Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht to Blame for Roberto Aguayo Fiasco

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had pressing needs. A pass rusher, a safety, a wide receiver, and offensive line help. The organization was desperate for all of those positions, but, instead, Bucs' General Manager Jason Licht took a gamble - trading back into the second round by giving up a third and a fourth round pick.

It was a desperation move.

Roberto Aguayo should've never been a second-round draft pick.

It's not that he isn't talented. Far from it. He was Florida State's 2nd three-time All-American. The first? Some guy named Deion Sanders.

As a freshman, he set NCAA records scoring 157 points in 2013.

He won the Lou Groza award in 2013, given to the NCAA's best kicker.

He never missed an extra point in college. He missed one field goal his freshman year, three as a sophomore and was automatic from 39 yards in.

Aguayo had the leg and the accolades. Still, he should have never gone that high in the 2016 NFL Draft. It's not his fault. Licht is to blame.

Kyle Brindza was the kicker to start the 2015-2016 season for the Bucs. He had the leg, nailing a 58-yard field goal against Houston that season, but was successful on only 50% of his field goals for Tampa. Brindza was criticized for some of Tampa Bay's early-season losses. Losses that came back to haunt them to end the year.

The Bucs brought Conner Barth back for a second stint and he was consistent the rest of the 2015-2016 season. But Licht was still haunted by Brindza, and Licht saw an opportunity.

When Bucs' fans stared at the TV that Friday night, the scroll read "Trade" with the Buccaneer logo next to "Pick Is In." Most fans thought it was going to be Ohio State safety Vonn Bell, who would've satisfied one of the positions Tampa desperately needed.

"Roberto Aguayo, kicker, Florida State."

Silence fell on Bucs' fans everywhere. Twitter was instantly filled with questions and venom.

This was a stupid pick. It wasn't Aguayo's fault.

A kicker was not going to change the fate of a 6-10 Buccaneer team. He was not going to win them 10 games. He wasn't worth a lofty pick, especially with so many other needs.

Aguayo struggled during the NFL's 2016-2017 preseason and grumblings could be heard across the Bay Area, but Aguayo never lost the Bucs a game like Brindza did. Other than a blowout loss against the Cardinals, Aguayo was...average.

He nailed a game winner against the Panthers on Monday Night in October. He was 92-of-94 on extra points during the regular season. What hurt Aguayo was he was never consistent - hitting only 71% of his field goal attemtps. He should've been an impact player as a second-round draft pick, but he crumbled under pressure.

A kicker should never be the savior of a franchise. It's not like the Bucs had all of the pieces in place and the final key was a kicker. They had needs all over.

Aguayo may never be the same again and his NFL career could potentially be over. He'll most likely earn a shot elsewhere. Who knows if he'll be successful, but the bust stigma is currently hanging over his head.

Licht gave up picks for a kicker.

That's not on Aguayo.