“Ideal Fit”
April 11th, 2017
Perfect for Bucs, says NFL Network.
If there is a first-round running back who is a seamless selection for the Bucs, it is Dalvin Cook.
That’s the word from NFL Network draft analyst Bucky Brooks. When he’s not mocking a strongside linebacker to the Bucs at No. 19, Brooks studied the top four running backs in the draft (notorious Oklahoma woman-punching running back Joe Mixon is not among Brooks’ group) and selected the best fits for Leonard Fournette, Christian McCaffrey, Jeremy McNichols and Cook.
For the Bucs, it is a no-brainer, Brooks said. The choice is Cook.
“Tampa Bay Buccaneers with his old teammate [Jameis Winston],” Brooks said when asked by Daniel Jeremiah where Cook should go. “The reason this is an ideal fit is he is everything the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need, an explosive three-down back.
“He can catch it out of the backfield. He can run it inside or outside. Has the ability to take it the distance with speed vs. explosiveness but also finishes with a little power and a little nastiness. You put him in Tampa with those weapons they assembled on the outside, it gives them an opportunity to be an explosive offense for the long haul.”
What more is there to say? Joe used to be against drafting a running back in the first round for all the reasons many anti-Cook folks suggest.
However, since then, Joe believes if a running back is the final piece to the puzzle, then you go get him. In Joe’s eyes, Cook is the final piece to making the Bucs offense truly frightening.
April 11th, 2017 at 9:06 am
#ShookforCook #WeaponsforWinston
April 11th, 2017 at 9:07 am
Turn the ticket in and let’s celebrate. The draft can’t come soon enough. Been bucs fan since the beginning and this draft has me more tensed than the Jameis draft. Cook puts us in the elite level of offenses. Then get Goodwin in 2nd.
April 11th, 2017 at 9:07 am
It’s “Dalvin Watch” without the title.
April 11th, 2017 at 9:12 am
Hopefully we are the team fortunate enough to get Dalvin Cook.
Day one we will have a better running back than the Division Champs have with Devante Freeman if we get him.
April 11th, 2017 at 9:13 am
I just want to know what nosbos is gonna do when we pass on Cook at 19…
Put him on harry carry watch
April 11th, 2017 at 9:14 am
No, no, no! No RB’s with the 1st pick! And the one everyone wants has a bad shoulder! What am I missing here? It’s as simple as this: would the patriots take a RB with the 19th overall pick? No way, because RB’s are a dime a dozen. Get some value here. No value with a RB.
April 11th, 2017 at 9:17 am
Granted this was from an NFL.com
article from two years ago, but the same is probably true now:
“Do the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the worst backfield in the NFL? Marc Sessler of NFL.com certainly thinks so.”
The Bucs need to fix our awful group of running backs by getting one of the elite running backs in this draft.
There is no doubt Dalvin is an elite back.
April 11th, 2017 at 9:22 am
You let the draft come to you… None of this “Go get him” he’s not Bo Jackson. Don’t forget D. Cook is a fumbler.
April 11th, 2017 at 9:23 am
I’m not anti-Cook. I just think this years RB crop is so deep that it makes sense to load up with a special TE or WR in round 1, and then come back to RB in round 2 or 3!
April 11th, 2017 at 9:31 am
1st Rd: NOT a WR, nor a TE, and certainly not a T.
The only position the Bucs should look at with the #19 pick is DE, unless they can get a player like Cook. Cook can keep the D off the field; he can eat up the clock when the Bucs have a lead. If Cook is available at #19, turn in that card yesterday!!
April 11th, 2017 at 9:39 am
I can agree with Bucky on that
April 11th, 2017 at 9:40 am
You keep asking dumb@$$ question but I can’t fathom it because I already know he’ll soon be a Buc allas. And yes he is an ideal fit. The I offense be stepped out of in Tally is quite similar to the one he’ll be stepping into in Tampa. Match made in Football Heaven.
April 11th, 2017 at 9:43 am
In the “5 things to know about him” on the Bucs app it also was brought to my attention that he went to the same Highschool as LVD. Connections.
April 11th, 2017 at 9:44 am
First if Cook is that GREAT he wont be there at #19 Most teams in the top 15 need weapons at offense.
Second a Great RB is nothing without a line to open holes.. SO shouldn’t we draft the top Tackle…..???
April 11th, 2017 at 9:45 am
Gawd I can’t wait for point to be proven. I just wish I could see some of y’all faces especially you “long gone types” who swear this stage is all by chance.
April 11th, 2017 at 9:46 am
I hope Fournett doesn’t go to the stinking panthers.
April 11th, 2017 at 9:46 am
A hyena has a 7 inch cl.it.oris that looks like and mimics a pe.nis. The more you know, the more you grow. Your welcome.
April 11th, 2017 at 9:46 am
A train Chris Johnson went 24th to that Titans. Neighbor of East Carolina. 4.2 40. Eventual 2000 yard rusher.
April 11th, 2017 at 9:47 am
Jeff you’re not missing anything. The value for Cook in the 1st rnd just isn’t there. RBs are a dime a dozen and unless you have Bo Jackson or a young AP it all depends on the blocking and play calling.
We are becoming a pass to run offense. Once you get the defense on their heels anyone can run the ball. Draft an elite TE that can block and beat any Safety or LB you put on him. Make teams pay for doubling Evans or Jackson.
I would be really, really, really surprised if Licht drafts a RB at 19; I haven’t been surprised by his draft moves yet. Yes even the Aguayo move made sense to me. If Aquayo turns into Janikowski (who also had an abysmal rookie year after being drafted high) than everyone will “understand” the move.
