Jason Licht References Offensive Need, Hints At Drafting DL
March 22nd, 2025
“Look, Glazer, I got the hot draft hand. Back off. If I want that Michigan tight end, he’s mine.”
Remember when the Lions had a top-5 offense and a winning record in 2022?
They went out and drafted running back Jahmyr Gibbs (Round 1) and tight end Sam LaPorta (Round 2).
Firepower!
Those rookies helped the Lions offense improve immediately and then average 33 points a game last season en route to a 15-win season.
Just something to think about, especially after Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht referenced having needs on offense entering this year’s NFL Draft during his visit to WDAE radio this week.
Another thing to think about was the candid tone in Licht’s voice when talking about sticking with a best-player-available mindset.
“If you try to stack your [draft] board by the needs of your team, what you end up doing, and speaking from experience, you end up pushing up players that don’t belong in the higher rounds up,” Licht said. “And you end up taking them because you have that need. And you’re kicking yourself later when you cut the after a year or two — that you wish you would have taken the other player.”
Perhaps Licht is blowing draft smoke, grinning and puffing a cigar in the face of media hungry for clues? Hey, it’s draft season.
Licht did have an answer when asked where the 2025 NFL Draft is deep. It seemed to imply he’s chasing a big body for the middle of his defense.
Vita Vea is 30 years old and isn’t known for playing an Aaron Donald-like load of snaps. Calijah Kancey also has missed a lot of games.
“It’s deep at running back but we’re pretty good there (laughs),” Licht said. “It’s a very deep group [in the draft] at running back. You know, there’s a lot of depth at interior defensive line, which would be good to (stops himself and pauses). You know, it’s always good to have great depth and be able to sub in waves [on] that defensive line. And we’ve seen that in recent years in the Super Bowl; the Eagles had unbelievable depth at defensive line this year.”
Ahhh, the intrigue of the draft.
Licht also talked about the Bucs’ draft like a Sage front office man. “It’s just about making sure you take the right player,” he said.
Listen Live to 95.3 WDAE below. The JoeBucsFan Show airs today at 10 a.m.
March 22nd, 2025 at 4:58 am
I like what I here . get a stud
March 22nd, 2025 at 5:21 am
Time to give yan extra Vita
March 22nd, 2025 at 5:56 am
“the Lions had a top-5 offense and a winning record in 2022? They went out and drafted running back Jahmyr Gibbs (Round 1) and tight end Sam LaPorta (Round 2).
Firepower!
Those rookies helped the Lions offense improve immediately and then average 33 points a game last season en route to a 15-win season.”
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Yea- and that 15 win season ended with their 1st and only playoff game – because they didn’t have enough depth on defense!
Licht won’t make the same mistake.
March 22nd, 2025 at 6:05 am
Jason Licht … ‘You know, it’s always good to have great depth and be able to sub in waves [on] that defensive line.’
Proof positive that JL does in fact read Joe Bucs Fan comments. LOTS of JBFers have commented recently on the need to beef up the interior of our DLine so that our pass rush becomes more consistent. Several beastly DT/NT candidates in this draft who could help us big-time.
March 22nd, 2025 at 6:15 am
As much as I love Gholston, this is the year to move on. So much talented DTs in this draft (and free agency afterwards), we have no room for him.
March 22nd, 2025 at 6:29 am
I think the bucs should reach out to Aaron Donald’s manager..
Gage his interest to play a year with this dline.
March 22nd, 2025 at 6:39 am
Hey DR…
Any thoughts on Alfred Collin’s from Texas?
Seems to fit your criteria..
March 22nd, 2025 at 6:40 am
Draft smoke, we have only 1 true linebacker and he’s drawing Social security soon.
Going LB first 2 picks
CB 3rd round
March 22nd, 2025 at 6:53 am
When the GM talks like that look for the opposite to happen.
March 22nd, 2025 at 7:06 am
No way we draft two linebackers in the first two rounds. Linebacker is a super low value position and we can grab a decent LB much lower because no one else will be picking them. If it’s not Campbell, and his shoulder surgery worries me for this season a bit, then you wait till round three or lower. Probably should go edge or cornerback pretty high with defensive tackle and linebacker a little lower. The tackle position is deep and the linebacker because of value. It has to be best available player but it needs to be a defender in our world currently. I would love to see us wide receiver in there somewhere.
What will probably happen unless there’s a trade somewhere:
1 edge
2 BAP
3 BAP
4 BAP
5 BAP
7 BAP
March 22nd, 2025 at 7:34 am
Jason Licht … ‘You know, it’s always good to have great depth and be able to sub in waves [on] that defensive line.’
JL knows how to draft big guys…. we need a lot of depth on the whole defense
big empty space in the middle of linebackers …. we must look for our future linebackers
March 22nd, 2025 at 7:39 am
Jason Licht: “If you try to stack your [draft] board by the needs of your team, what you end up doing, and speaking from experience, you end up pushing up players that don’t belong in the higher rounds up,” Licht said. “And you end up taking them because you have that need. And you’re kicking yourself later when you cut the after a year or two — that you wish you would have taken the other player.”
