Kenyon Green And The Bucs
April 6th, 2022
Texas A&M OL Kenyon Green.
Now this is an intriguing prospect.
Joe doesn’t necessarily think the Bucs will draft Ali Marpet’s replacement in the first round. Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht is masterful at finding strong small school guards on the second day of the draft.
For that reason alone Joe would doubt the Bucs would draft a left guard. Factor in how they re-signed Aaron Stinnie, and Joe believes the Bucs already think they have Marpet’s replacement on the roster.
Over at The Athletic, Joe really, really enjoys the work of college football writer Bruce Feldman. He’s sort of the Adam Schefter of college football. He is that well-plugged in. Joe listens to his weekly podcast and Feldman can reach damn near anyone or anyone’s right-hand man at a moment’s notice.
So this week Feldman tried his hand at an NFL draft using what NFL contacts he has, along with his massive college football contact list. And Feldman believes the Bucs may just nab versatile Texas A&M offensive lineman Kenyon Green at No. 27. Here is the feedback Feldman got from a few college coaches on Green.
The Coaching Intel
“He was a pretty good tackle, but he’s an outstanding guard. I don’t think his feet are good enough to play tackle at a high level, but he’s powerful, is very good with his hands and is a road-grader in the run game. He was their most consistent guy up front.”
“He looked better on film than he did in our game. He understands angles and leverage well. Playing tackle, he’s not used to that much space. I thought he was more of a Day 2 guy.”
“He was really special in 2020. They had a better line then, and sometimes it’s about who’s playing next to you. He has very good awareness — seeing twists, recognizing pre-snap movement, seeing it when it’s coming. His cleats are always in the dirt. I think he’s elite. He reminds me of (Bills Pro Bowler) Dion Dawkins.”
Now here are a couple of things to think about: Joe doesn’t know how the Bucs would view Green. Do they think he would develop into a tackle down the line? Keep in mind that Donovan Smith’s contract expires after the 2023 season.
He will be 31 before the start of the 2024 season. Is that too early to turn the page on an Ironman like Smith, who if healthy will still be in his prime? Probably too soon.
Versatility on an offensive line really gets the attention of coaches and general managers.
Joe thinks it’s unlikely the Bucs will draft an offensive lineman at No. 27. But it is an intriguing thought. Can’t rule it out.
April 6th, 2022 at 9:07 am
Really hope we trade back picks 20-60 are pretty comparable this year, not super high end talent early, but very good depth in high end positions like OT Edge and CB
April 6th, 2022 at 9:13 am
Do we think we’ll see a trade for any of the wr’s for picks? That has to be the position where clearly ‘decent’ guys won’t make the cut.
April 6th, 2022 at 9:19 am
LG Ed Ingram….4th rd
April 6th, 2022 at 9:22 am
To me Feldman makes the case for why the Bucs would not draft him at 27.
April 6th, 2022 at 9:24 am
We have quite a few holes yet, the biggest holes are probably interior defensive line, cornerback, and tight end. With the draft, have to look slightly beyond this year in my opinion.
Even if Gronk comes back, it’s probably just for 1 year. Same with Suh, and maybe even Gholston. Dean and SMB will both be free agents next year as well.
Would not be shocked to see us draft a guard though, but if they trust Hainsey, it’s not going to happen in round 1. None of us saw anything from him to know if he can handle it or not.
As mentioned in previous comment, there’s a lot of B+ talent in this draft and if we can move down a little bit, that might be most ideal.
April 6th, 2022 at 9:47 am
Bruce Feldman? – wasn’t he Kramers opposite on Seinfield’s “The Bizzaro Jerry”?
April 6th, 2022 at 9:55 am
If Green or Zion Johnson fall to 27 I believe thats our 1st pick.
