In an ongoing sequence main as much as the 2023 NFL Draft, Pewter Report is taking a stroll down reminiscence lane. Wanting on the previous six drafts the Bucs and common supervisor Jason Licht have had, Josh Quiepo and Adam Slivon try to guage how good every draft was based mostly on the gamers picked at every spot, the gamers that went shortly thereafter, and the following couple of gamers taken on the place addressed.
Josh Quiepo has checked out each the Bucs’ 2017 and 2019 draft lessons, whereas I beforehand evaluated the 2018 draft class. At this time I will probably be going additional in inspecting Tampa Bay’s 2020 draft.
Following the 2019 season, the primary 12 months of Bruce Arians’ tenure, the Bucs modified their trajectory in an enormous manner. After ending 7-9, the crew swapped out quarterback Jameis Winston for Tom Brady. Brady selected to signal with the crew as a free agent after a historic run in New England, whereas the crew added veterans Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Brown, and Leonard Fournette to bolster their offense round him.
Because the previous drafts demonstrated, Jason Licht constructed a robust core of younger expertise that was only some items from competition. Extra than simply their free-agent signings, the roster was buoyed by their two high draft choices in 2020, who’ve established themselves as franchise gamers on either side of the ball.
Bucs 2020 Draft Class
No. 13 OT Tristan Wirfs
Different gamers taken inside 15 picks of observe:
WR Jerry Jeudy
CB AJ Terrell
WR CeeDee Lamb
WR Justin Jefferson
WR Brandon Aiyuk
QB Jordan Love
LB Jordyn Brooks
LB Patrick Queen
Subsequent two gamers at place:
OT Austin Jackson
OT Isaiah Wilson
The choice to maneuver up a spot to pick out Tristan Wirfs has paid dividends for the Bucs. If one argued he has been Jason Licht’s greatest choose as a common supervisor, there wouldn’t be a lot of a debate. It’s both Mike Evans or Wirfs, and Wirfs already has two Professional Bowls and All-Professional choices underneath his belt, solidifying his standing as top-of-the-line tackles within the NFL.
Bucs RT Tristan Wirfs – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
So what gamers did the crew go on? Going over the choices that adopted, it was very extensive receiver-heavy. With the addition of Antonio Brown in free company and by drafting Justin Watson and Scotty Miller to go together with Evans and Chris Godwin, a receiver was not a necessity for the Bucs.
Terrell, Brooks, and Queen are all stable defensive starters with the potential to be perennial Professional Bowlers, and the jury continues to be out on quarterback Jordan Love, the seemingly starter on the place for the Packers in 2023.
When it comes to the tackles who adopted, Licht made the fitting choice by choosing the Iowa product. Jackson has underwhelmed as a starter and solely performed in two video games in 2022 earlier than happening injured reserve. Wilson was an enormous bust, as he solely performed in a single recreation within the NFL earlier than off-field authorized points and lack of ardour for the sport derailed his profession.
All in all, this choose is one which will probably be remembered within the years to return as Wirfs continues to rack up Professional Bowl and All-Professional nods. He hit the bottom operating proper from his rookie season, and he may even go down as top-of-the-line tackles in NFL historical past when it’s all stated and completed.
No. 45 S Antoine Winfield Jr.
Different gamers taken inside 15 picks of observe:
WR Chase Claypool
CB Trevon Diggs
RB Cam Akers
QB Jalen Hurts
RB J.Okay. Dobbins
Subsequent two gamers at place:
S Jeremy Chinn
S Ashtyn Davis
Simply based mostly on the primary two choices thus far, Jason Licht seems like the final supervisor model of 2001 Barry Bonds within the 12 months he hit 73 residence runs. Each Wirfs and Antoine Winfield Jr. have been the “residence run” picks that he will probably be seeking to replicate within the 2023 draft. The collection of Winfield might be seen as a curious transfer on the time, because the Bucs spent six draft picks on defensive backs over the 2018 and 2019 drafts.
Bucs FS Antoine Winfield Jr. and Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill – Picture by: USA At this time
Nonetheless, his influence on the Bucs’ protection can’t be understated. He has emerged as a flexible weapon in protection, even taking part in final season within the nickel cornerback position. He’s additionally a sneaky good go rusher, having 9 sacks throughout his first three seasons. Like Wirfs, he will probably be in line for an enormous contract extension quickly.
Might the Bucs have picked Diggs or Hurts as an alternative? Certain, however neither was match for the crew on the time. The crew didn’t want one other cornerback with Carlton Davis III, Jamel Dean, and Sean Murphy-Bunting as the highest three on the place.
Whereas they did select a quarterback with their second-round choose in 2021 (Kyle Trask), taking a quarterback with a premium choose proper after signing Tom Brady didn’t make quite a lot of sense for a roster seeking to compete immediately.
Earlier than Hurts’ emergence as one of many high quarterbacks within the league, he had a developmental curve that required two seasons of recreation reps. He performed in 4 video games as a rookie after the benching of Carson Wentz and solely accomplished 52% of his passes. In 2021, he began 15 video games however was identified extra for his speeding than passing capacity. It was not till this previous season that he put these inquiries to relaxation, accumulating 35 whole touchdowns and ending second within the MVP race.
Having the larger image of this choice demonstrates that Licht and the remainder of the entrance workplace knew precisely tips on how to get high-upside plug-and-play starters at invaluable positions. Within the field rating, rely him 2-2 with two residence runs.
