Receiver Isn’t A Major Need
February 24th, 2025
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
The way Joe looks at it, the Bucs need to do the following with the No. 19 pick in April’s draft, and Joe can sum it up in three words:
Defense, defense, defense.
That doesn’t mean there may not be a hole on offense. Walter Cherepinsky, the Oz behind WalterFootball.com, seems to believe receiver may be a bigger need than Joe believes.
Wide Receiver: The Buccaneers could stand to add some depth at receiver behind Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan if Chris Godwin leaves via free agency.
Joe first has to see what Chris Godwin does. If he leaves, yeah, that’s a hole, unless the Bucs believe that promising second-year receiver Jalen McMillan, who came on strong in the final weeks of the season, is ready to step in as the Bucs’ No. 2 receiver.
McMillan might be, but Joe isn’t there yet and would like to see how McMillan progresses.
Could the Bucs use depth behind Mike Evans and McMillan? Of course. While Sterling Shepard was OK coming off the bench, he made enough boneheaded mistakes to make Joe squirm.
If the Bucs want to draft another receiver on the third day of the draft, Joe wouldn’t be upset by that. If Godwin leaves, Joe wouldn’t be mad if the Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht used a second-day pick on a receiver.
Joe wonders if pending free agent Tyler Boyd has any gas left in the tank. When he wasn’t the focus of attention from defenses in Cincinnati, Boyd put up damn good numbers.
Of course, Boyd is 30. That’s when most receivers see production fall off the cliff.
February 24th, 2025 at 12:26 am
Joe … ‘Defense, defense, defense.’
You had it right there Joe. When it comes to holes to fill (for starters AND key rotational players) they all exist on the defensive side of the ball. If we’re gonna challenge for the Super Bowl, we need to focus there.
February 24th, 2025 at 1:25 am
Amen and amen.
February 24th, 2025 at 1:43 am
Unless we are just building for the future and have decided we are not going for the Super Bowl this year we need to fix the defense. Drafting WR should be for next year when we hopefully have way fewer holes on defense. All these draft experts mocking WR at 19? Yet again these hacks have not bothered to do their homework.
We need two ILBs if LVD retires. We need at least one OLB and maybe a starting true sack man FA. CBs and CBs since Dean can’t stay healthy and no one has stepped up really. Also since Roger and Rich have made sure to tie the hands of all DBs these days. Can you say flag happy. Who knows with safety…AWJ and Whitehead were dinged up all of last year and nobody really stood out to me back there. Can we get some extra picks please Mr Licht? Cuz we need a punter too.
Go Bucs!
February 24th, 2025 at 3:52 am
Resign Godwin draft all Defense
February 24th, 2025 at 3:59 am
BTW Joe, I view the Bucs situation right now as being very similar to what we faced in 2020- 2021. We had the foundation at the start of 2020 of an excellent team, but needed to add several pieces to put us into Super Bowl contention.
But add them we did: Brady, Gronk, Fournette, Brown in free agency, plus Wirfs & Winfield in the draft. And that doesn’t count some of the critical re-signings that we made, guys like RNR, Minter, Adams among others.
We’re at a similar point right now IMO, except it’s reversed: we need defense as opposed to offense. If we can fix our defense like we ‘fixed’ our offense in 2020, then I’m convinced that we can compete for the Super Bowl this year and next, maybe even beyond that.
And yet to us, it’s all speculation at this point. We have no idea at this moment in time who of our own UFAs we’ll re-sign in free agency. We also have no idea who TB & JL might sign from other teams (trades or FAs) to fill some of our holes or upgrade our starters/depth. And the draft is nothing more than one big guessing game. We might know who we’d like to draft, but who’s really gonna be there when we pick? Still, guessing is fun, so please keep the articles on that coming. JBF definitely leads the pack and sets the table.
February 24th, 2025 at 5:57 am
.
Really believe Bucs are an edge rusher away from making a run, provided Chris Godwin and Lavonte David return.
February 24th, 2025 at 6:23 am
We’re more then an edge rusher away stop kidding yourself Joe. Without LVD we have ZERO talent at ILB, and we’re not even sure about 35 year old David coming back. Whitehead was a bust, and with Winfield getting the injury bug we need a safety too. Time to move on from Dean, but even if he comes back we need corner help. As much as an edge would help, this puzzle of a defense is missing to many pieces.
February 24th, 2025 at 6:49 am
Drafting and going after free agents for defense exclusively this year is what needs to happen. This pass defense or lack thereof will cost Bowles his job if this isn’t corrected this offseason.
February 24th, 2025 at 7:25 am
Last year’s rookie, Braswell, is set to rise. Add a LB. Add a S. Add a CB. Free Agency, Draft or trade.
February 24th, 2025 at 7:40 am
Bucs will know by draft if Godwin is returning and if he is not and Luther Burden falls in your lap-yeah Bucs should draft him.
February 24th, 2025 at 8:20 am
The Bucs draft needs will be revealed after the free agency period is up…
If we don’t re-sign Godwin (which I believe we will) then all bets are off.