April 11th, 2017 at 9:48 am
The draft might be deep but there is only one Dalvin Cook and he can be the feature back of the present and the future.. the kid was the best running back to ever step foot on FSU grounds and one of the best running backs ever in Florida high school history.. and the shoulder wasn’t ever really a problem he played through many injuries cuz he’s a warrior.. watched the kid take over football games and make amazing defenses look like they were still in pop warner… combine results be damned he ran a 4.3 at his pro day.. get on the Dalvin wagon or get left behind!!! If cook is there at even 15 expect the Bucs to make a move.. he’s been spotted in Tampa multiple times with Bucs employees and I know of one other prospect that was similar a few years ago yall might remember him… his name is Famous Jameis Winston.. btw we were all huge fans of warrick Dunn another record breaker and Dalvin broke most of his records
April 11th, 2017 at 9:49 am
“Hey, what happened to that Lovie and Cook obsessed guy?”
“Oh yeah you mean nosbos. Yeah he cracked up after Licht passed on Cook at 19 for a kicker then traded back up into the first for a short stop. Nosbos lost it. I think they called it self-immolation.”
“Damn.”
April 11th, 2017 at 9:54 am
I was all for Cook before the combine and then he posted in the 9th percentile over the last 15 years for his athletic score and then refused to do those drills at his pro day…big red flag for me. I think Cook’s ceiling can be compared to a RB like Mark Ingram…not worth a 1st
April 11th, 2017 at 9:57 am
It appears the “ideal fit” is for the Bucs to take a RB is in the 3rd Rd.
Most of the RBs the Bucs have shown interest in, Marlon Mack, Kareem Hunt, D’Onta Foreman and somewhat Mixon, are pegged to be taken around when the Bucs pick at #84 in the 3rd.
If this is the case, it makes me wonder who will be taken at #19 (Harry is hoping for a DE); and then who with the 2nd rd pick? WR? S?
Waiting until the 3rd Rd to take a RB does make sense bc the draft is said to be deep at the position. And the Bucs are in serious need to improve on their pass rush in order to get after the likes of Ryan, Brees and Newton. Further, with Evans and Jackson on the outside and Brate up the middle, any of these RBs (Mack, Hunt, Foreman) will shine so much they may even have a chance for ROY!
Yeah, RB in the 3rd round, not at #19
April 11th, 2017 at 9:58 am
This is silly. Since when does it matter if a QB and RB went to school together to determine success? RB is deeeeeeeeeeeep in this year’s draft. Go premium position in round 1 and snag the Rb later. No-brainer.
April 11th, 2017 at 9:59 am
@DB55, thank you for that anatomy lesson of the day! LOL
April 11th, 2017 at 9:59 am
Thanks for the insight Arealbuc been spotted with Buc employees huh. Make sense to me. Gotta keep a close on the future franchise RB. Allas you old an used up, in the hood we say”you been ran thru”. I rather wrestle wit Blake, you can still smell the newness on him. You, well that’s another story.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:00 am
DB55 dropping knowledge on us this morning lmao
April 11th, 2017 at 10:01 am
Y’all sound like parakeets. “The draft is deep with RBs” really??? Why so,are there more entering this draft years draft than last years??? I see two potential studs. Dalvin Cook and Leo Fournette. The rest just play the position.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:01 am
This team isn’t one 1st round pick RB away from winning a title. No team is one 1st round pick RB away from winning a title. It’s a weak arguement.
On top of it all, Bucky Brooks? You disqualified him from having an opinion on the Bucs needs with the opening to this article. Jarrad Davis? C’mon.
Keep feeding the hoards on this site though, I get it. It’s alot easier to write about a running back than it is an o-lineman or safety. Even though Forrest Lamp or Obi Melifonwu make way more sense for us in the 1st round than a RB, carry on with the disillusioned dream.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:02 am
McCaffrey broke Barry Sanders record. That does not mean he will be better than Barry Sanders. You guys put way too much stock in college stats.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:03 am
Forest Lamp or Obi. Man please. Neither of which would even start day 1.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:04 am
Donnel Pumphrey, All time leading rusher in FBS history. That doesnt mean he will be the leading rusher in NFL history. And he will be a Day 3 pick. College stats dont mean much.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:05 am
Been spotted in Tampa wit Bucs employees huh. And y’all think they concerned wit picking at 19 now that’s funny😂😂😂.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:05 am
This is just getting embarrassing
April 11th, 2017 at 10:07 am
Pop if I’m not mistaken the best defense McCaffery faced was 31st and 28th. What was Pumpfrey’s??? 68th and 75th???
