“Zero Chance”
April 25th, 2018
One can dream, right?
In so many words, the Bucs find themselves between a rock and a hard place.
In a really cool analysis of tomorrow’s draft — yes, tomorrow! — good guy Mike Tanier of Bleacher Report does sort of a different type of mock draft. What players would be best fits per teams, not so much where the players would land.
And Tanier is of the mind the Bucs are too low in the draft to have Bradley Chubb or Saquon Barkley fall to them, and too high in the draft to go get (for example) Marcus Davenport or Harold Landry because that would be an irresponsible reach at No. 7.
In a perfect world, Tanier types, the best fit for Barkley is the Bucs.
The Bucs have a Barkley-shaped hole on their depth chart. Teaming Barkley with Jameis Winston, Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate creates an offense so potent that Dirk Koetter could use the “Ask Madden” play-caller and the Bucs would still score 31 points a game.
While Bucs fans dream about how much better Sundays would be if the team replaced Koetter with the “Ask Madden” play-caller, we should point out that if Barkley is gone, Nelson can significantly upgrade the interior line. The Bucs could then grab some committee backs on Day 3.
The offseason acquisitions of Jason Pierre-Paul and Vinny Curry were brilliant moves, as the Bucs had little chance of landing Bradley Chubb and other edge-rushers would be a reach here. The Bucs aren’t getting much offseason attention, but they are poised to turn things around quickly.
Yes, it’s highly unlikely the Bucs get Barkley. They can, however, get Sony Michel. Or Nick Chubb. Or Derrius Guice. Or Royce Freeman.
This is why Joe has been spilling mugs of Community coffee by day and bottles of Bud Light by night beating on his desk for the Bucs to trade down tomorrow night.
All-you-can-eat buffet available starting at 6 p.m. and runs all night long. Be there!! Joe and Ira Kaufman will be in the house with the Stick Carriers and The Commish. Raw energy and Bucs love everywhere.
April 25th, 2018 at 5:12 am
Yes sir trade down!
April 25th, 2018 at 5:12 am
Yea but 5-11 is SOOOOOOO much better than 4-12.
You know moral victories and all.
April 25th, 2018 at 5:19 am
I’m of the belief that if Nelson is there they grab him, otherwise it might be Ward. If neither are available they will do to their best to trade down.
April 25th, 2018 at 5:58 am
D. Smith – Q. Nelson – R. Jensen – A. Marpet – C. Benenoch
This would immediately help our QB and RBs.
April 25th, 2018 at 6:00 am
I’m afraid that they will take James even if Nelson is there! Just say no Jason
April 25th, 2018 at 6:03 am
@Joe … “The Bucs aren’t getting much offseason attention, but they are poised to turn things around quickly.” Out of curiosity Joe, was that line written this year, or last year, or some year before that? EVERY YEAR we hear the same tired story … we either won FA or we won the draft. Then BOOM, the REAL season gets here. No more unwarranted over-the-top enthusiasm for pre-season moves. The Bucs … structured by Licht & coached by Koetter and company … can prove it on the field this year. One game at a time. Staying ‘cautiously optimistic’ until I see if this dog can hunt.
April 25th, 2018 at 6:09 am
Tua 2020
April 25th, 2018 at 6:24 am
Peyton Barber ran behind a make shift line and still averaged 4 ypc. Imagine what he can do with a stacked lineup like this and a guy like Sony Michel to spell him.
April 25th, 2018 at 6:25 am
@Buccaneer Scotty
That simply will not happen. It’s clear to anyone with at least an average level of football acumen, that Nelson is a tried and true stud of a prospect at a position we have a huge need at.
It also helps that there isn’t a 27 year old starting Guard available to signed in FA, but there happens to be a 27 year old starting SS that remains on the Market.
Honestly the only way I see us passing on Nelson is if by some miracle Chubb or Barkley happens to be there at 7 as well. Which is highly unlikely.
April 25th, 2018 at 6:30 am
Gotta have a trade partner. If they do go for a DB, I would prefer fitzpatrick….not James. He’s a hard hitter and will draw flags and get blown in coverage.
April 25th, 2018 at 7:08 am
Your hope for a trade down is sensible. I hope they can find a partner to drop a few picks. Still, no matter what, they’ll fill a couple of holes, at least. Should be a good Bucs draft.
April 25th, 2018 at 7:09 am
Sweep- We have no idea how the draft will shake out. NONE! The idea that we should’ve lost the last game to get draft position is on nobody’s mind at THAT time in that game. Nobody here is calling it a “moral” victory except you because you believe that being 4-12 is somehow better than 5-11 so that we can get a draft pick.
