Look For Immediate Impact in The Draft

Bucs Gm Jason Licht is about to do his 4th NFL draft with the team and so far with his previous drafts he has done a great job of adding starters. The Bucs have added 8 starters via the draft the last three years, including key core players like Jameis Winston, Mike Evans, Ali Marpet, and Kwon Alexander. The Bucs have gotten back to building their team through the draft as Licht and his staff have done a great job so far. This upcoming draft is no different as the Bucs will look to add more rookies that can come in and have an immediate impact in year 1.

The Bucs have acquired players that are ready to play right away and make impact on day 1. For example, last years draft the Bucs got Vernon Hargreaves and Noah Spence whom both were ready to step onto the field on day 1 of training camp. Same goes for Mike Evans and Jameis Winston, as they were guys who just were pro ready. This is why in my opinion players like Christian McCaffrey, Dalvin Cook, Budda Baker, and Jabrill Peppers make tons of sense at 19. Players like John Ross, David Njoku, and Obi Melifonwu could be in play as well as they could provide day 1 impact.

I feel this team is ready to win now especially with the free agent signings of Desean Jackson and Chris Baker. Assuming Cook, Howard, and Davis are gone, a player like Christian McCaffrey or Budda Baker just makes so much sense to me. Both have the mental makeup to be great in this league plus the physical traits that are needed, and they can make an impact on day 1 for this team. One thing is for certain, Licht will stay true to his board and so far that has produce a pretty good track record. Again the draft is still 28 days away which means things can change, but as of now look for the Bucs to add someone who can make an impact on day 1.

Why Would Licht Let Martin Leave?

Jason Licht has built a reputation for being the smartest man in the room and has proven that with his great drafts and also by surviving the Glazers first firings. So why would he let Martin get out of Tampa? Licht may be taking a page from his old team the Patriots, by letting a player go for the better of the team. The Patriots have let many "A" list players go that have gone away to other teams. A few to name are Wes Welker, Richard Seymour, Mike Vrabel, Asante Samuel and the list only continues. These are players that still were good yet would crush the teams overall ability to be fully complete due to contract issues. Licht is no dummy and is a true GM in that he plans ahead evident by this quote via Joe Kania.

Licht says the Bucs will talk to Mankins soon. Says building takes 3 years. Won't impact the team's current plans if he retires.

— Joe Kania (@BucsDotCom) February 24, 2016

With that said Licht is looking 3 years ahead. Was the pick of Charles Sims 2 years ago already a plan towards the future? Most likely so, as in todays NFL there are usually 2 back committees instead of one work horse. Martin although a good player is not the caliber of an Adrian Peterson and doesn't deserve the same cap number at all. If he wants anything more than 7 million the Bucs would most likely look elsewhere.

Looking forward to the 2017 draft, the running back position is littered with high profile talents like Leonard Fournette, Dalvin Cook, Nick Chubb and Christian McCaffery, all of whom should be considered 1st round selections but will fall due to how much the running back position has been devalued. Any of which would be a great addition if Martin did end up leaving. Jameis has gone on record as to say how much he values Martin but also how much he likes another running back. Via 620 WDAE

Jameis Winston says Doug Martin is the best running back I've ever seen..........except Davonte Freeman and Dalvin Cook. #Bucs #FSU

— **620 WDAE** (@620wdae) December 30, 2015

Licht has the best interest of the Bucs first and wont jeopardize the future of the franchise for one player. You better believe he has planned and thought a lot of this through and is waiting for his plan to play out. Up to Martin to see if he truly wants to be a Buc or play for the money.