\u201cNo problem. If we view the player as a high-end, very high-end talent that\u2019s going to make an impact at some point, I have no problem,\u201d said Licht.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a strategy the Bucs have lived by strictly in the first round before using the rest of the draft to address team needs.<\/p>\n
There may be no better example than just last year, when the Bucs bypassed pressing needs at pass rusher and inside linebacker to draft wide receiver Emeka Egbuka in the first round.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Wide receiver was already viewed as arguably the team\u2019s strongest position group, but that didn\u2019t stop Tampa Bay from drafting the best overall player on their board.<\/p>\n The move aged like fine wine<\/a>, as Egbuka had an incredible rookie season and is now poised for an even bigger role in his sophomore season after Mike Evans<\/a> departed in free agency.\u00a0<\/p>\n Just a year later, the Bucs enter the draft with the same needs as a year ago: pass rusher and inside linebacker.<\/p>\n But based on the draft board, it\u2019s very possible that the best player available when the Bucs pick at No. 15 overall won\u2019t be at either of those positions. Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq<\/a> or Penn State guard Vega Ioane<\/a> might not fill an immediate need, but they might be the best suited to make the Buccaneers a better football team in the long run.\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s a deep defensive draft class, so Bucs fans shouldn\u2019t overreact if the first round pick doesn\u2019t fill one of the immediate needs.\u00a0<\/p>\n There are seven rounds for a reason, and Licht and his front office have earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to scouting talent. They\u2019ve been among the best teams in the NFL when it comes to developing and maintaining homegrown talent for a reason.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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