Did some commenters on here not read that quote? Lmao
March 22nd, 2025 at 7:43 am
So many needs. So few picks.
March 22nd, 2025 at 7:48 am
Don’t draft a linebacker in round 1 the two Devins are proof of that
Please don’t do a Tomlin and trade up to get one.
March 22nd, 2025 at 8:01 am
Licht has been reading my comments.
The Giants beat Brady twice because of their D-line.
Mahomes loses when he gets hit.
The Bucs and the Eagles beat the chiefs because we hit Mahomes.
We absolutely need a guy who can rotate with Vea, Kancey and Hall.
I want a DE/DT in the first.
Always invest in the trenches in the 1st round.
Bowles and Licht have found many good DB’s in rounds 2-4.
Whitehead- Round 4
Winfield- Round 2
MJ Stewart- Round 2 (I wanted to make him a LB)
Carlton Davis- Round 3
Jamel Dean- Round 3
SMB- Round 2
Tykes Smith- Round 3
Izien- undrafted
Zion- Round 5
Edwards: Round 3
We haven’t one DB who hasn’t made it in the NFL.
All of these guys are in their 2nd or 3rd or 4th
March 22nd, 2025 at 8:06 am
Getting the right player. Truer words never spoken.
March 22nd, 2025 at 8:17 am
I agree on the point that I’d love to see a DE go first. They are super deep in this draft at D tackle so that can wait till day two of the draft. This draft is a little unusual being more defensive tackle and running back heavy than usual. I think with the addition of Walker, the need for ILBs is a little less urgent. I’d still like to see one taken on day two or three. But I think cornerback is a more important position… it’s higher valued across the league anyhow. If we do pick in offensive player in this draft, it has to be at wide receiver.
Still a month ago, got to find some patience.
March 22nd, 2025 at 8:20 am
LB3
March 22nd, 2025 at 8:33 am
We may be able to pass on ILB due to SVD returning from injury, Walker signing, and David coming back. So we need to go with the best available person. I trust JL. We have a good receiver core but I think we could snag another in round 1. I think our TE’s are good but could probably get Mark Andrews if he is cut since he would probably like to play with Baker again. So offensively we really don’t need to draft anyone, unless we seriously cannot get a backup center in free agency. Stick to all defense regardless of position, but only if the best person is available.
March 22nd, 2025 at 8:46 am
Unless CB/WR Travis Hunter or CB Will Johnson drops in Bucs’ lap, there is no reason to draft at 19. If Licht could pick an extra third to drop down a few spots, it would help the build up our reserve/backups.
March 22nd, 2025 at 9:08 am
I was drawn to your post by the big red mark on your back from that giant pat on your back. All kidding aside, I agree with you 💯. No need to waste a 1st rounder on a DB, get us VV’s heir apparent who can start the season while KC nurses a calf and sub for Vea when he’s gassed.
Btw, I know everyone here likes to think their take is unique and special, but there is a term for when people simultaneously and independently have the same idea, “simultaneous invention.” Actually, it’s so common it has 2 names and is aka as “multiple discovery.”
March 22nd, 2025 at 9:12 am
Jason gives me the warms.
March 22nd, 2025 at 9:16 am
I would not be upset with Kenneth Grant.
March 22nd, 2025 at 9:24 am
seems like a lot of DL guys that fit between 15 to 35.
Should be a couple that Licht thinks will fit the Bucs philosophy.
March 22nd, 2025 at 10:19 am
He’s an elite gm. Very lucky to have him. We have a terrific roster because of him and he’s not wrong: a significant amount of injury history and concerns on the dline and at wr. Those spots also happen to have aging players.
Best player available mindset is best with the caveat that you should normally draft dline, edge, corners, WRs, and tackles in round one (outside of qb).
If an outlier happens at a different position of significant need at 19 so be it.
March 22nd, 2025 at 12:41 pm
When positions like RB and DT are heavy like this draft you try and take one late because of the value. A 5th round DT this year is probably closer to most drafts 3rd talent. Same for RBs. The Bucs currently only have three day 3 picks but it wouldn’t surprise me if they picked a DT. If a RB falls to their 7th round pick they have rated much higher it could happen too.
March 22nd, 2025 at 12:58 pm
Cant have studs at every position. If a can’t miss prospect lands in your lap you don’t pass in them just because the position isn’t a weakness. The only positions we are considered set at are QB, tackle, and running back I think. Correct me if I’m wrong.. I don’t think there is any other position where we should pass on a stud falling into our laps unless there is a comparable player at a weaker position..ilb is most glaring weakness we should try to address somewhere in first couple of rounds. Otherwise we can live with what we have elsewhere generally.
March 22nd, 2025 at 1:39 pm
There’s no doubt in my mind that they’re not overlooking the interior DL. If the guy they like best in round one is a 320 lb space eater with athleticism, I could easily see them going there. Those guys deservedly get boosted as a premium position. Perhaps there is someone in particular that he has his eyes on… (?) Nobody had us taking Calijah Kancey a few years ago. Licht loves the trenches.
