No More “Flier” Pass Rushers For Jason Licht
April 6th, 2025
Bucs GM Jason Licht accused of hope.
So what will Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht do in Round 1 of the draft in 18 short days?
PFF Tribe draft guru Trevor Sikkema, a Tampa-loving man Joe has witnessed chatting with Licht, believes the Bucs boss will end his streak of drafting unpolished edge rushers this month.
Sikkema was adamant that’s what Licht was doing when he made Joe Tryon-Shoyinka a first-round pick in 2021 and YaYa Diaby a third-rounder in 2023.
For good measure, Sikkema added that Logan Hall — sort of a tweener defensive tackle/edge guy when drafted in 2022 — falls in that category, too.
So in his Thursday mock draft for Pro Football Focus, Sikkema chose Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku for Tampa Bay, with beastly and versatile linebackers Jihaad Campbell and Jalon Walker already off his board.
“They want production. They want experience,” Sikkema said of the Bucs. “And they want a guy who just knows how to win because I think they’ve taken a couple of flier players over the last couple of years: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Logan Hall, YaYa Diaby even. These are all players that I think they drafted and said, ‘Hey, we need them to polish up as pass rushers but we’re willing to take that chance.’
“Diaby has a little bit but Tryon-Shoyinka never did; he’s no longer on the team. Logan Hall’s still there but he’s not the pass rusher that they hope that he could develop to be. They don’t have to worry about that with Donovan Ezeiruaku.”
Ezeiruaku’s 16 1/2 sacks turned a lot of heads at Boston College last season. But it was the ACC, Joe? Well, playing edge rusher in the ACC suited Jared Verse quite well when he arrived in the NFL a year ago.
Verse, chosen at No. 19 overall by the Rams, was the defensive rookie of the year. The Bucs also pick at No. 19 this month.
At 6-2, 248 pounds, Ezeiruaku is a smallish edge rusher, but he’s an elite athlete (a former track star) and Joe likes that he’s still just 21 years old.
Sikkema raved about how Ezeiruaku is a stand-up outside linebacker that would fit perfectly in Todd Bowles’ somewhat unique system.
Joe’s not married to any player in Round 1. Just pick the right guy, Mr. Licht.
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April 6th, 2025 at 4:14 pm
Sorry Joe, but a beastly DT/NT like Kenneth Grant (6’4″ & 331 lbs) will have more impact than any Edge that we draft. Someone to rotate in for Vita Vea or at times play next to him in dire situations (like 4th & Goal from the 1-yard line?) will help create more consistent interior DLine pressure AND help all our other DT/OLBs to be more effective this year.
I recognize that Bucs probably won’t get Grant, but there are a couple other beastly DT/NTs (like Alfred Collins or Tyleik Williams) who we very possibly will be able to draft at #19. Trenches first.
April 6th, 2025 at 4:40 pm
The Bucs could trade back and land Grant and Ezeiruaku. Love mock drafts and on my latest with a few trades I pulled off a dream draft.
36 Donovan Ezeiruaku OLB
37 Kenneth Grant DT
64 Darrien Porter CB
87 Dylan Fairchild OG
88 Savion Williams WR
133 Savion Williams DE
235 Francisco Mauigao ILB
April 6th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
Bucs are going CB in the first round . Diaby was top 5-10 in pressures last season. With a lockdown corner more of those pressures become sacks. Combine that with Reddick and the pass rush will be much better . With that said they will have to find a middle linebacker to stop teams from countering the improved pass rush with short quick release passes over the middle. Hopefully Denis will be healthy. What small sample we have of his body of work is very promising. They also brought in a linebacker from Miami that excels in pass coverage to address this upcoming attack from other teams . No doubt in my mind that Licht and Bowles know what they are doing from what moves I’ve seen them make.There is only so much you can fix on the defense in one off season. They are making the right moves. Remember it took 3 years to fix the losses of Market, Cappa and Big Red .
April 6th, 2025 at 4:47 pm
Marpet
April 6th, 2025 at 4:54 pm
It does seem like CB is a likely choice, for the reasons Noc said above, but I have a hard time seeing them pass on Ezeriraku unless Barron or Johnson are there. I don’t see many other CBs mocked in the first… Revel, Hairston maybe late in round 1, feel like I am forgetting someone.
Licht has already commented on how the Eagles and having deep lines. Fairly certain they will take BPA along the D line / OLB / CB. And if their guys are gone… looking to trade back.
With Milroe and Dart getting first round looks a team could wanna leapfrog Pitt.
April 6th, 2025 at 4:55 pm
On a separate note… any season ticket holders or Tampa residents on here willing to connect and exchange some messages? Not sure the best way to do that, drop my email maybe…
I wanna start putting plans in place for the fall, will be my first time in Tampa to watch a home game.
April 6th, 2025 at 4:57 pm
Can we please just fast-forward time to where the Bucs are on the clock in the 1st round?
