Likely Peek At The Bucs’ Draft Board
March 29th, 2024
“Todd, why did you go there?”
It’s misdirection season in the NFL, but Joe believes the following flashed card has veracity.
At the NFL owners convention this week, head coach Todd Bowles was asked, “What kind of feel do you have for this draft?”
Round 1 is less than four weeks ago and draft boards are well set around the league, with a little tweaking to come.
Joe was intrigued by Bowles’ quick response.
“There should be a lot of depth [in the draft] because of all the offensive linemen and quarterbacks and wideouts going in the first round,” Bowles began. (For those unaware, “wideout” is an ancient phrase for a wide receiver.)
“I think the defensive players are getting pushed back. After pick No. 12 or No. 13, you’re probably going to see some surprises. … I’m not sure if there’s going to be an inside guy [taken] in the first round; there probably won’t be a running back in the first round. There will be one tight end and you probably won’t see a safety in the first round. So there will be depth — and very few D-linemen [in the first round] — so there should be a lot of guys in Rounds 2, 3 and 4 that we can really see that we probably shouldn’t expect to be there.”
Attention amateur draft freaks, Joe believes Bowels was sort of quoting directly from the Bucs’ internal draft board.
To review, that’s no safety, maybe three defensive linemen, no running back and no “inside guy” in Round 1, which Joe is sure is a reference to an inside linebacker.
Regarding the defensive linemen comment by Bowles, Joe absolutely could see the Bucs drafting defensive tackle Byron Murphy out of the University of Texas as a “best available” type of pick at No. 26 overall if they don’t trade up or down.
Joe is not advocating for Murphy, but Vita Vea turns 30 next season and the Bucs with Vea rely heavily on an interior rotation because Vea’s snaps are limited. Adding a beastly pass rush talent like Murphy would not surprise Joe.
March 29th, 2024 at 1:56 pm
Vita turns 30 next year? WOW. I never realized that.
Also, what a great answer from Bowles. He actually said something interesting. Why is that, what is his angle? He never says anything interesting. Not even bashing him, but he’s just that type of coach that normally gives nothing but generic quotes.
Anywho, great article by Joe.
March 29th, 2024 at 2:02 pm
Trade back then
March 29th, 2024 at 2:04 pm
Byron Murphy is a small, penetrating DT, in the mold of Kancey. I don’t think he’d be a 1:1 replacement for a space-eater like Vea. Furthermore, I think Jonny Newton out of U of Ill is a better option vs Murphy.
March 29th, 2024 at 2:06 pm
Trading back to early in the 2nd would be great if we could pick up an extra 2nd or 3rd pick. Need to make sure the deal includes swapping 3rd and 4th rd picks.
March 29th, 2024 at 2:10 pm
Vita Vea turns 30 next season?!?! How? Time flies…
March 29th, 2024 at 2:13 pm
Wow! Via is older than I realized.
March 29th, 2024 at 2:19 pm
Sounds like the Bucs may trade out of the first round if they feel there will be extra value in the second, third, and fourth rounds of the draft. If they can land an extra second round pick, and an extra 4th round pick. This scenario would be similar to 2022 when they traded down with the Jags.
March 29th, 2024 at 2:26 pm
Payton Wilson might be early in r2 if we trade back. Future HOF inside ILB.
March 29th, 2024 at 2:31 pm
I’ve been saying they should be trading down for the longest time. Not just now but even over the last couple of years. I would’ve traded Devin during the draft last year & got a pick or two in return for him them but of course now he’ll be leaving (thank God) & they got nothing in return. I would’ve just traded him then when he kept whining & complaining that he didn’t want to stay anymore. Dude thinks he’s like Ray Lewis or Derrick Brooks or Brian Urlacher or Lawrence Taylor or Julius Peppers or somebody like that & should be getting paid what they would’ve been paid. Yeah right dude. They could’ve gotten an extra pick or two for him last year & addressed some more needs.
March 29th, 2024 at 2:34 pm
@Dew
Yep I’d take either Payton Wilson Cedric Gray or Jacob Robinson. He’s gonna be a sleeper that’s gonna go later on. He’s coming out of Wake Forest. He transferred from North Carolina A & T. He’s somebody that could end up being a steal.
