Conference Call: Jason licht’s Draft History- The ACC

Updated 3/28/24

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 case, 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.

Up next: The ACC

Jason Licht’s draft selections and team building have had its ups and downs. He’s had some very solid picks. There should be no doubt about that. But, he’s also had some pretty bad misses and some controversial picks. Oddly enough, the most egregious have come from the Atlantic Coast Conference.

2015 1st Round-Jameis Winston- Taken with the #1 overall pick in the draft, Winston had a lot to live up to. He was a year removed from having one of the most phenomenal seasons in college football history. His follow-up season wasn’t anywhere close to capturing the same magic. But, that didn’t stop Licht and then-head coach Lovie Smith from making the selection. Licht famously admitted to breaking down in tears after securing Winston draft night.

Winston struggled with consistency and impulse control his entire tenure in Tampa. In his 5 seasons in Tampa, he rarely strung together more than 2-3 decent games. He’d make a few solid throws. He’d make a few lucky throws. And then he’d try to repeat the lucky ones which, more or than not, ended up in the hands of a defender. This tendency was present in Winston’s second and final year as a starter at Florida State.

While the draft pick wasn’t that big of a question mark, Licht’s commitment to the pick definitely was. Licht seemed hellbent on making that pick pan out. There was enough evidence to, at the very least, question the likelihood of Winston becoming a true franchise QB by the end of the 2017 season. Licht picked up the 5th year option on Winston’s rookie contract in April of 2018. By June of 2018, Winston was suspended for 3 games by the NFL for violating the personal conduct policy after a sexual assault allegation. Licht stayed committed to the dream. Licht even fired head coach Dirk Koetter and removed any semblance of a capable backup to alleviate the pressure of having Winston watch his back for job security. Licht was rewarded with Winston turning in a season that ended in 33 TDs with 30 INTs. A stat line so ludicrous, it comes with chicken and beer.

Winston was released of his duties in March of 2020 when Jason Licht decided to give a journeyman QB a shot at winning a championship.

2016 2nd Round-Roberto Aguayo- This one will forever live in infamy. Jason Licht traded a 3rd and a 4th Round pick to the Chiefs to move up into the 2nd to select the Seminole kicker. Licht and his scouting crew were immediately the laughing stock of the League after this move.

Aguayo was the 4th kicker to get picked within the first two rounds of the draft in 25 years. He entered the draft as the most accurate kicker in NCAA history. He ended his rookie season with the lowest FG percentage of all kickers that attempted more than two kicks. Aguayo was released after the 2017 preseason. He has since been signed and waived by Carolina, Chicago, L.A. Chargers, and New England. He has yet to kick again in a regular-season game.

2018 2nd Round-M.J. Stewart-The Tarheels aren’t really known for their football products. But, that didn’t deter Jason Licht from looking. In Chapel Hill, he found a standout CB in M.J. Stewart. The 5’11 CB was UNC’s all-time leader in pass breakups. He was All-ACC honorable mention in his last two seasons of college. Stewart’s career with the BUCS began with him as the backup to the struggling Vernon Hargreaves. One can guess the plan was to have him take over for the former first-rounder. But, Stewart apparently struggled to take that spot. After just two seasons, the BUCS released him in August of 2020. He was picked up off the waiver wire by the Browns. He’s played the last two seasons in Cleveland. But, he’ll resume his career in Houston after signing a $2.5M/1yr deal in March.

2018 4th Round-Jordan Whitehead- This Pitt Panther was one of the best surprises in Licht’s tenure. Whitehead was a solid, hard-hitting safety that came in at the right time. For most of his rookie season, he lined up next to another fast safety with a tendency for big hits and making splash plays. Whitehead started 55 of his 59 games in Tampa. He made plays all over the field and turn in some big-time performances. However, he surprisingly wasn’t offered a 2nd contract at the end of the 2021 season. Instead, he signed a 2-year/$14M contract with the JETS.

After two seasons in New York, Whitehead was welcomed back to Tampa signing a 2-yearyr/$9M contract.

2021 3rd Round- Robert Hainsey- When it comes to offensive linemen, some schools just come to mind. Notre Dame is one of them. With his 3rd pick in the draft, Jason Licht chose Hainsey. The big fella was a four-year starter at Notre Dame. He played right tackle, mostly. But, he was praised for his versatility after switching things at the Senior Bowl. After the draft, it was made known that he’d be training at the center position. He didn’t see the field in his rookie season. And unless injury strikes, he may not see the field in 2022 as starting center Ryan Jensen inked a $39M/3yr deal in March.

Updated 03/10/2023

After Jensen went down with a serious knee injury, Hainsey stepped in and filled in admirably. After a couple of shaky games to start, Hainsey settled and proved himself a solid starting center in the League. He started all 17 regular-season games. It was still a question of when his next opportunity may come since Jensen returned to the lineup for the 2022 Playoffs.

Updated 3/27/2024

Hainsey went on to start at Center for the entirety of the 2023 season when Ryan Jensen couldn’t resume his playing career due to his knee injury.

recap

5 Picks

1- 1st Rounder

1- Pro Bowl (Jameis Winston 2016 4th Alternate)

2nd Contracts Earned : **1

BUSTS: 3