April 11th, 2017 at 10:08 am
Feel free to find another team maze.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:09 am
You see Pop I can’t let you get away wit bringing up they’re stats an not mention the level of comp they faced. Had DC faced they’re comp he’d have over 6500 yards.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:09 am
This endless stream of Cook articles is just for clicks.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:10 am
Am I the only person who is aware these cook articles are just being fed for clicks and comments. Clearly the Joes love the 130-150 comments with every cook article. Because we all know Blake and Nole are gonna go back and forth about the shoulder back and forth about him vs mcaffrey and Nole will mention the 753 after contact and then there will be the people saying ” can we have an article about a third round safety” well the answer is no because they want comments and clicks. Not to please people. Love the site joe. Hate when there are 3 articles in 12 hours about the same player. I myself would love to hear more about peppers and Baker and why we shouldn’t draft a D end. Because my brain is starting to hurt from this debate. Just get the draft over with already
April 11th, 2017 at 10:12 am
Wausa–the bucs proceeded to have the second best rushing attack in the league the season After that article. So the moron who wrote it lost all credibility after that and probably felt like a complete loser
April 11th, 2017 at 10:13 am
Bring on DC, I wouldn’t take the chance on passing him by. Then a WR or TE in 2 rd. Superbowl here we come.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:16 am
Lol at all this Dalvin Cook love. Can’t wait for someone ahead of us to draft him.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:18 am
You fans who do not believe there is value in drafting a good RB in the 1st round are truly delusional. Ezekiel Elliot was outstanding as a first rounder. Even the Bucs who drafted Warrick Dunn 20 years ago in the first round did a nice jjob with that pick. And BTW, RB’s are anything but a dime a dozen. I guess that mentality means we should never draft a RB in any round. Just use undrafted players to get your RB. Any GM who thinks a RB is a dime a dozen would not be a GM very long.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:19 am
So on the other thread it talks about how greatly the Glazers consider the feeling of the fans. Y’all check any of them polls lately.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:23 am
Nole- understand the owners appreciate fan feelings. But for you to a. Expect them to EVER say otherwise is ridiculous. B. For you to think the Glazers have ANY input on the draft is even more ridiculous. Winston pick-MAYBE. And C. If you think the fans and poll votes on joebucsfan.com has absolutely any input on who licht drafts then I truly feel sorry for you man. I support you usually but that’s just bad. But this will be my last comment on any cook article because it’s wasted finger movements. Some of you will have arthritis just from this topic alone
April 11th, 2017 at 10:23 am
rayjay I asked them all if finding one in the later rounds is so easy why haven’t we had a 1000 yard rusher do that in back to back years in forever. Them Coach K came out an said what he said killing that silly notion.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:24 am
first, some of you guys(includes @joe) are a joke….2 weeks ago when bucky had us selecting Jarrad Davis at #19 and gave a great explanation as to why he felt we should and would draft him, people said bucky was stupid and doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about….people said bucky was a joke and don’t take him seriously….questioning his knowledge of draft prospects and football in general…..
but now that brooks has said cook would “fit in nicely” with the bucs, people want to say he knows what he’s talking about…..BS….
second, who the hell said we were 1 rb away from serious contention?….that’s BS….we still have to solidify our oline….dallas screwed a lot of peoples head up thinking they can draft a rb in the 1st round and they can succeed like zeke did…zeke is nothing without that oline….they have how many pro bowler along that oline?….we still have major questions along our oline…..will marpet have the same success at center?….will sweezy be ready and play solid?….will we have solid play from our RT?….who will be the RT?….we have too many questions along the oline to draft a rb with the first pick….
and with all the fire power dallas and atl had, they still came up short because of their defense!!!!!
both teams had a great running game with weapons for their qb….both teams could run at will….but both teams couldn’t clamp down when it mattered defensively….
I don’t see us kaking cook…
im still hoping we trade down to around #23-#25 get a extra pick or 2 and select jarred davis to provide depth to all 3 linebacker positions, provide production from the strong side and allow smitty to work his magic with the 34 fronts….GO BUCS!!!!
April 11th, 2017 at 10:24 am
34 you got to be out yo ever loving mind if you think the owners have no input on future players. Now that crazy.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:26 am
I wonder if he an those Bucs employees are taking up golf. Weather been great I really hope my boi getting a few pre draft holes inn.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:28 am
The best defense he played was Houston in their Bowl Game, the 4th ranked rush defense. 19 carries for 115 yards (6.1 YPC) and 1 TD.
And I’m bringing up their stats to say that they dont mean anything lol. So Idk what I am “getting away with”
April 11th, 2017 at 10:31 am
I can understand a lot of the fear with drafting a RB in the First Round, but all of Cook’s “problems” are overblown. He isn’t a fumbler, he had a tough time at the end of his freshman year, and has been solid since then.
The NFL is cyclical when it comes to trends, offenses and defenses change and adjust to try to gain an advantage. The league used to be mainly ran with Bellcow backs that would take the load of the carries. Then, as the league slowly morphed into more of a passing league, RB’s were asked to catch a lot more, and gadget players and backfields by committee came to the fore front. The league is slowly returning to the Bellcow phase, with teams finding excellent RB’s that can catch and run like WR’s. Dalvin Cook is that guy. There are a couple others in this draft, Cook is the best one.
And fun stat:20 of the 25 RB’s in the Hall of Fame were first rounders. Not saying Cook will be in the Hall of Fame…just saying this “dime a dozen” nonsense may be overblown.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:34 am
*taking
April 11th, 2017 at 10:34 am
Nole…you could very well be right with them taking Cook. Anything is possible. All that will do is make me seriously question my confidence in Jason Licht.
I would love to know why if 1st round RB is such a great idea did the 10 of 12 leading rushers last year come out of a different round than the 1st. One of the two that went over 1000 was Mark Ingram who has been a pretty big bust considering the hype he generated coming out of college. The other was a rookie running behind the best o-line in the league. You don’t have facts behind your love. Cook has a great highlight video, we all have seen that, it still doesn’t mean that the NFL as a whole doesn’t value the position as a top round pick anymore.
Media doesn’t make the picks, guys that run football teams for a living do.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:35 am
@nole…does cook have a workout scheduled with the bucs?…..they’ve already worked out 2 other rb prospects (mixon and foreman)…seems like they know where the greater value is….GO BUCS!!!!
