Does Baker Mayfield Know The Bucs’ Draft Plan?
April 22nd, 2024
Baker Mayfield
So NFL Network year-round draft guru Daniel Jeremiah shared interesting intelligence gathering today on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
After months of digging for information in addition to reviewing film, the former Ravens, Eagles and Browns scout explained why he’s so confident the Patriots (formerly the Belicheats) will be drafting a quarterback at No. 3 overall on Thursday and won’t trade out of the pick.
In short, Jeremiah said he got his information from people connected to free agents that signed and/or negotiated with the Patriots. The intel told him what the Patriots’ quarterback plan would be and the first part of it was told to him correctly, he said. That was signing a veteran backup for around $8 million, which is the salary of new New England QB Jacoby Brissett.
Part II of the intel, per Jeremiah, was New England is drafting a quarterback, who he expects to be Drake Maye.
Jeremiah’s explanation got Joe thinking about the Bucs. There is no doubt in Joe’s mind that Baker Mayfield and his camp asked Buccaneers Ring of Honor general maneager Jason Licht what the plan was for free agency and the draft as Mayfield pondered whether to return to the Bucs.
“Hey, Jason, what’s the plan at left guard, and what’s the future at center? You going to let me throw to massive Payne Durham, or are we drafting another tight end? Yes, if you draft a quarterback, I’m going to kick your ass.”
Joe would be shocked if those questions weren’t asked and answered.
Lavonte David probably got a defense-building plan spelled out for him, too.
Given how those close to Licht talk about how he has exceptional relationships with players (better than most GMs), and how Licht is a very uncomfortable liar, Joe suspects a few players or their representatives know their fair share of the Bucs’ draft plan.
So was any of that good intel leaked and parked in at least a couple of the many mock drafts out there? Solid chance.
April 22nd, 2024 at 5:16 pm
I hope the players do not know the plan. Players are the ones most likely to leak. Licht could use some strategically perhaps to misdirect some people but that may not really be necessary. But please don’t tell the players.
April 22nd, 2024 at 5:27 pm
Not the same situation though. IF you are going to the pats then you know they lose a lot. So for free agents that you want to sign you have to show how you are likely to get better. I doubt seriously Baker got the run down on the draft for a team that already is winning and who he knows the core of. I guess oline if he had a complaint about it last year.
April 22nd, 2024 at 5:33 pm
Bring in a few key players on the smoke screen plan. They can leak false information for the Bucs with purpose. That would be more helpful. We’ll probably go best available for most positions but figuring out what Licht & Co thinks is the best available is the trick. They don’t always agree with the gurus and have done pretty well going that route (everybody thought OJ Howard was going to be the next Gronk). Under the radar pics like Ali Marpet turned out pretty well
April 22nd, 2024 at 5:43 pm
whether he would get an honest answer notwithstanding, it is more than reasonable to expect the camp of a FA to at least ask the question as it pertains to that players decision making process. And if asked, I think any good GM would either tell the truth or decline saying. A dishonest answer would be shared with the other teammates and undermine the credibility of the GM.
April 22nd, 2024 at 5:47 pm
I don’t think Licht told Baker anything other than what Licht has said publicaly aleady about getting different and bigger in the OL. Baker doesn’t have any other intel, he’s busy with his new baby, and won’t be saying anything anyway. Last year, Kancey didn’t get a visit and there was no intel that the Bucs were going with Kancey. Licht keeps his info tight and does well.
April 22nd, 2024 at 6:06 pm
Licht told Baker…. You can trust that I will draft help for your offense….that is all you need to know.
April 22nd, 2024 at 6:11 pm
The only “plan” for day 1 is to sit back – watch for 19 picks to see what happens and then start making decisions about is there anyone we HAVE to trade up for and who is left of the 6 or 7 guys we have targeted for that #26 spot…
Then make the best decision possible in the moment based on who is available.
The general plan is add talent to the interior Oline – try to get an edge rusher if possible and simply select the best players available at positions of need or relative need with each of your draft picks….
April 22nd, 2024 at 6:14 pm
QBs have a lot of power these days.
April 22nd, 2024 at 6:17 pm
This is the first year in a long time that I have not spent any time researching draft picks. I do know a bit about the possible Centers that we may be hoping for and seen a few about possible edge rushers but other than that, I have no clue. I’m sure Licht and company have a solid draft strategy and will hit on multiple picks. I surely hope they give us some help on the interior line and another pass rusher would be excellent, but I’m good with the old school strategy of BPA if those players can make an impact, regardless of position or need.
