Jason Licht Doesn’t Deny Draft Is Rich At Defensive Tackle
April 14th, 2025
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
One guy Joe listens closely to when he weighs in on a draft prospect is Greg Cosell of NFL Films.
Why? Because that’s Cosell’s wheelhouse. When Cosell began working for NFL Films, he talked Bill Walsh into letting him tag along and learn how to break down tape and the traits NFL coaches look for in prospects.
That’s a helluva professor!
Since, Cosell has kept close ties with NFL folks through the years. And unlike many, Joe sees Cosell snooping around the combine each winter, chatting up NFL coaches, suits and yes, players. He does his homework.
Recently, Cosell said on the Ross Tucker Podcast that he was told by who Cosell described as “someone in the know” that as many as 20 defensive tackles could be selected in the first two nights of the draft.
That’s significant. So last week, Joe asked Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht about Cosell’s intel. Licht too, believed that’s a possibility, but he added there’s no way to know until the draft gets underway.
“Potentially, I guess,” Licht said. “Anything is possible. You go on a run at a position then all the sudden they can all go pretty quickly.”
But yeah, the draft is deep in defensive tackles. That’s why Joe sort of thinks the Bucs will get one at some point in the first two nights of the draft.
Vita Vea is in a contract year next year. If the Bucs make it to the Super Bowl, he will be 31. And the way having a rotation of good defensive tackles can wear down an offensive line, imagine having a stud like Walter Nolen or Kenneth Grant raising hell inside, along with Calijah Kancey and Vea.
Man, how the Bucs could savage opposing offensive lines.
“I was told by someone in the know that he wouldn't be surprised if there were 20 tackles taken in the first three rounds.”@GregCosell on the latest @RossTuckerPod: pic.twitter.com/esBSGD6AuX
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) April 8, 2025
April 14th, 2025 at 4:47 am
Thinking they are right about 20 tackles taken in the first two to three nights of the draft. Sounding like the top ones will go really fast.
April 14th, 2025 at 4:57 am
That would make DR very happy!
April 14th, 2025 at 5:20 am
If Buccaneers draft well they could restock the defense like they restocked the offense last year.
April 14th, 2025 at 5:24 am
I agree the Bucs could use DT depth. The question is where does it fall in defensive needs compared to other positions.
Extra Edge or extra DT?
Future ILB or extra DT?
3rd Safety or extra DT?
Starting CB or extra DT?
I trust JL to make the right call on each of these questions with the players available on their board.
April 14th, 2025 at 6:05 am
Senor Harry … I have no doubts that the Bucs will draft a DT. It’s WHO we draft that I’m concerned about.
I want a giant, a beast who can take control of the game in the trenches. We’ve all seen Vea do that, and we all know what a monstrous difference that can make. Other DLinemen like Kancey & Hall feed off of what he does. So can our OLBs.
Right now we’re a relatively light Front-5. When Vea’s not in there, we don’t get a very good ‘interior push’. And he’s not in there on about 40% of our defensive plays. The beastly DT/NTs in this draft are all up near the head of the line … Rnd 1 maybe Rnd 2. After that, space-eaters. If Grant, Collins or Williams are there when our time rolls around, I surely hope that JL will pull the trigger on one of them.
April 14th, 2025 at 6:41 am
Am I the only one who wants that 464 pound dude out of Florida? He would have broke the bench press record at the combine. 7th round maybe?
April 14th, 2025 at 6:50 am
This DT class is *absurdly* deep. That’s first-round talent in the third, third-round talent in the seventh, and legit starters falling through the cracks. It’s not just deep—it’s historic. And when edge and corner dry up fast, smart teams will double-dip at DT. I won’t be shocked if Thor Griffirh ends up being one of the best and because of all the talent won’t surprise me if he goes in the 7th or undrafted.
April 14th, 2025 at 7:02 am
I would think dt/nt would be of the utmost importance. At VV age and weight the end is surely near. Not hoping that just merely an observation. Build the defense from the trench’s out. DR is 100 % correct the dline is to light when VV is on the sidelines .
April 14th, 2025 at 7:06 am
The only DTs I like for the Bucs are Nolen or Harmon in the first. Grant lacks strength, pass rush skills and production which is an issue considering he played next to a top ten pick. Harmon is my favorite due to his non-stop motor, pass rush production and mastery of his weight which isn’t something media consider much when spewing draft prognostications. Harmon played at 360 as a freshman at Michigan St and said he is happy to put on or drop weight according to what his NFL coaches are looking for from him. Weight management issues are a prime reason why DTs have one of the highest first round bust rates.
“The right player” for the Bucs in 2025 is 6′ 2″ 325 lb DT/productive short yardage back JJ Pegues from Ole Miss early on Day 3. He has a wicked spin, cat-like feet and sideline to sideline game speed that he uses well against run and screen games. Like Harmon he gets after the passer with the moves and tempo of a 4-3 DE.
