So what about trends through 11 years of Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht tackling the NFL Draft?
One is Licht’s streak of five consecutive seasons drafting an offensive lineman — six O-linemen in those five years.
Licht took a break from the offensive trenches in 2019 after drafting six O-linemen through through the previous five drafts (2014-2018).
Yeah, Licht enjoys building an O-line.
He’s damn good at it, and it’s hard to believe the Bucs won’t draft another offensive lineman next week.
That brings Joe to University of Pittsburgh captain Branson Taylor. Joe’s watched some film and Taylor feels like a Licht kind of guy — big, physical tackle (6-6, 321 pounds) who played both sides of the line and appears primed to move inside.
Taylor is a fifth-year senior who was a stud basketball player in high school. He’s projected by many to be a fifth- or sixth-round pick. He’s coming off a torn meniscus midway through last season, but at the Pitt Pro Day a few weeks ago, Branson said he’s now 100 percent healthy.
Taylor has the size to play tackle in the NFL, so he could be an unusually versatile prospect.
There are other late-round names Joe could see Licht sniffing hard, as well, such as Eli Cox, the Kentucky center. He’s projected as a sixth- or seventh-round pick.
Not only has Cox started at center, he’s started at guard. But he also was a Wildcats captain in Liam Coen’s offense, a system the Bucs are trying to keep intact. The former Bucs offensive coordinator called plays at Kentucky in 2023.
Thanks to The Sickness, Cox spent six years at Kentucky (four different playcallers and offensive line coaches) and made 47 starts. He’s 6-4, 306 and is known as a mature dude. The guy got his bachelor’s degree in 2022 and has been on the SEC leadership council.