March 29th, 2024 at 2:35 pm
@Dew
Yep I’d take either Payton Wilson Cedric Gray or Jacob Robinson. He’s gonna be a sleeper that’s gonna go later on. He’s coming out of Wake Forest. He transferred from North Carolina A & T. He’s somebody that could end up being a steal.
March 29th, 2024 at 2:38 pm
How can we not know Vita is turning 30?
I certainly didn’t know.
March 29th, 2024 at 3:03 pm
Pretty clear that Bowles is very plugged in to the draft this year. Probably been watching a lot of college film the last 2 months. Wonder what his mock draft looks like?
March 29th, 2024 at 3:15 pm
Dare I say Murphy reminds me of …. Donald?
March 29th, 2024 at 3:19 pm
VV just turned 29 last month.
March 29th, 2024 at 3:23 pm
VV was an older rook.
March 29th, 2024 at 3:33 pm
He wouldn’t get pass the Rams, remember they just lost the best D tackle in football.
March 29th, 2024 at 3:47 pm
Smoke
March 29th, 2024 at 3:49 pm
Liar’s Poker season.
Do not believe anyone.
March 29th, 2024 at 3:49 pm
Need upgrades for Hall and JTS, and IOL. I want a pass rusher, doesn’t have to be edge, could be DT3Tech.
March 29th, 2024 at 3:59 pm
On Cowturd’s “Tomorrow’s Headlines… Today” segment just a little bit ago, read ‘Tamp’ Stamp: Bucs Go Low After Baker Inks Deal. They’re projecting less than the 8.5 wins total. They both are extremely ‘high’ on Canales & give him ALL the credit for last season saying that HE was the only good football mind in the building, etc. I believe they are waaaayyy ‘overrating’ him JUST because he got that Carolina job. I honestly, just did not see it. With that said, there is going to be a tremendous amount of pressure on both Cohen AND Bowels (along with Baker) to DELIVER. This thing could all go ‘sideways’ REAL QUICK and then both of them out of a JOB. They’re going to have to have a really strong season just to compete. I’m ok with a ‘bend but don’t break’ Defense for the time being, just as long as we can keep ‘em outta the end zone… These Offenses are just too good nowadays. We can’t have anymore ‘questionable’ coaching decisions and late game meltdowns. Everything has to be run like a well-oiled MACHINE, by now!!!! And, we’ve GOT TO get this Offense GOIN and consistently moving the ball… Keep our defense rested and puttin’ some damm POINTS on the board.
March 29th, 2024 at 4:09 pm
Reddick got traded to the Jets, I think for a 3rd Rounder. To an AFC team, as I suspected.
March 29th, 2024 at 4:09 pm
That’s a sneaky 30
March 29th, 2024 at 4:19 pm
Uh oh!
The Jets just traded for Hasson Reddick.
Joe is gonna go thermo nuclear!
March 29th, 2024 at 4:20 pm
Well reddick is gone
March 29th, 2024 at 4:35 pm
That’s ok, who the hell needs a pass rush? A proven commodity for a 3rd round or maybe 2nd round pick and we let it go.
March 29th, 2024 at 4:36 pm
Bye bye Haason Reddick.
A 3rd round pick is nothing, that would have been a wise trade to make. Ugh
March 29th, 2024 at 4:36 pm
Smh
March 29th, 2024 at 4:40 pm
It’s good to see Bowels being fully locked-in, and so well informed on this draft class. He needs to be… He knows the stakes. This is Baker’s time to show/prove that he is a true Franchise QB. This is HIS SHOT. Otherwise, if not, then he’s just another ‘guy’ who needs a ‘loaded’ roster/team around him with a favorable schedule, etc. We’ll get to see ‘who’ he REALLY IS and whether or not he can put an average, ‘middle of the pack’ team (with a legit schedule in a much improved division) on HIS back and lead them to a deep playoff run.
March 29th, 2024 at 4:42 pm
Vita’s birthday is in Feb, he just turned 29. So he’ll be 29 all of next season. It doesn’t help he was 23 yo when drafted.
March 29th, 2024 at 4:43 pm
BPBucsfan Says:
March 29th, 2024 at 4:35 pm
That’s ok, who the hell needs a pass rush? A proven commodity for a 3rd round or maybe 2nd round pick and we let it go.
