Bucs GM explains 'a lot of energy' goes into their draft process
TL;DR
Bucs GM Jason Licht emphasizes the importance of careful evaluation in their draft process, especially for edge rushers. He acknowledges past failures and highlights the promise of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft class.
Key points
- Bucs GM Jason Licht discusses draft process for edge rushers.
- Past edge rusher picks have not met expectations.
- 2026 NFL Draft class has more promising edge rushers.
Mentioned in this story
The Bucs have long been searching for their answer at the edge rusher positions. Going back over the years, the likes of Noah Spence, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, and Logan Hall have not been the hits that general manager Jason Licht thought they would be.
That's not to say they haven't found some diamonds like Yaya Diaby. But they remain without that one dominant presence to be a game-changer. Licht was asked about that search at his pre-draft press conference and if the process has changed for how he looks for edge rushers.
Licht explained, "...You've got to be careful not to just feel like it's a must and force yourself to like more players than you normally would and push players up the board just to take an edge rusher to get that short-term good feeling of we drafted him and later on, you feel like maybe we shouldn't have drafted him. I don't know how much has changed. We've put a lot of energy into it, though. I feel like we've gone back and studied a lot of rushers that didn't make it or didn't work out to kind of see what we can do better, where we can focus our attention on a little bit more."
Licht has always been transparent about his draft process, making a point to highlight the lesson Lavonte David taught him. But heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, the edge rushers of the class have a lot more promise than groups of previous years. For Licht, this is a pivotal draft class, and hitting on an edge rusher would provide a much-needed boost to both the team and his standing.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: NFL Draft" Bucs GM says 'a lot of energy' goes into their process
Q&A
What challenges has the Bucs faced in finding edge rushers?
The Bucs have struggled with past draft picks like Noah Spence and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka not meeting expectations, leaving them without a dominant edge rusher.
How does Jason Licht approach the draft process for edge rushers?
Licht stresses the need for careful evaluation, avoiding the temptation to draft players just to fill the edge rusher position without proper assessment.
Why is the 2026 NFL Draft significant for the Bucs?
The 2026 NFL Draft is crucial for the Bucs as it features promising edge rushers, and successfully drafting one could enhance the team's performance and Licht's reputation.
