Hope for 2015 is dead. Even Lovie Smith declared the year finished and tossed in the garbage yesterday.

But Christmas is still on the calendar, so it was fitting that Lovie would talk about the universal Christmas, the 2016 NFL Draft.

The Bucs’ overlord of football operations was asked by a fan on the Buccaneers Radio Network last night whether he was excited to fill defensive holes in next year’s draft. And if he liked what how the one defensive pick of his two-year regime panned out last year.

Lovie glowed about Alexander, and a twinkle in Lovie’s eye appeared to flow through the WDAE-AM 620 airwaves.

It sounds like Lovie wants defensive talent from Santa Claus.

“You have an idea what direction you’re going to go early on.” Lovie said. He added: “We really hit it on our drafts, getting good young players that are building the foundation of our team. I think it’s kind of safe the direction we’ll be going in the draft this year.”

Whoa! The legal tobacco water pipes are cooking at One Buc Palace. The smoke is flowing early from the draft war room. The Bucs are going defense!

Joe’s not buying it so fast.

The Bucs need to attack free agency and, as of now, have significant issues and question marks at wide receiver. And can you ever go wrong drafting the right offensive lineman? Jason Licht has nailed three out of the four O-linemen he’s selected. One more would be awfully to cement lasting health of America’s Quarterback.