Desperation Has Left The Building
March 26th, 2025
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
He’s done it before, and it makes even more sense this time around.
The Bucs own the 19th pick in the opening round of the 2025 NFL draft and should the right player be there for the taking, Jason Licht will be more than happy to turn in the card.
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht.
If an inside linebacker, edge rusher or cornerback that the Bucs covet is still available at No. 19, Tampa Bay’s opening-round selection will go according to plan. There’s no secret Tampa Bay has some defensive issues that need to be addressed — but that doesn’t mean the Bucs should play it safe in the first round.
Licht likes to talk about how the Bucs break the first round into a smaller group of prospects the team would be happy to select with their assigned pick. Most of the time, Licht sticks to his spot.
But not always.
In 2020, the Bucs moved up one spot from No. 14 to grab Tristan Wirfs because Licht had concerns another team was on the brink of moving into the 13th slot to grab what has turned out to be the best offensive lineman in franchise history.
Vita Vea, among others, was part of Jason Licht’s trade-down bounty in 2018.
Licht has also moved back three times in the first round, with mixed results. He dropped from 9th to 11th in 2016 to draft Vernon Hargreaves, a major bust. In 2018, the Bucs moved back from No. 7 to No. 12 before selecting Vita Vea, in retrospect a shrewd maneuver.
Three years ago, Licht dropped out of the first round altogether, trading out of the 27th spot and selecting Logan Hall at No. 33. Through two seasons, Hall remains a work in progress, although he improved in 2024.
Why would Licht move back again next month?
First off, the Bucs, coming off a 10-win season, have a solid roster. Signing Haason Reddick in free agency removes some of the urgency to address edge rusher. Before his nightmarish 2024 season, Reddick was considered one of the premier pass rushers in the league.
The Bucs have needs, but it’s not like they’re craving a quarterback or frantic for a defensive tackle. Many other clubs have far more glaring holes on their depth chart.
It’s a refreshing thought for Buc fans that this franchise approaches next month’s draft without a sense of desperation. If the prospects the Bucs are most excited about are off the board, Licht should eagerly move back and acquire additional picks — even if it means dropping out of Round 1.
It may seem like a bummer for Buc fans craving an immediate impact first-round choice, but Licht and his staff have proven to be masterful with Day 2 and Day 3 selections.
Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan arrived in Round 3. Bucky Irving and Cade Otton were drafted in the fourth round and Licht plucked Zyon McCollum out of Sam Houston State in the fifth round. All five figure to start for the Bucs this fall.
More picks translate into more opportunities and Licht loves the idea of spreading out more chips on the draft table.
“There’s always some guys that we’ve identified as potential sleepers on Day 3,” Licht says. “We’re as excited about the first-round pick as anybody, but those are the ones that kind of my staff has been making their bread and butter.”
Licht’s track record suggests those picks in the middle rounds are invaluable.
Don’t be shocked if he trades down from No. 19 to load up on bread and butter.
Catch up on your draft prep with the Best In Class podcast. Below is the annual edge rushers breakdown.
March 26th, 2025 at 3:36 pm
im hoping he trades out the 1st round and stack picks…..bowles and his staff have shown they can develop players
GO BUCS!!!!!
March 26th, 2025 at 3:38 pm
I don’t like it. Listen look what the rams did they traded up for verse. Up for fiske….get that premium guy. We need studs on the defense
March 26th, 2025 at 4:09 pm
Giving way to much optimism on Haasan Reddick… He doesn’t fit the culture that was so painstakingly built here.
Haason Reddick’s performance in his last season with the Eagles was perceived as a problem, with some suggesting he was “sack-chasing” and not following play calls, leading to defensive breakdowns.
Here’s a more detailed look at the situation:
Allegations of “Sack-Chasing”:
Some Eagles fans and commentators criticized Reddick for prioritizing individual sacks over following the team’s defensive scheme, which they believed contributed to defensive breakdowns.
Lack of Leadership:
There were also suggestions that Reddick’s actions and attitude were not conducive to a positive locker room environment, with some citing a lack of leadership and a perceived unwillingness to stick up for teammates.
