The Bucs have had a need for a pass rusher for several years now. They have invested draft picks, made swings in free agency, and it has all been for nothing. The Bucs, however, finally seem to have caught a break as the rest of the NFL let a discussion around arm length to allow for the top-rated edge prospect Rueben Bain Jr. to fall to them.
The team selected Bain 15th overall in last month’s NFL Draft, but that was almost not the plan for the team.
Bucs general manager Jason Licht was on The Pat McAfee Show this week, and he talked about the approach the team had this offseason. Within the discussion, Licht admitted the team was in on a new Ravens pass rusher, Trey Hendrickson.
Licht explained, “Hendrickson being signed by the Ravens, we were in on that a little bit. Felt a little bit dejected at first, but now maybe it worked in our favor. Not saying Rueben’s better than Hendrickson, but I’m saying now we got our draft pick that we’re all excited about. Everybody is excited about the shiny new toy.”
Hendrickson is a proven edge rusher who has been named to All-Pro teams, as well as someone who can carry the load of a defense. While Bain can achieve all of those things, this is yet another gamble for Licht and his staff. Not saying Bucs fans shouldn’t have faith in their top pick, but everyone needs to see the results on the field now.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs GM admits the team was in on a notable free agent pass rusher
Reporting by Andrew Harbaugh, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