I said it before and I’ll say it again, there’s ONE reason to play this game: TO WIN!
Tanking for draft position is akin to kissing your sister, it’s disgusting. We’re 5-11! Nobody should be happy with THAT! 4-12 for a draft pick?! No thanks, I’ll take the bomb to Godwin.
April 25th, 2018 at 7:22 am
@Bucsfanman,
While I agree with your argument. Losing the last game while giving a good effort is hardly tanking. But, what we have to realize is, none of the coaches wanted to lose that game. Their jobs were on the line and I can’t believe that winning that last game against the hated Saints didn’t help Koetter’s chances of getting one more year. Every win counts when you’re one foot out the door.
April 25th, 2018 at 7:23 am
Nothing has changed in the last 3 months.
Chubb, Barkley, Nelson at #7 or Trade down!!!
April 25th, 2018 at 7:40 am
@lambchop- I agree and don’t believe we would’ve tried to tank. That was just a general statement. It’s one of the reasons I don’t watch NBA games anymore. And they’re not even subtle about it.
That win could’ve very well saved Koetter.
April 25th, 2018 at 7:46 am
Or they can get Quenton Nelson. Sheesh Joe, Nelson would be an excellent pick. If the Bucs reach we’ll likely bemoaning about the pick for years just like we have with Roberto Aguayo.
April 25th, 2018 at 7:49 am
No worries…we won that big last game of the year.
April 25th, 2018 at 7:51 am
If James is the pick, I’d be thrilled even over Nelson but prefer a trade down over drafting Nelson as well, too many needs and guard isn’t that big of a need imho if you think so it’s still not as big as the need at corner safety and running back
April 25th, 2018 at 7:54 am
Yes, please trade down!
April 25th, 2018 at 7:54 am
I am also hoping for a trade down. But, as I said earlier this week, Barkley might not go as high as people think. Anything can happen in the draft.
April 25th, 2018 at 7:59 am
Like I said in the past…look at what happens with the number 5 pick. That pick should have been ours.
It was no different than when we won the race for Jameis…and how many of us would have rather had Mariota with the 2nd pick that year if Lovie hadn’t allowed that “victory” to slip away. But last year was different…enjoy those of you that were touting that “big win”.
April 25th, 2018 at 8:17 am
Get over it Mark. Sick of seeing people say we should have tanked the Saints game. Nobody does that unless you are vying for the top pick and are in desperate need of a QB.
We are in a good draft spot and will get a very good prospect at #7 no matter what.
April 25th, 2018 at 8:35 am
Bucsfanman
Is an idiot that thinks that win in the last game of a terrible season meant something.
Yea it meant not getting a better player.
I’m not saying lose every year to get better picks.
I’m saying it was the last stupid game. But you’re a total idiot that interprets that as I think we should always lose every game.
And if that one win meant the difference of firing koetter or keeping him then he’s already a goner.
You must’ve had money on that game to think it was worth it to win it.
It meant absolutely nothing. Which means it was a stupid moral victory.
But you’re too da man stupid to see the ramifications of winning that completely meaningless game.
April 25th, 2018 at 8:37 am
You’re right though because they’re not winning more than 6 games this year anyway. So whether it’s the 5 or 7 pick 6 games is the max for this team.
April 25th, 2018 at 8:38 am
@mark2001
and “IF” swaggy baker did not jump offsides, the Bucs could have been picking 12th!!!!!!!!!!!
April 25th, 2018 at 8:45 am
mark2001- Why’d you bother watching the games then?! If you’re a “fan”, then be a FAN!
By your logic, we should just be perennial losers so that we can get premium draft picks.
Why bother?! Seriously!
April 25th, 2018 at 8:50 am
Gobucs- Did I miss something?! I don’t recall calling anyone an idiot.
I want the Bucs to win. It’s really simple.
Now, if you don’t have anything else intelligent to say, go back to your safe place and let the adults talk!
April 25th, 2018 at 9:26 am
I love the trade down with NE option for 23,31,43,95. That still leaves them with our 7 and 63. I believe our top three wish list will be off the board.
1CLE-Darnold
2-NYG Chubb
3-NYJ Mayfield
4-CLE Barkley
5-DEN Fitzpatrick
6-IND Nelson
Bucs
23 DB Joshua Jackson (Starter, all pro next year)
31 RB Derrius Guice 9 (Starter, rookie of year)
38 OG Will Hernandez (starter, nasty interior)
43 RB Ronald Jones III (HR third down back)
95 DT Tim Settle (Rotation, will be surprise pick of our draft)
102 SS Kyzir White (Nasty hard hitter)
144 OLB Hercules Mataafa (Will beat out Beckwith)
180 OT Brett Toth (Nasty huge end might push Dotson )
202 CB JC Jackson (VHIII better pick up his game with this pick)
255 DE Andrew Trumbetti (Rotation with Curry and JPP90)
April 25th, 2018 at 9:29 am
If any coach tried to intentionally lose a game for a better draft pick, he should be fired. Every game matters (or should matter) to the players. I’d like to think that’s what separates professionals or people who have actually competed from keyboard warriors, or people who just steal a check. Losing on purpose or not putting forth your best effort (even with a strategic motive) is a losers mentality.
