What an off-season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They were able to sign
the greatest QB of all-time in Tom Brady, and a week ago, traded for one of the
best tight ends ever. If getting Brady and Gronk wasn’t exciting enough for
Bucs fans, we get the NFL draft. In this post, I will analyze each pick made by
the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and assign an overall grade for the draft.
Before looking at
each individual draft pick, let’s look at what the Bucs needed coming into the
draft. The biggest need for the Buccaneers was an OT. RT was a weakness for the
Bucs in 2019 and is an absolute need for the 2020-2021. Another need that ranks
high for this season is RB. The Bucs top back the past few seasons, Peyton
Barber, has signed with the Redskins. Tampa must at least get somebody to pair
with Ronald Jones before the season. With Tom Brady getting up there, the Bucs
could use a developmental QB for when Brady eventually retires. Secondary is
still not an area of strength and Tampa Bay must improve their pass defense.
Tampa needs safety help. The defensive line and pass rush could always use some
extra bodies. Finally, the #3 WR from last year, Perriman, has moved up. Tampa
should look to upgrade its WR core after Evans and Godwin. Did Tampa hit on
some positions of need?
Round 1 Selection 13 Tristan
Wirfs OT Iowa
The Buccaneers moved up one spot and selected the most
athletic lineman in the draft. Out of the 4 big tackle prospects, it seemed the
least likely to end up in Tampa was Wirfs, so it was quite the coup to get him
at 13. Tampa had to get one of the top 4 guys and they did well moving up to
get him. Wirfs is an amazing specimen for a guy his size and has tremendous
feet. The Iowa prospect absolutely dominated in college and is just what the
Buccaneers needed. Many scouts believe Wirfs was the best lineman in this draft
class, so this has to be considered a home run pick for the Bucs. The only
negative, is giving up a 4th rounder to move up just one spot, but
you have to pay the cost sometimes. Wirfs had to be a Buccaneer with the other
3 big tackles off the board, and the Bucs landed him. Great pick from the
Buccaneers to start the draft.
Round 2 Selection 45 Antoine
Winfield Jr. S Minnesota
Antonine Winfield at this point in the draft was an
absolute steal. This is my favorite draft pick this Bucs have made in quite
some time. Winfield will be an immediate impact player for the Bucs. This team
needed safety help and drafted this playmaking safety with the 45th
selection of the draft. You could easily argue that Winfield was the best
safety in this draft class. I had Winfield in my top 15 players for this draft
and believe he is that top safety. This was an amazing selection. His dad had a
great career in the league, and Jr. could very well end up being better than
dad. The selection instantly upgrades the secondary and will be a tremendous
help to the Buccaneer defense. I believe that Winfield will be a fan favorite
for the Bucs and will be in the running for rookie of the year. Who doesn’t
love a ball-hawking safety in the secondary?
Round 3 Selection 76 Ke’Shawn
Vaughn RB Vanderbilt
This is the only selection the Bucs made that I did
not love at the time. There were other players on the board that I liked more. That
being said, there is a lot to like with Vaughn. The Vanderbilt product is one
of the best pass protecting backs in the draft. Additionally, Vaughn breaks
tackles and is a good compliment to Ronald Jones. Vaughn should help in the red
zone area, where Tampa has struggled recently, and in the passing game. While
many fans didn’t love this pick, it could be just what the doctor ordered for
Tampa Bay.
Round 5 Selection 161 Tyler
Johnson WR Minnesota
Tampa went to pick another Minnesota standout with the
161st selection of the draft. The team picked up quite a few Golden
Gopher fans in this draft I am guessing. Johnson is a great fit in a Tom Brady
offense. Brady loves spreading the ball around, and Johnson should see plenty
of targets. He has made some brilliant catches, including in Raymond James
Stadium for the Outback Bowl. Getting Johnson in the 5th round was
quite the accomplishment. Tampa fans will learn to love their second Tyler
Johnson in the area. Hopefully this one will have a playoff run like the other
Johnny did a few years back.
Round 6 Selection 194 Khalil
Davis DL Nebraska
Davis has a lot of upside and can really move, but he
is a project. That being said, if you are taking a project on the defensive
line, you want a guy with a good motor and a guy with upside. He has been the
best defensive lineman for Nebraska for a few years and is a solid pickup here
in the 6th round. It would be awesome if the Bucs could turn Davis
into being a big contributor for the Todd Bowles defense.
Round 7 Selection 241 Chapelle
Russell OLB Temple
Russell was a good depth move for the Bucs. He will
not be an instant starter, but is a great player and an awesome 7th
round selection. Tampa has an outstanding track record with drafting
linebackers and Russell could likely be the latest example of that. His tape
shows a disrupter that plays with a lot of effort. Tampa fans will love Russell
who could excel in special teams.
Round 7 Selection 245 Raymond
Calais RB Louisiana
Calais is the perfect example of the all-purpose back.
He isn’t a feature back, but he definitely has a place in today’s NFL. He is a
fast back with a good quick burst. Additionally, he will likely be the Bucs
return guy if he breaks camp with the team. I love this pick and think Bucs
fans will love Calais when he runs one back this year.
Overall draft
The Bucs crossed off all the big needs and got at
least 2 really solid starters in this draft. Johnson, Vaughn, and Calais will
all contribute to the playoff push this year as well. This draft had everything
for the Bucs and will make a big difference down the road. Hard to give them
anything but an A.
Draft Grade: A
This was a great draft class
for the Bucs.
Fire the cannons!
-
Noland
No comments:
Post a Comment