Importance Of Drafting A DE
February 20th, 2019
Too early with No. 5 pick?
Earlier this week, former NFL defensive back and suit Louis Riddick of BSPN noted there is really only one position on modern defenses where players can play like the NFL days of old and still change games. That would be defensive end.
In an unrelated story, Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com put together her top-100 free agents yesterday in honor of the first day of tag season. NFL teams have a two-week window to decide whether to tag one of the free agents. Five of her top six free agents are either defensive ends or a rush outside linebacker (Kansas City’s Dee Ford). That just further illustrates that outside of quarterback, the most important position on an NFL team is defensive end.
Last year, thankfully, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht put an end to a blight on the Bucs franchise when he went out and robbed the Giants of defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul for a measly third-round pick. JPP had 12 sacks and ended a decade-long drought of the Bucs not having a double-digit sack man, an embarrassing sign of how bad things sunk around these parts.
Why is Joe bringing all of this up? Well, JPP’s contract ends after the 2020 season. He will be 32 then. It’s essential the Bucs prepare for a near-future without him and sadly, we’ve seen how that might be. Joe has seen enough of it, to be honest.
The Bucs have the No. 5 pick overall. The Bucs have their quarterback. It’s time to get their defensive end for the next decade.
This is why Joe implores Licht to get a defensive end. Go get this gamewrecker.
If it is not Josh Allen (who may go in the top-four), then how about Montez Sweat of Mississippi State? If Sweat is a reach at No. 5, then perhaps find a trade partner to go back a few slots?
Unless the Bucs find a damn good pass rusher in free agency or another trade (unlikely), Joe would be heartbroken if the Bucs pass on a golden opportunity to find a pass rusher in the first round that could be their rock for years to come.
February 20th, 2019 at 3:15 pm
I am a big Montez Sweat guy! His length is ridiculous!!! I believe we should draft Defense heavy and Edge-rushers are not as deep as interior dlineman. The Offensive line and defensive line are the priority, but we NEED to address the RB and CB position as well. Free Agency will be interesting so I believe we focus on the secondary there (Mathieu and Claiborne, 2 LSU guys). If we can get those guys I see us going all in fixing the trenches and taking a RB early (Josh Jacobs). I know most don’t like the idea, but he is everybit as good as another RB we took early, Cadillac Willuams!! I know the shelf-life of a RB is short, but Arians isn’t trying to build a team, he wants to construct a Super Bowl champion FAST!!
February 20th, 2019 at 3:18 pm
sweat is a beast….not at #5 imo…he’s top 10-15 tho….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!!
February 20th, 2019 at 3:24 pm
Those legs tho.. Bambi’s knees are bigger.
February 20th, 2019 at 3:25 pm
LICHT! Don’t make the same mistake and pass on the Edge-rusher that’s too thin (Leonard Floyd). Sweat can easily add 25-30 lbs to his frame and not lose his speed. That would put him around 270lbs at 6’6″ with an 86″ wingspan! I’m telling you he can be like Aldon Smith was as a rookie!
February 20th, 2019 at 3:25 pm
Many analyst rank Sweat out of the first round. If not Allen, we should try for Brian Burns or Clelin Ferrell.
February 20th, 2019 at 4:02 pm
I could see us taking Sweat or Ferrell, especially if we can find a trade partner to move down a few spots
February 20th, 2019 at 4:04 pm
@Etzel: Analyst are about as good as you and I at seeing talent. They see the same film we do. They don’t see anything more than what that camera shows so don’t give too much credit to them.
Brian Burns, I also like alot… has good pass-rushing moves and Upside! He just needs a dumbell and a sandwich like Montez and he will be a terror on the edge.
With Ferrell, what you see is what you get…..no burst, no counter moves! He will be very average to below average at the comhine.
February 20th, 2019 at 4:27 pm
ferrell has a great motor but benefited from playing along side 2 other possible 1st rounds….
imo, the best pass rusher outside of bosa is jachi polite….kid has moves, quickness, great motor, burst and a knack for knocking the ball loose….
his problem is playing the run….he’s not bad but some think he’s a little too light and not aggressive at the point of attack but i like him….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!!
