Conference Call: Jason Licht’s Draft History- PAC 12
In the NFL, teams used to be built in the image its head coach. Defensive-minded coaches tend to prioritize drafting and grooming defensive players while offensive-minded coaches look for young playmakers. In some cases, its the general manager who has his fingerprints on the structure of the team. In Tampa, it’s been Jason Licht who has taken on the architect role for the BUCS.
Since 2016, Jason Licht has had full control of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster. It’s safe to say he and his crew have plucked talent from almost everywhere to build the BUCS in his image of competitiveness. Let’s take a look at his draft history by conference.
Let’s look out West: The PAC-12
Updated 3/24/24
2015 6th Round-Kaelin Clay—-The BUCS scouting department seemingly had a need for speed in 2015. That led them straight to Utah where they found Clay. Clay was a speedy kick and punt return specialist who had just won four separate All-American awards after just one season as a Ute. He also made one of the big-time blunders in football by infamously celebrating before actually scoring in a big game against Oregon.
His ability to get from point A to point B with the quickness was what brought him to the BUCS. But, he never played a snap for Tampa. He was placed on the practice team as he lost out to Bobby Rainey and Donteea Dye for special teams duties. He did, however, get to play in Tampa as a member of the rival Carolina Panthers. Twice. He also visited Tampa as a member of the Buffalo Bills. All together, Clay played for 4 teams other than the one that drafted him.
2016 5th Round- Caleb Benenoch—-With the offensive line needing depth and versatility, Licht decided to go with the well-versed college veteran. Benenoch had started for the Bruins since he was a freshman. He won several accolades including an honorable mention for All-Conference. In his final year, he split between right tackle and guard. He left UCLA with the second-fewest number of QB sacks allowed in school history.
Benenoch ended up playing right guard primarily for the BUCS. He played in five games as a rookie with one start. By 2018, he ended up as the full-time starter. And it was not great. He struggled in just about every way a guard could in his one and only year as a starter in the NFL. The BUCS released him before the start of the 2019 season. He has been signed and waived by the Patriots, the Panthers, the Cowboys, Detroit, the Patriots a 2nd time, Buffalo, and that team from New Orleans. He’s played in one game between all of them.
2017 7th Round— Stevie Tu’ikolavatu—- Stevie T was a big dude. The End.
No, seriously. Tu’ikolavatu was a player that probably could’ve helped out in a major way had it not been for a knee injury that took him out of the running before the start of his rookie season. The following year, he tore his triceps. His career ended before it ever really began.
2018 1st Round- Tevita Tuliʻakiʻono Tuipulotu Mosese Vaʻhae Fehoko Faletau Vea—- After years of failing to address the defensive line in a meaningful way, Jason Licht and company looked to Washington. What they found was one of the most impressive athletes in all of college sports. The Huskies housed one of the most dominant defensive tackles in football with Vita Vea.
Many BUCS fans were clamoring for Florida State’s superstar safety Derwin James at the #7 pick. But Licht made a trade to #12 and took Vea. To those who didn’t pay attention, Vea was just another big body run stuffer. Many said he would be nothing more than a 2-down player and they shunned the pick. Vea’s injury in training camp during his rookie season did nothing to hush those doubters. He was down for a total of five months. But, by Week 10, he had started to show exactly why he was a big deal. Over the next two seasons, Vea became one of the most dominant defensive linemen in the entire NFL. He consistently beats double teams. He’s constantly making plays for his teammates. He’s been an absolute monster and a vital part of the BUCS defense.
He earned himself a second contract in 2021 worth $71M over four years and has made one Pro Bowl appearance.
2018 2nd Round -Ronald Jones—-The need for a dynamic RB was evident. The previous star RB draftee had burned out and the BUCS were left with undrafted try-hard Peyton Barber who had been with the team for 3 years. The BUCS looked to the USC Trojan to come in and give a spark to the running game behind the Barber. Jones was one of the most skilled pure runners in the draft. He had the speed to run straight past defenders and the toughness to break free from contact. He was still a developing player in the sense that he wasn’t utilized in every single way possible. He wasn’t heavily utilized as a receiver at USC. That went to fellow RB Justin Davis who had been at USC for two seasons before Jones arrived. Some fans’ first thought was “well, he can’t catch since he didn’t get a lot of receptions in college”. And that notion stayed prevalent in their minds and diminished his value from Day 1.