April 11th, 2017 at 10:38 am
lol I almost at least hope Cook is available when we pick regardless of what we do – just to see the eruption in comments on JBF once the decision is made
April 11th, 2017 at 10:39 am
I agree with Rayjay, look at the top 20 all time leading rushers in NFL history. Almost all are first round draft picks.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:40 am
#1 813 mac and Kalind already broke down the whole visit thing and personal workout. I would be concerned if I heard about DC doing any of that with the Bucs bro to be honest. #2 this is the last time they’ll be this hype surrounding a Bucs draft for a long time. We’ll be picking at the back of the draft going forward. Why some of you are bitter about my opinion is funny to me. I mean what should I be doing being a Seminole fan promoting McCaffery or Mixon really.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:43 am
Our drafts going forward wil be boring,we will never bicker like this amongst each other again for a long time. Embrace it yo have fun with it yo.. S@$! ain’t dat serious man. How y’all allow a internet personality to bother you because he is unyielding in his desire for his fav team to pick his fav college player is beyond me.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:43 am
I really hope all 3 of these guys are gone by the time we pick so this isn’t even a thing to worry about once they’re on the clock. Let other teams throw away good picks on a fungible position. Can anyone name a time Bill Belicheat (the guy the Joes constantly reference as a Licht influence) spent a premium pick on a RB? How many of the backs on that roster have top-line resources devoted to them? The guy who led them in rushing the past two years, a guy we originally picked up *undrafted* isn’t even on their roster right now because he wants too much money. Running backs. Are. Not. Worth. First. Round. Picks. Unless I missed something and AP is suddenly 10 years younger and re-entering the draft, I just don’t see how the positional value aligns.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:43 am
from bucnation yesterday….
“the team does clearly lack depth at the position. Beyond these three starters, they have only Jeff Knox and Cameron Lynch, both former undrafted players who have virtually no NFL experience outside of special teams, though Knox did play in the CFL for a while.
It’s common for NFL teams to fill their linebacker backups with undrafted players, but this is a bit extreme. If Alexander or David suffers an injury, the Bucs will have a pretty significant problem.”….
and some people say they want us to sign yet another UDFA or spend a 6th or 7th round pick on a prospect….we just did that last year with devonte bond and he was injured all last season….I didn’t even see him flash during practice during TC….he may be this years Kenny bell….why not add a player that is better than kwon and LVD coming out of college that can give you at least the same production as your 2 stars….plus he would possibly come with an extra pick…..GO BUCS!!!!
April 11th, 2017 at 10:44 am
I still think there’s no way he’s there at 19. I know most of the mocks have him being there, but I just don’t see 18 teams passing on him. I hope I’m wrong, but I just can’t see why some team ahead of us wouldn’t want a talent like this.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:45 am
So Zeke was only good because of a great OL? How about his performance when Romo went down with injury and they had an unproven Rookie QB. Teams would stack up the box to stop the run until Dak proved to be a threat as a passer? I guess the Bucs rushing was poor not because of sub par to average RB’s but because our OL is trash. What the hell ever. Rolling my eyes and SMH.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:46 am
Man, I don’t get the people who can’t see that the Bucs are just a player or two away from being a playoff team. If you make the playoffs then we are in the any given Sunday realm where we could go all the way.
I don’t know if the answer on offense is RB or TE but either would certainly help this offense. Both positions are about the same as far as depth goes in my opinion. The top couple of guys are great but the next tier are still good and look like long term starters.
Defensively we are in the same position. A single guy of the Kwon type would put this defense into the place it needs to be. That could be a S or DE that we snag that puts us over the top.
Some criticize the offensive line and say we need upgrades there. We can always upgrade every position group but remember that this is the same O line minus Logan Mankins that blocked for the second best rushing attack just two years ago with a pair of rookies in it. I think most are in agreement that Doug Martin is an up and down player so if that is true then the drop off in the running game can be attributed to Doug and not the O line.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:48 am
NosBos what was the thought on Cook not working out with the Bucs? I missed that post.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:52 am
Nos
Who do you think we should draft and why?
April 11th, 2017 at 10:52 am
1. Bucs need a running back terribly.
2. Koetter and Licht don’t give a damn about five years from now. They are worried about now. They will cross that bridge about five years from now when they get there, if they get there.
3. As Joe has explained countless times, the window for the Bucs is short, and maybe even shorter for Koetter and Licht.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:58 am
DC fits Koetters scheme like hand and glove
The modern NFL is all about playmakers and explosive plays. DC can get +20 yarders by run/pass
Forget the combine numbers. DC has football speed and can turn the corner like few RBs can
Kobe is scared his boys in miami will screw his career
“Give up 3rd round pick and move up to get Cory Davis…sorry NOS”
Kobe Faker
#1- CORY DAVIS
#2- JOE MIXON
April 11th, 2017 at 11:03 am
Please don’t remind us about win now. What happened the last time they went into “WIN NOW” mode?
April 11th, 2017 at 11:03 am
Cook is a Florida player he does not have to schedule a work out it’s not one of the 30… geez
April 11th, 2017 at 11:10 am
@Arealbucfan,
It’s my understanding they have to be in the same metropolitan area, not the same state. I’m 99.9% sure of this, which means he would be one of the 30.
April 11th, 2017 at 11:10 am
This talk about RB being deep this year is correct, but what people are missing is so it WR, TE, CB and S. This draft has very few good Olineman or rush ends so that means you get the best available at your biggest need throughout the draft at the positions with the most depth which happens to be places where we need help (outside of edge rush). Heck they could go Cook, then Evan Engram (TE Ole Miss) then still get Juju Smith (WR USC) in the 3rd round. If they take Cook in round 1 it doesn’t mean they still cant get a good tight end and WR later, it goes both ways in this draft.
April 11th, 2017 at 11:10 am
Bucky brooks has lost his credibility so… merh.
Joe you’re gonna need a new drum head pretty soon with how much you’ve been beating it lately 😜
April 11th, 2017 at 11:13 am
Dalvin Cook has already been to Tampa and stayed for a few days… they were at his pro day and mr licht has attended many FSU games as a scout NO WORKOUT needed.. I hope y’all aren’t relying on ol Joe for all your info there is more out there
April 11th, 2017 at 11:13 am
Make Mixon a Buc
Watch nosbos’ head spin right off his shoulders!
