Mocking The Bucs
March 5th, 2021
Mocked.
Usually at this time of the year Joe gets interested in the draft. Joe’s a late-bloomer when it comes to the draft, partially because Joe doesn’t want to get burned out writing about it for six months, which was the norm around the Tampa Bay area.
(By about the second week of April, Joe is ready to start puking over the draft, so fried after first writing about it before Halloween. This year, strangely, Joe has written very little about the draft and isn’t all that excited in early March about it. Odd, no?)
Besides, free agency is normally just as important. We are now in peak free agency season with the dinner bell 10 days away.
Joe has noticed two mock drafts that have the Bucs picking a running back at No. 32. Michael Obermuller of FanDuel.com thinks the Bucs will pluck Travis Etienne from Clemson. Josh Edwards of CBS Sports has Tampa Bay grabbing Najee Harris of Alabama.
The way Joe sees it, you really can’t go wrong with either one.
Joe floated the idea that Etienne would/could be a Bucs running back selected in the first round. Joe got trashed by some saying that would never happen; Etienne would never last that long. Don’t be so sure.
For example, the first running back off the board last year was Clyde Edwards-Helaire, selected by the then-defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs at No. 32.
In 2019, Chucky drafted the lone running back taken in the first round when the Raiders grabbed Josh Jacobs at No. 24. In 2018, the second RB selected was Rashard Penny by the Chargers at No. 27. The Belicheats later got Sony Michel at No. 31.
So it’s no a stretch to think either Etienne or Harris would still on the board when the Bucs are on the clock at No. 32.
Joe would love to see Etienne in a Bucs uniform, but Joe’s really warming to the idea of drafting Missouri linebacker Nick Bolton at No. 32.
March 5th, 2021 at 12:15 am
This would be awesome.
March 5th, 2021 at 12:38 am
Defense please.
March 5th, 2021 at 12:51 am
RBs tend to be a bad value in the first round, even at #32. If Godwin leaves, draft an impact slot receiver (Kadarius Toney if available) or roll the dice with the best remaining EDGE/ILB/OLB if either Shaq or David leave.
March 5th, 2021 at 1:22 am
EDGE/QB
March 5th, 2021 at 4:17 am
The #1 pick will depend upon on the the FA that doesn’t stay if it’s Shaq, LVD or Suh. At #32 you can get the 1st, 2nd or 3rd best player at DT, ILB or RB. Or you can get the 8th or 9th best Edge/OLB or OT. I think your first round pick has to be almost a sure thing so don”t reach. Reach in the 2nd or 3rd round.
March 5th, 2021 at 5:22 am
That makes sense Buc Guy…
March 5th, 2021 at 6:02 am
Javonte Williams is a really good back also.
March 5th, 2021 at 6:03 am
So many variables to consider. IF the Bucs were able to retain their core FAs, (like Suh, LVD, Shaq) we’d be looking at future impact players for this team. JPP is not getting younger and we will need to address the DT position to replace Suh at some point.
However, either Etienne or Harris would be solid choices to shore up the RB position for the next 5 years. And Etienne has GREAT hands.
March 5th, 2021 at 6:20 am
RBs are bad value at the top 2/3’s of the 1sr round. Not at 32. Some of you need to understand that there are never 32 players on any teams Draft Board that have 1st round grades. Drafting a RB at 32 makes complete sense. Agree on Bolton as well though. I can see all 3 RBs gone by the time 32 roles around.
March 5th, 2021 at 6:35 am
One of those guys would play right away so if win mode now , i would totally understand the move …dont forget lenny likely gone. And rojo deal up next year so you could potentially be without both your starters very soon. And lets face it. Both these guys are great and more importantly can catch.
Brady did not have a receiving back this year. Go to james white stats over last few years. How many first downs did he get the team on a last second dump off to move the chains.
Saquon barkely and mccafrey injuries have pushed running back value way back. So there is a good chance one or both of these guys are there. Najee harris is a bad man and I would love to see as a buc especially when 32 is basically a second round but you get for 5 years at a cheap price.
Here is the thing though , i think the bucs will try and use the pick on the position that walks out of the building in the big three- godwin , shaq or lvd.
And dont forget , bucs could easily move back and get extra low pick and still get the other great back in javontae williams for NC
March 5th, 2021 at 6:35 am
I agree…..our FA loss will determine our draft pick…..a RB would be a luxury pick at this point…….we will have invested a 1, 2 & 3 in RBs……if we do.
I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if we traded up this year to get a better pick……Dline or LB…probably.
We could target a WR if we lose Godwin.
March 5th, 2021 at 6:38 am
I’m still on the fence leaning towards no to RB at 32. But the one benefit is you get a supreme talent RB for the cost of 2.5 to 3.5 mil per year for the next 4 years (refer to CEH’s contract last year and juice it by 10% inflation), tho that 5th year option spikes to over 10 mil.
If I’m Licht and Mike Greenberg, that seems like an affordable way to platoon RoJo, use Vaughn as a 3rd down / depth type and manage the cap for the next few years without paying a premium to a vet with mileage.
The problem is this could be a luxury move depending on your other needs compared to BPA when it’s time to pick.
March 5th, 2021 at 6:55 am
Draft priorities have to wait until we see who leaves.
March 5th, 2021 at 7:00 am
If Arians said you don’t overpay for running backs he damn sure is not going to waste a number 1 draft pick on one.
March 5th, 2021 at 7:00 am
Talking(SB > Draft²)
March 5th, 2021 at 7:20 am
Etienne would be sweet. Stop it with the 1st rd RB stuff. People think that just because Terrell Davis was picked late, you can find RBs anywhere.
