Todd Bowles: Until Further Notice, “Best Player Available”
March 3rd, 2024
Draft prep.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles has been a busy man this offseason.
First, he had to research and interview dudes for an offensive coordinator position. Then he had to research and interview dudes for other assistant positions.
Next, Bowles had to research possible free agent targets (the free agency dinner bell rings in less than two weeks; legal tampering is in 12 days). Then he attended the annual NFL Winter Festival and Convention in Indianapolis otherwise known as the combine.
So earlier this week at the Indiana Convention Center, the beehive of the combine in downtown Indianapolis, Bowles admitted he hasn’t immersed himself in draft mode.
He added that begins next week.
“I haven’t had much of an opportunity yet,” Bowles said of researching draft prospects. “But as soon as we get back, we’ll dive into it more.”
So what position is he looking at? It’s the ol’ popular fallback/crutch.
“Right now, best player available at 26,” Bowles smiled. “You know, there will be some guys rated very high that may fall. I think we’re in a good position to pick the best player.”
Well, general manager Jason Licht likes to say “best available player at a position of need.” He’s not wrong.
Joe doesn’t believe Bowles and Licht will select, for example, Florida State defensive tackle Braden Fiske. Or at least they shouldn’t, barring the Bucs trading Vita Vea or Calijah Kancey between now and late April.
One thing creeping into Joe’s noggin’ is there just might be a stud edge rusher slipping to the Bucs at No. 26.
Cross yo’ fingers.
March 3rd, 2024 at 12:19 am
You can’t have too many good DL. If Fiske is on the board, he would be a great pick.
March 3rd, 2024 at 12:25 am
Fiske would be a great addition. Bring nasty back to the D Line.
My hope of Bryan Thomas is dwindling as he moves up the board.
JPJ is ALWAYS gone usually to Miami. Graham Barton would be another good pick.
Wish Nate Wiggins would fall, but I guess Cooper Dejean would work instead.
I still like trading back if possible because there just aren’t that many elite players at 26. Honestly, I think we could still get Fiske at the top of the 2nd.
March 3rd, 2024 at 1:25 am
Graham Barton
March 3rd, 2024 at 1:45 am
Trade up for Verse- he’s an absolute beast and will be an NFL stud.
March 3rd, 2024 at 4:28 am
Geez!
Someone needs to be his spokesperson! Bruce would at least give us a snarky reponse to that rather um obvious question.
Go Bucs!
March 3rd, 2024 at 4:29 am
BTW not much oportunity yet? ….Yeah right
Go Bucs!
March 3rd, 2024 at 6:20 am
This is 100% the right strategy, especially picking at 26. If you’re that desperate to fill a specific gap, find it in free agency and/or trade. Don’t reach for it.
March 3rd, 2024 at 6:22 am
Glad to see Coach is so into one of the most important aspects of his job.
March 3rd, 2024 at 6:49 am
Amen brother! they need to draft and edge rusher in the first round.
However they may be thinking of going after McConkey there also which
I guess I would be ok with but would prefer edge.
March 3rd, 2024 at 6:57 am
you can always count on Bowles for a great quote full of information we dont know!
March 3rd, 2024 at 7:46 am
“I haven’t had much of an opportunity yet,” Bowles said of researching draft prospects.
Sure go research the guys licht is giving you that’s shouldn’t be too hard listening to scouts tell you who is worth the 26th pick
March 3rd, 2024 at 8:30 am
It really depends on what happens in free agency.
If Mike Evans leaves then hopefully a higher rated receiver falls to us.
If ME 13TH returns then the best pass rusher available will probably be the pick.
I would also consider drafting the Center from Oregon to plug in for the next decade…
March 3rd, 2024 at 8:41 am
NC State ILB Wilson. Great player. We need to replace Devin, & Wilson fills all the boxes.
March 3rd, 2024 at 9:08 am
Not too much $ for FA, but if you can only get one person, go G/C. DE/OLB in 1st, G/C in the 2nd. Build the trenches
March 3rd, 2024 at 9:09 am
I believe the entire quote was “Best player available, named Jackson Powers-Johnson”, but don’t quote me on that.
March 3rd, 2024 at 9:37 am
It does seem to be a real solid prospect pool this year to be picking later in the first round. 10 of the picks before us could be QBs and WRs! That pushes a lot of Edge, OL, LB, CB down the board for us so BPA seems like a very prudent strategy at the moment.
March 3rd, 2024 at 9:37 am
When in doubt, go o or d line, right?
March 3rd, 2024 at 9:53 am
Brandon Fisk can play outside and inside
March 3rd, 2024 at 10:24 am
Chop Robinson.
A legit pass rusher. And Yes, Jason Licht has always been smart enough to drft players we need.
Why would you draft Fiske? You already have Kancey and Vea. Gonna sit one of them? Cant start 3 defensive Tackles. Bucs play a 3-4. We start 2 defensive ends, and only 1 defensive tackle.
Our needs are DE, Guard, Center, Safety. The first 3 are desperate needs. Izen is listed as a Safety on the Bucs site. He may play safety more next Season.
Personally, Id rather see Mike Edwards or Jordan Whitehead back in Pewter.
You can find great Centers and Guards in FA. That might be the smart move. Good FA DEs are outrageously expensive. Usually smrt move is to draft them.
Either way, next 3 months with be exciting for Bucs. With an Elite QB- you are always a few players from the SuperBowl
March 3rd, 2024 at 10:44 am
Bowles will have his input, but he’s not the G.M. salary cap guru. We pay Licht, and Spy guy for that. He’ll coach who those guys select.
March 3rd, 2024 at 11:27 am
I don’t care if we have to make a pact with the Devil. FIND US A PASS RUSH next year!!
March 3rd, 2024 at 11:32 am
Center, Center, Center.
March 3rd, 2024 at 11:46 am
Cooper Dejean. Jackson Powers. Audric Estime
March 3rd, 2024 at 1:21 pm
Man u guys r way to into the brain cells for me I am blown away I don’t know sh!t
March 3rd, 2024 at 1:23 pm
Are u guys giving rite? suggestions from the college team u follow or is it that u follow all the teams I don’t believe u follow all the teams that’s what they pay Licht for
March 3rd, 2024 at 5:12 pm
Maybe they can find another hidden Gem lke Plan 9 From Outer Space.