April 11th, 2017 at 11:15 am
USFBUC-
Actually I think our TE position is much thinner. We have 1 guy who can catch and make plays, that’s it. Now with RB, I agree with others that we need a feature back, but at least we have depth there. 4 RBs on the roster already (actually more like 3 since Sims is a change of pace guy, not a feature back).
Still, we should be able to upgrade both positions in this draft, but I believe there are more prospects at RB who could be had in rounds 2 – 4, where as the TEs will mostly be gone after round 2.
April 11th, 2017 at 11:16 am
“3. As Joe has explained countless times, the window for the Bucs is short, and maybe even shorter for Koetter and Licht.”
I’ve yet to see a legit explanation on this that I can actually buy. The “window” is Jameis Winston’s NFL career life span in my opinion. I want to know what happens when Joe’s defined “window” closes…back to the basement? Cut Winston and start over and be terrible again? Sounds incredibly depressing.
Why can’t we just shoot to be good enough to contend every year that WInston is our QB? Isn’t that what building through the draft and everything is about? Are the Packers in a window? Seattle? Patriots? Which windows were the Colts in during Peyton Mannings career?
It just feels like doomsday type talk. Koetter is the first HC since Chucky we’ve hired that has a winning record his 1st year and we’re going to talk about his short window lol like why even go there other than to basically stress yourself out for no reason
April 11th, 2017 at 11:18 am
If Cook is there at 19 I’m pretty sure he’s a Buc. I’d say about 95% sure. I just doubt he makes it but you never know.
Also in terms of visits – we didn’t bring in Aguayo technically last year so I don’t think it really means anything with Cook
April 11th, 2017 at 11:21 am
NOS, with the exception of the Cook sized tumor in your skull you generally make sense. But: “I see two potential studs. Dalvin Cook and Leo Founrnette”.
You can sing this song any draft. Darren McFadden, Jonathan Stewart, Felix Jones, Rashard Mendenhall were all picked BEFORE Chris Johnson (and Matt Forte for that matter) in what was considered a deep RB draft with McFadden as the can’t miss “stud”. The next year the legends known as Donald Brown and Beanie Wells were chosen BEFORE Lesean McCoy. The year after that CJ Spiller was the can’t miss RB chosen in the top 10 (ahead of Earl Thomas, Jason Pierre Paul, Dez Bryant and a host of other all pros). The year after that Mark Ingram went before Demarco Murray. Obviously this tale is told every year. Of course some very good RB’s can be chose early but the odds are no better in the first round then they are in the other rounds. Remember, Leveon Bell was a 2nd round pick. Jamaal Charles was a 3rd rounder. We just don’t know yet. Neither you nor me. It’s all conjecture at this point.
April 11th, 2017 at 11:23 am
Lord C, I agree with you on the window piece but, he means the window closes once we have to start paying guys like Jameis, Evans, Marpet, Smith, Kwon, Spence, etc… Again though I don’t believe that is the case if the GM does his job well and so far so go on that front.
April 11th, 2017 at 11:25 am
Just heard why some NFL GM are scared of Cook. Off Field problems.
They think he is going to be a problem once he gets the money.
April 11th, 2017 at 11:28 am
Gotta say Steven007, well said sir.
April 11th, 2017 at 11:36 am
@lord c & ndog,
I tend to agree with you guys, however I think the “window” joe speaks of is based on 2 things:
1. We have guys on defense like Ayers, grimes, and even GMC who are exiting their primes (or already out of their prime) and getting up there in age.
2. Patience with HCs and GMs can run out quick, so if we don’t keep winning and progressing, this whole team could get blown up in a year or 2.
Now I don’t see the 2nd one happening because we’ve been trending in the right direction, but this is what I think Joe is referring to.
April 11th, 2017 at 11:37 am
The window is short for the Bucs? WT actual F? I wasnt even aware the window had opened yet. They just finally had a legit winning season after a decade of poop. Tom Brady is 150 years old and their window is still open somehow.
April 11th, 2017 at 11:39 am
@ ndog – I get that angle but our team is still crazy young. Like you said the GM just has to do his job well. Essentially we need to eventually replace stop-gap FAs like Ayers/Grimes/Djax with draft picks on cheaper contracts. As long as we draft well that is what will happen.
It’s not like we are relying on a ton of FAs on big contracts.. It’s not like the core of our team is all 28-32 years old. That would be a window.. If anything we know that we likely have at least another 8-10 years with most of this core group if they’re all getting 2nd deals in the next few years
April 11th, 2017 at 11:39 am
And we want to listen to a person that wants us to take a LB at 19.
April 11th, 2017 at 11:50 am
If Cook is on the board at 19 – then the Bucs will draft him. Its an easy pick really and would represent pretty good value as Dalvin’s talent is easily top 10 level.
But alas – the odds are high that Cook will be gone before we pick – for the very reason I just stated. That’s reality and I don’t care what recent mocks that have Cook falling are saying.
Cook is an amazing talent – but Joe this “final piece to the puzzle” nonsense is exactly that. Nonsense. We have need for more talent at multiple positions on both sides of the ball before this team is considered uber talented and a favorite to win a Super Bowl.
April 11th, 2017 at 12:00 pm
To quell some of the “worry” that Dalvin Cook might not be “athletic” enough based on one day running around in Indiana, I found a great example of the “football speed” Dalvin possess. The fastest times recorded on an NFL field in 2015 were slightly over 22 mph by guys like John Brown, Ted Ginn and Martavis Bryant. You know, speedy receivers. Dalvin hits 23 mph on FSU’s GPS tracking system as soon as you get someone chasing him. He is next level fast, it just dosent translate to a structured drill
April 11th, 2017 at 12:01 pm
how many pro bowlers does dallas have on their oline?….when your winning the battle up front, it makes everyone job easier….zeke was a product of his oline…..no doubt he’s a stud but come on…murray almost rushed for 2000yards….is demarco murray better than zeke?….if you put gurley on dallas he would have a similar season stats wise as zeke…maybe better….you put zeke on the rams and watch him have a garbage year similar to gurley….GO BUCS!!!!