^^^^^^
They didn’t want to trade him to the team that throttled them in the playoffs.
March 29th, 2024 at 4:55 pm
Reddick to Jets would be a good podcast topic
March 29th, 2024 at 4:55 pm
… plus the Jets will have a much higher third rounder.
March 29th, 2024 at 5:00 pm
The JETS are in ‘all-in’ mode, NOW. It doesn’t really matter if they can’t re-sign/extend him at all, & can take a risk as just a ‘one-year’ rental… Since, all they gave up was a 3rd Round Pick in 2026. TWO-YEARS from now!!!!
March 29th, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Joe in Michigan
I think you hit the nail Right on the Head..
I’ve got a feeling that they wouldn’t trade anybody to US without it being a first round pick. .. Maybe Two!
I wonder how many people we threw out of a job with the SEAL CLUBBING we beat the mighty eagles to a pulp with. Heck, we beat them up so bad that our bats were just nubs when it was said and done!!!
Just a feeling.
March 29th, 2024 at 5:05 pm
Round one was 4 weeks ago, Joe? Who did we pick??
March 29th, 2024 at 5:06 pm
A future pick for Reddick was all it took
March 29th, 2024 at 5:26 pm
If the Bucs were serious about winning, they would invest in offense in the draft. Last couple years have been plagued with defensive guys like JTS and Logan hall who are complete JAGS!! Upgrade the O-line, find a stud WR who can compliment Evans and Godwin, add a RB with burst and we are cooking
March 29th, 2024 at 5:28 pm
Yo Ho Capt!
Hey, what do you think about trading CG for Josh Allen?
^^mtn^^
Since ’76
March 29th, 2024 at 5:31 pm
SB Says:
March 29th, 2024 at 1:02 am
Weebs10 Says:
March 28th, 2024 at 8:57 am
SB what is tomorrow night?
I got bad intel on a Reddick trade that was supposed to happen today. Obviously my bad.
……………….
After further review my guy was spot on with the timing. But wrong about the team about to nab him. OH Well. Good luck with the steaming spitpile that is the Jets Hassan
March 29th, 2024 at 5:32 pm
Since when am I being put in the corner Joe.
Its been years since my comments went into the corner.
March 29th, 2024 at 5:37 pm
Get an explosive skill guy then figure out the rest.
March 29th, 2024 at 5:38 pm
Trade vea!
jk
March 29th, 2024 at 5:41 pm
Oh no on Reddick!
Time has flown. Didn’t realize Vita was 29 years old already.
March 29th, 2024 at 5:42 pm
I never buy into anything the team says before the draft. The either always lie…or the draft plays out differently than they expect.
Also, I suspect Bowles will have less say in this draft.
March 29th, 2024 at 5:48 pm
What the Fudge, Eagles traded Reddick to the Jets for a 3rd round pick. Licht & Bowles could have gotten a good double dig sack guy for past 5 consecutive seasons for a “3rd round pick” and they didn’t do pull the trigger on that deal!!! What the Fudge!!!?? Why Jason? Why Todd!!
March 29th, 2024 at 5:50 pm
mTn,
Yo Ho! The Jags Franchised him. No way they are letting him go. But He’d look better im Red and Pewter than Teal and Black!
March 29th, 2024 at 5:55 pm
Jets renting him for a conditional 3rd and $14.5 million, not too bad
March 29th, 2024 at 6:15 pm
o-line
March 29th, 2024 at 6:16 pm
The center from Oregon will be picked by Steelers, Dolphins, or Cow
Boys, maybe even the Duke guard also. So we’re stuck with the Bucs picking another edge or DL in Rd 1, we have been very inconsistent in picking. The other centers will go early in Rd2, so we are screwed.
March 29th, 2024 at 6:21 pm
Or WR or Edge
March 29th, 2024 at 6:21 pm
No Mercy … ‘If the Bucs were serious about winning, they would invest in offense in the draft.’
Yea verily. Lots of distractions as the draft approaches, but the Bucs need to stay focused on where their biggest NEEDS are when it comes to the top of the draft.
