The Bucs & Daniel Thomas
February 28th, 2020
Prospect busy with Bucs
It may be the offseason, but Bucs cornerback Jamel Dean is a busy guy, Joe learned today at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Dean has been counseling his friend and former teammate, Auburn safety Daniel Thomas, to relax during his on-field work at the Combine, and to run his ass off.
Considering general manager Jason Licht drafted former Auburn cornerbacks Carlton Davis (2018) and Jamel Dean (2019), it’s safe to say the Bucs know all about Thomas, an Auburn captain last season. And we also know Licht loves drafting defensive backs about as much as Joe enjoys an afternoon at Burger Monger.
While wearing multiple bracelets that read, “I will be something great,” Thomas chatted with Joe this morning and Joe learned a handful of things:
- Thomas had an “informal” meeting with the Bucs at the Combine, but he was impressed that four team reps came to talk to him. Thomas isn’t a top prospect and he seemed to think that was a significant crowd.
- Dean is a good friend of Thomas, who would love to reunite with him and Davis. “I love Tampa.” Thomas finished his four-year college career in a loss at the Outback Bowl last month.
- Thomas is a big Peyton Barber fan.
- Perhaps best of all, Thomas said to watch his film and you will see few if any missed tackles. What pride this guy takes in his tackling and in being a four-down special teams player.
Thomas also called himself “a ballhawk,” however, he had just five interceptions (none last year) and only 8 passes defensed in 43 college games. So Joe can’t buy into that.
The question on Thomas will be athleticism. Can he impress enough at the Combine to make himself stand out after measuring just 5-foot-10, the second-shortest safety prospect in Indianapolis?
Joe is just throwing Thomas’ name out there as a potential Bucs target because of Licht’s Auburn love. Thomas added that he met Bucs scouts at the Outback Bowl, as well.
February 28th, 2020 at 12:05 pm
A skeptical fan would wonder what Thomas has against Cartlon Davis. Thomas and Dean are great friends, he’s also a big fan of Peyton Barber… makes one to think he and Davis don’t get along. Not that I care in the least bit… can he play? If yes, then I like him.
February 28th, 2020 at 12:05 pm
Not a terrible depth piece to add on day 3 or as UDFA.
If your not a high draft pick, you better bring ST capabilities…& he does that.
February 28th, 2020 at 12:25 pm
There’s 2 guys i would consider for safety. In the 1st round McKinney is a great player. In the 2nd I would love Kyle Dugger from Lenoir Rhyne. I’m from the town where he played in college. This guy makes multiple plays a game and will be a stud from day 1.
1st round options i like are Jedrick Wills, McKinney, and Ruggs. 2nd round options are Dobbins, Edwards-Helaire, and Dugger. Any combo of those 2 would give us some ballers who would instantly improve our team.
February 28th, 2020 at 12:27 pm
5’10” is a lot to over come
February 28th, 2020 at 1:54 pm
You know who else loves drafting defensive backs. Bill Belichick.
They run a 3-4 and draft more defensive back than any other position and in higher rounds and hardly ever a high pick for a rush end. Lot’s of ways to win in the NFL.
February 28th, 2020 at 2:26 pm
I support any draft pick, but why do we keep drafting same players from same college? Do we not expand out with our scouts?
February 28th, 2020 at 2:47 pm
Maybe, Jamel can get us on the inside track with Derek Brown.
Maybe take him out to the strip clubs and get him arrested so that he’ll fall down to #14.
Warren Sapp….anyone??
February 28th, 2020 at 2:57 pm
Would like a more robust person filling the safety spot. Delpit from LSU is 6’3″ and 203 lb. When he hits someone they know it.
February 28th, 2020 at 3:33 pm
I cannot see the FO going Safety @ #14. It’s not most glaring hole, but should be addressed in the mid-rounds. Though I could see the Licht jumping on Dugger, I’m not sure he would in the 2nd.
That has me focusing on tOSU Jordan Fuller & S.Ill Jeremy Chinn in the middle rounds (3-5), either would be a solid 4th rd selection – if still on the board. But neither is worth the Bucs 3rd (#76) w/ the roster’s current make-up. (Both profile more as SS/Hybrid LB role Bowles utilizes.)
Another guy I might consider for the Bowles MonsterBack role is App St. “WLB” Akeem Davis-Gaither…(Depending on his 40 at combine, but reminds me of Deon Buchanan in AZ – tape pops & oozes productivity – tackles everything & covers TE’s/RB’s well…Same size profile as well…6″1-6’2″ – 219lbs..Maybe not as athletic or long armed as Dugger but nearly identical measurables side-by-side.)
Regardless, I see J.Evans getting cut if he clears medicals in June…So, it’s either draft S depth or find a S on the market that needs a prove it contract.
(Eric Berry on comeback/prove it flier???)
February 28th, 2020 at 4:56 pm
hard pass on hargreave size corner
February 28th, 2020 at 5:26 pm
Free-Agency has yet to get started, if we can get a competent RT in the free agency period ..who we pick with the #14 draft pick is dependent on free-agency…I believe we can now develop corners and safeties….so a defensive lineman is my choice @ #14 because I don’t think that all of our defensive lineman are coming back, then running back…a big back…a thumper in round #2 and then we go Best Player Available the rest of the draft!!
February 28th, 2020 at 6:48 pm
Jason Licht drafting or signing safeties is either incredibly meh or flat out bad.
Hopefully Bowels makes the picks.
February 28th, 2020 at 7:08 pm
I believe the Bucs like what they have at Safety with Evans Edwards an Whitehead I think if they draft a Safety it is for
Depth purposes only I think the Bucs draft some Positions we are not expecting I could see Bucs go WR in 1st 3 rounds I also think DT an RB An LB
But we will see glad to know Shaq is t getting away
February 29th, 2020 at 8:52 am
There is nothing wrong with the safeties the Bucs have now. Have more impotant needs.
February 29th, 2020 at 8:54 am
There’s nothing wrong with the safeties we have now. More important needs before safety.
February 29th, 2020 at 11:23 am
Really want a safety? Sign Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Not too expensive, excellent safety at either side and can also play corner. Oh, and a couple of national championships under his belt?
February 29th, 2020 at 1:00 pm
Where on defense?
Safety easily the biggest hole on defense. If Jordan Whitehead goes down, Bucs have big problems there.