April 11th, 2017 at 1:06 pm
Cook isn’t all that. Has medical issues with a side of character.
Also he is a blown up 210 pounds.
His natural weight is 200.
C mac is twice the player
April 11th, 2017 at 1:13 pm
813
On 12/11/16 Dak Prescott had a horrible game in a 7-10 loss to the Giants. He only completed 17 passes with 37 attempts for 165 yards which was a completion percentage of 45.9 and had a measly QBR of 14.8 which would be enough incentive for the Giants to play with 8 men in the box. Zeke rushed for 107 yards on 24 carries for a 4.5 average per carry which would have not been the case if any of the Bucs RB’s were playing for Dallas on that day.
conversely on 12/18 versus the Bucs, completed 32 of 36 passes for 279 yards and a QBR of 86.6. Zeke rushed for 159 yards on 23 carries for 6.9 average yards per carry.
So as you can clearly see Zeke was successful when Prescott sucked and when he unfortunately shined against our Bucs defense which had prior to that game been playing pretty good defense.
True Dallas has a very good OL, but that is not the only reason Zeke ran so well. The Giants had a good defense and with Prescott having such a crappy game, I would think that even with A very good OL, an 8 men in the box defense by the giants would have held him under 100 yards. With 8 men in the box, even a great OL can’t block every defensive player.
April 11th, 2017 at 1:16 pm
Consider the uneducated source lol Brooks is the laziest mocker I’ve ever seen. I’m not saying Cook couldn’t be successful for us but I think his chances are much higher if he is drafted out of state and gets away from his “friends”.
April 11th, 2017 at 1:26 pm
Rayjay….a rookie QB went 32-36 279 yds against our defense and your choice is to draft a RB? Their QB had a horrible day against the Giants and magically their rookie RB had a solid game. So basically their offensive line was still able to keep them in a game when their QB was struggling. Then against the Bucs their rookie QB sliced up our D and their rookie RB could run at will because what, they are both generational players that can take over games by themselves?
It’s, I believe, common knowledge as to what made the Cowboys what they were last year. Just like it’s common knowledge what made the Cowboys a dynasty in the 90’s. Killer o-lines.
Carry on everybody. Keep pretending that just because Cook is in the backfield that our running game will be unstoppable. Ignorance rules this draft season.
April 11th, 2017 at 1:32 pm
I hope if Cook is still on the board when the Bucs go on the clock, that his name is put on the card. Look at his 2016 stats. He ran pretty good against some good defenses. he would be a solid weapon for Jaboo.
2016 GAME LOG RUSHING RECEIVING
DATE OPP RESULT ATT YDS AVG LNG TD REC YDS AVG LNG TD
9/5 Ole Miss 23 91 4.0 18 0 7 101 14.4 25
9/10 Charleston Sout 11 83 7.5 37 2 1 9
9/17 @Louisville 16 54 3.4 14 0 1 8 8.0 8
9/24 @South Florida 28 267 9.5 75 2 4 62 15
10/1 North Carolina 29 140 4.8 14 3 6 106 17.7 41 0
10/8 @Miami 27 150 5.6 54 0 1 59 59.0 59 1
10/15 Wake Forrest 25 115 4.6 18 0 1 11 11.0 10 0
10/29 Clemson 19 169 8.9 70 4 2 15 7.5 11 0
11/5 @NC State 18 65 3.6 14 1 2 17 8.5 9 0
11/11Boston College 18 108 6.0 30 1 2 12 6.0 9 0
11/19@Syracuse 28 225 8.0 41 4 0 0 0.0 0 0
11/26 Florida 26 153 5.9 26 1 3 26 8.7 10 0
CAPITAL ONE ORANGE BOWL
12/30 Michigan 20 145 7.3 71 1
April 11th, 2017 at 1:32 pm
“So as you can clearly see Zeke was successful when Prescott sucked and when he unfortunately shined against our Bucs defense which had prior to that game been playing pretty good defense.”….
because of their oline….the secondary was stuck to the dallas wr creating small windows…the wrs were getting open….how many sacks did the oline give up that game?
“I would think that even with A very good OL, an 8 men in the box defense by the giants would have held him under 100 yards. With 8 men in the box, even a great OL can’t block every defensive player.”
that’s called play design or play calling….sure zeke is a stud but its not like he’s playing behind an average oline….he’s running behind the best in the biz!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
April 11th, 2017 at 1:41 pm
Not the final piece. Come on. I’m as big a fan as any, but to be frightening, they need starter-quality depth on the outside, as there is no way DJax is healthy for the year. And Jameis isn’t perfect yet, he’s gotta be less streaky and reduce the fumbles and interceptions. And another quality TE would help.
