Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht’s annual pre-draft press conference offered valuable insights into both the team’s recent draft success and their evolving evaluation process heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.
The conversation naturally gravitated toward the Buccaneers’ impressive 2024 draft class, with Licht being particularly candid about running back Bucky Irving’s impact. “If I would have known what Bucky was capable of, I probably would have taken him in the second or first round,” Licht admitted, reflecting on what proved to be a fourth-round steal.
Irving’s rookie campaign justified such hindsight, as he emerged as one of the NFL’s most efficient backs. The numbers tell a compelling story: 1,122 rushing yards (10th in NFL), eight touchdowns, and a robust 5.4 yards per carry. His versatility was evident in the passing game as well, where he added 47 receptions for 392 yards. Perhaps most impressively, Irving demonstrated remarkable ball security, with just two fumbles across more than 240 touches.
The success wasn’t limited to Irving alone. The Buccaneers struck gold with several other rookies, including center Graham Barton, receiver Jalen McMillan, and safety Tykee Smith, all of whom made significant contributions in their debut seasons.
Looking ahead to this year’s draft, Licht provided insight into the team’s evaluation process, particularly regarding edge rushers. “It is an ongoing process and an evolving process of just trying to get better as an evaluator,” he explained, acknowledging the continuous learning curve in talent assessment.
The Buccaneers’ GM also emphasized the value of pre-draft visits in their decision-making process. “I just enjoy getting to know them and I like hearing their story. I feel like I can get a lot from it,” Licht shared, highlighting the importance of character evaluation alongside physical talents.
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, Licht’s track record with recent draft classes has certainly earned him the benefit of the doubt. The Buccaneers’ methodical approach to talent evaluation, combining statistical analysis with character assessment, continues to yield impressive results for the franchise.
