It is officially the week of the NFL combine. This is the event where basically all of the NFL draft prospects show up to show off their athletic abilities and basically all of the front offices show up to see them. It’s a great opportunity to gain insight for everyone involved in the process.
This is also a chance for us to gain insight with what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be doing this offseason. Today was the first time we have heard general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles address the public since the end of the season. They each took questions from the media and provided some long awaited answers.
And while much of these media sessions were coach speak, I did feel like a few comments gave us hits to what we can expect from the Bucs this offseason. Here are my six combine press conference insights from the Buccaneers.
Jason Licht
“To take the next step we need to get more pressure on the quarterback”
This should come to music to the ears of Bucs fans. Licht can clearly see that the pass rusher isn’t good enough. And while he did praise both Yaya Diaby and Anthony Nelson, it’s clear that he knows the room isn’t good enough. Don’t expect him to sit on his hands and count on David Walker to return from injury and save the day.
“Little of both”
When asked if the Buccaneers felt pressure to add an instant impact linebacker or develop a guy through the draft, this is how Licht responded. He talked about it depending on what’s available and how the defense can play to a rookie stepping in as a starter, but I think the bottom line is in his first three words. So will he add a free agent linebacker or draft one? Little of both. I expect one of each.
“This is not a draft where we have as many players in that top tier”
The question revolved around edge rusher, defensive line and linebacker specifically, but Licht spoke about the draft class overall. He acknowledged that this isn’t a draft with a lot of elite talent (I agree with that). He also acknowledged that the class is notably thinner at defensive line. So if this is a position he plans to draft then he will likely draft defensive line earlier than many are expecting at this point.
Todd Bowles
“They’ll both play outside”
This is in reference to Jacob Parrish and Benjamin Morrison. Both will get a chance to be the starting outside corner next year (which pretty much confirms that Jamel Dean is gone). Regardless, Bowles specified that Parrish would be playing inside at nickel as well regardless of him winning the starting outside job or not.
“Sometimes you miss”
This question was in regards to the pass rush and how it isn’t where they want it to be. Bowles didn’t name names, but it’s safe to say that this wasn’t intended for Yaya Diaby or David Walker, who was hurt his entire rookie season. Perhaps it was about Haason Reddick who was an underwhelming free agent. Perhaps it was about Chris Braswell, who hasn’t worked out in his two years in the NFL. In reality, it applies to both and Bowles probably knows that despite later talking about the great strides that he made in 2025.
“I think we need to get bigger”
This was the comment that stood out to me the most. We can deduce that they probably aren’t trying to get bigger at places like in the secondary or quarterback. In all likelihood, this refers to the defensive line. The Buccaneers drafted Logan Hall out of Houston at about 280 lbs. I expect that whoever they target to replace him will be over 300 lbs. Guys like Caleb Banks and Christen Miller stand out as non nose tackles who are on the bigger end that the team could be looking at.
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