April 11th, 2017 at 1:50 pm
@Gotbucs
I am fully aware that games are won and lost in the trenches. My only point is that I think the Bucs will strongly consider Cook if he is still on the board. Keep in mind that the Bucs leadership likes their OL and do not see it as the huge weakness that some fans believe it to be. So if we have to decide between an OT or a RB, my vote is for RB because although I think Jacquizz Rodgers is not too bad as his stats reflect behind what is I guess to some such a crappy OL. Rodgers had 129 carries for 560 yards for a 4.3 yards per carry average. His career average yards per carry is 3.8, so he actually had better numbers running behind our sub-par OL. I think our RB’s outside of Rodgers pretty much suck. Martin had 2 good years but is often injured and let the team and us fans down and even IF the Bucs keep Martin, he will miss 1/4 of the season. It would be irresponsible for the Bucs to lean on Rodgers, Simms and Barber. We need a dynamic play maker in the backfield to make defense respect the rushing attack while also having to cover ME13, Flash Jackson and Brate. We could make this offense deadly with that combination. Drafting OL in the first or 2nd round will not move the needle very much. IMHO
April 11th, 2017 at 1:57 pm
BTW, I apologize for the way Dalvin Cook’s stats came out so jumbled up. It was in order on the screen but did not post that way.
April 11th, 2017 at 2:04 pm
Cook is not the best fit for the BUCS! Why you my ask? Simple answer …our O-Line play is not where it needs to be…that being said “our fit” at the RB position has to be a bigger guy, an inside runner, with more than a “little” power, we can get better value by picking Mixon in the 2nd round! HE IS THAT DAMN GOOD! DAMN WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY!
April 11th, 2017 at 2:14 pm
I agree that Mixon in the 2nd would be a good choice if we take a different Position in the first. We just have to get a very good RB to share the load with Rodgers. I think our OL actually is not too bad at run blocking. Much better than their pass protection because our OT’s were too often turn styles.
April 11th, 2017 at 2:38 pm
I currently got Blake Erik webster and Trubucfan22 on the hook. I’M STILL TAKING BETS.
April 11th, 2017 at 2:42 pm
And 007 that tumor about the same size it was when I was here everyday ridin for Fameis. Kinda fundamental bro. Check the archives.
April 11th, 2017 at 2:47 pm
I’m not betting against it NOS.
Want to, but won’t. I think there’s a shot they might take him if he’s there.
April 11th, 2017 at 2:55 pm
Seeing where Dalvin Cook is picked is now as intriguing as who the Bucs pick lol – simply because of JoeBucsFan and NOS/Blake
April 11th, 2017 at 2:56 pm
Evan Smith, Joe Hauley, JR Sweezy, Demar Dotson, Caleb Benoch….that’s just a list of our injury prone offensive linemen. I’m sure I’m forgetting someone.
Trust me, they’ll be looking for o-line help.
Also, I don’t want to hear the “they said” they like the o-line. That’s what they want the rest of the league to believe. Just like all the “leaked interest” in Cook. That’s also something they want the teams ahead of them to think. Take anything said in the offseason with a grain of salt. If they truly like the make up of this o-line right now, then lord help us all.
Do we need another RB? Hell yes. I don’t think anybodies arguing that point. Where do they take that RB is the question? Trends and league stats(evidence) say the best value is outside of round 1. Personally, I would much rather use a 3rd and a 6th round pick on a RB in this draft than a 1st. We’re all just dumba$$es though for not wanting to use a premium pick on a position that you more than likely shouldn’t give a big second contract to.
April 11th, 2017 at 3:06 pm
Parakeet. All y’all do is say the same BS. “If” a muthaf@$!a get hurt how not “IF” muthaf@$!a remains injury free. Also 007 since I’m refferred to as a homer. When you check archives(which I suspect you won’t) I think you’ll be hard press to find me beckoning the services of any other FSU football player. Not even last season With Ramsay. Just Fameis and just Dalvin.
April 11th, 2017 at 3:07 pm
gotbbucs …Will they draft o-line?
Hell if a one of “need” pops up at 19 and Mac/Cook are gone….
Send in the card. Protecting Winston is the same as weapons for Winston.
You’re right LC this draft was already going to be a good watch…
April 11th, 2017 at 3:08 pm
And yea gotbuc their are at least a 1000+ of us that feel y’all Are dumb@$$’s..
April 11th, 2017 at 3:10 pm
I happen to think Smith Phamphile Marpet Sweez and Dot (or who ever wins it) gone make for a nasty run blocking o line.
April 11th, 2017 at 3:16 pm
Top picks for me are:
RB – Cook, Mixon, Mack
TE – Howard, Shaheen, Leggett
WR – Godwin, Jones, Smith-Schuster, Darboh, Davis, Owusu,
OT – Bolles, Davenport, Zandi
OG – Lamp, Amichia, Siragusa
SS – Adams, Melifonwu, Nicholson
FS – Baker, Williams, Jackson
DL – Charlton, Willis, Hendrickson
DT – McDowell, Brantley, Ogunjobi
CB – Jones, Myrick, Griffin
April 11th, 2017 at 3:16 pm
I will continue to remind y’all, y’all don’t speak for everyone. You speak for a small contingency that post everyday. That 1000+ still counting.
April 11th, 2017 at 3:18 pm
Talking that we s@!!. My “we” a h3ll of a lot bigger dude. Trust me they gone come out draft night. “Just Wait On It”.
April 11th, 2017 at 3:20 pm
USFBUC…you did your homework. lol
Looks good to me. Except for some reason I’m a bigger Ju Ju guy than most, but I like the kid…a lot.
Nice list though..
April 11th, 2017 at 3:21 pm
lol “Just Wait On It”
April 11th, 2017 at 3:59 pm
Replace Taco with Charles Harris and Mack with Brian Hill, then I like ur list ALOT
April 11th, 2017 at 4:12 pm
Thank you Buc1987, I like Juju he has had his draft stock fall some so he could be a steal in the third round.
April 11th, 2017 at 4:15 pm
What does Brooks know. Obviously the folks on here possess superior evaluation abilities.
April 11th, 2017 at 4:16 pm
ME GOAT – I like Harris too but I like the size of Taco more so because I am really hoping that the Bucs can find a DE that can do it all and that size I think is needed to be good in the run game. Hill is on the Bucs radar too but I just went with Mack because they have met with him more and I am an alumni. Personally I think our only two real targets should be Cook and Mixon at RB.
