1. Edge rusher
Best bet is to sign or trade for a veteran edge rusher. If Licht was smart he would be all over Judon but I think the Bucs can trade for a younger vet edge rusher.
2. Wide Receiver
Even presuming Godwin is re-signed the Bucs need to position themselves and load up talent for Coen's offense.
3. Defensive line
Need another player in the mix to split time with Vea/Kancey. Gaines and Gholston have given their max but I think the Bucs can upgrade here.
4. Boundary zone CB
Dean just is overpaid due to lack of pass defelections/INTs and not a good fit for zone defense which requires reacting and breaking to the ball. And he is injured too often. I prefer the Bucs sign a veteran zone corner back but drafting one might be the way to go.
5. ILB
Need to sign a vet and draft one that can play in space. Best to draft a safety and convert to LB for this zone defense.
6. OT
Need more talent infusion here along with the existing talent I think I am not impressed with the project swing tackles the Bucs have had. Need another decent tackle to have in the wings.
Mock draft roundup has multiple people putting Jihaad Campbell ILB to the Bucs. We did use a 1st round on a linebacker for Devin White, so it's a possibility. But I really think that first round pick will go to a more premier position such as CB or Edge.
But rookies take time to develop in a year when many people think we should be taking a shot deep into the playoffs. Licht is going to have to go to work in free agency which he didn't really do last year. Some of these positions in particular on defense have to be manned by veterans. We can't depend on rookies to solve our problems.
They're going to have to bite the bullet and take a chance on Haason Reddick.
Mock draft roundup has multiple people putting Jihaad Campbell ILB to the Bucs. We did use a 1st round on a linebacker for Devin White, so it's a possibility. But I really think that first round pick will go to a more premier position such as CB or Edge.
But rookies take time to develop in a year when many people think we should be taking a shot deep into the playoffs. Licht is going to have to go to work in free agency which he didn't really do last year. Some of these positions in particular on defense have to be manned by veterans. We can't depend on rookies to solve our problems.
Which is why I prefer the Bucs address the defense via free agents/trades and spend draft capital to fortify the offensive depth or might upgrade a few spots (eg guard, TE) in the process.
1. new DC and if that means new HC it is even better
1st round - BPA at either corner or LB
2nd round - BPA at either corner or LB
3rd round - d-line depth
4th round - safety/CB
5-7 - BPA
I haven't looked closely at our salary cap for next year but I'd like to go vet edge + LB + re-sign Godwin + punter
on offense, not much - might be best to just run it back. Getting cute and not resigning Godwin would be a mistake. Bring him back. Also should consider singing Ben Bredeson. The offensive line performed pretty good this year. You can try upgrading but honestly we had a top 5 offense in both pass and run game so why change it?
the Bucs should spend money on the defensive side of the ball
Edge - guys like Josh Sweat, Khalil Mack, Hasson Reddick, Dante Fowler, Chase Young, Matt Judon, Demarcus Lawrence. Some older than others but we should sign one of these guys to pear opposite Diaby. Could also maybe address with one of our top 3 draft picks.
LB - hopefully David decides to come back but really need to add somebody next to him, either via the draft, or free agency. Maybe with one of our top 3 draft picks.
CB - Charvarius Ward is a free agent. Suggest we cut Dean, maybe sign a guy in free agency but address this position in the draft with one of our top 2 draft picks.
1st round - BPA at either corner or LB
2nd round - BPA at either corner or LB
The top CB's are usually m2m CB's. With Bowles playing so much zone, using these top picks on m2m CB's is a waste of resources. This is why they sent Davis packing last offseason and will probably do the same with Dean this offseason. Zone CB's can be found later in the draft.
Yes, if there is a good two-way LB in R1 or R2, they should jump on them. Same with Edge. Bowles and company have blown the high edge pass rushers and LB picks in the past, but they have to keep trying.
1st round - BPA at either corner or LB
2nd round - BPA at either corner or LB
The top CB's are usually m2m CB's. With Bowles playing so much zone, using these top picks on m2m CB's is a waste of resources. This is why they sent Davis packing last offseason and will probably do the same with Dean this offseason. Zone CB's can be found later in the draft.