April 6th, 2022 at 9:59 am
What is intriguing to me… is the number of football “fans” that think getting a guard in the first round is a good idea. Drafting a guard that early when we clearly have more glaring needs is ridiculous. Marpet was a 2nd rounder, Cappa a 3rd, Stinnie started and played well in a Super Bowl and was undrafted… Jensen a 6th rounder, Mason was what? A 5th? Premium picks should never be used on a guard. People want to point to Quintin Nelson as proof that guards are valuable… how? How many playoff games has he led his team to? Having a dominant guard is literally the least important position to be dominant at. If we took a guard that high, I would be monumentally disappointed that Licht temporarily forgot about why drafting a kicker in the 2nd round was a bad idea. Great guards can be found all over the draft. Great pass rushers, cover men… not so much.
April 6th, 2022 at 10:16 am
I agree with Brandon and I also feel like they have enough guards right now they feel comfortable with to compete for that last spot. I don’t think a dt worth a first round pick will fall to 27 but they could get a good db maybe an edge.
April 6th, 2022 at 10:21 am
Don Smith is a turnstile tackle against elite talent, and should be replaced, or moved to guard (where he would probably do much better).
April 6th, 2022 at 10:32 am
Brandon: Agreed. Do you think Hainsey will wind up being a decent/good player at Guard or Center?
April 6th, 2022 at 10:42 am
We don’t need a guard in round 1. The only must-draft position this year on O is TE, and maybe RB.
DEFENSE!!! We don’t even have 3 starting DL right now. Our CB situation is shaky. We don’t have a SS. We have no quality backup for Lavonte and White. We don’t have a quality outside rush threat beyond Shaq and a still-developing JTS. We literally could draft any position on defense and it would make more sense than OG or WR right now.
If you advocate for a OG or WR in round 1, you don’t get to complain about the defense this fall.
April 6th, 2022 at 10:59 am
O-line and D-line must be addressed. The game is won in the trenches. If you win the line of scrimmage battle on both sides you can’t lose.
April 6th, 2022 at 11:02 am
Smashsquatch Says:
April 6th, 2022 at 10:59 am
We already have O line. I am not concerned about LG — they have at least 3 in-house candidates to take over that job.
If we didn’t have a desperate need on D-line and DEFENSE in general, I’d be fine with taking a OG or even an OT in round 1… but this year, the idea sounds insane.
April 6th, 2022 at 11:26 am
Aaron Stinnie may be OK… and he may not. He is certainly the weak link on our line, and I’d like to see him remain as depth should a Zion Johnson/Dylan Parham be available when we select.
It’s OK to replace a player before it becomes a problem…
April 6th, 2022 at 11:30 am
Bucs need to draft D-Line in 1st round. Need to partner a strong D-Lineman with Vita Vea.
April 6th, 2022 at 11:36 am
Olave
Logan Hall
Trade back into the 2nd…CB Alontae Taylor
LG Ed Ingram
P Matt Araiza
LB/special teams D’marco Jackson
….yes, we’re going to need to give up a pick from next year….all good, we’ll be picking at the bottom of each round if this goes right!
April 6th, 2022 at 11:40 am
CrackerBall Says:
April 6th, 2022 at 11:26 am
At the expense of the defensive line, which is a far greater need?
You can’t complain about the defense if you’re talking about devoting another #1 pick on OL when we already have high quality starters at 4 of the 5 positions, and 3 decent candidates for the 5th.
Meanwhile we only have 2 starting DL right now. One is 30 and on a one year contract… And then we’re counting on signing Suh, who is 35 and will only be on a one year contract.
Tell me which is the higher priority is when comparing the two. If you say OL, you might be smoking crack.
April 6th, 2022 at 11:42 am
We need a starter with our first pick & at this point that looks like a DT……
If Gronk doesn’t resign & there is a top TE available, that could be the pick
And a top CB is always a very good pick no matter what the situation.
April 6th, 2022 at 11:45 am
Tight End is really the only offensive position we have a major need to draft, followed by RB… OL and WR are further down the list. Drafting a punter would theoretically make more sense in terms of need than OL or WR.
April 6th, 2022 at 11:57 am
Fix the frigging pass defense and win now.
Pass D was bottom 3rd last year. Better coaching is critical!! Can’t win championship if that isn’t better.