February 20th, 2019 at 4:37 pm
Me personally I’d rather us draft a Surefire Pro bowl-caliber player in Devin white than take a chance on a project defensive end.
February 20th, 2019 at 4:43 pm
we cant have licht trading back didn’t we learn from last year with 3 picks in 2nd I believe it was and not 1 superstar
February 20th, 2019 at 5:09 pm
I’m seeing mock drafts having us taken the 3rd or 4th best DE in the draft. 3 of the 4 picks before us were projected DE’s. I don’t like it. If Josh Allen falls to us, then I’m all over it but if it works like these mocks, trade down to a QB needy team and stockpile a couple picks.
February 20th, 2019 at 5:28 pm
M. Sweat looks like a young J. Peppers.
February 20th, 2019 at 5:39 pm
Don’t like this frame of thinking. You should never pigeonhole a top 5 pick into on position except QB.
A top 5 pick needs to be a generational type player.
If a All-Pro Caliber Passrusher is there absolutely…….,..But if them guys are gone you don’t trade back and miss out on a elite player of a other position………D White for example.
You can’t pass on a future HOF LB. It’s a awful idea. Now mabye the Bucs don’t think White is that great. That would be a reason to trade out. That better be the only reason we give up a Top 5 selection.
February 20th, 2019 at 5:56 pm
Only Mississippi State player deserving of Top-5 consideration based on talent is Jeffrey Simmons
February 20th, 2019 at 5:58 pm
Forgot about Polite. Put him ahead of Sweat too.
February 20th, 2019 at 6:08 pm
they have a qb
Who did we get?
February 20th, 2019 at 6:12 pm
The shortest distance between two points is what…..boys and girls????
A straight line.
Quinnen Williams.
Far more important than any DE since we’re having that (supposed) discussion. A massive frequent hard penetration up the middle to a QB is far more important than anyone SHORT OF Lawrence Taylor getting after a QB. Brady hates it. All QB’s hate a strong immediate push up the middle.
Quinnen Williams.
February 20th, 2019 at 6:29 pm
I really like this guy, but not at #5.
The question that really affects the #5 pick is if the Bucs decide to keep GM93 or not
February 20th, 2019 at 7:04 pm
I’m with you on Quinnen but I don’t think 4 teams will pass on him.
Trade down and getting Sweat wouldn’t be the worse move if White is gone.
Then grab an Olineman with our first second rounder and maybe take a flyer on Sweat’s teammate Simmons in the later 2nd or 3rd.
February 20th, 2019 at 7:22 pm
I like Rashan Gary at 5 – he should be there – since I can’t see at least 1 trade into the top 4 for a QB…
I think its these 3 and a QB in the Top 4 – not in order – maybe we get lucky and can swing a trade down to get more picks. but if we stay at 5 and R Gary is there I can think of a worse outcomes.
Bosa
Q. Williams
J Allen
QB – Trade up
R Gary
February 20th, 2019 at 7:23 pm
can see (not Can’t)
February 20th, 2019 at 8:08 pm
All the great DE’s will be gone at 5! Go for Lt
February 20th, 2019 at 9:19 pm
Gary’s lack of production is way too scary to me. 9.5 sacks in 3 years, less than 2 tackles a game? Really?
I understand he is being called a freak athlete but so was Dion Jordan. I’ll just say it would be so Bucs to draft him.
February 20th, 2019 at 10:08 pm
If Sweat is your guy, he is your guy at 5 or 10 or 15. If he balls out, who cares where you picked him, IMO.
February 20th, 2019 at 11:03 pm
Sweats tape looks great, looks like a college player. He ain’t transforming this defense at 5 not with that tiny frame going against grown men. He’ll need a year at least to adjust. They desperately need to draft a guy who’ll make a difference day one.
February 21st, 2019 at 9:00 am
I just don’t think De is a big priority. We have two really good starters in JPP & Nassib. Maybe a DE on day two.
February 21st, 2019 at 10:54 am
Nick Bosa, josh Allen, Williams or Ed Oliver
February 22nd, 2019 at 12:44 pm
@TOM,
Neither JPP not Nassib played 100% of snaps and JPP will retire soon. A game wrecker DE would be a huge help. It would literally help all other defensive positions.
February 22nd, 2019 at 12:44 pm
*nor