Yes, if there is a good two-way LB in R1 or R2, they should jump on them. Same with Edge. Bowles and company have blown the high edge pass rushers and LB picks in the past, but they have to keep trying.
All the more reason to move on from Bowles and play more physical m2m imo.
If we stick with zone then I'd agree so I'd maybe adjust those first two picks to be LB/D-line but we have a massive need at corner and safety.
Unless we move Smith to safety and draft another slot corner.
It all depends on Bowles and I suspect he will stay.
1st round - BPA at either corner or LB
2nd round - BPA at either corner or LB
The top CB's are usually m2m CB's. With Bowles playing so much zone, using these top picks on m2m CB's is a waste of resources. This is why they sent Davis packing last offseason and will probably do the same with Dean this offseason. Zone CB's can be found later in the draft.
Yes, if there is a good two-way LB in R1 or R2, they should jump on them. Same with Edge. Bowles and company have blown the high edge pass rushers and LB picks in the past, but they have to keep trying.
All the more reason to move on from Bowles and play more physical m2m imo.
If we stick with zone then I'd agree so I'd maybe adjust those first two picks to be LB/D-line but we have a massive need at corner and safety.
Unless we move Smith to safety and draft another slot corner.
It all depends on Bowles and I suspect he will stay.
Bucs should move on from Bowles. He is mediocre at best. The question is whether Coen is the answer. One good year. would like to see it next year. If he can replicate that, would show that opposing defenses haven't figured him out.
so with that in mind, that stability factor that Licht boast about may be just what is needed, keep Todd around another year, let Coen get more confident, and bam, unless Bucs go 11-6 and win a playoff game next year, anoint Coen Bowles replacement in 2026.
to prematurely do it, could set the team back. Sure, all riding high right now with top 5 offense but let's prove it wasn't a fluke.
and if Bucs go 4-13 next year, with a top 20 offense, maybe Coen is not want we want as the next head coach.
just dont see a team hiring Coen as head coach this year.
if anything, would think Kingsbury just leaped infront of him. Could Eagles Kellen Moore get some looks? we know that Slowlik and Ben Johnson will.
Maybe Detroits Aaron Glenn gets a job? Does Gruden or McCarthy go elsewhere?
1st round - BPA at either corner or LB
2nd round - BPA at either corner or LB
The top CB's are usually m2m CB's. With Bowles playing so much zone, using these top picks on m2m CB's is a waste of resources. This is why they sent Davis packing last offseason and will probably do the same with Dean this offseason. Zone CB's can be found later in the draft.
Yes, if there is a good two-way LB in R1 or R2, they should jump on them. Same with Edge. Bowles and company have blown the high edge pass rushers and LB picks in the past, but they have to keep trying.
All the more reason to move on from Bowles and play more physical m2m imo.
If we stick with zone then I'd agree so I'd maybe adjust those first two picks to be LB/D-line but we have a massive need at corner and safety.
Unless we move Smith to safety and draft another slot corner.
It all depends on Bowles and I suspect he will stay.
Need to target the best pass coverage EDGE players possible with 5 of our first 7 picks.
May need to address RB, as I’m almost positive that Tucker is entering the elusive and coveted JCHoF as an early first round ballot.
How is ILB #5 on the list??? We hopefully have Lavonte David in year 14, and absolutely nobody next to him. Thank God Lavonte stayed healthy this year. Not only are the starters very questionable (injury, retirement) the backups are practice squad quality.
How about this on Bowles:
"“It was interesting as we were talking to Todd Bowles about changes; he said defenses change every 2 1/2 years, so he went from being big with the tackles to big with the edges,” Collinsworth said. “And it’s helped his defenses.”
I don’t believe we’re going to find an edge where we’re picking - whatever merc is available in FA is more likely.
Getting a good corner/LB is more likely where we pick in the first round, unless something crazy happens, that would be my guess.
