Jason Licht is ready to see these 2 Bucs step up in 2024

When looking at how the Bucs and general manager Jason Licht have built their roster over the past few seasons, the emphasis on youth and production the team has received from its recent draft classes has propelled the team in a window of continuous competition, as evidenced by four straight playoff appearances and three straight NFC South titles.

Although the youth movement has played a key role in Tampa Bay’s continued success, Licht discussed two players in particular at length. on Thursday’s Pewter Report podcast who possess a lot of potential and have the chance to take the next step as building blocks next season.

Jason Licht sees a ‘big, big future in store’ for Cody Mauch

Taking him in the second round last year, the Bucs were ahead of right guard Cody Mauch’s versatility and moved him inside after he started at left tackle at North Dakota State. Mauch played every moment of his first NFL season, an impressive feat for any rookie.

Even though he managed to retain his starting spot, it was clear that he still had room to grow – literally. Playing at 6-foot-6, 303 pounds as a rookie, Mauch was sometimes pushed up front by bigger interior defensive linemen, allowing eight sacks, seven QB hits and a team-high 42 carries. team, according to Pro Football Focus. He looked to change that this offseason, as he strengthened his frame and had more of a guard physique.

Jason Licht said he thought the young offensive lineman played better than some football analytics sites thought last year, while making substantial strides toward becoming a top-level starter.

“I think he’s come a long way,” Licht said. “For some reason I don’t know if that was the case – I’m not going to name the sites but (those that) like to kind of rate players based on TV. He played every snap last year, which is, I mean, super impressive for a rookie. With each shot, I didn’t miss a single one. As a rookie coming out of a small school and then being thrown to the wolves of the NFL and playing in the playoffs and all that – I thought he played well for a rookie. I think he’s made huge progress from last year.

“He gained a lot of weight, but a lot of good weight. He’s still as fast, if not a little faster, than I saw him last year at this time. I think the extra weight will… it’s not too heavy, it’s not slow or anything like that – it looks really good. He did it the right way, so I think that will help him. He’s been in the system for a year now and he’s been playing in the NFL for a year, and it’s still huge – the experience. I think we’re going to find him coming out of his shell a little more this year.

Last year, it was right tackle Luke Goedeke who improved by leaps and bounds along the offensive line while playing with more confidence and letting his personality shine on the field in his second season at Tampa Bay. This year it could very well be Mauch, and Licht expects him to occupy the place alongside Goedeke for the long term.

“I see a big, big future for him as a very quality offensive guard, starting offensive guard in the league,” Licht added.

Jason Licht: Zyon McCollum ‘now has the eye of the tiger’

On the other side of the football, Jason Licht then talked about cornerback Zyon McCollum, who himself will take on a bigger role next season in his third year in Tampa Bay. After the Bucs traded Carlton Davis III to the Lions, the starting outside cornerback spot opposite Jamel Dean was passed to McCollum.

The 2022 fifth-round pick experienced some growing pains as a rookie, but last season he saw the field more often and made drastic improvements as a tackle while being trusted to fill in in the secondary. In fact, head coach Todd Bowles went out of his way this offseason to call him a defensive chess piece for his defense.

Licht shared that McCollum was there Thursday to play in OTAs last week, and he is expected to do so more often next season.

“He made an incredible interception today during our two-minute drill,” Licht said. “It was phenomenal. He has excellent skills with the ball. He wouldn’t have done that a few years ago, I don’t think. His confidence is so much higher than where he was as a rookie.

“I remember looking at him as a rookie in the locker room where he was forced to start a game and I told him, ‘Hey, you got this.’ If you make a mistake, go full speed ahead,’ and it was kind of (Licht’s eyes widen), ‘Okay, I’m going out here and I’m going to start in the NFL.’ I mean, he was up for the task, but he doesn’t have that look anymore.

What kind of look does he have instead?

Locate it Rocky soundtrack, because he has the eye of the tiger and is ready to take on the challenge.

“He now has the eye of the tiger,” Licht added. “He’s improved his tackling, he’s got tremendous ball skills, like we said, but as you know, he’s a phenomenal athlete. Really, really excited to see what’s in store for him this year because he has all the tools, that’s for sure. Again, another phenomenal teammate.

Watch Bucs GM Jason Licht on the Pewter Report Podcast

Although Bucs general manager Jason Licht is excited to see Cody Mauch and Zyon McCollum on the field next season, they aren’t the only players he has high hopes for.

To hear everything Licht had to say about the current roster, check out his nearly hour-long appearance on Thursday’s Pewter Report podcast by clicking the link below.