Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ general manager Jason Licht told the local media at the NFL Annual Meeting that the Bucs want to go heavy on defense in the draft, but that doesn’t mean it will happen..
“Sometimes it doesn’t work out that way,” Licht said. “Yes, suffice to say that, but the way the draft falls, there’s going to be a lot of curve balls.
The Bucs’ first-round pick is at 19. Just because they acquired veteran edge rusher Hasson Reddick on a 1 year deal doesn’t mean they won’t get an edge at that pick.
“We’ve got a handful of players there that (we) think could be there at 19 including edge rushers. We’re going to stick to the best player.”
Instead of making a splash move or two in the offseason, as has been the case in recent years, the Bucs have brought back a number of their own players. Tampa Bay re-signed WR Chris Godwin to a three-year $66 million contract with $44 million guaranteed, even though he’s not fully recovered from a dislocated ankle.
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The Bucs brought back guard Ben Bredeson on a three-year contract worth $22 million. On defense, linebacker Lavonte David is returning for his 14th season, all as a Buccaneer worth $10 million, $9 million of that guaranteed.
Tampa Bay is known for rewarding good players, but Licht knows you have to upgrade on both sides of the ball every single season. Licht also said the success on offense last season was because of the offensive line.
“I’ve said it a million times, but that room (offensive line) is the most important room in the building, for everybody,” Licht said. “The football side, business side, jobs are on the line. When the offensive line room is jelling, playing well, we all thrive.”
The 90th annual NFL draft will take place April 24-26 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.
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