No. 76 RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn
Different gamers taken inside 15 picks of observe:
WR Bryan Edwards
RB Zack Moss
DE Jonathan Greenard
Subsequent two gamers at place:
RB Zack Moss
RB Darrynton Evans
On reflection, this choice doesn’t seem that it’ll pan out, however it wants additional context. On the time, the Bucs backfield heading into 2020 was simply Ronald Jones II. Peyton Barber left as a free agent to Washington, whereas LeSean McCoy and Leonard Fournette wouldn’t signal with the crew till deep in the summertime.
Bucs RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn and QB Tom Brady – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Selecting one other operating again was a necessity, they usually tried to deal with it by choosing Ke’Shawn Vaughn. He has solely surpassed 15 carries in a recreation twice, as soon as being within the 2021 Wild Card in opposition to the Eagles.
He has needed to battle for carries all through his profession and was overshadowed by extra established backs from the beginning. Vaughn continues to be on the crew for 2023, and with Rachaad White and Chase Edmonds being his solely competitors (for now), he nonetheless has an opportunity to show why he was worthy of being a third-round choose.
The Bucs didn’t miss out on a lot by taking Vaughn over among the options. Moss has turn out to be a rotational again himself, albeit a extra distinguished one getting about 100 carries a season.
Edwards had a stable 2021 with the Raiders however didn’t emerge as a starter in a skinny Falcons’ receiving room final season. Greenard would have been a stable defensive lineman so as to add to a veteran group, however it’s unlikely he would have had a lot taking part in time to develop.
No. 161 WR Tyler Johnson
Different gamers taken inside 15 picks of observe:
WR Darnell Mooney
WR Okay.J. Osborn
Subsequent two gamers at place:
WR Darnell Mooney
WR Okay.J. Osborn
Properly, the Bucs determined to go together with a large receiver at this spot, however they select the incorrect one in hindsight. Tyler Johnson was coming off two extremely productive seasons at Minnesota earlier than being drafted, tallying consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and 25 touchdowns. He had the possibility to slip in because the third receiver behind Evans and Godwin immediately, however Scotty Miller claimed that position to start the 2020 season.
Bucs WR Tyler Johnson – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
The signing of Antonio Brown mid-season pushed him all the way down to fifth on the depth chart, and he didn’t get a lot increased than that within the seasons to return. He confirmed some promise in 2021, hauling in 36 receptions for 360 yards, however he didn’t file a landing.
After a pleasant 2022 coaching camp, the hope was that he may win one of many remaining receiving spots however he was reduce. Johnson signed a reserves/futures contract with the Raiders in January, placing finality on his tenure with the crew.
If Jason Licht may return in time, choosing both Mooney or Osborn would have been the higher choose. Mooney has had a stable profession thus far, even placing up a 1,000-yard season with the Bears in 2021.
Though Osborn didn’t file a reception in his rookie 12 months, he has adopted that up with 655 and 650 receiving yards in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Johnson was not the worst choose, however taking both receiver over him would have been icing on the cake on this draft.
No. 194 DT Khalil Davis
Different gamers taken inside 15 picks of observe:
WR Quez Watkins
S Jordan Fuller
WR Isaiah Hodgins
Subsequent two gamers at place:
DT John Penisini
DT Carlos Davis
Later within the draft turns into a dart throw as common managers hope to uncover a diamond within the tough. The Bucs’ option to go together with defensive deal with Khalil Davis within the sixth spherical made some sense as a depth piece. Popping out of Nebraska, Davis led the Cornhuskers with eight sacks in his senior season.
Bucs DT Khalil Davis – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
The hope was he may turn out to be a rotational go rusher, however this is able to not be the case. Davis solely had two mixed tackles in 2020 and was waived the following season. He returned final season for 5 weeks on the follow squad earlier than being launched once more and is at the moment a free agent.
The Bucs had one other likelihood to seize a large receiver right here within the speedy Quez Watkins and Isaiah Hodgins. Watkins was the second-fastest receiver within the NFL Mix that 12 months and has carved a job for himself with the Eagles previously two seasons. Hodgins was initially taken by the Payments however emerged with the Giants final season, hauling in 4 touchdowns.
Licht didn’t miss out on a lot right here, however there have been nonetheless a couple of different choices that panned out greater than Davis did.
No. 241 LB Chapelle Russell
Different gamers taken inside 15 picks of observe:
LB Tae Crowder
Subsequent two gamers at place:
LB Derrek Tuszka
LB Tae Crowder
Very like with the following choice, there was not a lot to select from by way of stable NFL gamers within the seventh spherical. Russell spent a lot of the season on the follow squad and by no means recorded a deal with with the crew.
The one possibility on the board who panned out for the crew making the choice was fellow linebacker and Mr.Irrelevant, Tae Crowder. Crowder had 232 mixed tackles with the Giants throughout three seasons earlier than being waived. Apart from him, no different participant made a big effect, so the fault just isn’t on Licht right here.
No. 245 RB Raymond Calais
Different gamers taken inside 15 picks of observe:
LB Tae Crowder
Subsequent participant at place:
RB Malcolm Perry
The second operating again drafted on this class, Raymond Calais was alleged to be a velocity again for the Bucs. Between the 2018 and 2019 seasons at Louisville, Calais averaged 9.3 and seven.6 yards per carry.
These numbers have been spectacular, however he didn’t make the roster or follow squad popping out of his first season. His solely NFL motion was returning seven kicks for the Rams in 2020.
Whereas the remainder of the draft class was underwhelming outdoors of Tristan Wirfs and Antoine Winfield Jr., these choices alone give this class an “A” grade. The Bucs solely hit on two gamers, however these two gamers each hit the bottom operating and have blossomed into Professional Bowlers.
It’s arduous to search out one participant of that ilk in a draft class, however discovering two deserves quite a lot of reward. If Jason Licht can discover two gamers of their caliber this 12 months, even when they don’t hit on their different picks, it will be an enormous success.