Our offense ranked #20 last year (scoring 20.5 PPG) while our defense ranked #7 (allowing 19.1 PPG). Finishing 9-8 looks about right given those close averages. Improving our offense via the draft will probably yield the biggest gains (OLine, RB & TE positions especially). Replacing Shaq on the edge, White in the middle then Gholston on the DLine is still needed & that can be done via the draft also.
Not saying we’ll have a Super Bowl roster after the draft, but with a good draft we can improve BOTH our offense & defense, and stay competitive within the NFC South. In our Top-4 picks (Rnds 1-3) we’ll most likely go 2 offense (OLine & RB) and 2 defense (Edge & ILB). Get several rotational players with the rest & we’ll be ‘in the hunt’.
March 29th, 2024 at 6:32 pm
Agree DR,
Would add they need another WR or 2 to start grooming, like day 1 or day 2 picks.
If they can average around 100 ypg on the ground then can’t see why 25points/ game isn’t attainable.
That should get them 10 wins or better
^^mtn^^
Since ’76
March 29th, 2024 at 6:42 pm
LOL, some of the geniuses here.
Trust Jason, he’s the man with the plan.
March 29th, 2024 at 6:49 pm
…
March 29th, 2024 at 6:55 pm
Ok, now we need a pass rusher, Reddick to the Jets!
March 29th, 2024 at 7:01 pm
Coming from a fruit, well, we’ll just consider the source. 🙂
Seriously tho, gots to keep them fans happy, and when they’re right about who Jason picks, they’re happy. Right?
^^mtn^^
Since ’76
March 29th, 2024 at 7:02 pm
Vita Vea is about to be 30 that’s a very good point. I really like this article a lot thanks Joe
March 29th, 2024 at 7:20 pm
Yes. My thoughts exactly. The Offense MUST be addressed as priority #1. Just remember back from last season… We could NOT even move the ball for THREE FULL Quarters, in almost every dang game. Our Defense was wornnnn OUT. We seemingly, had soooo many ‘three and outs’ it was crazy. Having an Offense that can move (and run) the ball effectively, and strike fast ‘early’ would be HUGE. It could solve A LOT of our problems from last season. We’re going to have to score more points this season, in order to stay competitive and to have a shot. It will also help with getting a much better (more fair) ‘evaluation’ of Baker. And, no excuses. Plus, it’s getting very frustrating and boring to watch this Offense continually have such struggles… It’s Hard To Watch. With the schedule we have ahead, they’re going to have to score POINTS and A LOT of ‘em. Baltimore. Kansas City. Detroit. San Fran. Philly. Dallas. ATL (twice). They all can put up a TON of points. ‘20’ will NOT be good enough. No matter WHO is playing DE/EDGE.
March 29th, 2024 at 7:22 pm
DLs Fiske or Ruke Orhorhoro (A Kancey like freak) wouldn’t upset me.
March 29th, 2024 at 7:23 pm
Reddick to Jets.
Oh my Joe
March 29th, 2024 at 7:23 pm
In other news, Jets trade for Hasson Reddick 2026 3rd pick. Licht really blew this one.
March 29th, 2024 at 7:28 pm
I just hope this year isnt the beginning of the cliff. This team has a history of three-four playoff appearances in a row with 15-20 years of misery in between.
March 29th, 2024 at 7:32 pm
Potential Draft Picks:
• Darius Robinson
• Mohamed Kamara
• Fabien Lovett
Potential Depth Chart:
• 5TECH: Darius Robinson | Logan Hall | William Gholston
• NOSE: Vita Vea | Fabien Lovett
• 3TECH: Calijah Kancey | Greg Gaines | Mike Greene
• RUSH: Yaya Diaby | Joe Tyron-Shoyinka | Anthony Nelson
• SAM: Mohamed Kamara | Markees Watts | Jose Ramirez
Considering Darius Robinson’s versatile skill set, which is very similar to that of Chris Jones from the Chiefs, he could excel as a 5 tech. He possesses similar measurables and capabilities, offering flexibility along the defensive line for strategic advantages for Head Coach Todd Bowles Hybrid Fronts.
March 29th, 2024 at 7:40 pm
New NASCAR Package:
RUSH: Yaya Diaby
5TECH: Darius Robinson
3TECH: Calijah Kancey
SAM: Mohamed Kamara
Yeah, good luck with that
March 29th, 2024 at 7:47 pm
Hopefully someone is keeping an eye on Joe tonight and keeping him away from hard alcohol and sharp knives.