April 6th, 2022 at 11:57 am
D tackle is what I expect. One that can play right away.
April 6th, 2022 at 11:59 am
hah….wow, nobody seeing the impact of an Olave when we have the GOAT at QB for 1 more maybe two….he needs his weapons people, but if you dont get it, oh well.
April 6th, 2022 at 12:10 pm
@MadMax,
Wake up dude… We already have 3 WR who can play. And 45 million per year invested there! Brady has plenty of weapons. Meanwhile, drafting a WR deprives us of filling the INFINITELY GREATER need on DL. How does this not register? Can Olave rush the passer? You’re advocating picking a #4 receiver instead of a starting DL. That’s insane.
April 6th, 2022 at 12:16 pm
I’ll say it again… if you advocate drafting WR or OL in round 1, you just can’t complain about the defense. To me, the defense is a house on fire, with age and inconsistency, and lack of personnel. They need to come out of the draft with DT, SS, and CB.
April 6th, 2022 at 12:17 pm
It registers, you just dont see it in my 2nd rounder…but thats expected….and carry on 🙂
April 6th, 2022 at 12:24 pm
Everybody argued against me about Big V and Devin White and look what happened after we drafted them….so go ahead…im cool and can take all criticism here….my reputation is very well known in these parts.
April 6th, 2022 at 12:32 pm
Mason was a 4th round pick. Agree, good scouting can draft late round OL. Lets not forget Tristian Wirfs value. If we can draft an instant starter on OL again, JL cant pass it up. (Zion Jphnson)
Oh yeah, DE,DT, CB and a tight end too!
April 6th, 2022 at 12:35 pm
Licht has done well drafting interior offensive lineman on day 2, I don’t see any reason why he would change that unless a dynamite offensive tackle with all the tools dropped into his lap like Wirfs.
Most of the JBF posts are all similar with emphasizing defensive line and edge rushing draft picks. Our average corners will look better when there are some young edge rushers and defensive tackles penetrating.
The Bowles blitz was a failure last year. Time to dial it back and build up the D line with some young talent. JTS has to make much bigger strides this year to finish the deal and get those sacks.
April 6th, 2022 at 12:51 pm
@Ed – spot on.
April 6th, 2022 at 2:49 pm
Please don’t upset Sasquatch by giving your opinions…He/she/(whatever the pronoun is) doesn’t respond well to others opinions, and will get his/her feelings hurt.
April 6th, 2022 at 3:10 pm
@jagoff in michigan, feel free to shut your ignorant piehole.
April 6th, 2022 at 3:25 pm
MadMax
No denying Vita is a force, on the 46% of defensive snaps he takes.
Let’s hope DWhite45 turns it around… he’s emanating Kwon vibes at the moment.
DL in the first for me..
April 6th, 2022 at 3:52 pm
Sas: My point is proven! Hahahahaha
April 6th, 2022 at 3:59 pm
@jagoff, you apparently don’t understand how points are proven. First, you have to have a point. You didn’t. You just did the usual adolescent stereotyping of a liberal with insults about gender pronoun confusion. All you proved is that you’re an ignorant tard.
April 6th, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Sas: I hope you go to your safe space/place (or whatever you fruitcakes call it) for the Draft, in case the Bucs don’t draft a defensive player in the 1st. There will be an extreme temper tantrum on your part.
April 6th, 2022 at 5:15 pm
Sas: I’m sorry I hurt your feelings. Sorry that you can’t hurt mine.
April 6th, 2022 at 6:25 pm
Oh dear @jagoff, I don’t get my feelings hurt by orangecult-luvvin’ boobs.
April 6th, 2022 at 6:54 pm
Licht is the gold standard when it comes to picking offensive linemen, so if he wants this guy, it’s good enough for me. Now if he could only divert some of that magic to finding a pro bowl running back or corner… 😜
April 6th, 2022 at 7:27 pm
Siss: I’m sorry if the orange man hurt your feelings.
April 7th, 2022 at 3:21 am
johnson-parham-strange there are a lot of guard talent out there