Jason Licht: Signing Haason Reddick Doesn’t Mean He Won’t Select An Edge Rusher In First Round
March 31st, 2025
More pass-rushing help coming?
Was the signing of edge rusher Haason Reddick just a stop-gap plan to yet another edge rusher being drafted by the Bucs next month?
AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht, speaking at the NFL owners meetings at Palm Beach Monday afternoon, cautioned some of the Tampa Bay pen and mic club not to conclude that signing Reddick means he’s done hunting edge rushers.
“I don’t know if it changes the mindset there,” Licht said of his attack plan for the draft. “We have a few players, a handful of players, like every year, we think can be there at No. 19, including edge rushers.
“We’re going to stick to, ‘What is the best player?’ If it happens to be an edge rusher, it’s an edge rusher.”
So that means Marshall’s Mike Green is still on the table. Man, you put this Green, who had the most sacks in college football last year, on the field along with YaYa Diaby, Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea and Reddick. Look the eff out, NFL.
Joe might have to go demolish a beer after hearing this.
https://twitter.com/tampafreepress/status/1906806457892270467
March 31st, 2025 at 4:18 pm
Or is it a smokescreen to throw off the other teams.
March 31st, 2025 at 4:22 pm
I still think the dude from Boston College who played against better competition and had just a half sack less than Green is the better bet for NFL success
March 31st, 2025 at 5:02 pm
Permanently Moderated Says:
March 31st, 2025 at 4:18 pm
Not likely. Reddick is on a one year deal. And if he performs like we hope, he’s gonna want 30 million per year next year. Developing young edge rushers makes a lot of sense. Easily could be Ezeiruaku. I think he’s being sincere in selecting best player (unless it’s at a position that makes no sense for us to pick, like OT).
March 31st, 2025 at 5:09 pm
If an Edge is thee we like at 19? Grab’em. But don’t reach.
March 31st, 2025 at 5:25 pm
Jalon Walker will be gone so maybe Ezeiruaku or Scorton will be available at 19. I don’t want a guy that is going to be in rehab most of the year, so Campbell is not who I would want at 19. The defense has enough gimpy players as it is….
March 31st, 2025 at 5:34 pm
Smokescreen. Who did Marshall and Mike Green play against?
March 31st, 2025 at 6:14 pm
Should play no role at all. Ideally you don’t want to rush to play a rookie at EDGE since it rarely works out well, so drafting a guy and letting them learn would be a great route to go – and if he’s worth playing, he’ll get plenty of snaps in any case.
The positions where you rarely want a rookie to play are EDGE, DL and TE. Normally players take longer to develop there, with DL being the one that seems like it takes the longer, followed by TE, then EDGE. Obviously there’s always exceptions, but if they’re taking a EDGE guy, what a luxury it would be if you didn’t have to play them early if they weren’t ready.
Speaking of which, people shouldn’t write off Braswell just yet for all those reasons above. I’d have liked to see more from him, but he was very much a project player – and now that he’s got a year under his belt, hopefully he shows some big improvement. BTW, Licht, stop drafting project players at EDGE – you did that with JTS and he never did a ton – with Yaya you drafted a guy with production, and he has played really well.
March 31st, 2025 at 7:43 pm
Barron, Nolen, EZEIRUAKU, or Emmanwori.
I’d be really surprised if we don’t end up with one of those 4. Interesting part is they all play different spots. Barron more of a nickel, Nolen more inside DL, Donovan an EDGE, and Emmanwori more of a pure safety/could play next to Winfield.
Personally I like Barron the most. Upside is still super high, but should be able to come in immediately and start and make plays. Tykee Smith is a better fit at safety in NFL anyways in my opinion. He’s just one of those rarer safeties you can move back and forth to slot if needed with injuries.
It’s been too long since we’ve taken a DB in the first round too. Last one was almost ten years ago with Hargreaves disaster. One of those classic pics you like or rationalize on draft day and it was just horrible.
March 31st, 2025 at 8:17 pm
Smokescreen?
Maybe. Maybe not.
We don’t know how well Hassan is going to play this year.
We also don’t know if he’d be willing to take a team friendly deal to stay, if he has a great season.
However he plays this year, he may want to move on at the end of the season.
Regardless, he’s at or close to the age where Father Time will soon come beckoning.
We need to draft a CB in the top rounds.
March 31st, 2025 at 8:20 pm
Depends on the player and where his head is from college to pro. Kancey had a good 1st year except for the injury to start his rookie campaign. Hargreaves I loved from his college play and from all accounts SHOULD have adapted well,{ father a football coach, stellar college play, etc} but didn’t. Never saw that happening.
March 31st, 2025 at 10:30 pm
Yeah if I was in his shoes it almost would have to be edge rusher with the top pick. I really cannot think of a better position to find in the draft. More long term help the better. Hassan Reddick even if a full success at OLB we’re still gonna need to get younger at OLB. Chris Braswell is there but no guarantee there long term either. If not OLB I’m liking the idea of ILB jihaad Campbell
March 31st, 2025 at 10:38 pm
With his shoulder injury I’d probably naturally ignore drafting him, but for long term success and goal I think you have to sit and wait on him. He’s the kinda talent when healthy he’s going to be a difference maker. That also being said we need him to learn behind LVD and if hurt he’s unable to do that.
April 1st, 2025 at 3:13 am
Even if that were the case. I son’t think Jason is gonna say so at this point Joe.
Poker face fully on here. As long as it’s not a kicker LOL
Go Bucs!