center and guard.
But we NEED a mauler at center next year!
October 19th, 2023 at 10:43 am
Licht has brought stability to the GM position. Along with developementing and retaining the scouting dept. Even the best teams dont always get it right aka(San Fran trades and mr. irrelevant) .
The point is all winning franchises have stable ownership and Management , which translates to good scouting and player developement. Then hopefully a winning record above .500
October 19th, 2023 at 11:10 am
It was a great draft under great pressure and difficult circumstances with limited financial resources, Kudos to Jason Licht!
October 19th, 2023 at 11:24 am
Will SVD be the successor to LVD?
Will Durhan & Otton turn out to be strong TEs.
Can Trey Palmer win the number 3 WR role from Russell Gage next year
Will Ya Ya excel?
These are some of my questions/hopes
October 19th, 2023 at 11:24 am
I read somewhere that the Bucs are “getting old”. Not sure where. But the math doesn’t add up. Lavonte Davis is getting up there, sure. Gholston and Evans as well. But everywhere else is youth.
We may not win the Super Bowl this year, but this an up-and-coming team. We draft a couple of offensive lineman, an impact WR and DL depth next year, we’ll be among the heavy hitters in the NFC.
October 19th, 2023 at 11:46 am
2022 Draft doing great this season, too!
Camarda, Goedeke, Zyon, Hall
October 19th, 2023 at 11:54 am
@ St. Pete
Thanks for the pick me up. I need it after last Sunday…
You are correct. I am also excited about how most of the young players are developing.
I think the Bucs need to draft a stud Center next draft and lock him in for the next decade. Hainsey is not the answer and hopefully Mauch puts on some size and continues improving his technique.
October 19th, 2023 at 11:55 am
Something that isn’t talked about enough is that were in the top 10 of youngest teams in the NFL. I would love to say, wait for next season! But we have several 1 year contracts and expiring veteran and/or rookie contracts that need to be addressed. Man, if there was a way I actually hope we can keep everyone, but I just don’t know how. Wirfs, Evans, White, Winfield…verdicts not out yet, but if Mayfield keeps trending upward, him too. Who else am I missing? Hopefully, next season with re-cooping from the Brady Era dead-cap, and some reasonable deals we may keep 4/5? Evans has been so frustrating this season, but make no mistake, defensive coordinators are concerned where he’s at on the field at all times. He’s a nightmare.
October 19th, 2023 at 11:56 am
Oh yeah, let’s not forget Chase. Still early but he needs to stay.
October 19th, 2023 at 12:17 pm
Zoocomics … The word ‘conundrum’ comes to mind every time I think about how to keep this team together next year & beyond so they can keep growing together. IMO the Bucs’ salary CAP is just as bad next year as it was this year, but in a different way.
I think the only thing you can really focus on is priorities. To me, Wirfs is PRIORITY 1 (incredibly talented). Winfield & White are Priority 2 (both very talented & critical to this defense). McLaughlin is Priority 3 (he’s money in the bank IMO).
After that I start shaking my head because money will be at a premium. Conundrum: How to keep Evans & probably Mayfield if both of them have good years. And oh ya, I’m still of the opinion that we should re-sign LVD for still another year (he’s having an awesome season at age 33).
October 19th, 2023 at 1:03 pm
GM Licht is also responsible for the Oline that is actually underperforming 2022 historically poor rush numbers(I did not think it was possible). You can say it is the RB’s or the Oline whatever you choose , but if you say it is the RB’s or the Oline-that is all Jason Licht GM. A major part of being a GM worthy of being in the ring is your draft picks , but it is also the personnel changes you make on the fly during the season to make your club better. Licht needs to do a better job of making in season moves to improve the roster. Not ready to put Licht in ahead of Rich McKay who took over after the 20 years of darkness in 1994. Rich Mckay is the only GM in history to have his first 2 selections end up in the Hall of Fame. Rich Mckay ushered in the 1st Bucs Super Bowl. Sorry Jason , but Rich Mckay deserves to be in the Ring of Honor before you do.
October 19th, 2023 at 4:31 pm
I believe Pat Kirwin called it a competitive rebuild. Some salty vets and hungry rookies make this a fun season. Let’s take down them dirty bird’s. Let’s go Bucs!
October 19th, 2023 at 7:33 pm
LVD’s replacement isn’t here yet. That will happen soon.
October 20th, 2023 at 1:23 am
Wow Joe,
That is a good reminder of some facts. Many here incluing me seem to disregard the number of rookies and guys in their second year when posting our words of Buc wisdom on your wonderful web site. Nine of those could be considered as starters for us.
Go Bucs!