Jason Licht Is Ready To See These 2 Bucs Step Up In 2024

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

Although he was able to hold down the starting spot, it was clear that he had some room to grow – literally. Playing at 6-foot-6, 303 pounds as a rookie, Mauch was pushed around up front at times by bigger interior defensive linemen, allowing a team-high eight sacks, seven QB hits, and 42 hurries, according to Pro Football Focus. He has looked to change that this offseason, as he has added to his frame and has more of a guard physique.

Jason Licht shared that he thinks the young offensive lineman played better than some football analytics sites thought last year while making substantial progress in becoming a high-level starter.

“I think he’s come a long way,” Licht said. “For whatever reason, I don’t know if it was some – I’m not going to name the sites but [those that] kind of like to grade players based on TV. He played every single snap last year which is, I mean, super impressive for a rookie. Every snap, didn’t miss one snap. As a rookie coming out of a smaller school and then getting thrown to the wolves in the NFL and playing in the playoffs and all that stuff – I thought he played well for a rookie. I think he’s made huge strides compared to last year.

“He’s put on a lot of weight but a lot of good weight. He’s still just as quick, if not a little quicker than I saw him last year at this time. I think the extra weight is going to … he’s not top-heavy, he’s not sluggish or anything like that – he’s looking very good. He did it the right way, so I think that’s going to help him. He’s been in the system now for a year and he’s played in the NFL for a year, and that’s always huge – the experience. I think we’re going to find him coming out of his shell a little bit even more this year.”

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

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

Jason Licht: Zyon McCollum Has “Got The Eye Of The Tiger Now”

On the other side of the football, Jason Licht then went on to discuss cornerback Zyon McCollum, who is stepping into a more prominent role himself 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 has been handed down to McCollum.

The 2022 fifth-round pick went through some growing pains as a rookie, but last season he saw the field more often and made drastic improvements as a tackler while being trusted to fill in across 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 out there on Thursday making plays during OTAs this past week, and the expectation is that he does so more often next season.

“He made an unbelievable interception today in our two-minute drill,” Licht said. “It was phenomenal. He’s got great ball skills. He wouldn’t have done that a couple of years ago, I don’t think. His confidence is so superior compared to 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 said, ‘Hey, you got this. If you’re going to make a mistake, go full speed,’ and it was a little of a [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?

Cue up the Rocky soundtrack, because he has the eye of the tiger and is ready to rise up to the challenge.

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

Watch Bucs GM Jason Licht On The Pewter Report Podcast

While Bucs general manager Jason Licht is excited to see Cody Mauch and Zyon McCollum out on the field next season, they are not the only players he has high hopes for.

To hear everything that 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.