April 25th, 2018 at 9:55 am
Now you decide to finally give in to the big three dropping. I hate it was ever even the selling point this team gave us all the media and the fans. We are in such a lucky spot right now with all those QBs in the top 10. We could’ve easily been selling to Buffalo that trade down that we desperately need now. Licht’s scared to do the deal because he thinks James might be off the board at that point when the Bills pick at #12. I actually think James will still be there though and Licht should pull the trigger on the trade plus it would be a massive deal for the Bucs taking all the attention away from who they were going to draft and it ensure that maybe 5 QBs go in the top 10 if another team trades up for L. Jackson which I think will shake as well if we do the deal because again there would be extreme pressure for the Cardinals, Dolphins, and Patriots all teams that have acknowledge they are looking for a QB would feel some type of pressure to move up in the draft as well and the Raiders just look very entertaining to trade down with as well because let’s face it all they really felt like they needed was Jon Gruden back in their building so it really looks plausible for the Buffalo deal to still happen. The Bears I feel like will go with Vea to enforce the middle of their 3-4 defense or may go with Ward at seven imo but not James or Fitzpatrick like it’s been rumored but the 49ers and Raiders are wild cards because both of those teams need a safety but it’s a deep class at the Safety position so they may go somewhere where else as well with a top ten pick like locking up the defensive front the Raiders as well and the Dolphins get there hometown hero in C. Ridley who’s been slept on throughout the process but I think he goes to them early too. Teams are also looking for offensive lineman as well so I feel if we made the Buffalo trade then we would still get our worst kept secret D. James
April 25th, 2018 at 10:16 am
nelson at 7 or trade down…..bo scarbrough and k.johnson in the 4th round….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
April 25th, 2018 at 10:24 am
813- That’s a wicked one-two punch right there. Kerryon is a complete back and it’s actually surprising he doesn’t get the same “love” as others. And, don’t even get me started with big backs!
April 25th, 2018 at 10:38 am
The notion of losing the last Saints game is ludicrous to an NFL player. Maybe they are thinking they want to win so they can keep their job for next season. That being said I’m with the group in mind that if Barkley, Chubb and Nelson are off the board by 7 then trade back if you can. If there isn’t a willing trade partner at that spot then Mr Licht you have a decision to make. James, Fitzpatrick or Ward I guess would be the pick.
April 25th, 2018 at 11:16 am
Gobucs and mark2001,
What I want to know is who exactly deserves the blame for the win against the Saints? Coach K or Jameis? Because Coach K is going to fight for his job and Jameis took a play that was meant to go to the left sideline and threw a dart to Godwin on the right sideline. That could have lost us the game if it didn’t work out with only 15 seconds left on the clock. Had he been tackled in bounds, game over probably. Or if it was an INT, game over. So, was Jameis trying to win or lose the game?
If you have any pride or balls, take the W. I was upset that our draft pick dropped, but players and coaches don’t play to lose because they have skin in the game. Their jobs and careers are on the line. What skin do fans have in the game? Nothing.
It’s so easy to cry like a baby that it was a meaningless game. It was meaningless to you because you have probably never played an organized sport in your lives. Or if you did, you were probably a perennial loser.
Get over it. Things happen for a reason.
April 25th, 2018 at 1:32 pm
BUCSFANMAN
hopefully dirk channels his inner sean payton and commit to the run and cut back on the air-it-out attack…..worked wonders for them…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
April 25th, 2018 at 2:13 pm
NO to Derwin James–penalty machine with his trademark hard hits, Trade Back please–many gems such as
Davenport
Josh Jackson
Will Hernanadez
April 25th, 2018 at 3:25 pm
We talk about needs..if you were an UDFA after the draft would the Bucs appeal to you?..by position
WR Absolutely not..Bucs already loaded
TE See above
DB Absolutely…Bucs defensive backfield is pretty wide open right now. Best potential for a rags to riches story,…UDFA makes the starting lineup an contributes.
LB Not really
OL Certainly…might be as many as two open spots.
RB May be the best shot of any position. Just have to beat out Payton Barber
and whichever back the Bucs draft.
How many starters do we expect to come out of this draft?