April 6th, 2025 at 5:00 pm
The biggest hole is at ILB. But the good news is that position is not highly valued, so the guys we may be interested in should be available in rounds 2-3 (Knight, Bassa, and Schwesinger, Paul, maybe Higgins), and possibly even as late as 5-7 (Kiser, Simon, Buchanan or Martin).
We’re not as desperate for an Edge as we were, but still need to pick one up at some time in case Braswell flames out. If Ezeirauku is available at 19, that may be a good pick. Later, Landon Jackson and Princely Umanmielen, Swinson, Sawyer, Tuimoloau, maybe Kennard or Stewart, and possibly Oladejo – so plenty of choices there.
Seems like we should be taking at least 1 corner early, cause the good ones go fast. And maybe a safety depending on what they do with Tykee Smith. I definitely wouldn’t mind another big body DL/NT to spell VV – but that’s also a position of depth this draft.
Of course, I have no insight into what JL likes best, but it seems we’re in pretty good position to take advantage of the draft.
Somewhere along the way, they should look for a future replacement for Evans/Godwin, and maybe another interior lineman.
We truly are in good position to take Best Player Avaliable – and the draft seems to be loaded at the positions of our biggest needs. Should be a really interesting draft.
April 6th, 2025 at 5:20 pm
If Jason wants this guy and drafts him, I’ll celebrate.
Until that point, I’m looking for center cut beef. When the center is in the quarterback’s personal space because he’s been mauled by a raging bull on his way to Pamplona, the job at edge becomes easier. Also harder to play the quick pass game because the pass defense is giving the cushion we all cringe about.
April 6th, 2025 at 5:32 pm
Usfbucs Says:
April 6th, 2025 at 4:40 pm
The Bucs could trade back and land Grant and Ezeiruaku. Love mock drafts and on my latest with a few trades I pulled off a dream draft.
36 Donovan Ezeiruaku OLB
37 Kenneth Grant DT
64 Darrien Porter CB
87 Dylan Fairchild OG
88 Savion Williams WR
133 Savion Williams DE
235 Francisco Mauigao ILB
I don’t think we need another OG as much as an OT.
Who is your DE at 133? (You must stake my copied Savion Williams name). Need to address CB, S and ILB in top 5 picks IMO
April 6th, 2025 at 5:37 pm
Jack Sawyer is better value in rd 2.
April 6th, 2025 at 5:41 pm
Sometimes “fliers” work out. JTS was not one of them. There are pass rushers all over the league who had modest production in college. You gotta remember, a lot of these guys are kids, just growing into their bodies, maturing as humans, and possibly haven’t had the coaching to maximize the talent and/or they were not asked to be pass-rush focused. Guys like that may get pushed later in round 1, and they’re definitely a boom or bust proposition. GMs and scouts have to identify the right personalities to project them and avoid busts. I’m not a big fan of boom or bust guys in the 1st or 2nd round.
Green may be off the Bucs board if there’s anything to those character issues… I mean especially since Ezeiruaku has Buccaneer man written all over him.
April 6th, 2025 at 5:59 pm
JTMs was also a combine athlete. instead of playing his final season of college ball in the Co Vid year he opted out to train for the NFL Combine that should have red flagged him from the start as much as Devin White talking more about money more than anything else about football. Bad signs.
April 6th, 2025 at 6:02 pm
Trade for Trey Hendrickson and we will win the Superbowl this year. Then draft DT/CB/ILB
April 6th, 2025 at 6:26 pm
I can’t wait until the draft is over. We can finally start talking about who we have instead of who we want. This speculation is becoming worse then predicting what our record will be next January.
April 6th, 2025 at 7:00 pm
The guy you have highest rated regardless of position is the one you take unless they are even then obviously it’s the need guy. This being a defensive draft shapes nicely in our area for needs this year so that helps. There are a lot of good looking players that should be there at 19. I believe they go with the character guys as they seem to show the consistent tape through the year or years, injuries not withstanding. Personally I hope they can trade back a few spots and add maybe another 2nd rounder or early 3rd and get a DL/Edge in 1st and then CB/LB or double down on DL/Edge again. Read and watched tape on this Revel from ECU, solid player and young man, could be the steal of the draft. This could be a draft that makes us for years to come.
April 6th, 2025 at 7:11 pm
Unless there’s a can’t miss prospect at 19, I would trade down to get more picks.
That Swiss Cheese pass defense will need more than 6 bodies playing 15 yards off the line of scrimmage on 3rd and 6.
Build for the future after Bowles is finally shown the door. That will be a great day.
28-27
April 6th, 2025 at 7:13 pm
I just came up with perfection with a small trade….
19. S- Emman
53. WR- Higgins
88. DT/NT- Deone Walker
121. ILB- Demetrius Knight
157. CB- Nohl Williams
194. RB- Kalel Mullings
235. CB- BJ Adams
Tell me what you think Mr. Licht and the rest, Ive been narrowing it down, still researching though….. and its always according to how the board falls.
