Jack Sawyer & The Bucs
April 8th, 2025
Yes, Joe knows Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht said second-year edge rusher Chris Braswell will “shock” fans this season, but the Bucs still could use help at arguably the most critical defensive position.
Beastly edge rusher Haason Reddick was added in free agency, but he’s a wild card after a lost season with the Jets — a wild card that turns 31 in September.
YaYa Diaby thinks he’ll become a feared sack artist this year — after nearly everyone from Mars to Madeira Beach thought he would have been a guy pushing 10 sacks last year. He wasn’t close.
Anthony Nelson’s pass rush game is consistent, which is why the Bucs signed Reddick are hoping for more from Braswell.
So yeah, the Bucs could use more quality bodies at edge rusher as the 2025 draft is 16 days away.
Jack Sawyer of Ohio State is an interesting name. Joe loves how the guy played so big in big games. And after a strong 16-game college season, Sawyer doesn’t seem like he’d hit a rookie wall in the NFL.
At 6-4, 260 pounds, Sawyer is projected by many to be third-round draft pick. The Ohio State captain is just not enough of an athlete to get drafted much higher. NFL teams will love his experience (54 games) demeanor, durability and big plays.
Maybe, if the Bucs go fishing for defensive backs in Rounds 1 & 2, they find their way to Sawyer in Round 3.
April 8th, 2025 at 11:47 am
I like it, think you got one here. In the 3rd or lower that is. High football IQ, tough SOB, good hitter, solid dude. Good workup on him at league’s draft website.
April 8th, 2025 at 11:53 am
kid has a motor and is coachable….3rd round would be great!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
April 8th, 2025 at 11:55 am
Great job by Jason to put us in position to just grab the BPA on D at a number of positions. We’re going to end up getting some really good players, can’t wait.
April 8th, 2025 at 12:13 pm
That sack and fumble force with a one bounce scoop for a touchdown run back he did against Texas was amazing. He’s definitely a baller. He’s not naturally super fast so I think he’s one of those two year development guys, but he’s fast enough. He’ll make a good starter and rotation guy eventually if he reaches full potential.
April 8th, 2025 at 12:30 pm
This is becoming like that other site where they throw 199 guys at the wall and then say it was, “One of our Bucs Best Bets we hit on.”
At least you guys aren’t looking for credit and it really is a discussion.
I think any of these guys from a big school who had production in a good league are a safe bet this year.
We won’t be reaching for a project, I guarantee it.
Bucs can’t afford misses when they are 3-4 players away from being a legit SB contender.
April 8th, 2025 at 12:52 pm
Joe … ‘Maybe, if the Bucs go fishing for defensive backs in Rounds 1 & 2, they find their way to Sawyer in Round 3.’
Where’s your consistency Joe? Yesterday you penned a great article ref drafting a beastly D/NT in the 1st Rnd. Today? Complete turnaround with the first 2 Rnds going to defensive backs & the 3rd Rnd going to an Edge. All the beastly DTs/NTs will be gone by the time you get down to the 4th Rnd & below.
Remember what you wrote yesterday Joe …
‘Joe can make an argument for every position on defense in the first round — how cool would it be to have a brawler like Walter Nolen or a giant like Kenneth Grant or Alfred Collins? Remember, Vita Vea is 30. And the Eagles have demonstrated how loading up on your interior defensive line can produce quality results.’
One of the Top-3 beastly DT/NTs will surely be there for the taking in Rnd 1. All Jason has to do is pull the friggin trigger.
April 8th, 2025 at 1:02 pm
Very stoked for the draft. Knowing we aren’t stuck going after any specific position but need to add to all levels of the defense, in a draft that is deep at a lot of defensive positions in particular is just exciting.
April 8th, 2025 at 1:29 pm
Yes, please. I watch a lot of OSU ball and he’s a player. He plays the run well, he’s gritty, big, and a team guy. He’s great value in round 2. Not sure if he’ll be there when we pick in round 2. Plays like a Bosa, round 2 version. I know we don’t need him but I would love Judkins in round 3.
April 8th, 2025 at 1:58 pm
Jack Sawyer is solid. Not day 1 but I’m good with him anywhere after that.
April 8th, 2025 at 2:04 pm
Thinking he is another hidden gem in the 2nd or 3rd round.
April 8th, 2025 at 2:18 pm
There’s atleast 5 exciting prospects for edge I’d be thrilled if we got
April 8th, 2025 at 2:19 pm
Could be available as low as the 4th or even (1 mock) the 5th round.