April 11th, 2017 at 4:27 pm
I’m sticking to my guns on this RB in the 1st round talk, none of the big 3 will be available at 19. Even if Cook us there I wouldn’t be upset if they pass on him and took went OL, or best Defensive player available.
April 11th, 2017 at 4:30 pm
Nole…is one of those 1000+ in the war room?
If you’re right you’ll puff out your chest and let us all hear it, as if we care. If you’re wrong, you’ll crawl under a rock for a while. If he’s as sought after as you say he is he’ll be long gone by 19.
April 11th, 2017 at 4:31 pm
You know what this site needs? Another Dalvin cook article.
April 11th, 2017 at 5:15 pm
I’m sorry 87, but the Nole/Blake debate has officially passed the 87/Erik Clean debate in my eyes. I’m going to have the Draft Open Thread article open on multiple screens that night so I can pre-write a few funny comments to whoever loses! Lol!
April 11th, 2017 at 5:19 pm
The one Nole I’d like is to get in the 7th round or as a PFA is Kermit Whitfield. See if he can win the returner job. He disappointed me with his 40 time but he is more shifty than fast.
April 11th, 2017 at 5:34 pm
NOS, pretty sure I never called you a homer (and if I did I didn’t meant it as a pejorative; it’s in your posting name anyway and hey, I’m a Bucs homer for sure, er, fo sho) I just don’t personally understand the sustained worship and nut cuddling of one football player. There were before, are now, and will always be very good RB’s (for this specific example). I like Cook. I don’t love him. I will however be an instant fan if we draft him, which is becoming increasingly unlikely for any number of reasons stated here and many other places. But if he’s there at 19 it will all become very interesting. You can convince yourself it’s a done deal if that makes you sleep better however.
April 11th, 2017 at 5:45 pm
Brace yourself. Draft is over three weeks away.
As always, there are thousands of stories you can read in the free archives. Whining about the subject of a story/stories is as lame as bringing a kid to a buffet and he starts crying because green beans are also served.
April 11th, 2017 at 6:05 pm
Eric id probably rather have Travis Rudolph than Whitfield because he can return kicks as well as actually play wr. Although if we don’t get cook I can definitely appreciate Demarcus Walker in the 4th round range…but Ive got my eye on Derwin James next year to step into the starting safety role
April 11th, 2017 at 6:13 pm
*in my best dwight schrute voice*
False, the draft is 16 days away.
April 11th, 2017 at 6:23 pm
BuccaneEric75 …meh.
April 11th, 2017 at 6:48 pm
Billy, Walker will go in the 2nd or 3rd. Don’t forget there are a lot of comp picks at the end of the 3rd. It’ll be a while between our 3rd and 4th pick. Even if he got to the 4th he’d be gone before we were up IMO.
April 11th, 2017 at 7:34 pm
How many of his picks outside of the top 5 picks has Bucky Brooks actually gotten right over the years?
Very few.
And almost none outside of the top 15.
April 11th, 2017 at 7:36 pm
I’m not against taking Dalvin Cook at 19, but I do feel that if certain other players are there, they would be preferred. Barnett is one of them.
April 11th, 2017 at 7:53 pm
Watching NOSBOS unravel= pure entertainment.
I don’t even thing 87 was this emphatic about Jameis and that is saying a lot.
I wish there was a live stream of his face when Cook gets drafted ahead of us or even better if we pass on him.
April 11th, 2017 at 8:33 pm
Predicting and betting (via online or not) that Cook even lands at 19 and or the Bucs take him is craziness though. So much can happen.
I was going to start a petition for Jameis and walk around the parking lot at Ray Jay on gameday’s so that we could give it to the Glazers. That was way before the season was even over. Changed my screen name to 87ForJameis, or something or other. That’s when I really got hit.
I fought off many foes. Mr. Patrick was one of my first. It started early. Like in November early. Jameis Winston was the devil and I was his blogging pro-bono attorney. The poisonous venom thrown at Winston, that I watched on these pages every day. I was the cure.
Erik was a lot of fun, but he came along late to my game. Remember who laid down the bet to begin with? It was my idea. Erik was stand uppish enough to come through with my Winston jersey though. Mailed to my door. Dude you still rock imo.
I e-mailed Erik about a week after the draft and told him my jersey size and all. I also told him not to worry, because he’d end up fallin in love with Jameis. lol He loves him now. Right Erik?
Holy crap. If anyone is ever bored with not much to do. Click through the archives of Jameis Watch. I pat myself on the back cause it was some hilarious stuff back then. When I scroll back and look through it, some the length I went through to drive my point home.
The morning Jameis Blitz. Where I drop down every good thing said about this kid from middle school through college.
April 11th, 2017 at 8:47 pm
Actually I was laying down the bet when along came Erik telling everyone that he wanted to bet anyone, that it was going to be that other QB the Bucs drafted. Then someone pointed him out to me and the bet was on.
April 11th, 2017 at 9:19 pm
Okay it would be amazing to see nosbos lose a bet on Cook and have to wear a Cook jersey for whatever team drafts him! Shoot he has such a hard on for Cook he would probably do it voluntarily.
April 11th, 2017 at 10:16 pm
A legit pass rusher is the missing piece.
April 12th, 2017 at 1:46 am
Let me look back…
There’s an un-videoed hitting a woman incident,
There are the fumbles,
There is the bad shoulder,
There’s the posse, I’m sorry…the entourage.
I’ll pass.
Foreman or Perine or Hunt or Kamara give me better value and more dependency for the one that slips to the third round. Or even Brian Hill in the fourth.