Buccaneers Pick Six: Special 2017 Draft Day Edition

It’s draft day! Finally, the day we Buccaneers fans have been waiting for since the end of the NFL season has finally arrived. Time to dive in with a special edition of Yarcho’s Pick Six!

Let’s go! It’s time to see how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to shape their 2017 season as well as their future. Over the last few seasons, general manager Jason Licht has added the likes of Mike Evans, Jameis Winston, Kwon Alexander, Ali Marpet, Donovan Smith, Vernon Hargreaves III, Noah Spence, and of course the controversial choice of Roberto Aguayo. By and large, Licht has been fire in the draft. Yes, he’s suffered some day three misses, but finding gems like Adam Humphries and Cameron Brate as undrafted free agents makes up for that.

There are a few positions that could use upgrades, but not many that are in dire need. Running back and safety certainly come to mind in terms of needs, but adding wide receiver, tight end, cornerback, linebacker, defensive line, or offensive line depth would definitely be welcomed.

Well, enough chit-chat. It’s time to dive into this draft edition of Pick Six!

Six Topics Suitable For Conversation

1.) What in the world will the Buccaneers do at nineteen? There’s the Florida State crowd who think the only player in the draft is Dalvin Cook. There’s people like me that would love for Cook to be the selection, but won’t lose their mind if he isn’t the choice. There’s the Budda Bunch hoping for the safety out of Washington who could develop into a dynamic talent in the secondary. There’s the possibility of defensive end with Charles Harris or Derek Barnett. There’s the trade back crowd who had their fire fueled by Adam Schefter Wednesday. No matter what they do, Bucs fans need to trust Jason Licht and his process. Last year, Licht traded back two picks, picked up a fourth round pick, and still got his guy in Hargreaves. Whether it’s a trade back, Cook, David Njoku, whoever – TRUST. IN. LICHT.

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2.) Is Joe Mixon in the cards? If the Bucs don’t go Cook in the first round, would Joe Mixon be a viable option in the second round? Given Licht’s history with taking guys with questionable backgrounds – Jameis Winston, Noah Spence, Tyrann Mathiu – the Bucs could very well be the place for Mixon. It would be a controversial choice to say the least, but if the Glazers sign off and trust Licht, Mixon may end up a Buccaneer come Friday.

3.) Don’t Be Surprised If They Don’t Draft Offensive Line. They’ve said it for months. The Bucs like their pieces along the offensive line, especially with Ali Marpet’s move to center. A lot of the “issues” on the o-line were due to incompetent running backs and – as much as no one wants to blame him – Winston holding onto the ball too long. Yes, Winston always wants to create plays, but holding the ball as long as he does will result in offensive line breakdowns. Now, creating plays will be a bit easier if…

4.) The Bucs Draft Wide Receiver In Day Two. Even with the addition of DeSean Jackson, the Bucs are an injury away from the same dumpster fire receiving corps they had last season. Not to mention, Jackson isn’t the long term solution. Drafting a guy like Chris Godwin, Carlos Henderson, Dede Westbrook, or JuJu Smith-Schuster would not only help the team this season, but it would give them their number two receiver of the future to begin to groom and develop.

5.) Expect Licht To Make Moves. We have yet to see a Jason Licht draft where he didn’t trade up to get his guy. The rumors are already swirling that he will trade down – possibly out – of the first round. No matter what direction, you can almost guarantee Licht re-positions the Bucs in the first two days of the draft. At the end of the day, that’s the Patriots way he learned under, right?

6.) Leave Your College Allegiances At The Door. This is one of the most obnoxious things about the draft, so allow me to hop on my soapbox for a moment. Look, I don’t care what college team you root for – Florida State, Florida, The U, USF, LSU, Alabama, Ohio State, whomever – here’s a little news flash: NOBODY CARES. Once a player puts on the pewter and red, they’re a Buccaneer. Not a Nole, a Cane, a freaking bumblebee – they’re a BUCCANEER. The Bucs don’t have to draft every player from your favorite college every year. If the Bucs draft a player from your school’s rival – get over it. They’re on your NFL team now. Leave your Saturday team on Saturdays. They don’t affect the Bucs. I’m the biggest Ohio State hater you will ever meet but guess what – I had a Joey Galloway Bucs jersey. I want them to draft Malik Hooker. Talent is talent no matter what fight song played after they made a big play or scored a touchdown. LET IT GO.

Six Number To Consider

7 – Total Number Of Picks (As Of Now) The Buccaneers Have In The 2017 Draft

5 – Running Backs Taken By The Bucs In The First Round – Ricky Bell, Bo Jackson, Warrick Dunn, Cadillac Williams, Doug Martin

19 – Number Of First Round Picks Bucs Have Used On Offensive Players

18 – Number Of First Round Picks Bucs Have Used On Defensive Players

12 – Number Of Times Bucs Have Picked Outside Of Top-15, Including The Five Times They Were Outside The Top-15 Due To A Trade

8 – Number Of First Round Picks From Florida Schools In Bucs’ History

Six Songs To Get You In The Draft Day Mood

6.) Take A Chance On Me – ABBA: That’s all these kids want – is a chance

5.) I Want You To Want Me – Cheap Trick: I neeeeed you to neeeeed me…

4.) I Gotta A Feeling – Black Eyed Peas: That tonight’s gonna be a good night…

3.) Born To Run – Bruce Springsteen: For all those running backs about to fly off the draft board

2.) Gonna Fly Now – Bill Conti: I mean, the draft is in Philly

1.) TNT – AC/DC: Some of these guys are fixing to explode

Draft Night Drinking Game

Disclaimer: This is for those of legal drinking age. Should you decide to partake outside of your home, please have a designated driver or an Uber ready to go. Draft night is a fun night for football fans who like to party it up in celebration. Please do so responsibly.

Take 1 Drink: Any time a trade happens

Take 2 Drinks: Any time Jon Gruden or Steve Mariucci (depending on which broadcast you’re watching) says he loves a player

Take 3 Drinks: Any time an analyst says “blue collar guy”

Take A Shot: Any time someone references “Pro Bowl potential”

Take 2 Shots: Whenever someone mentions their mock draft

CHUG: Whenever a pick is mentioned as a reach or a steal

Six Go-To Draft Party Foods

There’s no better way to celebrate watching the draft than with your buddies and family, but if you’re hosting a party what kind of food needs to be on hand?

6.) Chips/Pretzels and Dip – Potato chips, tortilla chips, soft pretzels, hard pretzels, onion dip, salsa, guacamole, beer cheese – you can’t go wrong

5.) Wings – Great food. You can go spicy buffalo, sweet BBQ, teriyaki. There’s a sauce out there for everyone – only draw back is how messy they are.

4.) Cupcakes/Brownies/Cookies – Gotta have those sweets to break things up a bit. Nothing big. Anything more than two bites and it’s a flag on the play

3.) Beer – It’s beer

2.) Burgers – Spring time is here. Fire up that grill, get the patties eared off. Have your pickles, cheese, bacon, lettuce, onions, tomatoes ready to go. And really, what’s better than the smell of a grill with an ice cold beer in your hand?

1.) Pizza – Simple, easy, zero preparation, and someone brings it to you.

Next: Draft Day Cheat Sheet: Trade Value Chart

Six Final Words (And Then Eight More)

With the 19th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select…

Listen below to the Walking The Plank Podcast as David Harrison and I bring you a full first round mock draft

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Buccaneers Pick Six: Draft Day Edition

By James Yarcho | Apr 27, 2017