Bucs’ draft approach has netted starters and a handful of Pro Bowlers
General manager Jason Licht, left, and then-head coach Lovie Smith, right, pose with Mike Evans after the Bucs selected the wide receiver out of Texas A&M with their first pick in the 2014 draft. Jason Licht understands the reality of today’s NFL. Patience is scarce, and expectations are immediate.
Owners and fans don’t buy green bananas. They want results right away, especially from high draft picks expected to contribute from Day 1. But Licht has long resisted the urge to rush judgment.
While he welcomes instant impact, he believes a rookie class can’t be fairly evaluated in its first year or two, sticking instead to a more measured timeline for development. “The rule of thumb was always three years, and I still don’t want to get away from that,” Licht said. “In today’s day and age, it’s you want it now, and if your first- or second-round pick aren’t a Pro Bowler it’s a failure in some peoples’ eyes.
You still want to give them three years. ” Licht this week will preside over his 13 draft with the Bucs. It will be nearly impossible to top the name of his first pick handed to the commissioner in 2014.
Mike Evans tied Jerry Rice with 11 straight seasons of 1,000 or more receiving yards and likely will be a first-ballot selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Drafting and developing players is the lifeblood of any NFL team and is usually reflected in the win-loss record. It’s hard to quibble with Licht’s recent history: Five straight playoff appearances and four consecutive NFC South titles until both streaks ended last season.
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