“The right player” to be Vea’s understudy is Laki Tasi the 21 year old 6’6 348 lb Australian Rugby player with 34′ arms in round 7. He too has his weight mastered and has all the measurables. He played rugby at well over 400 lbs but dropped weight to take a shot at the NFL. Coaches at IMG Academy have been blown away by how sponge like he is as a pupil of the game. He is a developmental prospect sure but the nifty thing about him is he effectively grants the Bucs a bonus roster spot for himself thanks to the NFL’s International Player Pathways program. I hear the buzz about that hoss from Florida but this guy could be a more realistic alternative because he moves like a ball carrier at his preposterous mass.
April 14th, 2025 at 7:16 am
Just my 2 cents worth is the bucs trade back a few spots in the 1st and draft Emmanwori and then … Get ready for it… Trade back into the end of the 1st round and grab DT Nolen.
April 14th, 2025 at 7:23 am
I forgot to mention Yahya Black the 6’5” 350 lb waterlogged trash can from Iowa who blew up the combine. Despite his impressive times and jumps his tape shows he is presently just a run stuffer who doesn’t move no matter how much opponents push, pull and try to knock him over. He uses his long arms well but has to figure out the whole movement thing. Perhaps Vea can inspire or instruct him.
April 14th, 2025 at 7:27 am
Jason, Desmond Watson is the 464 pound defensive tackle from Florida. What I can tell you is that he wasn’t very good in college. Everyone seemed to like him at Florida though and they would give him playing time mostly in blow outs or run situations. I would be surprised if he was drafted by any team.
April 14th, 2025 at 7:38 am
HopeIn1,
Grant doesn’t lack strength. He lacks stamina. NFL trainers should work him into shape. They should also manage his work load in the NFL. If you watch the game cuts ups rather than the highlights on YouTube, you will see that he received the double team blocks more so than Mason Graham. This says a lot to me. College OCs aren’t dumb. They know who’s on the other side of the line, but they rolled protection toward Grant. There were times where Graham and Grant both had 2 blockers on them. Their lack of sack production was more a result of the college offense and the quick passing.
April 14th, 2025 at 7:39 am
Ty Robinson/Elijah Roberts later rds if we dont use one earlier…deep there.
April 14th, 2025 at 8:06 am
“Hope in Hand”
I don’t know if Grant, Nolan or Harmon has pass rush ability or not. Have not watched enough tape of any of these DT’s to really speak with clarity about their NFL skill set.
But when you say that Grant did have enough production compared to the guy he was next to Mason Graham — let’s look at Draft Buzz
Mason Graham 46 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 20 pressures, 1 batted ball.
Kenneth Grant 32 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 23 pressures, 1 batted ball.
Guys like Chris Jones and Jeffrey Simmons did not have any more production in their last season of college and have had many pro bowls in the NFL.
By the way Grant is the 3rd youngest DT in the draft.
April 14th, 2025 at 8:07 am
Correction. Grant had 5 batted balls to Grahams 1 batted ball.
April 14th, 2025 at 8:47 am
You are all the way off with your assumption about how I form my opinions. I’ve watched highlights of most players but not Grant and never pop of with an opinion without watching at least four cut-down games, generally ones suggested by draft nerds or that have multiple players I am interested in on both teams. There is no need for me to peruse highlights of Grant because I rarely miss watching Michigan games in real time with all the scrutiny I do Bucs games.
Grant moves well, hustles and is extremely impressive with how he can get skinny but when he gets penetration it is not with technique or raw power- he goes over the top with a swim which plays in the NCAA but won’t in the NFL, That is all he has in his pass rush tool kit. He almost never blows a blocker off his spot. He has a lot of great traits but he does not understand leverage and apparently has been content to rely on his movement talent alone to this point and running around like a big dog at a dinner party does not play as well in the NFL either. I’m not going to feel good about expecting him to put in the time in the weight and film rooms, learning to pitch his torso and shins in unison so he can execute pass rush moves and use his hands which absolutely lack power. I’m not saying he can’t do all that but its a stretch to expect from a DT and is going to take time if he does. I’m not keen on burning a first round pick on a project DT who hasn’t shown discipline or love for the intricacies of the game.
DTs are expected to deal with double teams. Grant has next to no plans or skills at this point in his development beyond that swim over move and get skinny when somebody trips a bit. He has a big hill to climb if hes going to reach his potential which is not Vea 2.0 and guys his size don’t do hills well. I’m a fan of Michigan but he and Graham both are enjoying a boost due to the Harbaugh National Championship team defense’s collective success. Both are excellent players but both are physical and mental doughboys I am not hot to have in Tampa when players who are enterprising about their talents and thus have developed themselves more are available. The big G’s spent too much time reading last year’s news about themselves and not enough time preparing for this fork in the road. Thats not my taste in football players.
