Saturday, 4 a.m.
We do not yet know how well they can play. We do not yet know if they can help to close the wounds on the roster of the Tampa Bay Bucs.
But if initial reviews mean anything, the Bucs had a very successful day on Friday.
The Bucs attempted to solve two of their biggest shortcomings Friday, first drafting brawler Cody Mauch, an offensive guard from North Dakota State, and then adding Louisville defensive end YaYa Diaby.
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"It doesn't always work out where what we thought was our No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 need," said general Manager Jason Licht. "We thought all these positions were positions that we felt we could get better at. We wanted to get faster and more physical and we feel we really did that."
Again, it's a reach to bet on how either of these will translate to the NFL. The bust rate is too high for that. But Mauch, with his flowing red hair his missing front teeth, and Diaby, with his name and his second-round projections, seem worth a chance.
Besides, fans are sure to love the idea of both players. The Bucs were last in the NFL in rushing last year. They also were weak at the pass rush, particularly from the defensive ends.
Mauch played tackle in college (after walking on as a tight end), but the Bucs see him as. a guard That still leaves a hole at left tackle, where the tea released Donovan Smith.
"I love it," Licht said of Mauch's personality. "Ryan Jensen has been texting ever since we took him. 'He and I are going to mess some things up.' Who doesn’t like that.
"We'll see how (offensive tackle) goes. We are excited about how Luke (Goedeke) did for us at tackle at the end of the year -- it's his natural position. Tristan (Wirfs) might move to left tackle."
The Bucs dealt a sixth-round pick to move up and take Mauch.
Diaby started his career at Georgia Military.
"He's very explosive," Licht said. "He's big. He's strong. I believe he's got plike an 82-inch wingspan. "
The third round of the draft is scheduled for today.