Trading out of round one: Licht snags a gem with first pick on day two of the NFL Draft

Top Flight GM.

How much more proof is needed for all Bucs fans to realize Jason Licht is the pirate’s treasure? He may not have been the cat’s meow when he first arrived in the Bay Area. Since then, he has learned and gotten better every season (kickers notwithstanding). He can identify and then draft diamonds in the rough. Players that can become mainstays on offense and defense for years to come. I might add that Bruce Arians and Todd Bowles have been in on these decisions on Draft day since their arrival as well. In addition, Licht has also been very creative; when it comes to reworking contracts and manipulating the salary cap to enable the Bucs to re-sign their stars and bring in free agents. Personally, I don’t really see a weak point in his managerial skills (save the kicking position).

Buccaneers address defensive line/edge needs with the first pick in the second round.

Not only did the Bucs get their man, but they also added draft picks in the 4th and 6th round. The Jaguars approached the Bucs to make the switch of draft picks. The team felt confident that one of their four to five guys slated for their first pick this season would be there. As it turned out, by the time they made the trade, all of the players on their shortlist were taken except the one they coveted most. The Bucs got their man, defensive lineman Logan Hall out of the University of Houston Cougars ⁠— a strong player against the run, which Bowles loves, and he also has the skills to be a threat rushing the quarterback.

Historic combine for Hall.

You may or may not have heard of Mr. Hall; however, there is a stat that should tell you all you need to know. At the Pre-Draft NFL Combine, Hall graded out with a 9.83 RAS out of a possible 10.00. How good is that, you may ask? I’ll just say this about that. Since 1987 there have been 1325 players selected at the defensive tackle position, and Hall ranks number 24 off that list. That is an amazing stat/statement for the young Buccaneer. Guys like that are pretty rare, to say the least. It looks like Licht has done it again! He picked up two extra picks while still getting their main guy out of this draft. Brilliant! As long as Licht can resist the temptation to snag a kicker the rest of the way. It looks like the team is on its way to another strong draft. Go Bucs!!