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Buccaneers GM Jason Licht Confesses to Monitoring Mock Drafts Before NFL Draft
Even general managers can't resist the fun of pre-draft mocks.
NFL Draft season is here, with the event itself beginning in just under two weeks. With this, countless hours are being spent analyzing prospects and teams as writers compile 2024 NFL Mock Drafts. Do these mock drafts have any influence on how teams draft? Not directly, but they're certainly noticed.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht admitted during a media availability on Thursday that he does look at mock drafts ahead of the event.
"Yeah, I'm not going to lie. You just kind of want to see in general where guys may be," Licht explained. "Somebody is talking to somebody that is putting the mock draft together, so you like to think that there is something there, but you never rely on it."
Different mock drafts, for different reasons, project different teams to select different players. It can be used as a reference by front offices, almost as an outside counsel giving insight into the potential selections. Of course, there's more than that reason to look at the mocks.
"Sometimes. When it's the guy that we're not targeting, I love to see it," Licht joked.
When asked about players appearing on mock drafts that the Buccaneers are indeed targeting, Licht had an equally sly answer.
"We do what we can to make sure that name isn't on there again, you know?" Licht replied.
The Buccaneers have decisions to make ahead of the draft. They can use pick No. 26 to trade up for a star talent or trade back to acquire more depth and fill more holes in the roster. The mock drafts can help the front office get a feel for what type of talents might be available later in the first round.
Again, while it doesn't directly impact anything, it's unique for a general manager to admit to looking at mock drafts built out by the media. By the time the draft ends, looking back at mock drafts and how close they were to the Buccaneers' eventual selection could be interesting.
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