Should be some good value in next years free agent class after that Jets team falls on their face and they fire everybody and blow up the roster.
March 29th, 2024 at 7:54 pm
Chop Robinsons first visit at the combine was with the Bucs
March 29th, 2024 at 8:16 pm
There are none good enough to go in round one means there will be lots good enough to go in round two?
I can’t grasp that logic. I do see he seems pretty focused on defense in his comments, however.
March 29th, 2024 at 8:22 pm
If they can get one of the top 3 or 4 offensive tackles I would do it.
March 29th, 2024 at 8:37 pm
How many of you came to check if Joe had a breakdown over reddick getting traded to jets for a future confidential draft pick????
March 29th, 2024 at 8:39 pm
I like the idea of trading in the bottom of 1st round instead of reaching….maybe pick up another 2nd or 3rd rounder…supposed to be a deep draft we could pick up 4 or 5 very useable pieces and on rookie contracts
March 29th, 2024 at 8:56 pm
Do you guys do podcasts on here anymore like for free agency or to hear that one joe lust over reddick
March 29th, 2024 at 8:58 pm
We do need another monster to replace Vita when he retires.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:17 pm
Ben, would you consider Darius Robinson, Xavier Legette, Adonai Mitchell or Zach Frazier a reach at 26 if any of them were the best available at their position?
None of those picks would surprise me. That said, one would like to think there would be some better talent that falls to pick 26
Or would you try to trade back 4 or 5 spots?
A 3rd may be the best any team would offer & more than likely less than that
^^mtn^^
Since ’76
March 29th, 2024 at 9:28 pm
There could be 6 QBs drafted before the Bucs pick. There will be 4 forsure and 4 WRs. The recent reports I see, say that teams are gonna have all these top OTs ranked differently and there could be 6 of them drafted before the Bucs.
One of Verse, Latu, JPJ, Barton, Murphy, Newton will be there when the Bucs are on the clock and I am happy to get whoever JL thinks is coming in and making a difference right away. I want the sack artist but seems much more likely we can get a plug and play guy on the OL and I see that as a great option as well.
Dream scenario is Verse or Latu in round 1 and Zach Frazier sliding far enough we make an aggressive move in round 2 to get him. Instantly upgrade 2 of our biggest holes. Hainsey can compete with Opeta and Brederson at LG and that OL is now deep on the interior.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:49 pm
Saskbucs,
The more I think about it, the more I feel that Frazier doesn’t make it past teams that need a C, twice, and make it to pick 57
^^mtn^^
Since ’76
March 29th, 2024 at 10:03 pm
Mtn….ii was just playing the what if game
What if all the guys they had good grades on where gone… I’d have no problem with the bucs dropping a few spots(maybe some team wants to get back in the 1st for a QB that falls) and we pic up extra premium pics
Bucs have many needs..iol,de,CB,rb,te,ilb
March 29th, 2024 at 10:11 pm
Braelon Allen isn’t a center but me thinks he could help the oline look a lot better…I say if he’s there in the 3rd don’t walk to the podium to hand in your card…run
March 29th, 2024 at 10:33 pm
I think before claiming Licht missed the ball on Reddick…people should consider that Licht still has plenty of off season left.
He could end up drafting someone better for the long term.
March 29th, 2024 at 10:43 pm
T’Vondre Sweat would be the ideal back-up/eventual replacement to Vea.
March 29th, 2024 at 11:24 pm
I like Braelon in the 3rd as well and I’ve seen EVERY snap in his career at Wisconsin.
March 30th, 2024 at 1:06 am
“Larrd” – it means just exactly, that. That, it’s a ‘weak’ draft class for EDGE with not a lot of ‘first-round’ caliber talent. But, it is a VERY STRONG class at other positions… Especially, at QB/WR/OL and pretty strong at CB, too!!!! Therefore pushing EDGE further down the line, where you can find and snatch up good value at that particular position, in the later rounds. Just bc they’re not (supposedly) “First-Round” Talent, etc…. Doesn’t mean they SUCK. If you look at the Top ‘Sacks’ Leaders in the league from last year, you’ll find that about HALF of those guys were taken between Rounds late 2nd to 4th, & a couple others in the 6th, and a couple more completely Undrafted. The only ‘outliers’ are can’t miss guys like Mack, Bosa, and just a couple of them.