What does Sean Sullivan think as to how he would fit into the current defensive scheme?
Also there’s a guy from Morgan State and smashed all the school’s records maybe available fifth round think his name is Elijah Williams. Can you comment on him possibly being a developmental project in the diamond in the rough
April 8th, 2025 at 2:20 pm
what if they trade down in order to acquire Trey Hendrickson. seems like something that would help both teams, and would explain our cap maneuvering
April 8th, 2025 at 3:03 pm
Teachable has the knowledge, hard hitter . Best part hard hitter, I don’t want somebody that’s got their head in the clouds . And Bowles needs to get his hands dirty this year and do some teaching of his philosophy and let others learn a few things on defense. We got one of the Superbowl asst coaches back. You want some aggressive playing teach it. I have trust in Jason Licht and you coach Bowles. Let’s Go Bucs!!!! Get a little Nastiness going on, like the guy that messed up Chris’s ankle and foot.
April 8th, 2025 at 3:36 pm
Solid reasoning. A humble punisher.
April 8th, 2025 at 3:55 pm
I’m w/ “defense rules” earlier post. We have 3 starters at DL, including nose tackle. Quick, name me the backups to Vea, Clancy and Halll? Gaines, but he was meh last year. That’s it. Nothing but practice squad projects along the interior DL behind the starters. And, considering the starters play 50-60% of the snaps, screams HUGE need. The most pressing need IMO.
We have depth at Edge. Could we use more, sure, but we only have 6 draft picks.
April 8th, 2025 at 6:11 pm
Derrick Harmon is a good pass rushing 3 tech that would start ahead of Hall.
April 8th, 2025 at 6:44 pm
I have a list of defensive tackles that should be drafted in the 4th round or later who should start and be solid players for at least one contract. My personal favorite sleeper pick is Thor Griffith. There are more late-round DTs that should/could pan out than there are corners, as speed kills in the NFL, and many corners are just too slow.
April 8th, 2025 at 6:47 pm
Sawyer has a good motor. He never gives up on the rush and he has elite batted pass game. He would be good in the late 2nd to late 3rd.
April 8th, 2025 at 7:01 pm
Put him at MLB
April 8th, 2025 at 7:22 pm
I have a list of defensive tackles that should be drafted in the 4th round or later that should start and be solid players for at least one contract. My personal favorite sleeper pick is Thor Griffith. There are more late-round DTs that should/could pan out than there are corners, as speed kills in the NFL, and many corners are just too slow.
April 8th, 2025 at 7:29 pm
Oh you know i like this one…. thanks Joes 🙂
April 8th, 2025 at 8:34 pm
Absolutely NO to another DaQuan or JTS. No more projects in round 1 or two. Double no on first round.
April 8th, 2025 at 8:37 pm
KABucs agreed, that play made me cry
April 8th, 2025 at 10:16 pm
Defense Rules – look at Jamaree Caldwell. Good upside, fits the profile of a NT that can split double teams. All we need him to do this year is spell Vita, he has the ceiling to be much better I believe he can be had in the 4th or 5th.
April 8th, 2025 at 11:01 pm
I like him..every year we get caught up in this measurement clown game…wingspan, 40 yd dash, vert jump, etc.. When are we gonna learn they are all major smoke screen reasons. I’d be willing our 2nd rounder for him. Believe he can do what Jihad can do lb/edge versatile? Also like a player ethan downs okalhoma later rounds- they project a s 7th rounder. Watch the tape, the tape doesnt lie! on all prospects.
April 8th, 2025 at 11:33 pm
Jemaree caldwell fan also…i would use a 4th on him. constantly beating double teams in college
April 9th, 2025 at 1:50 am
Omarr Norman Lott
Revel Jr and Kevin Winston Jr Please Mr Jason L
I’d take Lott in the first round no cap don’t care who else you draft but please draft Lott
April 9th, 2025 at 6:55 am
I love the way this guy plays the game Joe.
I would love this pick! Not sure he would be the answer to sacks, but he would be fun to watch. I doubt we would be watching him get washed or stood up ala JTS.
Go Bucs
April 9th, 2025 at 11:43 am
If Joe had an inside track on who specifically the Bucs were targeting, he’d type it. The draft is basically both a giant crapshoot and a large discussion top. Joe has an idea who the Bucs may not target.