As the draft gets closer, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are entering the final stage of their process, with general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles focused on tightening up evaluations and making sure everything lines up before they’re on the clock.
This is the part of the process where it goes beyond just the tape. Licht emphasized that the work doesn’t stop at identifying talent; it’s about confirming everything they’ve gathered over months of scouting, from on-field traits to how players are wired mentally. That extra layer is especially important for a roster like Tampa Bay’s, where fit matters just as much as ability.
Bowles’ role in this stage is just as critical. From a coaching perspective, it’s about making sure the players they’re targeting can execute within the system, particularly on defense, where roles and responsibilities are more defined. That alignment between the front office and the coaching staff is what ultimately shapes the board.
For the Buccaneers, this isn’t about making last-minute changes, it’s about confirming convictions. They’ve already done the heavy lifting throughout the scouting cycle, and now it comes down to making sure the players they’ve identified truly fit what they want to build.
At this point, the process is set. Tampa Bay isn’t scrambling for answers, they’re refining decisions, and that’s usually where this front office operates at its best.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Jason Licht and Todd Bowles doing final checks on draft prospects
Reporting by Mason Riney, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