I still think this will be a defense heavy draft – don’t be shocked if that pick #19 turns out to be another IDL. Several very solid D-lineman should be available when the Bucs pick.
G. Gains, Gholston and Brewer are all free agents and let’s face it they are not that great. Plus L. Hall is on the final year of his deal and Vea is getting a bit long in the tooth…
February 24th, 2025 at 8:36 am
With free agency dollars an all defense draft makes not sense. Licht never did it when the roster was trash honestly get real people act like we have the Raiders defense. No defense is completely air tight Izien is my other safety get a linebacker in free agency and draft one. Get an edge rusher in free agency and draft one. Get 2 corners in free agency and draft 2.
When is the last time one of the best edge rushers has been available when the Bucs were on the board?
February 24th, 2025 at 8:36 am
Re-sign Godwin and Bredeson. Draft Defense and look for an additional swing tackle and veteran backup QB
February 24th, 2025 at 9:04 am
Marine Buc … ‘don’t be shocked if that pick #19 turns out to be another IDL. Several very solid D-lineman should be available when the Bucs pick.’
I fully expect the Bucs to draft another IDL in one of the Top-3 Rnds because there are several ‘beasts’ in this years DT/NT prospects. Still though I think it’ll depend on whose available when we pick.
Our greatest need is ILB and if Jihaad Campbell (Bama) is available, we’ve gotta grab him (he’s in a class of his own) He appears to be a player who can not just solve our MLB problem, but also contribute multiple sacks alonng the way.
Our second greatest need is outside CB, but there are really only three in this year’s class who interest me (like Bowles, I prefer the taller, heavier CBs who still have speed). Will Johnson (Michigan) at 6’2′ & 202 lbs fills that square (ranked #2 & runs a 4.48). Shavon Revel (East Carolina ranked #3) and Azareye’h Thomas (Florida State ranked #4) both come close to filling that square (6’2″ & 190 lbs each) & both run a 4.47 sec 40. The rest are either too short or too light or too slow.
After those 2 needs, I’d love to see us gab an interior DT to augment Vea. I still remember 2020 when he missed just about the whole season; without Suh & RNR we would’ve been toast. And right now we have neither. I like Gaines (and would re-sign him), but he doesn’t provide that push in the middle. That aspect has proven critical to our success IMO (we’re not getting that fromour Edges). Augment Vea with another beast and we could be getting interior pressure on just about every def snap, and with less blitzing.
February 24th, 2025 at 9:16 am
@ DR
“it’ll depend on whose available when we pick.”
Agreed 100%.
“Our greatest need is ILB and if Jihaad Campbell (Bama) is available, we’ve gotta grab him ”
I’m hopeful if this is our GM’s target he is able to move back in round 1 and gather up a few more picks. Most draft boards have Campbell rated @ #30-#35 or so… But I would be fine with that pick if it happens.
“I like Gaines (and would re-sign him), but he doesn’t provide that push in the middle.”
My thoughts exactly… Re-signing Gains to be a back-up/rotational guy would be fine but he has some deficiencies and limitations for sure.
February 24th, 2025 at 9:57 am
We need a LG.
Why can’t guys see that Wirfs deserves an elite talent next to him?
Goedeke and Mauch move in harmony. They have become a force together.
Wirfs deserves the same stability the next 4-5 years.
I don’t want another journeyman at LG.
Bucky and Baker deserve an elite LG also.
2nd round: grab a mauler!
February 24th, 2025 at 10:11 am
Marine Buc … Vea gave us a lot of snaps last season (16 games – 705 snaps – 67%) but that was the 2nd most of his career. If the big guy goes down, we’re a very light DLine. Would love to see us grab another beast like him, with each one giving us maybe 60% snaps to keep them fresh (enough to get some overlap on goal line stances, 4th down conversions, etc).
There are several meeting the beast criteria in this year’s draft, but me thinks we won’t find a true beast outside about Rnd 3 maybe 4 at the most. Might be worth it to scour the UFAs to see if there are any veteran DT/NTs walking around who could meet our needs for say 2-4 years.
February 24th, 2025 at 10:14 am
Its a major need only if they don’t sign Godwin.
February 24th, 2025 at 10:16 am
Times have really changed on this blog. Mayfield was viewed as a fill in until Bucs could draft a “franchise QB.” Nobody except Munchenburger talks about Bucs drafting a QB these days. In fact, Mayfield is mentioned as a possible MVP if Bucs get to NFC Championship game this season. Licht needs a dominant, can’t miss EDGE. Don’t think one will be available by 19 in the draft. Keep working the trade angles. Hoping Licht is fixated on Garrett. He is the mixing piece that makes the D line great.
February 24th, 2025 at 10:24 am
If Bucs want a HOF can’t miss edge rusher, then Khalil Mack is ready, willing, and able to fill that void. Offer Mack a 2 year deal heavily incentive laden with 7-8 mil per year.
February 24th, 2025 at 10:43 am
I wonder if Matt McCoy has any gas left in the tank. LOL.
