“With The Seventh Pick… “
April 3rd, 2014
Jason McIntyre, founder and editor-in-chief of TheBigLead.com, offers his take on the Bucs’ first-round pick.
Yes, the Bucs return to work Monday and will hit the practice field next week. That should break up the painfully long wait for the draft coming in May. Yes, Joe is anxious, too.
Now don’t buy for a moment the NFL had a scheduling snafu with the Radio City Music Hall, which pushed the draft back into May. That’s a bunch of bunk. The NFL is holding the draft in May because it is TV sweeps month, one of four including November, February and July.
(July is a terrible month for TV viewing as summertime habits away from home are in full force.)
TV networks pay more for broadcasts they know can draw eyeballs. The NFL Draft, like the NFL as a whole, is bulletproof programming. The more eyeballs on a network in a sweeps month, the more they can charge advertisers for commercial time during all their shows, NFL or otherwise.
Anyway, back to the draft. Joe fully expects the Bucs to draft a quarterback and a wide receiver at some point. The draft is lousy (hard “s” pronunciation) with wide receivers, likely starter will be available in the third round (Joe has been pimping Allen Robinson in the third round).
But Joe’s friend Jason McIntyre has other ideas. Yes, the founder and editor-in-chief of TheBigLead.com believes the Bucs will draft a wide receiver. No, he doesn’t think the Bucs will wait until the third round. McIntyre believes the Bucs will grab a wide receiver with the seventh overall pick and it won’t be Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins. Instead, McIntyre is of the mind that the Bucs will grab Texas A&M wideout Mike Evans at No. 7.
7. Tampa Bay – Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M. Much has changed for Tampa since the last mock draft. New coach, new GM, a slew of free agents, and a new QB (Josh McCown). Beefed up big-time defensively and on the OL. Mike Williams had such a bad offseason, Evans makes complete sense. Pair him with Vincent Jackson and you essentially have what McCown had in Chicago.
Now Joe wouldn’t mind a wide receiver at No. 7. Clearly, Joe has his sights on someone else.
Despite how former Bucs defensive end Steve White gushes over Evans, and rightly so, Joe wouldn’t pick Evans because, as McIntyre pointed out, he is a virtual clone of Jackson. Why not get someone with a different skill set to stretch the field?
Joe won’t go trying to tackle a moving train if the Bucs drafted Evans. But Joe thinks the Bucs can do better.
April 3rd, 2014 at 9:54 am
Evans is the 2014 Megatron!! VJax was never as fast as Evans. With T Wright, VJax, Evans and Streeter all 6’5″!! Offense will be deadly!!
April 3rd, 2014 at 9:59 am
Evans shouldn’t be ment I ones in the same sentence as Megatron. Only receiver I want at 7 is Sammy Watkins. If Sammy is gone go o-line or pass rusher plenty WAS on part with Evans in that mid rounds
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:00 am
Joe, dis you see this?http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/03/mike-williams-sued-by-insurance-company-for-kitchen-fire/#comment-3279556
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:02 am
Trade down, THEN pick up Mike Evans. Hard to say he is legit at 7. Too much talent in the top 10 and the Bucs have set themselves up to pick BPA.
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:07 am
Oregon Buc has it right! Evans is a faster more complete version of Vjax and Lovie is looking to create what he had (that worked) for Mccown in ChiTown. Like I stated in my last post, the 7th pick will be either Watkins or Evans and I would love to have either one.
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:08 am
ESPN has Evans ranked exactly at #7 Bucsfaninchina.
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:12 am
I watched Missouri’s CB EJ Gaines hold Mike Evans to a season-low
• (4) Receptions
• (8) Yards
• (0) Touchdowns
But then again, I’ve also watched EJ Gaines shut down vertically ever receiver he faced. So is EJ Gaines really that good, or was Mike Evans & Manziel just having a bad day?
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:13 am
funny vjax had 4.4 speed coming out of col
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:14 am
I watched Missouri’s CB EJ Gaines hold Mike Evans to a season-low
• (4) Receptions
• (8) Yards
• (0) Touchdowns
But then again, I’ve also watched EJ Gaines shut down I watched Missouri’s CB EJ Gaines hold Mike Evans to a season-low
• (4) Receptions
• (8) Yards
• (0) Touchdowns
But then again, I’ve also watched EJ Gaines shut down *(virtually) ever receiver he faced. So is EJ Gaines really that good, or was Mike Evans & Manziel just having a bad day? ever receiver he faced. So is EJ Gaines really that good, or was Mike Evans & Manziel just having a bad day?