March 22nd, 2025 at 2:16 pm
Best CB or DE early, then BPA the rest of the way.
March 22nd, 2025 at 3:05 pm
When you have a terrible D-Coordinator/HC that refuses to give up duties. The smart thing to do is draft to your strengths which is all offense.
March 22nd, 2025 at 3:25 pm
I agree wholeheartedly with the line or Emmanwori or Starks.
You can’t take a corner n the 1st like Barron or Hairston who projects as a nickel.
Revel I think 19 is too high. If he is there in the 2nd for sure.
Give me Shemar Stewart or or one of the Michigan Boys.
March 22nd, 2025 at 3:27 pm
Couch Fan Says:
March 22nd, 2025 at 3:05 pm
Bowles has been working with a half deck on defense for the last few years. Give him the tools, at least. If he can’t get it done with a loaded D, then we can talk. Besides, even a loaded offense isn’t gonna get you to the ultimate goal if your D doesn’t have the guns.
March 22nd, 2025 at 3:36 pm
On most big boards, Campbell as best available lines up right with the Bucs first round pick.
In the second round, there are plenty of DT’s, DE’s and Edge Defenders whose big board positions line up with the Bucs second round pick.
I would like to see the Bucs move up in the second round to take DT Tyleik Williams – 6’3″, 334# (down from 360# to be more explosive), 4.68 forty with a 1.58 ten yard split. He would have to be on a snap count like Vea was earlier in his career. But, Vea will not play forever. And, playing the two together with Kancey, Diaby and Reddick would give the Bucs a real shot at a three and out to start each series. If no three and out, then you have a rotation that make an effective four man rush a much better possibility.
March 22nd, 2025 at 5:30 pm
toopanca Says:
March 22nd, 2025 at 3:36 pm
Except he has a torn labrum and an injury history to be concerned with before that.
March 22nd, 2025 at 6:21 pm
@pickgrin – to be fair, they did have some depth on defense. But all the defensive backups were getting injured too. That side of the ball was simply decimated by time the playoffs came.
Moreso than even our Bucs were, who also had a ton of defensive injuries throughout the season.
March 22nd, 2025 at 6:25 pm
As for the draft:
Take an ILB and CB within the first 3 rounds. And I wouldn’t mind at all if the other pick was beastly DL at all.
March 22nd, 2025 at 6:48 pm
Jemarre Caldwell Dl from oregon has some nice tape , maybe had in 4th round…beating double teams but more of a 1 – 3tech
March 22nd, 2025 at 8:14 pm
I could live with the Bucs going DT with any of their picks including 19. My first choice would be Harmon at 19. Grant had the benefit of lining up next to Graham and still didn’t generate as much pressure as Harmon did. Neither did any other DT at any level of Divsion I college football, in fact. Harmon lives in the backfield. He averaged almost a hurry per quarter last season at Oregon. A knock on him is he only exploded last year after being solid for a few seasons at Michigan St. There are a few reasons for his greater impact in 2024. At Oregon he had better coaching and according to him getting away from the distractions of playing close to home gave him more time to work on his game and being away from his mother’s cooking let him trim down to the weight he played at in 2024. He showed up at Mich St as a 360 lb freshman. He could be a sub across the line and perhaps grow into Vea’s starting spot over the next few years. He is willing and able to play at whatever weight his coaches need him to he says.
My best value would be Yahya Black from Iowa in the fourth or fifth. He is
astonishingly athletic for his size. He’s not quite as big or athletic as Vea but the numbers are close. The production numbers are not. Maybe Vea could make an understudy of him.
The most fun and off radar prospect is Laki Tasi, a 6’6”/348 lb 21 year old Australian Rugby pro. Another colossal athletic freak. He has 34 inch arms, runs like a deer and has been training at IMG academy in preparation for the draft. He’s worth the Bucs seventh rounder. He could blossom into a force of nature on the football field under Vea and the coaching staff’s tutelage.
March 22nd, 2025 at 9:55 pm
jason has earned the right to pick his guys. im fine with defensive line. i dont like 1st round linebackers. if we get the right guy at a need pick while always going best available, im good with that.big school guys i like especially after nil has made top colleges like triple a minor baseball teams, drafting small school is like promoting a guy from double a, he better be great. i like defensive backs in high rounds.
March 23rd, 2025 at 1:01 am
Licht/Bowles skill
– finding and developing CB,S and small school OT turned RT and interior linemen in rounds 2-5.
– drafting WR rounds 1-3
Licht/Bowles whiffs
– 1st round Edge rushers and any round K or P
I think LB or DT is reasonable for 1st round though Nick Eman SCar safety intrigues me
March 23rd, 2025 at 3:18 am
Umm Draft 101 class says Smoke Screen Joe.
There are some good ones but not at 19. I think we trade down and go with lots and lots of picks.
Go Bucs!