Regarding the sack-chasing, Jason Pierre-Paul was known for freelancing, aka sack-chasing. Gerald McCoy had a little of that in him, too. Top players are often given freedom to use their judgement in the moment. Coaches don’t like it, but it’s part of the game. Basketball players cheat in zone defenses and “overplay,” as well. –Joe
March 26th, 2025 at 4:14 pm
If Emman is gone, i can see trading down to 25-30 and still grabbing a nice one, they’ll be there.
March 26th, 2025 at 4:16 pm
It was said “but Licht and his staff have proven to be masterful with Day 2 and Day 3 selections”.
Just being objective, fair and balanced reflecting back on Day 2 and Day 3 picks by this staff…
2016–Roberto Aguayo & Noah Spence–both 2nd round
2017–Justin Evans 2nd round
2018–M J Stewart & RoJo–both 2nd round
2019–Sean Bunting–2nd round
2020–Ke’Shawn Vaughn–3rd round
2021–Jaelon Darden–4th round
Kyle Trask–2nd round
So objectively, reviewing that atrocious list above, well far from masterful by this front office staff really
March 26th, 2025 at 4:24 pm
Sorry Joe , but the move back to Logan Hall and leaving Devin Lloyd for the Jags was a major miscalculation.I am sure Joe meant to say through 3 seasons-not two.
Hello, this was written by Ira Kaufman. –Joe
Hall has just now become middle of the road Dline interior-what you might expect from a 3rd or 4th round selection , but more is expected out of a high 2nd rounder. While Devin Lloyd has developed into one of the better linebackers in the entire NFL. Trading back is fine if you can get production out of what you select in year one. CB market is surprisingly rich in round 2 and I would expect Licht to select one if he moves back.
March 26th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
Bushlover
Are you just picking players that prove your point? You know the draft is only 3 days right, so day 2 and 3 picks include rounds 2-7. I don’t need to go back to every year you’ve outlined and identify the players you missed, but here’s one, Antoine Winfield Jr. Doh
March 26th, 2025 at 4:33 pm
Ok thanks. I won’t be shocked about anything
March 26th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
He might get a great haul if Jaxson Dart is still on the board and a bidding war for that pick starts.
March 26th, 2025 at 4:43 pm
You never know for sure until a player has actually played a few games… sometimes an entire season.
I agree with the overall premise of Ira’s column.
We’re thin at a couple of spots on defense, but it could be a lot worse.
Overall, Jason Licht has done a good job with the draft these past few years.
Do we have needs? Yes.
Are we desperate? No.
March 26th, 2025 at 4:54 pm
Going back 6 years, you see where Licht had a few more mistakes but he’s gotten a lot better. The last two years were amazing.
2017–Justin Evans 2nd round **** injury problems
2018– RoJo 2nd round *** not the best pass blocker but had a better run average his last three seasons with us than White has had
2019–Sean Bunting – 2nd round *** a decent secondary player w/ Cards
2021– Kyle Trask–2nd round ***got a second contract and still with the team
Bushy’s list isn’t pure scrubs. “Atrocious” is a bit extreme.
They’re not going to hit on every draft pick but they’re better at it now than they were just a few years ago. If this tells you anything, Bucs look to have done a better job with the 3rd through 5th picks in the last two years than our second round picks years prior.
March 26th, 2025 at 4:54 pm
… and what Vanessa said.
March 26th, 2025 at 5:05 pm
Bushy’s list left out all the hits.
Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet, Kwon Alexander, Goedeke, Cappa, Nelson and a host of others I am not remembering.
But I agree, Licht got better. If he was bad and not fired but he is way better than average now — that is all that matters. He grew into the role.
March 26th, 2025 at 5:05 pm
I’m glad Jason is running the draft instead of some internet pretend know it all.
March 26th, 2025 at 5:11 pm
I think that the Chargers, Broncos, Packers and Bills might all be looking for a wide receiver in the first.
Since the Bronco’s are one pick behind us, could one of the other three want to move up to our spot (especially the Bills) and maybe give up their later 1st round pick and their 3rd round pick?
Even moving from 19 to 23 (trade with chargers) and getting an extra 4th might be a good move for the Bucs.