April 6th, 2025 at 7:47 pm
Agreeing with DR…. Defensive Line! Another big body to spell VV!
April 6th, 2025 at 7:55 pm
I know you know by the way that Licht is bringing in all of these players and what if they break everyone’s heart with some out of right field guy at No 19 . Tricky tricky is Jason Licht. I see all of the smokescreen being laid out and hearing all of you guys. I only hope we get something ready to go in the first and second rounds, the rest I have to trust the jeweler to pull out a few diamonds in the rough. This year we should make the NFC Championship game dammit and we’ve beaten a few of the teams we’ll have go up against so film film film baby and do your thing. Go Bucs!!!
April 6th, 2025 at 8:07 pm
Corner
April 6th, 2025 at 8:12 pm
Tyleike Williams, please. Big enough to spell Vita but quick enough to back up Hall and Kancey, too. Nolan would be great but he has some mysterious character issue, too.
If Hall gets 5 sacks again he’ll probably get some good FA offers soon. I wouldn’t mind two high picks at DT.
April 6th, 2025 at 8:12 pm
I like that really big safety that runs like a deer and make him play cb.
April 6th, 2025 at 8:15 pm
Nick emmanwori
April 6th, 2025 at 8:16 pm
I was high on jihad earlier in the year, my gut is telling me Jason is going to be selecting either a de or a dt. Then cb, ilb, and s to follow. 🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️
April 6th, 2025 at 8:29 pm
Ezeiruaku at 19 would be perfect IMO….
I believe Licht will stick to his board – which doesn’t always jive with what appears to be the ‘general consensus’ among draftniks….
we could be surprised by the pick – like 2 years ago when they took Kancey at the same spot – #19
April 6th, 2025 at 8:35 pm
USFBucs that Savion Williams is more versatile than Hunter!
April 6th, 2025 at 8:57 pm
All I really know is that there are three guarantees in life. Death, taxes, and Joe being wrong about who the Bucs will draft in the 1st round.
So long as Joe doesn’t start beating the drum for the guy I want the team to draft, I’ll feel pretty good heading into draft night.
April 6th, 2025 at 9:26 pm
If CB’s Barron or Johnson are gone at 19, trade down to early rnd 2 with Giants or Browns (both are dumb and desperate to make a splash) and get an extra pick in rnd3. If Licht picks Barron or Johnson, immediately trade Dean for another rnd3 pick.
Rnd 2 go ILB and rnd3 go DL. I’m not a fan of picking a NT at 19 who would not be a starter this year ahead of VV, but could see a 3 technique pass rusher along the style of Kancey at 19 like Harmon.
April 6th, 2025 at 9:27 pm
It always amazes me — these keyboard clowns, who think that they know as much as an NFL general manager, who has a full team of full time NFL scouts who watch these players week in and week out, and spend nothing but their entire days watching film. Yet somehow, somebody who works full time at a job that does not involve scouting NFL is gonna tell us who’s better value and who is a better pick.
Get over yourselves. You’re just fans.
April 6th, 2025 at 9:57 pm
Nick Emmanwori is getting all the hype on this board because he’s a certified athletic freak. But is he the best safety. Does his play stand on it’s own to rank him so highly? Also, is he the type of guy Licht and Bowles want in the locker room? I don’t wanna fall in love with combine numbers.
April 6th, 2025 at 10:05 pm
Its some history here Modhair…dont know how long youve been around….all good
April 6th, 2025 at 10:50 pm
D.E. Has been my guy for months now. Hope he’s available at 19.
April 6th, 2025 at 11:00 pm
@ModHairKen
This is a blog site with a comment section. Go read a book if you don’t want to see people’s opinions.
April 6th, 2025 at 11:46 pm
@Filthy, he’s def a locker room guy. Is he the best? I dont know. He and Starks are the standout first rounders at Safety this year. To me, he can play LB, but also Safety and slot. I think we need that in Todd’s world. Ive been studying him a lot as a SC fan, so yeah, maybe im biased a little, but i know talent. Trust me, Starks is gone by 19…so lets get the next best…maybe trade down a few spots and still get him. Our weakness was the backfield this past year.
April 6th, 2025 at 11:51 pm
My bad 133 would be Sa’vion Jones out of LSU
April 6th, 2025 at 11:55 pm
And Dylan Fairchild could play tackle potentially too he has the length. Very similar measurements to Wirfs but needs work.
April 7th, 2025 at 2:36 am
I don’t think we need a DE as much as we need CB or safety. Bucs can’t just give up on Braswell everyone must of forgot he’s a second round pick. Draft the best 2 CB in round 1 and 2 and be done with CB for the next few years. Just like the Eagles did last year, Man Cooper Dejean would of been big time for the Bucs had we drafted him last year.