So, what do Bucs fans want?

With the draft coming a week from Thursday night, what do Bucs fans want Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to do?

Listening to the loud crowd, which often drowns out those who use reason, Joe thought surely Bucs fans wanted Licht to draft a center at No. 26 a week from Thursday. Then Joe ran a poll. Joe’s readers prefer an edge rusher.

That makes a ton more sense at No. 26. Smart choice.

So now the question is, who? The PFF tribe has something called a mock simulator. And it seems per this contraption, Bucs fans want Florida State beast Jared Verse, so types Gordon McGuinness.

Verse is probably the safest bet. UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu looks like a Bosa to Joe. He is going to be a handful, but he has a neck injury. That may understandably pull him off a few teams’ draft boards.

Here’s what Dane Brugler of The Athletic typed on Verse in his draft guide “The Beast.”

SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Florida State, Verse played the “FOX” edge rusher role in defensive coordinator Adam Fuller’s 4 -3 base scheme, standing up and rushing with his hand on the ground. After receiving only one scholarship offer (Albany), he developed into one of college football’s best edge rushers, collecting 29
tackles for loss and 18 sacks in his 25 games in Tallahassee. As a pass rusher, Verse can win with speed or power and flashes violence in his hands to break down the rhythm of blockers. He sets a physical edge in the run game and is always around the football, because of his awareness, effort and fierce play personality. Overall, when he channels his relentless energy, Verse is as disruptive as anyone in this class, because of his explosive get-off, power through his frame and NFL-quality hand use. His physical traits and competitive football temperament give him a high floor as an NFL starter (reminiscent of ei ght-year NFL veteran Dante Fowler).

Well, comparing Verse to Dante Fowler (Joe can see the physical comparison) is a slap in the face to Verse.

Fowler never lived up to his potential and is a third-rate pass rusher. Think one-armed Jason Pierre-Paul, like JPP was his final year with the Bucs, though he did have a couple of strong seasons.

Joe doesn’t think Fowler could bullrush 320-pound tackles into the quarterback the way Verse does.

Brugler has Verse as his No. 2 edge rusher, ranked higher than Latu.

Unless the Bucs are leaning toward Alabama’s Dallas Turner, Verse is probably the best, safest pick for an edge rusher in the draft. And if Bucs fans want Verse, Joe is glad to jump on the bandwagon.