Who The Bucs Should Sign In Two Weeks
March 2nd, 2024
Smart pickup?
This just makes a ton of sense to Joe.
If the Bucs have a weakness on offense, it’s tight end. Starting tight end Cade Otton made some big strides last year, specifically late in the season and into the playoffs.
In other words, Joe believes Otton has proven to be a starter.
Otton had a bunch of drops earlier in the season, something Joe noticed and documented in training camp last summer. And it was a trend that persisted into the regular season. Otton got better as the weather grew colder.
One thing that did not get better, and Joe doesn’t expect to improve much if at all is Otton’s blocking. He simply is not much of a blocker and the Bucs have missed that since foot-rubbing Rob Gronkowski retired.
Joe is a big fan of the founder of Football Outsiders (RIP) and inventor of DVOA Aaron Schatz. Typing for BSPN, Schatz decided to look at a free agent that would be a good fit for each team. And in a smart analysis, Schatz believes Houston tight end Dalton Schultz would be a strong addition to the Bucs.
… … bringing in Schultz would open things up for more two-tight end sets where both tight ends are receiving threats. But Schultz is also a good run-blocker.
Joe was in on Schultz at the right price weeks ago.
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, Joe can just hear folks, “But Joe, where are the Bucs gonna get all this money… ?” C’mon, let Joe live for a moment, eh?)
The way Bucs coach Todd Bowles wants to run the ball, having a solid run blocker at tight end is not a trivial thing. Joe really doesn’t believe many defenses respect the Bucs’ run game as much as they should, in part, to Otton’s lack of blocking.
You put an everydown threat into the game at tight end who can block, the defense will have to adjust and then just watch Chris Godwin start gouging defenses.
.@jasonrlicht standing on business 🫡 pic.twitter.com/lqDkzNU9gm
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) March 1, 2024
March 2nd, 2024 at 12:17 am
We can afford it if the Glazers wants to go all in, and they might.
We weren’t supposed to be able to bring everyone back the last few years either.
Shultz is an interesting option for sure.
March 2nd, 2024 at 12:54 am
Schultz drops the ball like a spaz with no fingers. Jason can do better than Schultz.
March 2nd, 2024 at 1:08 am
Free agent fantasies aside… we have to sign our own first. After that, the bank is closed. If we don’t sign Evans or Baker, well let’s just say a middle of the road TE isn’t gonna make much of a difference. Am I wrong?
March 2nd, 2024 at 1:31 am
@Bootylover
I left you a response in MCOJ.
March 2nd, 2024 at 3:44 am
Spotrac lists his Market Value at $9.9 mil. That’s a hefty price tag for a YE who got close to the same production that Cade Otton did (455 yds & 4 TDs with a 70.1% catch percentage for Otton versus 635 yds & 5 TDs with a 67.0% catch percentage for Schultz). Bucs seem to have a lot of other higher priorities that they need to address first.
I thought that Payne Durham was supposed to be a good blocking TE, yet Otton got grossly overworked last year (he was in there for 1,064 offensive snaps out of our total 1,103 snaps on offense (97%). Durham in comparison only got 128 snaps on offense (less than 12%). Since Otton was only targeted 67 times last season, looks like he was only targeted 6% of the time he was on the field. Hopefully Durham takes a step forward this year.
March 2nd, 2024 at 4:40 am
I respect Ko Kieft.
But he’s not an NFL athlete.
He’s too slow as a FB and as a TE.
Kieft is a #4 TE. He shouldn’t be on the field on offense.
TE 1: We don’t have
TE 2: Otton
TE 3: Durham
TE 4: Kieft
But we need a legit starting TE
March 2nd, 2024 at 4:42 am
I agree DR. Otton fine but over worked.
Shultz fine but likely overpaid at 6 million or more per year.
Durham got some snaps, 15 to 20 percent after game 4 each week. Let’s consider that he might improve in his 2nd season.
Let’s shoot for other positions instead of 5 percent upgrade in TE.
March 2nd, 2024 at 4:44 am
If you can’t catch that well and is a horrible blocker what use is he?
March 2nd, 2024 at 4:45 am
sign a DE we need pass rush way more!!
March 2nd, 2024 at 4:46 am
C or G
March 2nd, 2024 at 5:36 am
Good for Jason Licht, he is taking notes. Their rubics were wrong. They all said we were not going anywhere last season. Well, we did. And the Patriots failed.
Agree, Otton is a keeper and needs reinforcements. However, we also need Baker, Evans, … or it is for nothing.
March 2nd, 2024 at 5:54 am
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Probably, the only way Houston doesn’t resign Schultz is if they spend their cap room on Evans. So for that reason, I don’t him.
March 2nd, 2024 at 6:14 am
Gerald Everett maybe, simply because he is cost effective and has run Coens offense before. Cade Stover in the draft would solve some issues. Ben Sinnot would too, simply from a FB standpoint which would also help the running game.
I don’t think production goes down simply because we run MORE. We want to have more YARDS TOTAL, not the same amount as last year.
March 2nd, 2024 at 6:24 am
Center first round
Guard second round
QB third round
In that order
March 2nd, 2024 at 6:51 am
Otton did improve his blocking as year progressed. Watch the film.
The Bucs have invested draft capital in the TE position and don’t have money for a 3yr $25 million part time starter
March 2nd, 2024 at 7:20 am
3rd rounder on a QB? We already wasted a very late 2nd rounder on a QB is nothing more than a border line backup. Most QBs that fall to late 2nd or 3rd rounds are usually backup material and nothing more. Sure there have been some that see success, but the vast majority don’t work out. 1) edge 2) center 3) CB or guard (bpa)
March 2nd, 2024 at 7:27 am
Jason Licht is the man! That was hilarious!
March 2nd, 2024 at 7:33 am
No mid-level, plug a hole and hope for the best players. Draft and develop and save the money.
March 2nd, 2024 at 7:49 am
Larrd: Like Shaq Barrett was at the time the Bucs signed him? I’m for the Bucs improving any way they can, if they can afford it.
March 2nd, 2024 at 7:53 am
Sure, bring him in.
Truth is there are only so many targets and each qb has their guy.
Brady had gronk, then he had CG.
Mike is bakes guy, as he was for the other crappy qb’s. Truth is mike is a vertical threat, almost ONLY going longer routes and should be the 3rd look. Our bad to average QBs look to him and the play is over by the time they look past him.
And let’s be real,…gronk was average at best athletically. He was a bruiser like kept.
Unless they target the te’s more we could have Superman and it would not matter
March 2nd, 2024 at 7:54 am
Move Kieft to Center!
March 2nd, 2024 at 7:58 am
Durham is going to develop into a solid starting tight end, both blocking and catching. Otten will be a solid #2.
March 2nd, 2024 at 8:10 am
Thank you, Mr. Licht, for calling out “Connor”! I have his “prediction” and those of other naysayers hanging in my office, too. He needed to be tamed.
March 2nd, 2024 at 8:19 am
Since we’re in Fantasyland, why not try out JTS at TE during camp? Maybe he can catch the ball and block?
March 2nd, 2024 at 8:24 am
Accountability works both ways when you are a Journalist, Thanks, Jason Licht. “Had it posted on his desk” Lordy I do wish we had some more in MSM who put facts to BS…
GO!!!!!BUCS!!!!!
March 2nd, 2024 at 8:33 am
The Bucs have massive needs at DE, LB, C, and G.
We need a pass rush more than anything else on defense.
One of the reasons our secondary gets torched is because the Bucs have no pass rush in base defense, and if the blitz doesn’t get home they get torched.
Instead of any unproven draft pick, I would love for the Bucs to steal the Panthers 26 year old free agent and former Nole DE in Brian Burns.
That would help the Bucs and hurt a divisional opponent.
A pass rush with Burns, Vea, Kancey and Diaby would instantly improve the Bucs secondary.
Jags DE Josh Allen a Vikings DE Danielle Hunter are also out there in free agency as well.
I would much rather the Bucs spend our salary cap money in free agency on a proven NFL defensive end than on any other position except for what it is going to take to keep Baker as the Bucs QB.
If the Bucs could land a proven young NFL edge rusher in Burns, then that is a greater long term investment for the Bucs than any other free agent on the market.
In football fundamentally you need a QB, guys to protect the QB and guys to go and get the QB if you want to win championships. Great play from those positions makes all of the other positions on a team better.
March 2nd, 2024 at 8:40 am
Did we run 12 formation much last year? (I didn’t get the impression we did) Wondering if tw because lack of TE’s
March 2nd, 2024 at 8:48 am
Bucs need to sign a few outside free agents –
– TE
– RB
– IOL
– Safety
Re-sign our big 5 free agents – then re-sign a few of our other guys like Gains and Thompkins.
Have a solid draft and we are ready to rock and roll.
March 2nd, 2024 at 8:52 am
JM: I was thinking more like Feiler and that crappy safety last year. I would guess that’s the more likely result.
Derrick Henry has been as good and as durable as Adrian Peterson. I would rather they sign him for a year.
March 2nd, 2024 at 8:54 am
Okay, Boss…If Mike Evans is the 3rd option as you say, who is your 1st and 2nd options? Sure, Mike drops passes here and there, but to say he’d be your 3rd option, makes me wonder if you even watch the Bucs, and if you do, if you understand football.
March 2nd, 2024 at 9:27 am
Every time I see a response to an idiotic “Boss” post, I can hear him yelling from the basement…. ” Hey mom! Got eeeeeeeem!”
March 2nd, 2024 at 9:29 am
If the Bucs have a weakness on offense it’s our run blocking. Our TE is great in the red zone. We need to prioritize adding good run blockers and great pass rushers to our team
March 2nd, 2024 at 9:29 am
Bucs don’t have much money for free agents. So if you can get only 1, then get a C or G. Draft the other.
1st – DE/OLB
2nd – G/C
3rd – RB
4th – TE
6th – S
March 2nd, 2024 at 9:41 am
“Boss Says:
March 2nd, 2024 at 7:53 am
And let’s be real,…gronk was average at best athletically.”
Ask the Chiefs defense in the SB if they think Gronk was average.
ROFL.
March 2nd, 2024 at 9:46 am
Brevyn Spann-Ford is a huge prospect who’s highlight reel has him making great catches and he was also a decent blocker in college
March 2nd, 2024 at 9:48 am
Texans fans would rejoice if Jason were to overpay for this ham handed schlub.
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:17 am
We need a Vet TE ad for Payne Durham to ake the next steps.
Not as critical as Guard and Center- but 4th priority after Safety
We have a great GM. Fantastic owners, and a Probowl QB.
You can accomplish anything with that Combo!
And, contrary to my first assesments, I think we have a pretty Good Coach.
Looks like Mayfield and Evans wanna test their value on the Market first.
Ok once we get a price- we need ink on Paper Mr Licht.
Evans aint coming back, unless we sign Mayfield.
Giddy up Jason!
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:49 am
darengibo Says:
March 2nd, 2024 at 9:27 am
Every time I see a response to an idiotic “Boss” post, I can hear him yelling from the basement…. ” Hey mom! Got eeeeeeeem!”
^^^^^^^^^^
Hahahaha!
March 2nd, 2024 at 11:16 am
My understanding is that we drafted Payne Durham based on his potential as a blocking TE. Any insight as to how well he is developing anyone?
March 2nd, 2024 at 11:26 am
I would tell JTS that he is in the TE group. Sink or swim! If he is so athletic let him prove it. he is a TOTAL bust in his current role.
March 2nd, 2024 at 12:47 pm
Find a QB first
March 2nd, 2024 at 9:01 pm
“BelleGladeBuc Says:Instead of any unproven draft pick, I would love for the Bucs to steal the Panthers 26 year old free agent and former Nole DE in Brian Burns”
Think the only way Bucs could possibly acquire Burns is if Panties tagged him and Bucs were willing to trade someone like Chris Godwin.
^^mtn^^
Since ’76
March 2nd, 2024 at 9:06 pm
“Usfbuc Says:Brevyn Spann-Ford”
Yes, like him later in the draft & Sinnott mid rounds
^^mtn^^
Since ’76
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:33 pm
Darin says find a QB 1st let me drop the mic u moron another new moron on this site 10 is out limit so move on moron!
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:35 pm
Calling Wyoming joe r u still alive on posts lately