The 2020 NFL draft kicks off in less than two weeks, and this year’s event will be entirely virtual as we all work to practice social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic. That means NFL teams and execs will be conducting the draft from the comfort of their own homes, including Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht.
According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Licht will have the team’s director of football technology, Spencer Dille, at his house to make any repairs for him should technical difficulties arise during the draft, such as a disconnection.
But even with technology being as advanced as it is these days, Licht said he’s prepared to go the old-fashioned route and just phone in the selection if he experiences any problems.
Per Licht:
“Sometimes you can get over-technical in these situations. You want to make sure you have a hardline phone. You want to make sure you have several phones available to you, cell phones, what have you. But sometimes it comes down to old-fashioned picking up the phone and calling on the league office and saying, ‘We’re going to pick this player.'”
If Licht does have to pick up the phone, he’d place a call to Ken Fiore, the NFL’s vice president of player personnel, in order to give the league the name of the Bucs’ pick. Just to be on the safe side, though, Licht will take part in a mock draft hosted by the NFL sometime between now and the actual draft so they can work out any kinks.
Licht couldn’t help but make a little joke about the upcoming mock draft when appearing on The Rich Eisen Show Thursday, saying, “I may pick a kicker.” Of course, he was referring to his decision to draft former kicker Roberto Aguayo in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. Aguayo lasted just one season with the Bucs, and his release from the team was one of the most heartbreaking moments in the history of Hard Knocks.
Don’t forget that Licht drafted kicker Matt Gay in the fifth round of last year’s draft, so I think the Bucs are set at the position… for now.
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