There are many schools of thought on the quarterback position in the first round and with the talent available. It’s really situation dependent and could go either way. Ultimately though, and in my opinion, the success of any quarterback is more layered in the foundation a team sets for them. So here is the decision this team faces.
Looking To The Future
There tends to be a large agreement among fans that is certainly evident in draft value, trades made, and draft picks. That is that the quarterback is the most important position on the field. They elevate teams or sink their ship. Rarely does a game managing quarterback push their team to championship status.
Looking to the future quarterback is absolutely a spot the front office is looking at. The question becomes do the Buccaneers like their options at number 19 overall. So far, they have announced they will have top 30 visits from Will Levis and Hendon Hooker. Both prominent quarterbacks in the draft but with different values. It seems as though Jason Licht is looking at all his options.
The Options At 19th
Will Levis is intriguing at the appropriate size and has shown some flashes. He played well against Georgia, even with an interception on the stat sheet. He was efficient, accurate, and poised against one of the best defenses in college. On the other hand he looked lost and made poor decisions in the Tennessee game. His ups and downs this season were a step back from his previous season. Add in that some front offices have expressed concerns over his ability to progress through read he may drop to the Buccaneers at 19th overall.
Anthony Richardson may find himself around 19th if the other three (Bryce Young, Will Levis, and C.J. Stroud) push his value back enough. I’m not as high on Richardson as most have been, even though I am a Gators fan (don’t hold that against me). His accuracy needs work. Also alarming to me is in six games he attempted less than 25 passes. To me that means his efficiency and completion percentage numbers, that are already low, are inflated. The more pass attempts he’s had the less his completion percentage. He’s only been above 60% completions in three games last season. Those games he had passing completions of only 17, 17, and eight passes. This is a huge red flag for me. I’d pass on Richardson.
There could be talent to be found in later rounds.
Top Tier Options Past 19th
Hendon Hooker comes into the draft looking to be called in later rounds. Though I believe his stock will rise and on draft day he may find himself called earlier than many expect. H’s been consistent and efficient throughout this last season. Posting only two interceptions to 27 touchdowns and a completion percentage of 69.6 will elevate his stock. The Buccaneers may be able to grab him in the second round, but they may have to trade for a better pick to do it.
Not Taking A Quarterback In the Draft
At this point there may be no need to take a quarterback. If Baker Mayfield can do well in this scheme with the new offensive coordinator, he will find himself with a big contract offer from the Buccaneers. If Kyle Trask develops then he may find himself finally in a starting role. With those two options the only reason you draft a quarterback is if the front office believes that Trask is not the answer.
Final Thought
First, I predict that Anthony Richardson will hear his name called before Will Levis. Levis will drop but not necessarily too far. Leaving the big four names off the board before 19th. I feel as though this is a good thing, so long as the Buccaneers don’t reach on another quarterback. This allows them to focus on a bigger pressing issue at 19th. The offensive line. Afterall no quarterback is going to survive behind a bad line. No matter how talented or their draft position. The Buccaneers should stay away from a quarterback at 19th overall.
If they draft a quarterback at all I like Hendon Hooker. His skill set, accuracy, reads, and big plays against highly talented SEC defenses looks hard to pass up. Levis and Richardson though have red flags I can’t get past.
Follow, Like and Subscribe to Bucs Report
For more on this and everything Buccaneers check back here hourly at BucsReport.com
