Jason Licht’s Draft History
Updated 3/30/24
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have experienced a lot of success in recent years, and a big part of that success can be attributed to their General Manager, Jason Licht. Since being hired in 2014, Licht has been present for a number of key draft picks that have helped the Buccaneers become one of more intriguing teams to watch in the NFL. For better or wors. Here, we'll take a look at some of the standout players that Licht has drafted over the years and examine how they have contributed to the team's success as well as some curious picks.
2014 Draft:
Licht's first draft as the General Manager of the Buccaneers was in 2014, and he wasted no time in making an impact. With the seventh overall pick, he selected wide receiver Mike Evans from Texas A&M. Evans has since become one of the NFL's top receivers, with over 8,200 receiving yards and 62 touchdowns in his career. He has been named to the Pro Bowl three times and was a First-Team All-Pro in 2016.
2015 Draft:
In the 2015 draft, Licht made another key pick in the second round when he selected linebacker Kwon Alexander from LSU. Alexander quickly became a starter for the Buccaneers and was a key contributor on defense for several seasons. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2017 and went on to sign a big contract with the San Francisco 49ers in 2019.
2016 Draft:
This was Licht’s first draft while holding the keys to the Team as former head coach Lovie Smith was fired, leaving Licht with total control of the roster. Licht made another big move in the 2016 draft when he selected cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III from the University of Florida. Hargreaves had a solid rookie season, but struggled in his second year before being released by the team in 2019. While Hargreaves didn't pan out for the Buccaneers, Licht's next pick in the draft certainly did. In the second round, he selected defensive end Noah Spence from Eastern Kentucky. Spence had a strong rookie year with 5.5 sacks, but injuries derailed his career and he was released by the team in 2019.
While both Hargreaves and Spence flamed out in Tampa over a few seasons for various reasons, Licht’s biggest bust came in the form of Roberto Aguayo, kicker from Florida State. Jason Licht traded a 3rd and 4th Round pick to move up and pick Aguayo. That was bad enough as there was really no way for the kicker to justify the move. And it turned out even worse as Aguayo completely bombed in his first and only year in the League after going 22 of 31 on FG attempts.
2017 Draft:
In the 2017 draft, Licht made two key picks that helped the Buccaneers become a highly potent offensive force. With the 19th overall pick, he selected tight end O.J. Howard from Alabama. Howard had been a solid contributor for the Buccaneers, with over 1,400 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in his career. However, it was Licht's third pick in the draft that has really made an impact. With the 84th overall pick, he selected *WR Chris Godwin from Penn State. Godwin has become a key starter on offense for the BUCS, often regarded as the second WR1 on the team next to Mike Evans.
On March 16th, 2022, Godwin signed a 3yr extension worth $60M to remain in Tampa until 2025. O.J. Howard went on to test free agency at the end o his rookie contract in Tampa.
2018 Draft:
Licht made another key pick in the 2018 draft when he selected defensive tackle Vita Vea from the University of Washington. *Vea has been a dominant force on the defensive line for the Buccaneers, with 180 tackles and 23.5 sacks in his career.
The GM also selected Carlton Davis III of Auburn, Jordan Whitehead of the University of Pittsburgh, and Alex Cappa from Humboldt State in the same draft. All became vital contributors in the playoffs, helping the team win the Super Bowl in 2021.
While Vea and Davis have signed second contracts to stay in Tampa, Cappa and Whitehead departed in free agency. Cappa signed a $35M/4yr contract in Cincinnati and Whitehead landed with the JETS for $14M over two years.
2019 Draft:
In the 2019 draft, Licht made a big move in the first round when he selected linebacker Devin White from LSU. White has become one of the NFL's top linebackers, with 483 tackles and 20.5 sacks in his first four seasons. He was named to the 2019 NFL All-Rookie Team and subsequently became a key factor in the Buccaneers' Super Bowl victory in 2021.
However, White did not make it to a second contract in Tampa. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in March of 2024.
Other key players like Jamel Dean, Sean-Murphy Bunting, and Mike Edwards came from the same draft.
* Only Jamel Dean and Anthony Nelson signed a second contract with the BUCS.
2020 Draft:
In the 2020 draft, Licht made another key pick when he selected offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs from the University of Iowa. Wirfs became an immediate starter for the Buccaneers and was a key contributor to their Super Bowl victory. He allowed just one sack in his rookie season and was named to the All-Rookie Team.
The other key pick in this draft was Antoine Winfield Jr., a safety from the University of Minnesota. Winfield Jr. instantly became a playmaker and fan favorite.
2021 Draft:
In the 2021 draft, Licht focused on improving the Buccaneers' defense. With the 32nd overall pick, he selected linebacker Joe Tryon from the University of Washington. Tryon has the potential to be a dominant force on defense, with his combination of size, speed, and athleticism. He has already shown flashes of his potential in his rookie season, with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Licht seemingly looked toward the future, eyeing the QB position. In the 2nd Round, he picked University of Florida’s Kyle Trask with the 64th pick. Whatever plans Licht may have had for Trask went on hold as Tom Brady and backup Blaine Gabbert were made a priority for Trask’s first two seasons. Trask has yet to touch the field in a meaningful regular season game. *It looked like that could’ve changed in 2023, but the signing of Baker Mayfield brought another challenge, and Trask found himself on the sidelines once again.
2022 Draft:
The 2022 Draft saw Licht try to fortify both the offensive and defensive lines. He traded out of the 1st Round to obtain an additional pick later in the draft.
With the 33rd overall pick, he selected defensive end Logan Hall from the University of Houston. And with the second pick, he took Luke Goedeke, an offensive lineman from Central Michigan. While both contributed immediately, the big standout was 3rd Round selection Rachaad White. White offered a change of pace at the RB position anchored by Leonard Fournette. With Fournette being granted his release, White can step in as the starter at RB.
*The 2022 Draft class ended up with four full-time starters by their 2nd year in the NFL(DE Hall, RG Goedeke, RB White,TE Otton). That matched Licht’s best-contributing class since 2018.
2023 Draft:
The Buccaneers seemingly got back to business with the most recent draft. It looks as though Jason Licht has taken some strong advice and some cues from Head Coach Todd Bowles.
With picks like Calijah Kancey, Cody Mauch, and YaYa Diaby in the first three rounds, it appears the BUCS are set on reestablishing the trenches on both sides of the ball. Versatility has always been a talking point for Licht regarding the offensive line. This year that extends to picks along the defensive line and on the edge.
The BUCS needed more speed on offense with a lingering injury to Russel Gage and Scotty Miller’s departure in free agency. In comes Trey Palmer , a WR from Nebraska with this year’s fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
Conclusion:
Jason Licht has proven to be one of the top General Managers in the NFL when it comes to finding and collecting talent in the draft. His biggest knocks have been his lack of a long-term plan for some of the talents he’s picked and not finding an identity for the Team, which is usually defined by a GM’s draft picks.
While not every draft pick has panned out, Licht has shown a willingness to take risks and select players that fit the team's needs. With the Buccaneers looking to make their way back to the Playoffs and, ultimately the Super Bowl, Licht will have to continue making moves to improve the team’s chances of staying as one of the top teams in the NFL.
Jason Licht’s Draft Picks By Position
*Updated Since Original Post
