Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht has drafted some top-notch players during his time in Tampa Bay. He's also made several key signings/trades that helped the Buccaneers get to where they are today.

As we approach 2022 free agency and the draft, he has a chance to do even more. And one can argue that the Buccaneers need his prowess this year, more than ever.

Tampa Bay isn't in rebuild mode, but it's logical to say that the franchise is in transition mode. I mean, I'm not sure how else you could describe moving on from Tom Brady. When you add in the list of impending free agents, it lends credence to the thought of a transitional phase, even more.

One way to help with the transition is by striking big in the draft. Not only does "fresh blood" -as Licht likes to put it- help invigorate a roster, but it also helps with the salary cap down the road. Especially if the fresh blood is effective.

Licht had an interesting comment pertaining to the 2022 draft class Tuesday that could eventually reflect Tampa Bay's draft strategy this year.

“It seems like recently there’s a lot of receivers in the drafts," Licht told the media Tuesday. "I think that will continue. There [are] some good edge rushers in this draft. There’s some good corners and safeties in this draft. I don’t know if the numbers are as high as they have been in the past – in terms of the top of the draft – but there’s a lot of depth in the middle to late rounds at those positions.”

It's the last sentence of the quote that stands out. It's not just Licht who feels that way, many pundits and draft experts have said the same thing.

And when it comes to the middle rounds of the draft -let's say Rounds 2-4- Licht has really made his hay over the last few years.

Just check out the list of players that have been drafted by Licht in those rounds since 2015. Asterisks next to their names denotes starters.

• LT Donovan Smith* (Round 2, 2015)
• LG Ali Marpet* (Round 2, 2015)
• LB Kwon Alexander (Round 4, 2015)
• Chris Godwin* (Round 3, 2017)
• LB Kendell Beckwith* (Round 3, 2017)
• RB Ronald Jones II* (Round 2, 2018)
• CB Carlton Davis III* (Round 2, 2018)
• RG Alex Cappa* (Round 3, 2018)
• S Jordan Whitehead* (Round 4, 2018)
• CB Sean Murphy-Bunting* (Round 2, 2019)
• CB Jamel Dean (Round 3, 2019)
• S Mike Edwards (Round 3, 2019)
• OLB Anthony Nelson (Round 4, 2019)
• WR Scotty Miller (Round 6, 2019)
• S Antoine Winfield Jr.* (Round 2, 2020)

See what I mean? Even those not listed as starters have been major contributors to the team over the years.

Licht and the Buccaneers are in a great spot to trade back and acquire more picks this year with the 27th overall pick in the draft. And based off what Licht and others are saying, that's a very sound strategy.

And based off Licht's recent track record, the Buccaneers have a great shot to make some noise with their draft picks if they were to decide to make moves. An impactful, injection of youth will go a long way toward keeping this team competitive, which is the overall goal, at the end of the day.

Fire away, Jason. Fire. Away.

Featured image via-Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports