Best Players On The Board
April 26th, 2024
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
So Night 2 of the draft is just hours away, Rounds 2 and 3. Joe is looking at some of the best players on the board.
Defensive tackles
Johnny Newton, Illinois
Joe was borderline sick when Newton was there for the taking, but it didn’t happen. You put this guy on the line with Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey and Dear God, the beating these men would lay on an offensive line. And, since offenses might somtimes commit five players to block those three, that would like have given YaYa Diaby single-blocking to free him up.
Or one could dream, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.
If somehow, some way, the Bucs can still land this guy, the Bucs hands down would have the most punishing, physical defensive line in the NFL. Think Philly two years ago.
Braden Fiske, Florida State
This guy is another animal sort of like Newton, just not as many sacks. He is a total beast in the middle. What Joe typed about Newton you can pretty much get the same from Fiske, sans the sacks.
Kris Jenkins, Michigan
Strong, powerful beast inside the national champion’s trenches. Ass-kicker in the run game, might need work in the pass game. Think polar opposite of Calijah Kancey.
Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson
Gamewrecker inside. Not as good as Fiske or Newton.
Edge rusher
Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
Poor man’s Chop Robinson. Lot of huffing and puffing but no results. Where’s the beef?
Wide receiver
Adonai Mitchell, Texas
This guy is Mike Evans, Jr. He may not be as productive but he’s tall and physical and quick like Evans. Remember, it’s a decent bet that both Chris Godwin and Evans won’t be on the roster in 2026. Hope that’s wrong but cannot ignore it.
Ladd McConkey, Georgia
Underrated, this guy runs great routes, has great hands and gets separation and a bunch of YAC.
Keon Coleman, Florida State
Joe is not as high on Coleman as many Bucs fans are. Though he sure does fight for the ball and is pretty good at high-pointing.
Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
The Bucs had him in the building for an official visits. Absolutely lit up opponents. Very, very physical. Sort of like Chris Godwin. Maybe more physical. You don’t see too many small school receivers looking for contact. Has a lot of Hines Ward in him.
Linebacker
Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
Time to start preparing for life after Lavonte David. This guy is quick and physical and abused offenses in the SEC. Joe knows some think SirVocea Dennis is David’s heir apparent.
Can you remember a play Dennis made last year? Exactly.
Payton Wilson, NC State
A strong run-and-hit linebacker with serious speed who makes plays. Sounds like a certain linebacker the Bucs have, doesn’t it?
Junior Colson, Michigan
Ass-kicking linebacker who is smart and physical. National champion. Not much more to add.
Cornerback
Max Melton, Rutgers
To quote Emory Hunt of CBS, the Czar of the Playbook, “You can’t go wrong with a Greg Schiano-coached corner. Hunt’s not wrong.
Mike Sainristil, Michigan
Joe absolutely loves this dude’s heart. He may be the smartest corner in the draft. He is very likely the most physical corner in the draft. He just loves to rock receivers. Yeah, he’s only 5-9. But everything else about him coaches drool over. Perfectly sound fundamentals. Think a combination of John Lynch and Ronde Barber in a 5-9 body. Doesn’t back down to anyone.
Running backs
MarShawn Lloyd, USC
Home run hitter who gets tons of YAC.
Jonathon Brooks, Texas
Another home run hitter who excels with YAC. Bijan Robinson, Jr.
April 26th, 2024 at 7:28 am
Love all the names on the list, I’ll be interesting to see if giddy over last nights Barton pick if JL can restrain himself and sit tight as the names above are peeled off the board as the Bucs sit a the back of the 2nd round.
I hope they do !
April 26th, 2024 at 7:36 am
This is a loaded draft. All those players listed would make great Bucs. That extra 3rd round pick is huge.
April 26th, 2024 at 7:38 am
If Licht gets ansy and there’s a player still available that he HAS to have…
#57 + #89 = #42
#57 + #125 = #52
So we can get as high as 42 in the 2nd rd.
If 9 picks roll off in the 2nd and a player like Newton or JPJ were to somehow still be available Licht has the ammo from the Davis trade to go get him if desired.
April 26th, 2024 at 7:40 am
what happened to our 5th round pick ???
i thought we had one this year…did we not have one ?…or did we make move of some sort ?
April 26th, 2024 at 7:46 am
Cade Stover at tight end and Zak Zinter at G would be great choices to continue to build O line. With the big investments in Mayfield and Mike Evans, it makes sense to continue to develop the offense. A running back will be available after preseason. Bucs shouldn’t spend draft capital on one now. A good line will make a mediocre back better.
April 26th, 2024 at 8:00 am
Dude that guy is nothing like Mike Evans
April 26th, 2024 at 8:01 am
If Edgerrin Cooper is there please draft him! That guy is a BEAST and THUMPER at the linebacker position.
April 26th, 2024 at 8:06 am
I would have no problem using a third round pick with the second round pick and moving up to get Edgerrin Cooper.
He would start immediately and be the long-term successor to LVD
I don’t think they need to take DT at all. I don’t understand Joe’s obsession with a defensive tackle when interior O line was blatantly obvious the weakest part of the team.
People seem to be writing Logan Hall off… I am not.
His rookie year basically didn’t count because of injury. So he’s going into his second year and his job is going to be that of Will Gohlston,
the steady run stuffer alongside CKs speed and VEA being VEA. DT is fine.
April 26th, 2024 at 8:14 am
My guess is Newton won’t last until the Bucs pick so we will be looking at one of these other players.
April 26th, 2024 at 8:21 am
adam from ny Says:
April 26th, 2024 at 7:40 am
what happened to our 5th round pick ???
We spent it last year on trading for a 6th rounder to pick Trey Palmer.
I wouldn’t mind spending the extra 3rd round pick on a top player…….WR, DT…..but think we can do well to stick and pick up 3 good players.
April 26th, 2024 at 8:22 am
That Michigan CB sounds interesting. Smart and gutsy. So what, if he’s “small”? Bucs can always use DB help. Linebacker is important cos LVD is getting set to retire. Glad he will as a Buc. Go Licht and Bowles!
April 26th, 2024 at 8:25 am
“What Joe typed about Newton you can pretty much get the same from Fiske, sans the sacks.”
Fiske had 6 sacks to Newton’s 7.5, although Newton seems to be a consensus top DT on many boards and I’ve read a lot of people had him as like a top 10 type player in this draft.
I wanted Newton at 26 not gonna lie lol. Just figured we could find interior OL in R2 with the guys still available. I will trust in Licht that Barton = an all pro OL because that’s all he drafts with OL in R1.
I also would have Trey Benson over both the RB’s on this list. We can probably get Lloyd in the 3rd but not sure about Benson.
April 26th, 2024 at 8:35 am
With only one edge guy mentioned looks like the Bucs will hold with what they’ve got.
April 26th, 2024 at 8:41 am
On DT types, I would include:
Brandon “BD” Dorlus – Oregon DT/DE combo guy that fits Bowles defense.
Dorlus played up and down the line of scrimmage, playing on the edge,
over the tackle and on the interior.
Had 46 pressures in 2023, 46 pressures in 2022, and 42 pressures in 2021.
Had 8 pass defended in 2023, meaning I guess 8 batted down balls.
Raised in Broward County.
April 26th, 2024 at 8:43 am
Odd how Joe understands the meaning of stacking the d line but not the o line…
April 26th, 2024 at 8:50 am
Payton Wilson or Cooper DeJean….or the other LB Edgerrin Cooper…and those would probably require a trade up, but you never know. I havent even seen JPJ mocked in the 2nd rd. Something must have happened we dont know about (but others do)
April 26th, 2024 at 8:50 am
And I love Sainristil, just wish he was a little taller.
April 26th, 2024 at 8:51 am
On CB types:
Andru “Dru” Phillips
Phillips was also a standout track athlete in high school and as a senior ranked No. 1 in the nation in the triple jump. He twice earned All -State honors and won the triple jump (49 feet, 4 inches) at the 2019 state championships.
Phillips plays a physical brand of football. Has the ability to play through the hands of receivers downfield for late rakes.
A two-year starter at Kentucky, Phillips was an outside cornerback in defensive coordinator Brad White’s zone-heavy scheme, moving inside to cover the
slot in subpackages (37.6 percent of his career snaps came inside. Bowles likes versatility.
April 26th, 2024 at 8:59 am
@Adam, I think our 5th was used in a trade last year.
April 26th, 2024 at 9:02 am
Im still going with Javon Bullard if we stay put….he’ll be our slot corner/safety.
April 26th, 2024 at 9:04 am
David … ‘His (Logan Hall) rookie year basically didn’t count because of injury. So he’s going into his second year and his job is going to be that of Will Gohlston’.
I haven’t given up on him yet, but his production is less than impressive to this point. He may be the same size as Gholston was (6’6″ & 283 lbs) when he played 4-3 def end, but Big Will put on weight to move more inside in Todd Bowles’ 3-4 scheme. Turned out to be very effective as a run stuffer, but also in pressuring the QB in 2020 & 2021 (7.5 sacks & 31 QB hits over those 2 years). Hall has a ways to go to match that.
April 26th, 2024 at 9:05 am
BTW, Hall played in 17 games his rookie year (2022) & in 16 games his sophomore year (2023). That equated to 946 def snaps. He missed 1 game due to injury and was questionable for 2 others over those 2 years. His TOTAL production: 3 sacks, 7 QB hits, 7 TFL, 2 FR & 34 tackles (18 solo).
April 26th, 2024 at 9:06 am
BTW David, Logan played in 17 games his rookie year (2022) & in 16 games in 2023. That equated to 946 def snaps. He missed 1 game due to injury and was questionable for 2 others over those 2 years. His TOTAL production: 3 sacks, 7 QB hits, 7 TFL, 2 FR & 34 tackles (18 solo).
April 26th, 2024 at 9:08 am
@Tampabaybucfan:
ahh…thanks for clearing that up…
i totally forgot about that move, and was thinking we had a full stack of pics this year, plus the extra 3rd rounder…
yeah…hope we get 3 good ones tonight
April 26th, 2024 at 9:10 am
thanks MadMax…
it’s all coming back to me now
April 26th, 2024 at 9:24 am
I really love Mike Sainristril. Feels like a Buccaneer kind of DB, and the kind of guy Bowles would know how to maximize. So what if he’s 5ft 9. That didn’t stop Antoine Winfield Jr from being one of the best defenders in the league.
Also think that there’s still some good players at LB and interior OL.
I do think we could pick a WR today, but would prefer to wait to round 3
April 26th, 2024 at 9:28 am
Yeah. Everybody forgets Logan Hall. Msy come around hood this year. Maybe TB and JL think so.
April 26th, 2024 at 11:04 am
You win in the trenches. Take another offensive lineman. LT (who could move to LG) or LG or even RT.
April 26th, 2024 at 12:17 pm
Trey Benson should be there too, agree with Joe on Coleman–over rated, hard pass, could not reel it in so many important moments. Braden Fiske way good for a second round pick. We need a decent corner–hope we get one.
April 26th, 2024 at 12:26 pm
Trade Godwin to Pats for second round pick and draft Newton. Then trade for SF WR.
April 26th, 2024 at 12:49 pm
Stack the Dline with one of the 3rd round picks. Vita is going to be 30yrs old plus has never played a ton of snaps. I’ve always thought he should lose about 10pds and he’d be able to take on a bigger work load. Having a stacked line like Philly did would be great and also help our edge rushers.
April 26th, 2024 at 1:53 pm
😭Just not enough picks.
April 26th, 2024 at 2:11 pm
I can definitely remember a play or two that S. Dennis made last year, Joe, can you? No? That’s pretty sad considering you are a freaking beat writer for the Bucs and are at a lot of these games. Pretty sure he started for LVD against the colts and had a few good coverage plays and ripped the ball out of the TE’s hands while backpedaling into coverage. I can remember him flashing a few times in that game. Sometimes I think you get something in your head and no matter what you see you feed the narrative that is playing in your head. With that said I do think we need an ILB in round 3
April 26th, 2024 at 2:32 pm
Id like to see licht trade up into the third round or for an additional 3rd round pick and grab McCaffrey. The genes don’t lie
April 26th, 2024 at 3:57 pm
No to the two RB’s listed. What do they bring that White doesn’t already have?
They are both 5-8 pounds LIGHTER than White. They both looked good once in the open field which was frequent due to the unreal mismatch on the OL vs DL in college in most games.
I would like to see an RB that weighs at minimum 225!
That would be Braelon Allen (Jr., Wisconsin, 6-1, 235) …
MarShawn Lloyd (Jr., USC, 5-8, 220) or perhaps Licht could find a UDFA in who has been overlooked.
April 26th, 2024 at 7:03 pm
Great job with Barton! Agree with BucEmUp, been saying this for a while, somehow someway find a way to draft the McCaffrey kid!! He’s already a triple threat, great background in an NFL family, and from all accounts a strong work ethic. Draft him!!! He’ll be great on special teams, if he doesn’t outright win the Third WR spot. Plus he could probably play some cornerback, if needed, and excel there…he’s a Football Player, just a great athlete.
April 26th, 2024 at 7:23 pm
Take McCaffrey at pick number 89 or 92, San Fran will surely grab him at pick 94. C’mon JL, “you can do it”!!!
April 26th, 2024 at 9:07 pm
Braswell!
Roll Bucs!!