April 14th, 2025 at 9:16 am
I really liked your breakdown of Grant, Hopein1Hand. Any chance you’ve got some sleepers at the position? Also, would appreciate your thoughts on Thor Griffith? I’m curious if you or anyone else here is in on him as a late-round steal at DT like I am…
April 14th, 2025 at 9:42 am
The above was for What The Buc, now Geno711, I see what you are saying about Grant’s stats relative to Graham but I was comparing him to Harmon (I should have been clearer) here is what I get from cfbstats.com:
Harmon: 27 solo+18 ast=45 tackles/10.5 TFL for 53 yds/5 sacks for 33 yards/4 PBU/10 hurries/2 FFs- he also led all DTs in pressure rate
Graham: 23 solo+22ast=45 tackles/7 TFL for 34 yds/3.5 sacks for 26 yds/1 PBU/3 hurries/0 FF
Grant: 18 solo+14ast=32 tackles/6.5 TFL for 28 yds/3 sacks for 22 yds/5 PBU/3 hurries/0 FF
Nolen: 25 solo+23 ast=48 tackles/14 TFL for 50 yds/6.5 sacks for 36 yds/3 PBU/4 hurries- had more tackles, sacks and TFL than any of them but he is off many team’s boards for being lazy so I’ll retract my above stated interest
NFL Draft Buzz has been a great all-around resource for the past few years for sure. I love Harmon’s motor and moves more than anything. Only JJ Pegues comes close to showing more effort on and off the field which is critical with DTs. Skip Nolen and check out Harmon and Pegues, Pegues has all the moves as a ball carrier for real. Harmon’s non-stop motor combined with his cool willlingness to beef-back-up to Vea size is why Harmon is “the right player” in my eyes.
April 14th, 2025 at 10:00 am
Josh- JJ Pegues is my favorite ready for game action week 1 sleeper DT but I like the value and potential the Bucs could get from Yahya Black but only expect ex Bucs LB Quincy Black or safety Ahmad Black level performance- excellent rotational player and spot starter.
Laki Tasi is an impossible to project talent but the size and movement skills are there, rugby prowess translates well and he started playing at age 12 against adults so he has almost a decade of experience pushing tough, grown-a$$ men around. I like that the Bucs get a bonus roster spot to take a flier on him most of all though.
I haven’t checked out Thor Griffith yet but I will today and get back to y’all.
April 14th, 2025 at 10:43 am
Because the draft is so deep at DT, Licht probably waits until Day 3 for that position. First two nights I anticipate Edge, DB, and possibly WR.
April 14th, 2025 at 11:13 am
The center is like the QB’s presnap stool. What we need is another center cut beast who can push in the QB’s stool.
April 14th, 2025 at 3:19 pm
I think ILB, CB are priorities. After that always good to draft D-Line and O-Line every single year! Probably add to WR depth again as well
April 14th, 2025 at 4:48 pm
Based on composites from various sites , I can find about 18-25 names: 1 Tech K Grant, Ty Williiams, Jord Phillips, CJ west, Jam Caldwell, YaYa Black, Deone Walker/ 3 Tech: Mason Graham, Walt Nolen, Derr Harmon, Darius Alexander, Alf Collins, Omar norm-lott, Josh Farmer, Shemar Turner, Ty Robinson, JJ Pegues, Vern Broughton, Rylie Mills./ 5 Tech: Tj Sanders, Aeneas Pebbles, Elijah Roberts, Savion Jones, Tonka Hemnigway, Elijah Williams….wow..used draftek to get list..Probably missed some and included some
April 14th, 2025 at 4:53 pm
Some guys like Jt Timoloa, Jordan Burch, Shemar Stewart could probably play some 3 -5 tech also
April 14th, 2025 at 7:56 pm
I also like YaYa Black as a rotational piece. I don’t necessarily see him developing into a pass rusher, but he’s stout against the run and difficult to move. He’d be a solid addition to the rotation—especially as an undrafted player, which is where I currently expect him to land. JJ Pegues is intriguing as well, as is anyone who played on that Ole Miss defense—it was, in my opinion, the best in college football.
I also agree on Laki Tasi. With the extra roster spot, he’s absolutely worth kicking the tires on and keeping around. Maybe it’s just me, but this is exactly why it’s hard to justify drafting a defensive tackle in the first round—there are players available in the third round or later who might end up being better long-term options or at least the same exact guy you got in the first round or so close you don’t know the difference…
April 14th, 2025 at 10:56 pm
surprise surprise…
grab a DT…
find us the next warren sapp…
unfortunately i think they broke the mold with big #99