If The Bucs Really Do Go With “Best Player Available” Mindset
April 2nd, 2024
LSU WR Brian Thomas.
Joe is not down with how people like to holler this time of the year “draft the best player available.”
That mindset is a good way to get fired. Besides, Joe doesn’t believe the Bucs need a left tackle or a safety or even a wide receiver. So the Bucs should draft a left tackle because he is highest on their board and let him sit for the rest of his contract because he surely won’t overtake Tristan Wirfs? Bad idea.
The Bucs are loaded at receiver, at least starting receivers. Joe has a hunch new Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen will get more out of Trey Palmer and, of course, with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, how can you go wrong?
Still, Evans will turn 31 during training camp and he is signed through 2025. Godwin is in the final year of his contract. Who knows what happens next year?
Perhaps drafting a wide receiver isn’t so reckless.
How does an LSU receiver grab you? That program has turned into Wide Receiver U. And it appears LSU’s top two receivers will go in the first round.
Brian Thomas really jumps out at Joe. He is quick as hell (4.3 in the 40), explosive, big (6-3), has good hands and has a nose for the end zone. What made Joe take notice was that Thomas was a basketball star. He didn’t play football until his junior year in high school.
Sound familiar?
And he looks like a certain Bucs receiver (ahem) who uses his body to box out as he skies for passes. Gee, wonder who that sounds like?
If the Bucs do look at receiver at No. 26, it may not be Joe’s first choice but the Bucs could do a helluva lot worse than selecting Thomas.
The LSU WRs put on a show today at Pro Day. Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. both showed why they’re future first round picks. pic.twitter.com/tXaU5FPP7q
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) March 27, 2024
April 2nd, 2024 at 12:06 am
There are about 20 receivers in the top 120 but I think only 4 real first round talents. Those 4 you have mentioned.
If one of those guys is available at 26. I agree that the Bucs should not pick him. But I suspect that the Bucs could get a nice ransom for that number 26 pick from one of the teams below them.
So, trade down 3 to 10 spots and get something more.
April 2nd, 2024 at 12:18 am
This is who I want….or Kool-Aid.
April 2nd, 2024 at 12:23 am
As much as I want the Bucs to get a stud Edge Rusher, I’d take this guy over Chop Robinson. Not many sacks.
April 2nd, 2024 at 12:28 am
Agreed. Spooked by lack of production from a guy that is supposed to be so good.
April 2nd, 2024 at 12:43 am
Their M.O. is best player available from among their greatest need positions. This is pretty much how most of the league works.
I put WR as a need along with Edge, IOL, CB, maybe a notch below those 3… but a 1st round WR would definitely be a reasonable pick, provided it’s the right guy. I’ve seen Keon Coleman mocked to us elsewhere. That dude does not excite me, but Thomas definitely does — he would add another dimension to the offense and could be a great successor to Evans.
April 2nd, 2024 at 1:02 am
We have to draft an edge rusher in the first round. I mean it’s pretty much a necessity at this point
April 2nd, 2024 at 1:06 am
Let’s not complicate this. It’s best player available.. at a position of need. Simple as that. Maybe it’s wide receiver. Maybe it’s edge. Maybe it’s o line. If we don’t move around and the draft comes to us this is what it will boil down to.
April 2nd, 2024 at 1:07 am
Yeti, wrote my comment before seeing yours. Obviously I agree.
April 2nd, 2024 at 1:10 am
Pathetic. Good riddance other Bucs sites are much better anyway. Keep it
April 2nd, 2024 at 1:42 am
“Best Player Available” has always been unrealistic since the salary cap really started to matter.
No team in their right mind doesn’t draft for NEED.
April 2nd, 2024 at 1:45 am
I think we go EDGE, C, EDGE, G
April 2nd, 2024 at 1:48 am
I like Brian Thomas JR better than Malik Nabers. IMO he’s a home run player in this draft he’s got the biggest ceiling and I heard the kids work ethic is top notch. We’d be lucky to get him.
April 2nd, 2024 at 2:22 am
Just about anything is possible. Have seen much worse ‘moves’ than what this one here would be. But it is very doubtful that he’ll still be there at #26… Dallas will snag him if he makes it that far and just lands in their laps. I could also see ‘someone’ else, from the backend of the draft, moving-up and taking him… ‘Someone’ like the Chiefs. Or, possibly even landing in Pittsburgh… IF, he makes it that far!!!! I’d say it’d be a pretty big ‘long shot’ to see him dropping all the way down to Tampa Bay. I would put it as being only about a 17% chance to see him STILL left on the board at #26… And a much less chance of the Bucs actually selecting him, even if he is. So, as of right now, TODAY… I’m going with a < 10% chance total, with factoring everything LoL.
April 2nd, 2024 at 2:44 am
VERY intriguing tho, if he just so happens to be available there!!!! MAN, that Nabers sure is looking like, another LSU ‘FREAK-SHOW’ WR!!!! I don’t believe he’ll be there, but I saw a mock today, that had him falling to ATL… Now, THAT Would Be Some VERY “Bad News.” Nabers-London-Bijon Robinson-PITTS-Mooney-Rondale Moore… And, oh yeah. KIRK. COUSINS. Whoa.
