You are traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. Your next stop, the Twilight Zone.
Rod Serling, circa 1959
Let us suspend NFL reality for a moment. Forget that there are 13 teams on the NFL draft board ahead of Tampa Bay in next months draft.
If Jason Licht could take any player off the board that he wishes. Forget the “best available” crap. If every single player were available to the Buccaneers to pluck out of the NCAA and add them to the shiny collection of Buccaneer toys. Who would it be?
Who Would You Want to See in Red and Orange
Not even taking into account the current situation with free agency looming for the franchises’ quarterback of the last five years. Joe Burrow of LSU was amazing to watch this past season. Pitching touchdowns like Oprah Winfrey throwing free gifts during one of her “Favorite Things” shows.
Ohio State defensive end, Chase Young rounds the corner like a beast and disrupts offensive backfields. With a body like an edge rusher/linebacker, and the speed to match. That would be an interesting sight.
How about a Jerry Jeudy from Alabama, or CeeDee Lamb from Oklahoma. Now, I did say we were suspending reality for a moment. Which we must do to even imagine the Buccaneers taking a wide receiver in the 1st round. Or do they?
But imagine giving the “Biscuit Baker” a route runner like Jeudy, or a speedster like Lamb. Put them on the field with Evans and Godwin and the turf at Raymond James Stadium might literally catch fire.
Then There is Reality
I would have also included one of those running backs in the top of this year’s draft. That is except for the fact that offensive line seems the real need here.
Offensive tackle Mekhi Becton from Louisville would be the oak tree at left tackle who would warm the cockles of Buccaneer fans hearts. Tristan Wirfs from Iowa is another bookend offensive lineman who would look great in Tampa Bay. Even Jedrick Wills, another Alabama talent would be a welcomed addition the the offensive line for the pillaging pirates from Tampa Bay.
Nobody knows who the newest 2020 toy for the Buccaneers will be. Not me, not you, and not even Jason Licht. Oh, you can bet he has dreams. Dreams where the best defensive lineman, offensive lineman, best quarterback is available when the Buccaneers are on the board.
Check that. The quarterback dream is the Bruce Arians dream. But coach can have his dreams, too.
Photo credit: buccaneers.com