Jones didn’t get much playing time as a rookie, which further fed the notion that he wasn’t talented enough. The truth was that the BUCS really wanted the Barber experience to pay off. He had worked so hard to get the shot. It was a great story. But that story ended after Week 8 of 2019 when Jones took over the starting role. It was obvious that Jones was the more explosive runner, and he couldn’t be held back by a feel-good story.
Over the next two seasons, Jones established himself as one of the most potent RBs around. In 2020, he was just 22 yards short of a 1,000-yard season even though he ran the ball only 192 times, averaging 5.1 per carry. In 2021, he found himself on the bench for the vast majority of the season in favor of Leonard Fournette. He only got 101 carries in the final year of his rookie contract.
Jones resumed his career in Kansas City where he collected his 2nd Super Bowl ring despite only appearing in 6 games.
2019 5th Round- Matt Gay—-It’s probably never a good thing to be associated with multiple kickers in the draft over such a short period of time. But, that’s where we are with Jason Licht. He selected Matt Gay. Another award-winning, record-setting kicker taken with a valuable draft pick that lasted just one year with the Team. He made 27 of 35 field goals attempted. He hit on 43 of his 48 extra points.
He was released by Tampa in September of 2020. Ten days later, he signed on to the Colts’ practice team. Hever kicked for Indy. He eventually got picked up by the Los Angeles Rams just in time to stick to the BUCS by making the game-winning FG in a Monday Night Football matchup. Last second FGs became his thing as he also hit a game-winner in the NFC Championship game that led the Rams to a Super Bowl win. Bastard!!!
2021 1st Round- Joe Tryon-Shoyinka—-It could be a bit too early to make it a definitive statement, but it seems as though Licht may be 3 for 3 when selecting Huskies in the draft. Tryon-Shoyinka was brought in to be the eventual replacement for Jason Pierre-Paul. It’s a tough task to take on. But, has the physical makeup and the playmaking ability to meet the challenge. He ended up getting a lot more opportunities than originally thought due to a nagging injury to Pierre-Paul who has made a life out of playing through and bouncing back from injuries.
The young talent didn’t disappoint. He showed the type of play that alleviated the loss of a major player like JPP. He’s also displayed a level of maturity that many players don’t attain until their 2nd or 3rd year. Tryon-Shoyinka made it where the BUCS are more than okay, having not re-signed Pierre-Paul. And that’s HUGE. He followed a rookie season where he flashed playing in spot duty to being a consistent pass-rushing threat as a starter in his 2nd season in the League. The sack numbers may not reflect it. But the former Huskie was giving offensive tackles fits throughout the 2022 season.
2022 3rd Round—-Rachaad White—-The elusive “Every Down Back” was once again on the list for the Buccaneers in the 2022 draft after Ronald Jones left for free agency and left Leonard Fournette to be the starter. It was widely believed that Fournette needed a change-of-pace RB to compliment him so the BUCS could be my dynamic in the running game. The truth was that Fournette was much better suited to be the change-of-pace guy rather than the full-time starter. There needed to be a running back that could routinely hit the hole quickly and make defenders miss in space. When called upon, White filled that role quite well as a rookie.
There were some moments in his first year that made many believe he could easily upgrade to the starting RB position. With more opportunities, he just may have a breakout season in Year 2.
2022 4th Round—-Cade Otton impressed many in his rookie season. His production was relatively moderate by the numbers. But the poise he displayed in clutch situations stood out. Otton stepped in, started 11 games in place of the retired Rob Gronkowski, and stepped in front of longtime BUC Cameron Brate. Otton may be looking at another season as the TE1 going into the the 2023 season. Again, it may be a bit early. But, things are looking good for Licht and his Washington connection.
RECAP
7 Picks
2 1st-Rounders
1 Pro Bowl Appearance
2nd Contracts Earned: 1
Busts: 2
