The 2025 NFL Draft has been closed and answers questions with fans at the edge of the seat since the Bucs playoff loss on January 12th. It seems like it was forever before, as the focus quickly shifted to how general manager Jason Licht could improve his talented roster with holes to fill.
I’ll talk to you 95.3 WDAE’s “Drive with TKRAS” Last week, Licht discussed positions he thinks are the deepest of this year’s draft, whether his team is actively trying to move around draft boards, and why Tampa Bay’s big boards are shocking.
Jason Licht likes the depths of RB, DL and Edge in the 2025 NFL Draft
Thanks to Jason Licht and the Bucks front office work, the team has found many talents in recent draft classes. The process begins with finding talented players. Identify the right person to board. Its team building philosophy has a ripple effect every offseason, allowing teams to re-sign their biggest free agents.
At this point, Tampa Bay’s biggest draft needs aren’t as big as it looks like it was a few weeks ago.
Bucs Ilb Lavonte David, CB Jamel Dean, S Tykee Smith – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
The linebacker inside isn’t too tragic to see Lavonte David returning and signing Anthony Walker. The external linebackers were addressed in a major way with the signature of Haason Reddick. Cornerback Jamel Dean reduces the urgent urgency to draft corners, re-signs Bryce Hall and adds Kindlevilder to ensure there is more depth in the room. That’s not to say that each of these positions should not be prioritized early in the 2025 NFL Draft, but it opens up things a bit to select the right players at the right time.
Licht has revealed the positions he considers as the deepest and where he can find some value.
“It’s a deep run around, but we’re pretty good now [laughs]Licht said. “It’s a very deep group to run. There’s a lot of depth in the interior defensive line, but this is a good thing. It’s always good to be able to get into the waves on the defensive line. In recent years, in the Super Bowl, we’ve seen the Eagles have had incredible depth this year on the defensive line. Defensively, overall, I’m pretty pleased with the look I look now.
“Even if it wasn’t deep, it’s about making sure you’re bringing in the right players. I haven’t thought of it in years past – last year, running around wasn’t that deep. I didn’t think it would be good for the draft, but I got Bucky Irving.
Bucs GM Jason Licht – Photo by Bailey Adams/Pr
Reading between the lines, Licht sounded like he was in favor of the notion of adding another defensive lineman. It is not surprising that his tendency to build trench. Look at the history of his drafting, picking big shots with a huge amount of picks.
2018: Defensive Tackle Vita Vea
2020: Tackle Tristan Wife on the left
2022: Defensive Tackle Logan Hall
2023: Defensive Tackle Carriyacancy
2024: Center Graham Burton
It doesn’t even mention adding right tackle Luke Godeke after the hole and right guard Cody Morch after Kansy. How deep is the defensive line class this year, it makes too much sense to see a team add even more depth with value picks on the defensive line.
You read this and what about the outside linebacker?
Reddick helps bring production to the room, but he was signed for only a year. Looking at the long-term outlook for this position, it would be beneficial to add another young piece in combination with Yayadivie, even if Chris Braswell, the 2024 second round pick, even if it’s in the crease. If you’re a fan of this idea, Licht had an interesting response when asked about how he would see external pass rushes in this year’s class.
“I like it, I think it’s a very good group overall,” added Licht. “It’s probably good for a while. Maybe not super flashy, super elite, but there are some really good players who think they’re there on the first and second days.”
Jason Licht is “always looking for” draft day trading
Jason Lichtnuts had to stick and pick them up in the 2024 NFL Draft. Especially with all the thumb entanglements he did before selecting Bucky Irving at Pick No. 125 and Elijah Klein at Pick No. 220.
Bucks head coach Todd Bowles and GM Jason Licht – courtesy of the Buccaneers
“I’m always watching,” Licht said of moving the draft up and down. “Both scenarios where we do a little project, it takes us about a week. It’s an excel sheet that blows the minds of all different scenarios, depending on which players are there and which groups of players are there. “How far do you go back, who is who, who is, who is? I don’t want to mortgage all the picks and future picks unless there’s a player who blows the socks off.”
“I don’t know if it’s there now, but it doesn’t seem to work very often, if there’s a group of five players that we really like, then the five players that we really like, but to get back and secure extra picks, it doesn’t seem to work very often. It usually has a group of five players and when it’s still there when you choose it, it usually has a group of five players. [laughs]. ”
If you have a pool in mind at each pick range, it will be a surprising revelation who those players are for BUCS. Licht clearly did not share those secrets, but the team’s draft board suggested it was different to what you think.
Bucs GM Jason Licht and owner Joel Glazer – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
“I’ll tell you this,” Licht said. “You’ll be shocked by not only our board, but a few players. This can really go to any team. There are a few things you’re hearing in the media right now that it’s the first round pick in all mocks. [players] In all these mocks, we buried ourselves on our boards for countless reasons. Sometimes it’s personality, sometimes it’s medical, but it’s often, ‘hey, we don’t think they’re that good [laughs]. ‘
“Every year in the draft, my owners are amazing. They don’t ask or watch over my shoulder, or ask me every day, or they trust me.