April 2nd, 2024 at 3:05 am
Trask To The Future Says:
April 2nd, 2024 at 1:42 am
“Best Player Available” has always been unrealistic since the salary cap really started to matter.
No team in their right mind doesn’t draft for NEED.
^^^^^^^^
The point is, the Bucs shouldn’t REACH for a need. For instance, drafting Ke’Shawn Vaughn in the 3rd Round even though he has 8th Round talent was a reach.
April 2nd, 2024 at 4:58 am
Licht wouldn’t be able to turn in his pick fast enough if Thomas was still on the board.
Would also be a hell of an opportunity to trade down with the Chiefs.
April 2nd, 2024 at 5:03 am
The scenario the Bucs need to consider is if the individuals they have with a first round grade are off the board and they can’t trade back with anyone. What then?
Do the Bucs reach for an individual with a 2nd rd grade at a primary position of need (IOL, Edge) or select the BPA at a secondary position of need (WR, RB,TE, CB)? That’s how you get into trouble by reaching for a player with potential and limited production in college — like Chop Robinson. I believe there are only 3 x Edge players and 2 x Centers worthy of a 1st round grade.
Let’s hope the Bucs aren’t in this situation.
April 2nd, 2024 at 5:45 am
I gotta say, I’m starting to see where a few of the 100 different drafts are starting to line up with a couple of our greatest needs falling our way without us having to budge an inch, and dropping right in our laps.
However, I predict that Jason L is going to freak out and spend that extra 3rd to move up to go after it. I SURE HOPE it’s one of (2 maybe 3) fabled edge guys or “the” Top defensive lineman in the draft. Otherwise he Does Not need to move up. Certainly, there is so much treasure in this draft that one of Many “value meets need” Will Be There at 26.
This draft has a Lot of meat on the table to choose from. He doesn’t need to budge for us to come up winners. In fact if it’s not one of the edge guys, a Very Sweet deal to trade back has to be considered. Seriously, unless it’s our “unicorn” he’s going after, without a doubt, and with a very generous offer, trading back is the Best Option with So Much to choose from..
April 2nd, 2024 at 5:51 am
Bucs Guy
I see we were thinking pretty much the same thing at the same time. NICE!
April 2nd, 2024 at 6:48 am
Not big on the first rounds WRs after Odunze
April 2nd, 2024 at 7:07 am
Best player available at a position of need..
Rank your needs in priority order….mine would be G/C, Edge, TE, WR, RB, LB
So, if the player at the top of your board is a WR…..take him
Why take the 6th best edge rusher when you can have the 3rd best WR?
April 2nd, 2024 at 7:44 am
When we had 3 great receivers our offense was unstoppable. Unfortunately, one of them was a head case.
April 2nd, 2024 at 7:45 am
I agree to an extent. What if you need edge and center. The best player available is a center and he is ranked #27 and you have a edge ranked #25. Then there a big drop off in center. The next center you have ranked is #89 but you multiple edge rushers ranked in the 40’s and 50’s. You take the center, then com back with edge. That why you hear a lot of GM’s talk about how deep the draft is at certain positions.
April 2nd, 2024 at 7:58 am
If only we had a spot for him to start…
April 2nd, 2024 at 8:10 am
If this guy is there idc who is on the board… chop scares me no production and seems to be a finesse rusher
April 2nd, 2024 at 8:50 am
It is funny to imagine the Bucs draft board where Bowles has 99 defensive players in the top 100.
April 2nd, 2024 at 9:07 am
The Bucs definitely need to draft a receiver fairly high with Godwin potentially gone after this season and Evans age. Although this draft is deep with receivers the good ones will go fast. You are kidding yourself Joe if you think Brian Thomas Jr falls anywhere near 26. He will be long gone. An under the radar one is Xavier Leggette. He is a beast with speed.
April 2nd, 2024 at 9:28 am
I don’t typically follow all of the draft stuff or college players in general. It gets tedious pretty quickly for me, but I have seen film on Brian Thomas and I like what I see for the same reasons Joe mentioned.
A receiver with his size, speed and hands has the easiest transition from college to the NFL. A 4.3 40-yd time and the game won’t be too fast for him. Defenses may be a little more sophisticated but run your route, catch the ball. Learn from the vets like ME13 little things like how to draw DPI flags, etc.
As for “should” the Bucs draft another receiver when our interior O-line needs help (among other needs on D), if a stud is on the board at WR like Thomas, pull the trigger. Evans’ age and CG has battled injuries the past couple of years (and FA looming) I say go for it. Gage is gone. Moore is gone.
If for no other reason, it’s a safer bet on a WR with your draft pick than other positions usually are because most of those guys need time to adjust to the NFL or you get lucky.
April 2nd, 2024 at 10:13 am
100% you draft Thomas if he’s on the board…Even with JPJ & Chop on the board.
April 2nd, 2024 at 10:21 am
Robinson is JTS 2.0. He can get to the qb, but cannot finish. Too rich at 26. If Thomas is available at 26, you gotta take him. I would prefer Barton or JPJ, but lining Thomas up with Evans, Godwin, Otton, and White is a nasty combo. Almost a pipe dream.