March 26th, 2025 at 5:18 pm
@Bushlover
Here are some Day 2 and Day 3 picks you left out when being “fair and balanced”
2015 – Kwon Alexander (4th rd.) & Ali Marpet
2017 – Chris Godwin
2018 – Carlton Davis, Jordan Whitehead (4th rd.), Alex Cappa
2019 – Sean Murphy-Bunting, Jamel Dean, Mike Edwards
2020 – Antoine Winfield Jr.
2021 – K.J. Britt (5th rd.)
2022 – Cade Otton (4th rd.) & Luke Goedeke
2023 – Yaya Diaby & Cody Mauch
2024 – Bucky Irving
March 26th, 2025 at 5:41 pm
JL will only trade back if there are multiple players he feels are worth that pick and believes at least one will be available. While I would like to see the Bucs trade back to around 25 to get an extra 3rd rd pick, I don’t see him trading back that far. Maybe only to 22 to pick up a 4th and 6th
March 26th, 2025 at 5:52 pm
Get as many 2’s and 3’s as you can this draft
March 26th, 2025 at 5:53 pm
Bushlover could have also mentioned:
1. Jameis Winston
2. OJ Howard
3. Austin Saferian Jenkins
4. Jake Camarda
5. Tyler Johnson
6. Joe Tryon Istinka
March 26th, 2025 at 5:56 pm
Our secondary people ALWAYS seem to come from 2nd-4th rounds. 19 is probably too high for any of the ILB’s remaining, which leaves mebbe an edge or a too-hard-to-pass-up WR. Seems more likely we trade back
March 26th, 2025 at 6:21 pm
I think first round picks were not shown on purpose.
We’ve definitely had a number of first round busts but not recently. I’ve posted previously that I hope Jason has learned his lesson on drafting those that kick balls any higher than the 8th round.
If one of those two would have gone on to be top five at their position, then I’d be all in. Neither guy even lasted through an entire two seasons.
March 26th, 2025 at 6:23 pm
@Bucsfan,
The claim of “masterful” as a whole in the story was regarding only Day 2 (2nd & 3rd round) and Day 3 (rounds 4-7), so as to who you listed well #1, #2, and #6 there were all 1st round picks, so they wouldn’t apply in the story written above.
ASJ sure a 2nd round pick, but that was 2014 and yeah I didn’t go back that far, that’s pretty far back, and was looking to stay balanced and focused on the meat of JL’s staff tenure. As to your #4 and #5 listed players, well those were 4th and 5th round picks, and in those rounds a GM evaluation isn’t real valuable since 4th and 5th round picks aren’t expected to be starters necessarily within a year or two, more rounds for players picked for depth/developmental.
2nd Round picks however….and there are MANY on what I listed, most certainly should objectively be scouted, interviewed, evaluated as a year one or worst year two at latest as a …starter. Not a prayer.
Was just addressing the claim as a whole, as masterful. There have been successes sure. But it’s best to look at the whole resume in a balanced fashion, and my list was there to represent just how many STARTER level positions, attempts, opportunities, were gaffed.
There have been successes. That’s not the whole story.
March 26th, 2025 at 6:29 pm
Jihaad Campbell Will Fall
Dude is not going to make an impact this season (maybe late). If the Bucs really do want JC, they can trade back to get him.
March 26th, 2025 at 6:31 pm
Sorry Bush, but when I read your initial post I thought it said Day 2 and Day 3, not Round 2 and Round 3
March 26th, 2025 at 6:37 pm
Bucsfan…it did say Day 2 and 3. But round 1 is on Day 1, hence part of my reply to you.
For purposes of the “masterful” claim above in the story, from a journalistic sense (telling the whole story in a balanced objective lens–one would strive for), I simply was referencing the other Day 2 and Day 3 picks from this staff, to articulate the whole resume.
March 26th, 2025 at 6:50 pm
Desperation is a word that defined the Bucs on the field and in the draft for decades but that ship has finally been sunk. Good times. I’m always down for a first round trade down or out by the Bucs but never moreso than I am this year. The Bucs indeed have no glaring needs so this years picks can be spent to take the roster to another level with defenders who can execute man cover packages and get the defensive side of the roster balanced with the offensive armory the Bucs are sporting. I don’t want some draft pick taking snaps away from Lavonte David, Deion Jones, Hassan Reddick, Jamel Dean or Zyon McCollum in 2025 but some or all of them could be on other rosters in 2026 or sooner via trade so drafting contingency plans for them is what I want to see with one wild shot down the field type pick like nabbing Loveland or Warren or a hoss of an Olineman that falls to the Bucs. I wouldn’t fault any team for taking one of those TEs in the top 10. They both are the transcendent TE truth in their own unique ways.
