Jason Licht Appears To Tip His Draft Hand
April 22nd, 2017
New blood en route?
General manager Jason Licht made a confusing statement on radio this week, or maybe it was simply a tip of his 2017 NFL Draft hand.
Of course, Licht could have been disoriented, feeling the ecstasy effects of watching Dalvin Cook film, but that’s unlikely.
In a chat with The Professor, John Clayton of ESPN Radio, Licht was asked about where he stands on building his defense through the upcoming draft.
Licht noted the Bucs’ 6-2 finish to last season was a huge testament to the defense, which he believes is good right now. And then Licht said the following:
“I always like to add defenders, defensive linemen in particular,” Licht said. “We can always use some help in the secondary. But like I said, we do like the players that we have. We’re in position where we can take the best available player defensively, or offensively for that matter. We’ve built a strong nucleus of good, young core talent. We just need to continue to add layers.”
Joe did a double take hearing Licht say he always likes to draft defensive linemen, in particular. Did Joe miss something? Licht has drafted a grand total on on D-lineman in three years!
That’s a guy who especially likes to draft D-linemen?
It sure sounds to Joe like Licht will be snagging an addition to his rather old defensive line unit next week.
First round? Second round? Third round? Joe is rather confident there will be a new D-lineman by Friday night.
April 22nd, 2017 at 7:43 pm
Said it last night, I’m 80 percent sure that we draft a Dlineman at 19.
April 22nd, 2017 at 7:49 pm
Best player available. please. I agree DL is in the need discussion. GMC is in his 7th or 8th year.
April 22nd, 2017 at 7:54 pm
Yup.
I still believe we are going Defensive end in the first round.
It is the area of greatest need, and has been for years!
We get a hard charging Pass rusher- then our defense will really start to sing!
We need a RB too,but you can get a great RB in the 3rd or 4th round this year.
Only 5 days, til the mystery is over.
April 22nd, 2017 at 7:54 pm
I smell a Taco in the air.
April 22nd, 2017 at 7:58 pm
De first pick, wr 2nd, samje perine 3rd who knows 4th probabky saftey, OL 5th. No clue on the last ones
April 22nd, 2017 at 7:59 pm
This could very well be the pick, remember that we pay GMC a fair bit of money and we are about to have to put up big paydays to some of these young guys.
April 22nd, 2017 at 8:08 pm
Defense or McCaffrey
April 22nd, 2017 at 8:23 pm
I definitely don’t see any tipping of the hand in that quote.
April 22nd, 2017 at 8:36 pm
It sounds like Licht will draft BPA period … as I believe Barnett and Taco will both be gone and Dalvin, NJoku and Corey Davis will all be on the board I believe Licht will draft an offensive player and specifically Dalvin Cook.
April 22nd, 2017 at 8:41 pm
Barnett! But he probably wont last to 19. I hope so though. Maybe 15 at best.
April 22nd, 2017 at 8:52 pm
😊funny how easily Joe can puppet y’all wit long distance strings..
April 22nd, 2017 at 8:53 pm
Yeah, those GMs are always giving away their strategy the week before the draft. NOT! I would put as much stock into anything any NFL executive says from now until next Sunday night…as I would Kim John Un. I think with Ayers and Spence with Goulston and Smith in reserve the Bucs may always like to add another one, but I don’t see it as critical until next year. Of course, for both WR and DE, the need seems about the same. They are for starters and some depth, but not much room for error. Do they need a DE more than a starting Safety? A slot receiver/back-up to DJax? A lot of this lies in Jack Smith coming back and if VJax does an encore before riding off into the sunset. Perhaps the Bucs pick the best guy on the board for DE, RB, WR, or S when #19 rolls around? We’ll see.
April 22nd, 2017 at 8:54 pm
Kim Jong Un. Go figure.
April 22nd, 2017 at 9:04 pm
In Samaje Perine’ s Freshman year he scored more touchdowns than Joe Mixon did in both of his college Years. Why is everyone so hung up on Joe Mixon?
April 22nd, 2017 at 9:07 pm
If Barnett fell…
April 22nd, 2017 at 9:07 pm
51 TDs in three years compared to 26 TD’s in two years. And they had to share carries. Just don’t understand the love for Mixon seeing all the stats.
April 22nd, 2017 at 9:08 pm
What’s funny is I mean y’all still think Jason is going to pick a running back in the first round LOL.
April 22nd, 2017 at 9:08 pm
I’m pretty sure it’s Russia’s fault. I think they’ve hacked into mini of y’alls brains
April 22nd, 2017 at 9:12 pm
Thinking about it we can draft any position, therfor it will come down to best player available. Can we get top 50 players list from the draft?
April 22nd, 2017 at 9:17 pm
The parcing of someones words does not reveal their intent.
Actually, parsing ones words (it is “parsing) usually does reveal their intent.–Joe
April 22nd, 2017 at 9:20 pm
@Pawel, click on the position to get the tops.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings/2017/QB
April 22nd, 2017 at 9:35 pm
If Barnett, Harris, or Taco, are there at 19, I’m pretty sure they’ll be the pick. A Conley (CB) or Baker (S) also could be in play. Just has a feel of defense in first round if top WR isn’t there. Bucs seem to really like RB value in 2nd-4th rounds and DE value drops off hard after middle 2nd.
April 22nd, 2017 at 9:36 pm
I wonder how many DL the Bucs have ever drafted and of those, how many were really good?