February 24th, 2025 at 11:36 am
CHECK OUT FA WR LIST!!!!
It’s the who’s who of vet WR … Keenan Allen, Stefon Diggs, Marquise Brown, DeAndre Hopkins, Brandin Cooks, Mike Williams, Darius Slayton.
I’m just fine if Godwin leaves and gets paid. You can pick up two stud vets for one Godwin.
February 24th, 2025 at 12:43 pm
B-Mac needs to keep J-Mac away from Shepard. Shepard and J-Mac made too many boneheaded mistakes. J-Mac need to follow Godwin around instead.
February 24th, 2025 at 12:51 pm
@ DR
I agree.
Even if we pick an IDL in rounds 1-3 I would still like to see the Bucs grab another IDL in free agency.
If Vea goes down (again) we are cooked…
February 24th, 2025 at 12:53 pm
@ Bucsfan
“Offer Mack a 2 year deal heavily incentive laden with 7-8 mil per year.”
I would love to see this happen.
Plus re-sign A. Nelson and we are pretty much set at OLB as long as Braswell develops properly.
February 24th, 2025 at 1:47 pm
I’d argue that ILB, OLB-Edge, CB, S and LG are more pressing needs than WR…Even if Godwin walks, WR is one area where you can find diamonds in the rough (solid WR2/3 types) in the middle rounds. McMillan’s emergence makes Godwin’s resigning less important.
I’d also argue that it make more sense for the FO to pay a very good pass rusher or ILB with the coin you’d spend on Godwin vs resigning Godwin.
February 24th, 2025 at 2:20 pm
I think the needs on defense outway the need for a new reciever
February 24th, 2025 at 3:07 pm
7 to 8 mil won’t touch Mack. Great idea, love to see it, but not feasible. Fowler maybe. We need to jump on this position fast. All the good available ones will be in great demand. Once that is solidified all the rest of the needs will fall into place much easier. Any combo of FA and draft will work. 2 ILB, 1lG, 1DT, 2CB. Then you can mess around with WR or Safety. We need a number of decent players but I agree with DR we are in the running if Licht has a good off season. Definitely in 26.
February 24th, 2025 at 3:52 pm
@ Badbucs
I agree.
$7M-$8M is a bit low for K. Mack… But he is 34 years young and only had 6 sacks last season…
How much is he really worth at this point?
I would think a base salary of @ $8M plus incentives that could pay him another $6M-$8M would be fair compensation.
What do you think it will take?
February 24th, 2025 at 4:16 pm
What we need is for someone to offer a mock draft without being asked. That’s always so tediously boring, but at least highly inaccurate.
February 24th, 2025 at 4:32 pm
What I was trying to convey was pay Mack 7-8 guaranteed with heavy incentives that could increase pay to 11 or 12 mil. Say 10 sacks is worth 1 mil-15 sacks another mil-play in all 17 games-500000-Earn All Pro is a mil. These kind of incentives in addition to his guaranteed money , because with the quality of our D-line these incentives are low hanging fruit for a game wrecker like Mack.
February 24th, 2025 at 5:44 pm
Assuming Godwin resigns, I would agree. However, IF JL makes a trade for an edge rusher, hopefully next years’ first isnt in play. I think next year it will be critical to find a replacement for Evans, even if he decides to play another year. Remember when the Bucs drafted Evans with Vincent Jackson still on the roster. I think they should be looking for his replacement at the X position and have the mentorship for at least a year.
February 24th, 2025 at 5:51 pm
I agree with Marine, I would be happy with Campbell if available. And if Licht can score more picks with a trade back and still end up with him then I think it’s a massive bonus. This is assuming an Edge has been either signed or traded for, I believe edge is a huge need. FA will depend on what we do at 19. But ILB is also a massive need, in flux atm with LVD potentially retiring. If the Bucs add an Edge and then add Campbell, you essentially address two needs. 1, the middle of the field was wide open all season. Ideally, Campbell wpuld be an upgrade in the middle in pass D. Also, he is a great pass rusher and you can send him on third down or blitzing downs to contribute to the pass rush. I think he would be a great pick.
February 24th, 2025 at 6:04 pm
AMEN!
February 24th, 2025 at 7:03 pm
Draft best available player no matter what position you need. We needed pass rushers since the Super Bowl and we got Logan Hall and JTS. I don’t know about Braswell yet but Licht is much better drafting offensive players than defensive ones.
February 24th, 2025 at 7:50 pm
Are we going to hastily assume that Godwin is going to recover from that horrible ankle injury and be close to 100%? It took him two years to recover from the knee injury. Do we want to pay him top dollar to recover? We all love him but, he & the Bucs have to be honest with themselves.
I sure hope he feeds me humble pie this fall, in a Bucs’ uniform.
February 25th, 2025 at 8:49 am
Jason is a disciple of Belicheck… who had a history of under valuing WRs.
Even after getting Randy Moss… seeing how great he made that offense… only to never get TB12 a replacement there after.