March 30th, 2024 at 2:48 am
Looks like your comment was delayed/ moderated, lol.
Carolina placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Brian Burns too, then traded him to the Giants.
If the panties did it, the Jags might do it with Allen.
And who’s the knucklehead around here that keeps saying, ‘trust Licht’?
Don’t get me started.
The DW pick over Josh Allen wasn’t s bad as the Mark Barron over Luke Kuechly, Stephon Gilmore or Fletcher Cox though.
^^mtnbucman^^
Since ’76
March 30th, 2024 at 3:15 am
Looks like your comment was delayed/ moderated, lol.
Carolina placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Brian Burns too, then traded him to the Giants.
If the pant!es did it, the Jags might do it with Allen.
And who’s the knucklehead around here that keeps saying, ‘trust Licht’?
Don’t get me started.
The DW pick over Josh Allen wasn’t s bad as the Mark Barron over Luke Kuechly, Stephon Gilmore or Fletcher C0x though.
^^mtnbucman^^
Since ’76
March 30th, 2024 at 3:17 am
Looks like your comment was delayed, moderated, mine is too, lol.
Carolina placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Brian Burns too, then traded him to the Giants.
If the pant!es did it, the Jags might do it with Allen.
And who’s the knucklehead around here that keeps saying, ‘trust Licht’?
Don’t get me started.
The DW pick over Josh Allen wasn’t s bad as the Mark Barron over Luke Kuechly, Stephon Gilmore or Fletcher C0x though.
^^mtnbucman^^
Since ’76
March 30th, 2024 at 6:21 am
Bucben61 … ‘Braelon Allen isn’t a center but me thinks he could help the oline look a lot better…I say if he’s there in the 3rd don’t walk to the podium to hand in your card…run’.
I’ll second that in a heartbeat. Bucs NEED a power back desperately. We left too many TDs on the table because we had no power running game.
March 30th, 2024 at 8:51 am
The draft is gonna play out the way it does, every team has varying grades for the same player. The year we drafted Wirfs all the pundits had him rated as the top lineman of the 5 in the draft and yet every team passed and he somehow fell into our laps so the only thing that matters is how WE have these guys graded and how the teams in front of us draft. I feel we may have someone drop in our laps this year. We have also done a pretty good job signing undrafted FA’s as well.
March 30th, 2024 at 9:07 am
The CB position has been effectively handcuffed and ankle chained because of the new hip drop tackle.
It is now illegal, a 15 yard penalty with a fine and possible suspension for a defensive player such as a CB to tackle a receiver from behind or the side, wrap their arms around the offensive player and become dead weight while dropping to the ground.
This new rule has devalued the CB position.
If you play press man and you get beat, CB who are able to flip and chase and tackle will find the tackling from behind to be a Herculean task without getting penalized and fined.
I can see teams moving more to a Cover 3 or Cover 4 system and play zone almost exclusively in order counter this new reality.
Because of this new rule the draft board value of a CB is not as important as it once was.
March 30th, 2024 at 10:16 am
My prediction is that with the advent of the hip-drop tackle ban, the league will trend toward larger power backs. And knee injuries will increase.
How else does a smaller DB tackle a larger back *without* hip-drop? Answer: a shot below the hips.
How did players tackle Mark Alstott?
IMO, the newly pu$$ified NFL brain trust really screwed the pooch with the new Hip-drop and KO rules.
At some point, they will eliminate physical contact altogether and just be a glorified 7-on-7 league.
March 30th, 2024 at 3:53 pm
Sounds like we’ll be trading down.
March 30th, 2024 at 4:12 pm
He’s the only 235-40lb RB to draft & that’s what the Bucs are missing.
To me, he’s kind of a 1 trick pony with room to grow, but think he will.
If you’re familiar with Wisconsin, you know those boys usually open up holes you can drive a Mac truck through. And they seem to do it year after year.
That said, 3rd round is a bit much to invest in him, but it seems to be where you’d have to draft him.
^^mtn^^
Since ’76