April 22nd, 2017 at 9:41 pm
Anybody know what “drafted a grand total on on D-lineman in three years” means? Anyway, Taco…
April 22nd, 2017 at 9:42 pm
Thanks MadMax
April 22nd, 2017 at 9:44 pm
I think you always have to take a peak at DL. When in doubt keep adding DL…
April 22nd, 2017 at 10:08 pm
How many times I gotta tell you panty waving offensive draft guru’s..DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS…HUH?!!!!! How did we win our 1st one? Stick with the proven formula. And Watch the 2nd half of our last season. When our D line started playin lights out?..we started winning. Draft a Defensive end with the 1st pick..that is..iF a good one is there. if not, OK, I submit..a good running back.
April 22nd, 2017 at 10:11 pm
I would be very surprised if a defensive lineman wasn’t take in the first 3 rounds. However, this could be an elaborate work to make everyone think he has tipped his hand.
April 22nd, 2017 at 10:20 pm
Zero year one value drafting DE or DT at 19….
April 22nd, 2017 at 10:24 pm
@Jim
Are you parsing Joe’s words?
I caught that one too…. I think he’s just over excited about the draft and typing too fast!
April 22nd, 2017 at 10:54 pm
LOL, one of my favorite things on this site is when some half wit tries to call out Joe, makes a nonsensical statement and Joe just shreds them. Well done Joe.
April 22nd, 2017 at 11:01 pm
Just got my flight for the 27th!!!! See y’all stick carriers for the draft party!!! Rolling solo, if anyone wants to share a table or tip some drinks, holla!!!
Can’t wait to kick it w u AWESOME BUCS FANS!!!!! Game on.
April 22nd, 2017 at 11:14 pm
Well I figured S, DL , or CB
April 22nd, 2017 at 11:29 pm
Joe I think we might be sleeping on James Connor. The kids said he’s Beast Mode 2.0. Wrote a letter to the GM’s saying it. Ben Boulware said the only guy he absolutely hated tackling was James. Ben said it felt like he was 260. Hearing that from a LB is why I’m on the bandwagon. Round 3 steal of the draft. Owned It!
April 22nd, 2017 at 11:43 pm
@Mike Johnson – there are some people who have studied the whole defense wins championships and the stats do not support the claim. Statistically it is about 50/50 that the team with the better defense will win.
April 23rd, 2017 at 12:14 am
$acbuc$ … I love Connor but I doubt he goes before the 4th round and may even slide to the 6th … I certainly wouldn’t be mad if the Bucs took him in the 6th but would think they “reached” if they nab him in the 3rd …
April 23rd, 2017 at 12:15 am
JoeBucsFan appears to tip his escort
April 23rd, 2017 at 2:29 am
You know a position not talked about is OL especially OT. #20 is were the top OL are expected to go. If they don’t trade down with someone who wants 1, give us extra picks in a deep draft. Like the trade I read here with Seattle for at least there 2 3rd round picks. Still get DE or maybe Cook if he drops? May also take best LT @19, & move our line around? Whatever the best future Buc is, that’s who I want!
April 23rd, 2017 at 3:28 am
^^^^^
I don’t know what it is you people don’t understand about this class of o line being GARBAGE!!!!! These “1st round guys” that people talk about this year are late 2nd early 3 Ed round guys in most drafts. Smh
Anyway, the only DE I would be particularly comfortable with at 19 is Barnett, I don’t trust taco, and 21 of Barnetts 33 sacks came against SEC competition. Only 10 of Garrets 35 sacks came against sec competitors. That says a lot to me.
April 23rd, 2017 at 5:44 am
@SB
Don’t look at stats, look at tape.
April 23rd, 2017 at 6:45 am
Joe,
Thanks for the spelling correction.
Im glad your site has never had a grammatical error or misspelled word.
Joe loves grammatical and spelling errors pointed out. You, however, do not. Look, you took a slap at Joe first.–Joe
April 23rd, 2017 at 9:33 am
I think it’s gonna be a edge rusher who can also play the SAM role on first downs. I could see it being Harris, Willis or even Hassan Reddick
April 23rd, 2017 at 9:41 am
hopefully it’s not round 1 unless it’s derek barnett i’m not to sold on charles harris he just looks like a pass rush specialist we need someone to contribute against the run this year if we can completely shut down teams run game and make them one dimensional i think it’ll help our pass rush and coverage
April 23rd, 2017 at 10:13 am
I don’t really care who we take, as long as they play.
April 23rd, 2017 at 11:03 am
I think they have several options on their board. BPA at a position of need…leaning toward defense but not locked in.
And I think they might go OLB to play DE if they don’t get a DE in round 1.
April 23rd, 2017 at 12:08 pm
Jordan Willis!!!!!
April 23rd, 2017 at 1:08 pm
It be fun to come back after the draft and see how wrong we all were or what we were right about.
April 23rd, 2017 at 1:26 pm
Harris will be the pick if he is there
April 23rd, 2017 at 2:20 pm
The bucs will be taking Taco from Michigan with #19!!!
April 23rd, 2017 at 4:53 pm
I predict the Bucs will take either an offensive or defensive player in the 1st round and we can safely eliminate any special teams first players from the conversation.
April 23rd, 2017 at 5:27 pm
A non story Joe!
April 23rd, 2017 at 10:10 pm
@ Jason
Let’s hope not. Guy is nothing special
April 23rd, 2017 at 11:57 pm
I’m about 80% sure that I have absolutely no clue what Licht will do.