April 22nd, 2024 at 6:28 pm
None of this article makes sense. What does any of it have to do with Baker knowing anything about the draft?
April 22nd, 2024 at 6:38 pm
Great Read ! Just a question why havent we heard from Our OC other than the first welcome press confrence. Off topic I know but ……………
April 22nd, 2024 at 7:12 pm
?
April 22nd, 2024 at 7:12 pm
God is the only being that knows the draft plan. I can’t get him on the line.
April 22nd, 2024 at 7:16 pm
Ok so the new OC is not a 2 tight end guy he prefers 3 wides and and 1 tight end sets. Maybe on the last day of the draft he could pick one up . Personally I would like to see a big fullback in the backfield
April 22nd, 2024 at 7:18 pm
I’ll be glad when Thursday arrives and ends all the speculation. If there’s not a solid OLB than go offensive lineman to gives Baker a little extra time to push the ball downfield and fill-in from there with the best player available.
April 22nd, 2024 at 7:18 pm
GM’s aren’t telling players draft plans.
April 22nd, 2024 at 7:47 pm
Thursday night can’t come fast enough!!!! 🙂
April 22nd, 2024 at 7:53 pm
First is IOL, second is EDGE\LB, third is WR and forth is RB
April 22nd, 2024 at 9:10 pm
Assistant coaches are scheduled to speak next month. One week defensive coaches, the next week offensive coaches.
April 22nd, 2024 at 9:21 pm
He always looks like a drunk Simpsons character how’s he going to know who they’re drafting?
April 22nd, 2024 at 9:57 pm
Speaking of Pats, that’s where Vaughn went
April 22nd, 2024 at 10:22 pm
Lavonte David has entered my all- time great Bucs ring of honor. Remember Luke keegles-Lee. He’s been gone forever it feels like. David is still.playing, in my.opinio. at top 5 at his position in the league. I remember fighting literally fighting a drunk panthers fan at a sports bat here in Sacramento. I had written down David’s stats and Keegles stats and was showing him how David was superior in each category. He said so.wthing luke ” phuc* youu Stupida tampon bay bucket of queers. I’ll beat tour app.” The. He swung at me. So I had to put the ole brandon 2 step on him and I tagged him with the ace of spades and the duece of clubs. Hahaha true story except there’s no Brandon 2 step lol. I did grow up in Brandon in the 80’s and 90″s. God Darn I miss it. I use to swim with manatees in crystal clear water throw rocks at gators, catch little fish with our stick pole, I used to cach lizards and feed them to my huge Oscar’s, and we would go to the ole Sombrero and watch our sorry team that got made fun off on late night t.v. and everywhere even our priest would joke about it. Sorry I started reminiscing. Go Bucs!! Tony Maybwrry was also a favorite as well as Paul Gruber, Nickerson, Kelly, donny Abraham, theres a gew.but David is elite he’s in that rarefied air
April 22nd, 2024 at 11:28 pm
Of course he knows, and is involved.
All draft plans have a certain amount of fluidity, but The Team QB is certainly consulted and gives imput.
Its his team. Hes involved
April 22nd, 2024 at 11:30 pm
Todd needs to simply get the eff out of the way and let his OC run the whole offensive show. All of it. Then, Jason needs to tell Todd, your Defensive Coordinaror, who you need to name by June 1, needs to be given the latitude to do the same. You can then actually be a head coach instead of someone desperately trying to prove he’s a genius.
Just do what you do. Make your players feel loved, respected, solve their financial and girl/spouse/boyfriend problems. Then maybe you’d get better than a B-minus rating in the survey. BTW – that is a lousy grade for a losing head coach, who Todd is.
April 23rd, 2024 at 6:37 am
SB … ‘God is the only being that knows the draft plan. I can’t get him on the line.’
Was at the University of Alabama 2 years ago for the Bama-Auburn game & spent some time at the Bear Bryant museum on campus. One of the exhibits is his actual office with a red telephone on the desk. Every Bear fan knows who was at the other end of that line.
April 23rd, 2024 at 6:46 am
Pickgrin … Nailed it! When you’re picking #26 with ‘a lot of needs’ (JL’s words) the decision-making process isn’t really all that complicated. Set your priorities then wait for the world to come to you (pretty much how we ended up with Tristan Wirfs IMO). Move up a few spots if the opportunity arises to grab a priority need player if it’s worth it; same with trading down if the opportunity arises. Other than that, when your turn comes, throw your best pitch & hope for the best.
April 23rd, 2024 at 9:36 am
YES. DR and Pickgrin. That is exactly how it is going down. Let’s hope so, anyway!