Latest news with #JasonLicht
USA Today
8 hours ago
- Business
- USA Today
Analyst praises Bucs current approach to roster building, NFL Draft
Analyst praises Bucs current approach to roster building, NFL Draft Jason Licht did not start off strong as the general manager of the Bucs when it came to drafting. Some of his early draft classes are some of the worst in franchise history if we are being honest. Specifically the 2016 class where they traded up to draft Roberto Aguayo who lasted one year after being an all-time great college kicker at Florida State. But like most things in life, failure can lead to lessons learned, and Jason Licht is a prime example of that. His recent run of free agency and trades, paired with his draft classes, has the Bucs with one of the more complete rosters in the entire NFL. That roster has now become a talking point for analysts who cover the league, most recently on ESPN by Kevin Clark on their program, NFL Live. "The way the Buccaneers draft now is for value. They're drafting because their roster is so good ... Jason Licht is one of the best GMs in all of football." Licht has earned that distinction in recent years as we mentioned. It isn't just his roster building, though; it is also how well he handles the constant turnover of their coaching staff year to year. They have lost their playcaller the last two years, and he has shown continued support for Todd Bowles that has allowed the players on the roster to continue to develop. It all plays a part in the success that the team is having right now.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Bucs 2016 NFL Draft trade ranked among the worst in league history
Bucs 2016 NFL Draft trade ranked among the worst in league history The recent run of success for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has had its fans forget about the rough sledding they dealt with in the 2010s up to 2020. Winning a Super Bowl helps with that, and a recent run of division titles also doesn't hurt. General manager Jason Licht joined the franchise in 2014 and was tasked with turning the team around. His early drafts were not considered successful by any stretch of the imagination, and as Bleacher Report sheds light on his 2016 draft specifically, it came with some historically bad trades. That trade involved moving up for Roberto Aguayo, a historically accurate kicker for the Florida State Seminoles who proved to be anything but once he came to the NFL. Kristopher Knox writes, "In the 2016 draft, Tampa made the curious decision to trade up and draft kicker Roberto Aguayo in the second round. That's right, the Buccaneers traded up to draft a kicker in Round 2. The move to No. 59 cost Tampa the 74th and 106th overall selections. In return, the Bucs got 16 games and a 71-percent field-goal rate out of Aguayo, who was waived during the 2017 preseason and hasn't appeared in a regular-season game since." Licht survived that trade and pick of Aguayo, as well as the picks of Vernon Hargreaves and Noah Spence in that same year. By all intents and purposes, it will go down as one of the worst draft classes in recent history. Credit to Jason Licht, though, it seems he has fixed his methods, and his staff have now mastered their craft. Look no further than the complete roster they have seemingly built in recent drafts. They say sometimes you have to fall down to get back up. In Jason Licht's case, he had to fall off Mount Everest to climb back up it.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What's in Store for Jalen McMillan in 2025?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and general manager Jason Licht shocked many when they selected Ohio State Buckeyes receiver Emeka Egbuka with their first-round pick in this year's draft. It was surprising to many since the team boasted one of the best offenses and most stable receiver corps in the league a season ago. Advertisement With star wideout Mike Evans still in the fold and Chris Godwin returning in free agency in 2025, the team seemed set at receiver, especially considering rookie and last year's third-round pick, Jalen McMillan, had a breakout second half of the season after Godwin went down with an injury. Now, with the addition of Ebuka to the offense and the receivers room, some are questioning whether it's too crowded with McMillan. ESPN NFL analyst Ben Solak isn't sure how McMillan will fit in the Bucs' new offense with Egbuka in the mix. "I was very bullish on Year 2 for McMillan, who rose nicely to the challenge after Chris Godwin was lost for the season to an ankle injury," Solak wrote. Then the Buccaneers drafted Emeka Egbuka in the first round of the 2025 draft, sliding McMillan squarely into a battle for WR3 responsibilities this season. McMillan is a savvy route runner with better speed than he's given credit for, and he has some spectacular catch ability in him. Advertisement "I still believe in the player, even if the opportunity for high volume is vanishing." There's a chance that Godwin isn't ready to return from his gruesome dislocated ankle suffered in Week 10 last year when the 2025 season starts. If that's the case, having McMillan around is a necessity. With the addition of Egbuka, the team could still have three bona fide starting receivers so Godwin can take his time. When Godwin returns? We'll have to see. Related: Floria Star And Bucs Ex Arrested On Disturbing Child Abuse Charges Related: Can Buccaneers' Emeka Egbuka Be Baker Mayfield's No. 1 Weapon?
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Local radio station suggests Bucs make bold trade before new season
The Bucs have been known to make bold moves under the leadership of general manager Jason Licht. He will often go out and take chances on aging veterans that have just enough gas in the tank to make one last impact on a season. Licht will also make a splash move by taking a chance on someone who may be on their way out with their old team after a rough ending. That last one is where people have suggested the Bucs perhaps pursue Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, but one Tampa Bay radio station is suggesting another move instead. Advertisement WDAE out of Tampa Bay suggested the Bucs send a first-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for their All-Pro edge rusher, T.J. Watt. The team has not been shopping around its star defender, but based on its current roster construction, it is facing a major rebuild ahead of what could be its worst season in over twenty years. Something that may push the Steelers to be more aggressive in acquiring more picks in 2026 could be that they are hosting the NFL Draft next April. On the flip side, Watt is one of their fan favorites, so, as with any decision, a fair amount of good and bad could be discussed with any of it. The Bucs have to at least touch base on this idea, right? This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Tampa Bay radio station suggests Bucs make bold trade ahead of camp
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Insider Reveals Tampa Bay Buccaneers Top Remaining Offseason Priority
Insider Reveals Tampa Bay Buccaneers Top Remaining Offseason Priority originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will return all 11 starters from one of the top-ranked offenses in the NFL next season, while adding depth to the unit at the same time. Advertisement But it's the defense that was a focus for general manager Jason Licht this offseason, including the draft, where he selected corners Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish in the second and third rounds, respectively. With a crowded secondary, Kevin Petra believes figuring out the pecking order is Tampa Bay's offseason priority. "The Bucs have suggested they will move Tykee Smith -- who played well as a rookie nickel last season -- to safety opposite Antoine Winfield Jr. to help ensure Smith stays on the field in base sets," Petra wrote. "Todd Bowles reiterated this week that Smith is a safety who will, on occasion, play nickel. Moving Smith around will give Bowles a chess piece to work with. Rookie Jacob Parrish is an option to take over Smith's nickel spot, and Bowles suggested Zyon McCollum could also move inside. Tampa used its second- and third-round picks in this year's draft on corners Benjamin Morrison and Parrish, respectively, to upgrade a unit that both struggled at times in 2024 and dealt with injuries. "If Morrison and Parrish are ready to play right away, Smith's transition to safety will be easier. If the nickel crew struggles, Bowles might have to adjust on the fly, potentially adding another veteran safety to the mix." Advertisement The Bucs' defense finished near the bottom of the NFL last season in most defensive statistical categories. That's disappointing when your head coach is also your defensive coordinator. Related: Buccaneers Offensive Star Ranked Near Top of NFL Related: Bucs Star Defender Reveals Hardest Offensive Coaches to Game Plan Against This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