March 5th, 2021 at 7:42 am
Sounds great, but I think we need youth on the D line and/or edge rusher. Give Rojo another chance to catch but be sure to grab an outlet back for TB in FA
March 5th, 2021 at 8:30 am
Want to improve the run game and possibly provide intermediate-term cap relief? Take a long look at interior offensive linemen and developmental left tackles. The OL creates opportunities for RBs at the NFL level.
March 5th, 2021 at 8:32 am
Nope! Although he may be good this is definitely not our biggest need. Draft and edge or LB. Then draft another in round 2. Maybe an RB in free agency but not in the first few rounds.
March 5th, 2021 at 8:32 am
Na, he wont be there…but not a bad choice if so, if we lose Lenny.
My ideal is we manage to keep Lenny one more year and not have to worry about the RB position just yet.
Now Barrett, we’ll probably lose. Thats why we need Zaven Collins. Hopefully we manage to keep LD54.
We could also focus on future Gronk with Freiermuth with the 32nd pick and let OJ go….O line could use an infusion with Jackson Carman too…We got to keep TB12 unscathed as much as possible and he’s a big guy we could plug at G or Tackle.
Many options, including a trade down scenario if none of those guys are there….plus according to how free agency goes.
Mr. Licht has his work cut out for him, thats for sure. Hope I can help as a sideline wanna be GM like Ive been doing haha.
March 5th, 2021 at 8:37 am
If Lavonte David leaves 🙁 – Nick Bolton.
March 5th, 2021 at 8:56 am
SK we already have a top 5 Online dude. And we ran the ball just fine last year, the problem with our RB room is that they were one of the worst in the NFL at catching the ball and making plays in space after the catch.
I don’t care if its Travis Etienne, Najee Harris or Javontae Williams, picking up a dynamic RB that can catch out of the backfield and pass protect is probably the best use of the #32 overall pick. Especially when you consider the very real fact that this is a weak draft class at Edge and DT.
March 5th, 2021 at 8:58 am
If you can get Etienne, you do it. He’s the anti-RoJo as he does everything and does it well. RoJo still has to work on his receiving and this is his last season to do it.
March 5th, 2021 at 9:20 am
If the best player available is a RB, you take him. You don’t take a DE at 32 because JPP has one year remaining. That’s reaching. If you can get the best RB in the draft at 32, and he’s ranked higher than that, you take him. If the higher rated player is even a QB, you take him. Highest rated player period.
March 5th, 2021 at 9:38 am
I’m with TampaTown
Edge/QB
March 5th, 2021 at 10:11 am
If Lenny leaves then we’d be stuck with an unproven second year guy in Vaughn and a decent runner with hands of stone in Jones. Etienne or Harris would be a huge upgrade.
March 5th, 2021 at 10:49 am
I would like to see them select Christian Barrmore DT Alabama at 32.
6’5″ 310 LBs Great skill set from a great program equals a great pick.
No brainer, no risk.
March 5th, 2021 at 11:17 am
Joe
“Besides, free agency is normally just as important. We are now in peak free agency season with the dinner bell 10 days away.”
From a GM that stated this team builds through the draft??? Not last year of course, but that’s their philosophy.
I’d say HIGHLY unlikely with a RB in the first round. These nationalists still don’t know d!ck about the Bucs after a legendary Super Bowl winning. Bucs and myself are excited about Vaughn unless it was total BS but they usually don’t go that far. Not gonna keep their third round pick at #3 RB without him even testing the water at the #2RB.
OLB, DT,OT in the first. I actually wouldn’t mind a C in the second round. Brady likes Jensen and so do I but unlike others he is coming close to the end in his expensive age. People say you need time to develop a Center but who is better than help develop but the GOAT and Joe Gilbert.
March 5th, 2021 at 12:14 pm
Everyone is on point with the need to reload DL/LB. That said, Najee Harris would be SO FRICK’N AWESOME!!! I’d be so happy with a draft that looked like this …
Round 1 – Najee Harris
Round 2 – Joe Tryon
Round 3 – Darius Stills (look at this guys tape)
March 5th, 2021 at 1:44 pm
Etienne will never last that long. Yeah, I said it Joe.
March 5th, 2021 at 4:51 pm
It’s all about BPA at that position in the draft.
March 5th, 2021 at 5:20 pm
I respectfully disagree with anyone saying the pick will be based upon who leaves. You build a winner by drafting BPA not for need. If one of these guys is there, it’s a no brainer IMO. You have them on a 5 year contract rather than a 4 year deal.
March 5th, 2021 at 5:30 pm
@SlyPirate…thanks for that…Ive been hawking on Stills since I first saw him. Some mocks dont even have him in the first 5 rounds.???!!! Unreal. Motor that goes forever and makes his living in the QB’s backfield. IMO, he’ll be a steal in the 3rd, and def the 4th. But we’ll keep that to ourselves and Mr. Licht.
March 5th, 2021 at 7:21 pm
I think they will defense precisely on the front seven somewhere. Im guessing they may go for two Outside linebacker in this draft. Some edge rushers who are young and will be ready to take over once the vets are gone. I say they may trade back to. I dont think they are drafting an offensive guy this year. As far as RB I believe Fournette will return with RoJo. I believe Godwin will come back as well on a great contract. My only concern maybe LVD or Shaq. I feel LVD should take the pay cut. He has a great 3 years left but he has made enough to where he shouldn’t mind a sacrifice for Shaq and finish his career in Tampa and possibly a Hall of Famer now that he has a Super Bowl to show.
March 6th, 2021 at 11:51 am
BPA D#