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:15 am
I’ll be happy if the Bucs just sweep up a nice catch on draft days
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:15 am
lol..smh
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:15 am
Here’s why I like Evans – look at what McCown did with two monster WRs in Chicago. You add Evans to Jackson (and Williams), you’ve got a very similar situation and big playmaking opportunity. Having more weapons like that around can’t hurt.
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:17 am
Evans is a rare physical specimen at WR and would give the offense a much needed weapon. I think I would prefer Watkins or Ebron, but it’s hard to argue with the skills and production that Evans brings to the table! Our offense could go from average to scary good this year with a healthy Martin, V-Jax, (Watkins/Ebron/Evans), and if MW19 can get his head out of his butt….to go along with our improved offensive line (especially if Carl Nicks is back). Then round 2 maybe we could shore up th LB core with someone like Ford or Van Noy…we’d have a solid and talented team that could really challenge for a playoff spot then!
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:18 am
im good with evans at 7. this year its really hard to predict who the bucs are going to pick however i still rather have evans or watkins than joe’s mancrush jonny manziel.
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:20 am
The Bucs will do everthing they can to trade up and grab either Clowney or Watkins. If they can’t they will do everything they can to trade down and get more picks. They will not draft a QB in the first round if at all. If they do they will take a flyer in the later rounds. A glaring hole I dont hear may people talk about is the MLB position. Foster is weak in pass coverage and they will need to upgrade that position – Mike Glennon Fans on Facebook
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:27 am
Joe,
Are the Bucs allowed to talk to other teams now on potential draft day “scenarios”? For example, If San Francisco wanted so and so and that so and so is availalble at #7, can the Bucs have a verbal agreement with the Bucs to get 2-3 of SF’s draft picks? Another team that might be willing to deal are the cowgirls. Or, do they have to wait for their alloted 10-15 minutes on draft day?
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:28 am
The only real difference between Vjax and Evans is that Evans won’t be chased down by defensive linemen and line backers (Week 1 at the Jets).
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:29 am
The only people who benefit from Manziel coming to Tampa are the media.
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:32 am
for the forst time in a long time buc fans have no clue what position will be drafted so excited
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:34 am
Joe it’s like you have intimated before: What is the best long term bang for your Buccaneer-buck when you are at the 7th overall pick of a draft? QB, LT are biggest future needs after free agency since DE and DL were addressed, as well as addressed in recent drafts. If the ones (QB and LT) are not there that you covet for your offensive system, then it makes sense to go WR next, if no one offers a sufficient trade-up for us to acquire more picks (more picks my personal preference). TE’s appear not worthy of this spot based on this year’s crop and also since TE are out in 3-wide, or more, receiver formations. Same with LB’s in nickel formations. Based on age and contract of Vincent Jackson and eractic behavior+torn hammy of Mike Williams (see Dallas-Miles Austin); this kid Evans appears to be very solid and a good future replacement for either, if one should not perform up to expectations. Also much cheaper! We can always grab a later round WR speed merchant who is smaller if we need to. We could also address the speed merchant WR next year in the draft.
Chicago was very effective going with a twin-tower, above avg speed, good hands receiver strategy this past year. I really like this pick as an alternate to S.Watkins if he is gone, which he probably will be by 7th pick. The NFL has become basketball in pads with all the new hitting rules, so why not throw it up to the towers, for a higher percentage completion as well as better redzone strategy vs. the lower percentage home run hitter. Especially if we have to go with McCown as our starter!
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:36 am
Joe look at Chicago. They have two twin beasts. This draft is deep to the point you can get a shifty wr to play the slot in round 3. Someone like huff.
You take the BPA. Don’t reach for Manziel. He will get you fired. Take garoppolo in round 2. Golden.
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:36 am
I have a feeling if the Bucs get a really top WR, William’s days with the Bucs may be over.
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:42 am
Sammy Watkins will be bucs 1st choice but will be off the boards. Mike Evans is right pick cause vjax is still the man but is in his 30’s so Evans would be perfect replacement . Get some speed in the slot and try to stop that passing game. Teams would have to pick their poison which would open up run game. Mike Evans wingspan is larger than most tackles in the draft. He is the right pick there. Big. Good speed and can jump and catches everything.
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:46 am
although he is a clone of VJAX, why not draft him and allow him to grow under VJAX, whom will most likely be out of tampa within the next few years. we can get speed later in the draft but if evans is a future number 1, why not get him?
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:47 am
imagine if we had VJAX and evans outside with MW in the slot mixed in with a little Tim Wright split as a receiver as well.
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:47 am
#5 Missouri vs #21 Texas A&M 2013 (Enjoy)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA3oI1WuHZ4
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:50 am
Evans is going to be a good NFL receiver, my problem with him is he is too much like VJax. I’d much rather have Sammy because he threatens every level of a defense with his speed, shiftiness and vision. He’s definitely in the AJ Green/Julio Jones type level, and we obviously could use that. Problem is I don’t see him getting past the Raiders and I am against trading up unless the value is great.
