2022 Offensive Draft Class Shining
December 19th, 2024
Teacher.
Back in 2022, the Bucs drafted three offensive players they hoped would be in full stride by 2024.
Who knew Tampa Bay would be on its third offensive coordinator in as many years?
Luke Goedeke, Cade Otton and Rachaad White each started for the Bucs as rookies in 2022. Only Otton showed significant promise.
Goedeke struggled terribly at left guard. White demonstrated he was decent catching out of the backfield but was no threat as a runner.
Otton? He flashed, even catching a game-winning pass in the final seconds from Tom Brady to beat the Rams.
Now? Well, in their third season on their third coordinator, all three are having career years. Goedeke might make the Pro Bowl. Otton easily is a top-10 tight end. And White is now a key cog in one of the league’s best run games. He’s even rushed well for three straight games!
Yesterday, Bucs coach Todd Bowles was asked about how those three have been survivors and are thriving.
“Those guys are doing a very good job adapting,” Bowles said. “Three coordinators in three years is a lot for anybody but those guys are good football players and they’re smart football players.
“The coaches we bring in, we try to bring in teachers and intelligent coaches that work non-stop. We understand that injuries are going to happen but that shouldn’t stop us from trying to do what we have to do to win the ballgame because there are no excuses in this league.
“We work diligently and hard but they’re very intelligent ball players and it makes it easier to coach them.”
It would have been understandable if one of the three would have struggled so much through three transitions that the guy was traded or cut. Instead, White, Goedeke and Otton beat the odds.
There is also a fourth member of that same 2022 draft class who, while not a starter, is playing a key role. That’s tight end Ko Kieft.
And Kieft, too, you could argue, is having his best season. He is not a target in the passing game. However, Kieft has found his niche as a crushing blocker in the run game.
All of these guys, Joe believes, have benefitted from current Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen.
December 19th, 2024 at 8:01 am
Hire teachers and draft players who want to learn and improve. Love it.
December 19th, 2024 at 8:09 am
I love that Todd is a mentor teacher.
He really does care just as much for intelligent, good character PLAYERS.
Do you LOVE the game?
Zyon McCollum and Tykee Smith are the prime examples.
That shows me the 2023 draft and 2024 draft were just as good.
We have 4 Big Producers this year alone.
Still hope for Braswell down the stretch.
This team has an arrow pointing UP.
December 19th, 2024 at 8:20 am
Love how Goedeke, a rookie playing out of position and wedged between Hainsey (1st time center) and Smith (injured the entire season) in 2023, has risen above the “donkey” label that was spouted by every impatient-scape-goat-needing-fool who insisted that he was a “bust,” “wasted pick,” etc., etc. He is a cautionary tale for every know it all who ignorantly spit out ignorant opinions without a significant sample size to actually be informed. Save your stupid opinions for your rallies
December 19th, 2024 at 8:41 am
Joe,
PLEASE get rid of the pop up add at the top of the screen. Not entirely sure if you can control it but your site is the only one this happens with. I have to constantly refresh and hope I can hit the “read more” before the pop up comes up.
December 19th, 2024 at 8:46 am
^^^^^^
Yes please Joe.
It’s maddening.
December 19th, 2024 at 8:46 am
I wouldn’t count Ko Kieft out just yet. He may just be the sleeper that is called on for a clutch play. Surprise!
December 19th, 2024 at 8:49 am
ChiBuc Says:
December 19th, 2024 at 8:20 am
Love how Goedeke, a rookie playing out of position and wedged between Hainsey (1st time center) and Smith (injured the entire season) in 2023
___________
Are you referring to Durable Donnie Smith?
December 19th, 2024 at 8:59 am
Caution!! ChiBuc is on his period.
December 19th, 2024 at 9:17 am
Like Mauch last season and Bredeson earlier this season, they catch a ton of grief in here when not playing that well. What was needed was a little patience. They needed to be in this system a little longer, develop a bit, get coached up, gel as a unit… Look at the O line now! I think the combo of Carberry and Coen is special.
December 19th, 2024 at 9:19 am
… granted, this system is brand new. Maybe the system we were using last year wasn’t helpful, especially in the running game, to develop some of these young linemen. I’m a firm believer that Canales, though being a great guy, was overrated as an offensive coordinator.
December 19th, 2024 at 9:31 am
Try refreshing the page for the pop ups. I can do that and get rid of them sometimes. I’m also wondering if a new search engine will displace them.
December 19th, 2024 at 9:50 am
Maybe the focus was the offense, but Logan hall and zyon in that class too. Logan has come a long way.
December 19th, 2024 at 10:12 am
The talent is most definitely on the team. It would be great to see some of that teaching translate into serviceable zone coverage when it must be played. Also, letting pass rushers rush the passer and coverage guys cover. For variety.
Gotta love how Coach is so tightly bonded with his players. That is another reason why Coach would veto bringing in someone like Calais. He doesn’t want to take snaps from his loyal guys.
So let’s see some of that teaching translate into better pass rush from the guys we have! Let’s go.
December 19th, 2024 at 10:18 am
All season, Goedeke has been really balling. He stoned both Bosa and Mack last week. All Pro!
December 19th, 2024 at 10:35 am
“I wouldn’t count Ko Kieft out just yet. He may just be the sleeper that is called on for a clutch play. Surprise!”
I was just going to comment that he’s going to catch a screen for a TD or 4th down conversion before the season ends. Probably in the playoffs. It will be the Scotty Miller TD for the 2024 season.
December 19th, 2024 at 10:45 am
still can envision Kieft’s bowling ball to the pylon TD. not sure anyone else would have scored on that play
December 19th, 2024 at 11:25 am
Good coaching determines how well a draft goes.
December 19th, 2024 at 12:28 pm
“What was needed was a little patience.”
Agree but patience on a sports blog. About as likely as patience from an old man in line at the urinal after he’s just sucked down 3 tall beers!
December 19th, 2024 at 1:16 pm
@BucU, you’d know about periods cuz you’re a d!ck that only sees action during red light sales
December 19th, 2024 at 1:35 pm
When can we get a full time defensive coordinator that can coach up, teach up our guys.
December 19th, 2024 at 1:53 pm
The Bucs hoped the same thing when they drafted JTS and Logan Hall. Unfortunately that hasn’t happened as JTMs and Devin White are DOA and Hall is still on life support. When you start throwing out supperlatives for Licht, keep these three players in mind.
December 20th, 2024 at 4:17 am
Good reminder about TE Ko too!
December 20th, 2024 at 8:13 am
drdneastup, Licht and Bowles both more than deserve the compliments Joe is giving them here. Look at all the injuries this season especially on defense. Yet, the Bucs are in the playoff sweepstakes. I think Logan Hall is improving, and I’m one of the very few on here who roots for JTS. Licht and Bowles certainly know the game better than a bunch of loudmouths on a fan blog like you, for example.