We’re just a few weeks away from the NFL Draft, and we still don’t have a good idea of what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are planning on doing with the No. 19 pick. This isn’t anything new, as the Bucs have kept their cards close to the chest in back-to-back years and ended up with exactly who they wanted all along.
Perhaps we’re in for that again, but the smokescreen game is always hard to read this time of year.
Last year the Bucs stood pat at No. 26 overall and ended up with Graham Barton after he fell right into their lap. A year prior, despite rampant speculation that a quarterback would be the pick at No. 19, Tampa Bay landed Calijah Kancey and have been reaping the benefits ever since.
This year the team is in a similar position, and Jason Licht is throwing out some wild scenarios that are either a reality, a threat, or some sort of smokescreen to try and throw everyone off.
Buccaneers GM teases taking a WR with No. 19 pick in NFL Draft
The closer we get to the draft the more we’re hearing Licht speak about the team’s plans, but his latest comments are a bit of a head-scratcher — and not necessarily in a bad way. Licht didn’t rule out the possibility of the team taking a wide receiver in the first round, which would be an absolutely wild zag.
“Yeah, we could,” Licht said. “I think Todd even said you’ve got to score points to win. So we’re fortunate to have those two [Evans and Godwin], and who knows how long they’ll play? Could be longer than what people are saying.”
It seems crazy considering how much we’ve heard other positions mocked to the Bucs, but lest we forget how much this actually lines up with how the last few years have played out. Tampa Bay was predicted to trade up for an edge rusher when they stood pat to take Barton, and everyone expected them to trade up for Tom Brady’s successor or an offensive lineman when they ended up taking Kancey.
So based on that, the idea that the Bucs would zag so hard away from what everyone is speculating actually makes sense.
Let’s pretend they do go this route (no pun intended), who could they take?
Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka sticks out as an obvious fit, as he’d be in a position to take over for Chris Godwin in a few years when his contract is up. Early mocks had Arizona star Tetairoa McMillan tumbling like Barton did and ending up available at No. 19, which would be an absolute steal. There’s also Texas’ Matthew Golden and Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins who could be options as well.
If this is what happens, the long-term strategy isn’t a bad one. Mike Evans is in the twilight of his career and Godwin will assume the veteran role when he retires. At that point Jalen McMillan would be the No. 2 and getting someone like Egbuka could be a great way to refresh the wide receiver room ahead of time, as well as giving Baker Mayfield another weapon to keep the offense rolling.
Of course, this would cost the Bucs a chance at grabbing a top prospect at a position of need.
That being said, everything we’re starting to hear about this draft class isn’t necessarily impressive which increases the possibility of the Bucs taking a wide receiver if a good one falls. Basically, this is a reminder that we know absolutely nothing and we won’t truly have an idea of what the team will do until they’re on the clock, and even then Jason Licht is a hard man to figure out.
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