April 3rd, 2014 at 11:08 am
“…Joe wouldn’t pick Evans because, as McIntyre pointed out, he is a virtual clone of Jackson…”
I didn’t believe this when I read it. So I looked up Evans combine stats, saw a 4.53 – 40 time, and believed it even LESS. Then looked up VJ. He had a 4.46 – 40 time in ’05. WHERE THE HELL DID THAT GO??? LOL
April 3rd, 2014 at 11:13 am
I will gladly eat crow if I’m wrong, but I guarantee the Bucs will not takee a WR in the first round.
Not only is it an unwise choice, seing as good WR’s are deep in the draft this year, but as I’ve stated many times over Lovie is against drafting wide receivers in the first round. Even if he publically says otherwise before the draft. His history as head coach make it clear.
The fact that WRs are so deep this year makes it even more obvious. Truthfully, he has not picked a QB in the first either, but that is because the Bears traded picks for one and most HCs only take a QB with their first pick in their first year unless they are retained for an extended period like Ryan’s Jets.
April 3rd, 2014 at 11:16 am
deminion Said:
“for the forst time in a long time buc fans have no clue what position will be drafted so excited”
Yeah it seems to change every couple of days. I would think that if Watkins should by chance fall to seven that they would draft him over Evans.
April 3rd, 2014 at 11:22 am
Please don’t talk to Joe about Williams or Manziel – they’re somehow related to them.
I can’t wait for Williams to be gone I’m just over it. Mike Evans at 7 is a safe pick!
April 3rd, 2014 at 11:25 am
@BoJim
isnt it great i remember for so long we know what positon was gunna be drafted last Cb was obvious SS was obvious DE was obvious this yr i have no clue prior yrs we drafted for need
April 3rd, 2014 at 11:28 am
Like Joe has to post a link to “Who he has his eye on”
Geeeesh
April 3rd, 2014 at 11:36 am
William’s problems are not that bad. Its not like he punched a cabbie. Yes, we need a slot receiver but not with the number one pick. We can get a slot receiver off waivers or in the 3rd round. This may be the last chance we have to get a decent QB for a LONG time.
April 3rd, 2014 at 11:41 am
Let’s do a your Mike/my Mike swap with the Dolphins. Trade even up Wallace for Williams. Hey, it’s no crazier than drafting Maziel.
April 3rd, 2014 at 11:56 am
Vjax clone a bad thing….. I would love to have Evans and Jackson with Mike Will in the slot. Actually all three could play in the slot
April 3rd, 2014 at 12:12 pm
Without a great OLine, it doesn’t matter how tall or fast your WR’s are. Draft Matthews or Robinson at #7.
April 3rd, 2014 at 12:26 pm
In an effort to avoid the Manziel Mania on this site which I am sure will persist well into May I would like to endorse one very sound pick, who I am sure played a significant role in Mr. Manziel’s success. (Visa-Versa) Evans would be an excellent pick who would compliment Jackson and create nightmares for db’s around the league. Would be nice if we could trade back and get him. My humble opinion………
April 3rd, 2014 at 12:27 pm
You watch, draft Ebron after moving back. Pair him w Meyers. Move weight to receiver
April 3rd, 2014 at 12:29 pm
You know, Joe, there are hundreds of mock sites on the internet. Most of which are far more entertaining and realistic than the trash you usually use.
Here is a site that is dedicated to finding other mock draft sites:
http://www.dcprosportsreport.com/MockDraft.htm
April 3rd, 2014 at 12:29 pm
The Bucs are not going to bring in a WR that high, maybe if we traded down and Evans was on the board.
The pick is simply too valuable and WR’s don’t get enough touches. Doubtful, but I’m thinking they may even trade out if Watkins was on the board.
Trade up? Not a chance unless Clowney fell out of the top 5.
April 3rd, 2014 at 12:34 pm
The fact that we now have two pass catching TEs (as opposed to blocking ones) adds to the theory that the Bucs may NOT draft a WR in the first three rounds at all.
Dick2111 Says
“Without a great OLine, it doesn’t matter how tall or fast your WR’s are. Draft Matthews or Robinson at #7.”
I would not mind either one of those guys. Although, I think it takes longer to train a QB so going QB first might be wiser. OL guys tend to develop quicker.
DL might be good too, except I doubt that happens after the FA signings…unless Lovie is totally committed to smoke and mirrors.
April 3rd, 2014 at 12:35 pm
The Sammy Watkins mob is now in full force!
