Bucs after Dark: Last chance for Buccaneers GM Jason Licht?
By Cory Kinnan
After a number of busted signings and missed draft picks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht enters the most important phase of his career.
The 2019 NFL Draft might just be the last chance for Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht. This upcoming season for the Buccaneers is a crucial one and one more failed draft leading to a disappointing season could be curtains for Licht.
As his time as the general manager, Licht has had his handful of draft failures, including the entire 2016 draft class that included trading up back into the second round to select kicker Roberto Aguayo. Even though Vita Vea may turn out to be a great player in this league, passing on Pro Bowler and runner-up for Defensive Rookie of the Year looks egregious.
Even if Licht has hit on Mike Evans, Kwon Alexander, and Ali Marpet during his tenure as general manager, the draft has not been his area of expertise. In addition to numerous draft failures, Licht has also seemingly spent money on players that have not worked out in free agency as well.
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Licht has paid free agents such as DeSean Jackson, Vinny Curry, Brent Grimes, Alterraun Verner, and potentially Ryan Jensen big money in order to take advantage of a potential window that the team thought was open, but rarely has a big signing worked out in Tampa Bay.
However, this offseason has been a surprisingly pleasant change of strategy for Licht, as he has balled on a budget by signing one-year deals with a handful of free agents such as Deone Bucannon, Shaquil Barrett, and Breshad Perriman. It has some to do with the fact that the Buccaneers have not had a ton of money to spend, but Licht has been a steward with the money the he has been allotted.
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Even if Licht has potentially changed his ways in free agency and has made smart moves in free agency, the draft will be the most significant one of his career. If Licht fails to nail down a solid draft class later this month, his tenure as general manager in Tampa Bay could come to an end.