Speculating on potential trades is like predicting squirrel behavior but I’m allowing myself to hope Licht and Co. can work something copacetic out with one of their west coast connections in Lynch and Spytek to exchange the Bucs #19 and/or #53 for more mid round picks. This draft is fat with crucial role player and quietly solid starter talent from pick 30-130 with a weird dead spot from picks 45-70. The 49ers have two picks in round 3,4 and 5 so the Bucs could give them #19 and #53 for their #43, #75, #100, #113 and one of their 3 seventh rounders so they can grab a DT they crave and still pick in every round. Maybe Spytek will trade #37, #68 and #108 for the Bucs #19 to grab and OL, CB or WR they love.
I’d love for the Bucs draft haul to start with Landon Jackson but not at pick #19.
March 26th, 2025 at 7:26 pm
Let’s pump the brakes here please.
Lich t has made some great choices for sure that have helped bring title two to the franchise.
Evans changed the culture of the team overnight. AW Jr is an absolute beast when healthy. Devin White was good while we had him. Bucky Irving is a all star in waiting. Godwin is the best slot receiver out there. So there’s the great draft picks.
And lets not forget the two veteran QBs he has grabbed in free agency. TB12 and Baker are studs.
But he’s missed a lot as well. I thought drafting a punter that high and it busting should have gotten him run off. Lets hope he learned from that.
We have no space on defense to trade down. Has to be elite level talent only with every pick.
Unless a team just one or two spots down wants to throw a stupid amount of picks our way.
Besides that I say stay the course and get premium value.
March 26th, 2025 at 8:12 pm
In Licht We Trust!!!
March 26th, 2025 at 9:04 pm
One Licht move I am surprised I haven’t seen- landing a competent veteran corner before the draft. He usually goes into drafts with a roster that doesn’t demand he draft or have to telegraph a pick for a “need” position.
March 26th, 2025 at 9:29 pm
Fact is that recently Licht is hitting a lot more than missing. That does not require pumping the brakes. How many teams in the NFC have a better record than ours in the last 5 years — what 51 and 33.
When we complain– more than giving accolades to a GM that helped us get to that record and one of the 5 super bowl wins.
Run him off – really.
March 26th, 2025 at 10:03 pm
Licht does very well in the drafts. The average success rate across the NFL is only like 50% in the first round and it drops off hard from there.
With 10 first round picks I would say that Licht hit on 6 of those – Evans, Kancey, Barton, White, Vea, and Wirfs. Even if one argues that White is a bust that still puts Licht at the norm. Personally I don’t count White as a bust because we got starting ILB production from him for several seasons.
Second round the success rate is lower than 50%. Licht has had 16 second round picks and hit on I would argue 7 of those picks, with 1 of those picks looking like a possible success before his injury.
March 26th, 2025 at 10:21 pm
Bushlover
The way to make it a balanced and objective point is to list good and bad picks. Good drafters are typically hovering between 50-55% hit rates.
Tommoore4president
Outlined several of the hits in those years. The important thing to consider with his list is how every single one of those players were starters at one point. And that’s not even an exhaustive list.
The point is, Jason is has been a solid drafter over the years, but seems to be getting even better.
March 26th, 2025 at 10:26 pm
Like the great Forrest Gump most famously once said….in that movie….
(hmmm)
March 26th, 2025 at 10:28 pm
Bush light.
March 26th, 2025 at 10:35 pm
Folks here, are welcome, for the content today and tonight driven by a certain comment, a-hem, earlier in this thread.
As previously (bounced) aliases owned by this cat, also causing great free content, to this here….thing. Site. Something. You’re welcome
The original story, and *masterful” claim in it, were, as written incomplete.
Coulda been written as “masterful” (at times during the years), or coulda been written as “masterful” ( in later rounds) and completely blew the second round.