April 2nd, 2024 at 10:44 am
His level of talent commands our pick if he’s there. Good lord, he and Evans and Godwin would be insane. Sprinkle in Palmer and we are cooking.
He’s a big, fast, explosive athlete. Reminds me of David Boston.
April 2nd, 2024 at 10:55 am
There are a lot of players I like that will be long gone before the Bucs pick. LSU Wr Thomas is just one of them. If you want to ask if he’s worth pick 26 and the Bucs 2nd round pick that would be more realistic. Too costly IMO.
April 2nd, 2024 at 11:46 am
You guys have a lot of great points and I’ll add another perspective. I look at snap counts for a potential draft pick. I expect picks at 26 and 57 especially, to be starters quickly and get a vast majority of the snaps for the season. They should also be clearly better than players on the roster now. How many snaps would a receiver at 26 get? Coen would need to run a lot of 3 WR sets and the new receiver would replace Palmer at #3. I’d rather go IOL who would get nearly all the snaps for the season. Even an Edge would be platooned by Bowles and maybe get only 60% of snaps.
April 2nd, 2024 at 12:16 pm
Not specifically related to Bucs, but here’s the problem in a nutshell:
First, you determine your needs, and in what order:
For the Bucs this year, I think: G/C (or both), Edge, CB, RB, WR, LB, DT
Then you look at positional value:
QB, Edge, OT, WR, CB are usually very high, other positions not so much. High value positions go quicker in the draft.
Then you need to look at ‘depth of class’.
For this year, Edge seems light, CB, WR, QB?, OT, and IOL all seem fairly deep.
THEN, you look at where you draft, and who around you has similar needs.
FINALLY, you start making your target list. It’s way more complicated than most people realize.
April 2nd, 2024 at 12:24 pm
You take a difference maker with the first pick. We have legitimately 7 needs of varying degrees. Edge, interior OL, corner, TE, ILB, RB, and WR. We have 4 picks in the top 100 so we should be able to satisfy 3 or 4 spits with upgrades. My feeling is I don’t want the last edge rusher in first round who may be only marginally better than one we can grab in round 2 if say the LSU WR or the Oregon center/guard is available. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Jason moves either up or down depending on his targets.
April 2nd, 2024 at 12:31 pm
This is about the only WR I would be ok with at 26. Obviously the other 3 aren’t getting that far and it’s unlikely Thomas does either.
April 2nd, 2024 at 12:47 pm
The Bucs always claim to go after Best Player Available.
But it always has qualifications. Like, BPA at a position they do not expect to be able to address later, for example.
April 2nd, 2024 at 1:06 pm
I agree most with this last post from Bonzai.
It would most likely take a trade up, and giving up our 3rd round pick to get Thomas.
Why would we reach for a WR, when they are so deep in this draft?
It seems like every team could get 1.
That said, this guy is truly elite and I actually would be excited galore to watch him in Pewter and Red.
I just simply don’t see Licht drafting him and giving up our 3rd for the 5th “Need”.
If it’s Verse, then that makes sense.
April 2nd, 2024 at 1:43 pm
Keon Coleman doesn’t excite me either.
April 2nd, 2024 at 1:58 pm
Yes BTJ should be the pick because teams would have to roll coverage in the red zone to both Evans and Thomas leaving the middle weak for a run up the gut.
April 2nd, 2024 at 2:00 pm
Know all about the risks of taking Latu (EDGE). He is a top 5 talent that is suspect because of neck problem. If he is still available at 26, take him or a top rated center.
April 2nd, 2024 at 2:03 pm
6’3″ and runs a 4.3? Sounds intriguing.
April 2nd, 2024 at 2:13 pm
Ideally in round one you take BTJ then in round two you trade up for Trey Benson then take a center and guard with the next two picks. Evans, BTJ and Benson would give the Bucs three players that could take the ball to the house from anywhere on the field.
April 2nd, 2024 at 5:30 pm
There is no way Brian Thomas will be close to available when we pick. But by some miracle he is, then you take him. I don’t care who is in the board.
This a message from a wannabe GM lol.
April 2nd, 2024 at 6:05 pm
BT may actually be avaliable at 26 and if he is we should draft him. I think there will be a great talent at 26 this year.
April 2nd, 2024 at 6:20 pm
My man don’t Block a Soul. He is extremely talented, but not blocking and questionable effort on routes when the ball isn’t coming his way… But at 26… he’d be hard to pass on. Not sure he’s a fit with our run first philosophy. Not sure his attitude would be healthy with 3-4 targets a game. Never met the kid, just looking at his body language on film. Doesn’t seem like a Jason Licht guy.
April 2nd, 2024 at 8:52 pm
The Bucs do need another fast and big wideout. Definitely!
April 3rd, 2024 at 12:11 am
Boss Says:
April 2nd, 2024 at 7:58 am
If only we had a spot for him to start…
Helllloooooooo boss, is anybody home?
Coen will run a base 11 personnel, that means:
1 RB
1 TE
3 WR
He would be the starter over Try Palmer
^^mtn^^
Since ’76