A new Pewter report debuts every Tuesday at Pewterreport.com. Every week, Pewter reporters tackle another tough Bucs question. This Week’s Prompt: Who is Jason Licht’s Best Day 2 Backs Draft Pic?
Scott Reynolds: Jason Licht’s second day success began with Ali Malpett
Bucs general manager Jason Licht has become one of the league’s most skilled draft GMs in his 12 years at Tampa Bay. With his first draft pick at Future Hall of Fame Mike Evans in 2014, four impact players at center Graham Burton, defensive back Tykey Smith, wide receiver Jalen McMillan, Backbucky Iving, Licht and Buck continued to have their talents each April in last year’s seventh overall draft. Licht and Co. is well adept at hitting the team’s first round, as well as having huge successes in rounds 2 and 3 on the second day.
Former Bucs LG Ali Marpet – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Licht and Bucs have drafted many talented players on the second day in the last decade, but in my opinion, it all started with former security guards. Ali Malpett The second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. After selecting quarterback Jameis Winston on the first overall pick and drafting left tackle Novan Smith near the top of the second round, Licht traded up to the second round to select Marpet, the tough, athletic interior lineman from small Hobart University. Marpet kickstarted Licht’s love for the hardworking, small school offensive lineman, as well as his preference for drafting everyday trades and maneuvering rounds.
Malpett made only one Pro Bowl that came in the final season of 2021, but he was underrated for most of his elite career as Tampa Bay hadn’t won since 2015-19. The same fate fell in that range to linebacker Lavonte David and wide receiver Mike Evans. But Malpett was the guy who helped the Bucs win the Super Bowl LV and built a great culture because of his blue-collar work ethic and leadership style. Marpett retired suddenly at the age of 28 – still at the top of his game due to concussion concerns.
Mattera: Antoine Winfield Jr. was quick to succeed
Plus, it feels like an absolute stolen in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, when the Bucs can safely secure Antoine Winfield Jr. The first two picks of the year go down as a historic one-two combo by Jason Licht, with Tristan WIRF and second Winfield in the first round. Winfield was quick to make it with the Bucs by winning Super Bowl LV during his rookie season. He also recorded the intercept of Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl.
Bucs FS Antoine Winfield Jr. – Photo: USA Today
Winfield continued the following season by making his first career Pro Bowl, and also recorded interceptions in that game. His best season came much more when he became a name no one in the league forgot when it came to the game plan for the Bucks defense. Winfield recorded 122 tackles, six sacks, three interceptions, 12 pass breakups and six forced fumbles leading the league. All this earned him the first team All-Pro honour.
Although injuries slowed him during the 2024 season, when he was healthy, Winfield was a Tampa Bay impact player and is undoubtedly changing the defensive landscape when Todd Bowles plays. The Bucs missed him badly when he went out for eight games, but 2025 should be coming for the year of bounceback. This means more success for the team and another opportunity for the Super Bowl title.
Bailey Adams: In time, Tykey Smith could be involved in the conversation
Look, the answer to this question is probably Chris Godwin. We’ve also heard cases of Ali Malpett and Antoine Winfield Jr. However, we don’t want to double the answers for discussion of the PR roundtable, so let’s take a look at this question alternatively. I think in the end, Tykee Smith will be able to find himself in conversations with Godwin, Marpet and Winfield. He’s a year after his career, but Yaro certainly points out the former Georgia Bulldog.
As a rookie, Smith started at nickel cornerback for the Bucks and despite missing some time due to injury, he led Tampa Bay with forced fumbles (3) and intercepts (2). It could get even better that year as he missed four games. Smith could move safely and play alongside Winfield. And that might allow Smith to take his game to another level.
Bucs S Tykee Smith – Photo: Cliff Welch P/R
When Jason Licht and his staff drafted Smith with the No. 89 pick in last year’s draft, it was clear he had to make sales. He had four intercepts in two years at West Virginia, then was given a truly contribution shot at a really high level in his final year at Georgia, carrying four intercepts. Back to safety, Smith may have more football and more likely to move the game to another level.
Plus, since Smith arrived in Tampa Bay, coaches and teammates have rave reviews for the mental aspects of his game and how quickly he picked up defenses, adapted to the NFL, and seemed more than just a rookie. The 24-year-old is a soccer guy with a mentality and smart type with a long career in the NFL. And given the way the Bucs likes to take care of themselves, a long career in the NFL could mean a long career in Tampa for Smith. If so, why couldn’t he have a conversation for Licht’s best day two pick?
Josh Queipo: Chris Godwin embodies the Buccaneer method
Now, in his third contract, Chris Godwin has emerged as both the field and off-field gold standard for the Buccaneers organization. He is a proven producer, with amassing nearly 600 year old catches and over 7,000 yards over eight seasons. This included 2019 with 1,333 yards, earning the second team All-Pro. He gets this yard on the hardway, plays the role of a power slot, filming shots from linebackers and box safety, and excavating defenders as an integral part of the run game. On the field, Godwin has no work that is too big or too small.
Beyond his productions, he has loved himself in his fanbase by peering into the sacrifices that have taken him into his body and mind, and by overcoming not one but two catastrophic lower body injuries. The cart scene leaves enduring memories for multiple generations of BUCS fans.
Chris Godwin realizes his season is over and says he’s incredible to “go back to work.” What a gamer. 53 will win many championships against Chris Godwinds. pic.twitter.com/xmlwaucgfz
– Damon Amendrara (@damonondo) October 22, 2024
Godwin ripped for three more seasons in Tampa Bay. And on all accounts he did it with a sudden discount compared to the money he might have received elsewhere. When you add everything, he and his wife Mariah do for the Tampa Bay community through their foundations and who he always shows himself, you say typical player Jason Licht is ongoing death. It’s no wonder the team bets that they’ll come back from an ankle dislocation and come back to form again.
The pick was one of the best in franchise history, regardless of context or filter, as it ranked second in team history in reception and reception yards and number one in grit and tenacity before his 30th birthday when receiving a touchdown.
Adam Slivon: Luke Goedeke was key to the success of the Bucs offensive line
Imagine putting Luke Godeke on this list after his struggle as a rookie. Goedeke, who played left guard, struggled to make a switch for the draft picks of the other Jason Licht offensive line that went from college tackles to NFL guard. After the 2022 season, he returned to the right tackle when Tampa Bay released. The team felt comfortable moving the Tristan wire to protect Baker Mayfield’s blindside. It was a risk of trusting Goedeke in an old spot on WIRFS, but the move paid off in a huge way.
Bucs rt luke goedeke – Photo: Cliff Welch/Pr
It’s fair to say over the past two seasons, Goedeke has more than endured the investment that made him his second pick. In the process, he became a top five player in the right tackle position. As he played a key role, it brought wonders to offensive lines and general run games Tampa Bay has the top run game. Goedeke is not only a maurer who made lots of holes for Bucky Irving last season, but he is also a certified garbage speaker who properly closed some of the league’s best pass rushes.
After WIRFS was the final starter for the Bucs 2020 Super Bowl team, the offensive line was in disarray and had to be improved soon. Adding Graham Burton and Cody Morch was a great choice in and of itself. For now, Luke Goedeke is one of the better day 2 picks for this team and it’s safe to say he’s only going to get himself even more entrenched in this discussion as he continues to wear Red and Pewter.