A lotta UNDEReducated folk running their mouths, lately, just not reading all the simple words laid out before.
Horse…to water
March 26th, 2025 at 11:43 pm
A ”Masterful” Drafter has a 55-60% hit rate. With only a couple players mentioned in article as examples, a long list of bad picks isn’t a good comparison.
Assuming 7 picks per year for the last 10 years, a 55% hit rate amounts to ~32 players that were bad picks. That would be considered masterful. I’m not gonna do all that homework, but maybe some other folks want to get after it.
March 26th, 2025 at 11:51 pm
Man, you guys get wild at times lol, i used to get caught up in it too…fun stuff….we’re good at 19, yes of course i wish it was pick 32 coming off a SB win, but its not….all good. And dont think management and scouts dont have their fun here, you can tell the difference between them and wannabes like little ole me
March 27th, 2025 at 12:23 am
Agree Logan Hall was way over drafted for what he is as a player, but I gotta LOL at Bushlover’s list and claiming Licht has been atrocious. If you were any more disingenuous with that comment, they’d be hiring you to work at Fox News.
RoJo was super productive when given the chance.
Justin Evans had a freak injury that ended his career.
And SMB was a serviceable CB who made a couple game changing plays that we don’t with the SB without.
I see others have listed all the day 2 and 3 hits from Licht, like Ali Marpet, D Smith, Chris Godwin, Antoine Winfield, Luke Goedeke, Cade Otton, Jalen McMillan, Tykee Smith, Bucky Irving, etc., so I won’t bother.
March 27th, 2025 at 5:35 am
“this franchise approaches next month’s draft without a sense of desperation”
Masterful as usual Mr Sage!
I am almost expecting Licht to trade out of the first round this year. We shall soon see. More picks=More chances! If Reddick shows up and we hit on some of those latter picks Jason will look like a genius yet again.
Go Bucs!
March 27th, 2025 at 7:32 am
Carmada lost his edge, but he sure has talent. Would have been a dismal 2023 season without him and McLaughlin winning us games. Remember the bad snap Carmada picked up and punted on the run? Now signed by Buffalo, hope he can turn his careen around.
I have wondered, what did Licht see to bring in McLaughlin?… his record was not that great before the Bucs. Chase is kicking like 93% with the Bucs.
Licht keeps growing as a GM. We are lucky to have him.
March 27th, 2025 at 7:42 am
“I don’t like it. Listen look what the rams did they traded up for verse.”
The Rams didn’t trade up for Verse.
And btw, in the past Licht had traded up in the first round.
March 27th, 2025 at 9:38 am
All one can do is smile, sometimes.
Important to have the discernment to read the carefully written words as presented above, and delineate correctly between someone saying THE LIST written at 4:16 was atrocious, not the GM or his staff.
Also, implied in the article written above originally, is that the past draft successes are already known, the LT currently, certainly many O line picks from small schools, amongst others. There was never any reason to list the known/obvious, when the phrase was stated “masterful” in the article, a clear discerning mind can simply list all the times that alleged “masterful” staff hadn’t been “masterful” at all. And especially in the 2nd round.
Just food for thought, factual, where those gaffed took place. The GM for the Champs this year is largely considered (for good reason) the best in the game, and to factually cite his 1st and 2nd round draft blunders would also be fair and true, like Jalen Rae got, JJ Arcega Whiteside, amongst others. That GM up there for the Iggles is great at what he does, but has big misses at critical picks too, and that’s not “masterful”.
Be objective, stay on task, be discerning. Be accurate and complete.
March 27th, 2025 at 9:41 am
*Jalen Raegor
March 27th, 2025 at 1:18 pm
JL has had some stinkers. Roberto in the second would get some GMs fired. Then he followed it up with Gay. Anyway, not a fan of exiting the first round. You lose the pivitol 5th year option. Trade back maybe but not out. It all depends on the players we have marked and what another team offers. Also, what has our division done in FA and the draft that night. I moved to ATL and the talk is pass rush all day. One of Georgia DEs will be drafted by them if on the board. They also like the kid from Marshall.
March 29th, 2025 at 7:57 am
In the first three rounds draft players with high floors. Save the “swing for the fences” picks for the later rounds and UDFAs.