April 3rd, 2014 at 1:07 pm
interesting read by mel kipper if you have espn insider.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2014/story/_/id/10703188/2014-nfl-draft-mel-kiper-makes-picks-gm-every-nfl-team
starts by sayin this:
For this, I’m the GM — for every team. Typically I’m asked to project picks. But for the “Grade A” draft, I make them. Each pick I select what I might for that team, in that spot, based on who is gone and who is available. Best outcome for each team at each spot.
The ground rules
1. At each slot, I make a pick in the best interest of only the team with the pick. I won’t pass on a player at No. 5 just because I like how he fits better at No. 7.
2. There are no trades. I note team needs, but not all picks are specifically to hit a need — same as the draft.
3. This is NOT A PROJECTION. It’s more a look at how I currently value players at each slot.
and for the bucs it is:
Round 1 (7) WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M
Round 2 (38) G David Yankey, Stanford
Round 3 (69) DE Kareem Martin, North Carolina
April 3rd, 2014 at 1:29 pm
There’s no way we don’t get a MLB in the first 3 rounds.
April 3rd, 2014 at 1:43 pm
deminion Said:
‘@BoJim
isnt it great i remember for so long we know what positon was gunna be drafted last Cb was obvious SS was obvious DE was obvious this yr i have no clue prior yrs we drafted for need.”
Man I don’t think anyone knows even L&L. Way too many variables. Can’t wait for the draft.
April 3rd, 2014 at 2:12 pm
Yes there is Bronze Badger; if we get a QB/Tackle/OG/WR/DE before! Don’t see a difference maker over our current MLB other than in 1st round, which of course, we should not use on a MLB at the #7 slot. Mason Foster should hopefully be more effective with better D-line play and new scheme. Don’t see an Urlacher or a Luke Kuechly in this draft in 1st round, so then, what is the point of taking one in the 2nd or 3rd round, since we have a capable starter and new FA backup from the Patriots. The positions I mentioned above have a larger need to be addressed in regards to a capable starter and quality depth in the first three rounds.
April 3rd, 2014 at 2:22 pm
True story: Lavonte David is better than Luke Kuechly and will eventually be considered better than Brian Urlacher (who is quite overrated)
April 3rd, 2014 at 2:35 pm
I think picking a receiver at 7 is irresponsible, considering all our needs. We need a qb, someone to hurt a qb, or someone to protect a qb. Not necessarily in that order.
April 3rd, 2014 at 2:56 pm
Bronze Badger Says
“There’s no way we don’t get a MLB in the first 3 rounds.”
There’s no way we draft a MLB at all.
April 3rd, 2014 at 3:17 pm
We’ve got 2 starting caliber MLBs already. We might find a 3rd one late but that guy had better be versatile and a special teams beast.
April 3rd, 2014 at 4:34 pm
We NEED receivers!!!!! Watkins will be gone and I say jump on Mike Evans as well. Whatever receivers we get they either need to be big and powerful or smaller burners. I like how Chicago had they’re two big time catchers on the outside. They make our wideouts look like practice squad guys because Jackson really fell off last year. I don’t want to hear about his stats because he was the only guy catching the ball. Way too many drops for his salary. Mike Evans would be nice across from Djax though. With them still hanging onto williams it’s hard to imagine them taking receiver at 7. I am pretty convinced they will trade down given everyone is talking how loaded this draft is.
April 3rd, 2014 at 5:00 pm
I would not trade down because someone that can be a difference maker should be there at #7. I just hope it is not Clowney. He got by in college with his athletic ability but at the NFL level he will not be able to do that as easily and I am concerned about his work ethic and motivation. You can’t coach an unmotivated player. Say no to Clowney. Plus the Bucs have consistantly struck out with 1st round DE’s from the state of South Carolina…Just saying.
April 3rd, 2014 at 5:42 pm
GoNoles Says:
April 3rd, 2014 at 10:07 am
Oregon Buc has it right! Evans is a faster more complete version of Vjax and Lovie is looking to create what he had (that worked) for Mccown in ChiTown. Like I stated in my last post, the 7th pick will be either Watkins or Evans and I would love to have either one.
I really hope this is a joke?? Evans has never caught a pass in the NFL, basically a great WR in college whom I’m a big fan of but please don’t disrespect VJ:) I wouldn’t mind the pick at all but lost of value at WR this year
April 3rd, 2014 at 9:02 pm
GoNoles Says
“Like I stated in my last post, the 7th pick will be either Watkins or Evans and I would love to have either one.”
No it will not. Lovie Smith WILL NOT take a WR in the first round. All you Watkins lovers keep ignoring common sense.
April 3rd, 2014 at 11:34 pm
Best QB in first rd, MLB from Mich. St. In 2d, Syracuse DL in 3d, LSU Guard in 5th, and best athlete who can play ST too in 7th.