Saturday, 4 a.m.
It gets down to trust really. It gets down to a man's resume.
In other words, you can believe in Jason Licht's decisions this year because they were good in previous years.
It gets down to that. Oh, it's an opinion sport, and even now, there are those who would debate Licht's three additions to the Bucs' roster on Friday. Hey, scouts are wrong, too, and it happens with alarming frequency. But it's silly how much reading a few mock drafts emboldens a fan to think he can debate draft choices with NFL scouts.
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So why should you believe the Bucs got it right by trading away from Devonte Wyatt and taking Logan Hall? Well, maybe because Licht's the guy who drafted Vita Vea.
Why should you believe the Bucs were smart when they took Luke Goedeke from Central Michigan? Maybe because Licht is the king of taking small college linemen, as he did when he took Ali Marpet (retired) and Alex Kappa (signed elsewhere).
Why should you think he picked the right guy in Rachaad White? Because he was the guy who took Ronald Jones (signed elsewhere) before he became barely relevant.
Look, the draft is never what you wish it would be, not unless you're drafting in New York territory.
Still, the Bucs gave themselves a chance to come up with some help. Here's what we know: The Bucs liked Hall enough that they didn't trade down again. When they had traded down on Saturday, there were five players they liked who were available. When they picked, there was only Hall.
“I like his size," Licht said. "He’s a big guy. He has a great frame. When he walks in the door, he doesn’t look like he's 282 pounds. He looks much bigger."
"The film speaks for itself on this guy," said Bowles. "Once you see him on tape, he jumps out at you. He's 6-6, so that helps him a lot. He's got a strong lower body. The biggest thing is, he's a good athlete. He ran hurdles in high school and he grew into his body and he uses that to his advantage. He's very elusive in there, he's very strong in there and he's very deceptive in there."
Goedeke should immediately vie for playing time with Aaron Stinnie and Robert Hansey for Kappa's old guard position, which will help protect Tom Brady from defensive tackles.
"He's all business," Licht said. "His hobbies are weight-lifting and it stops there. Maybe driving tractors. He's very tough, a good athlete,. all business. He's a smart player. Big upside.”
"He's a really smart kid who loves football," said Bucs' Vice President of Player Personnel John Spytek. "He fits what we've been talking about as a Buccaneer: 'I'm that man.' Small-town Wisconsin kid, kind of self-made, went over to Central and played right tackle. I think we see him as a guard. He'll be in that competition at left guard with a chance to start, depending upon how he does this year. He's a great kid, really smart, humble, really tough.”
White figures to take Jones place and compete with Ke'Shawn Vaughn to be Leonard Fournette's backup.
Licht said White's ability to catch the pass made him attractive. Licht called him "the best athlete on the board" when the team picked.
What we don't know is this: What does this mean for Bucs' freee agents Ndamukong Suh and Jason Pierre-Paul? Don't the Bucs still need a tight end?
The draft resumes today. The Bucs have two fourth-round picks, including the first of the day.