2016 NFL Mock Draft: And the Buccaneers Select…
The latest FanSided edition of the 2016 NFL Mock Draft is out. Let’s see who the Buccaneers pick at number nine.
The mock drafts are coming as fast as we can hit the “publish” button. Now that we have left the combine behind, the experts are busily reviewing tape, analyzing needs, trying to predict what will happen in the first round of the draft. Fansided.com has released their most recent version. Who have the chosen for the Buccaneers?
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DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
"This is a situation where the Bucs would be insane to pass on the best player available in favor of filling a need. Tampa Bay needs help in the secondary and a player like Florida’s Vernon Hargreaves III or even Clemson’s Mackensie Alexander could help the Bucs from the downbeat of the 2016 NFL season. However, DeForest Buckner is such a monster that either Hargreaves III or Alexander would be a real reach.Buckner probably will not be available with the ninth overall pick, but in this case, he is on the board and Tampa Bay wins the prize of his services. At 6-foot-7 and more than 290 pounds, Buckner is a physical force as a defensive end in either a 3-4 or 4-3 defense, and the former Oregon standout lit the world on fire at the combine while flashing incredible athleticism when considering his size.The Bucs do have a weakness in the area of pass rush, making this an easier sell, but in reality, Tampa Bay should not need to be sold on the best player remaining in the draft. DeForest Buckner may not be a 15-sack player in the NFL, but given what he can do against the run at his size, he is an every-down force from the word “go”."
Take a look at the entire mock by clicking here.
Buckner is a nice player, but Noah Spence is still available at this choice. Bosa is gone, but as the Bucs come up to their pick here, Spence is staring them right in the face. Now, Buckner has a larger reach than Spence, with an arm length of 34 3/8″, while Spence measured at 33″. His length gives him a larger tackle radius than Spence, which will help him in defending against the run in the NFL.
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Spence is a bit faster than Buckner, however. At the combine, Buckner ran a 5.05 forty yard dash, while Spence ran it in 4.8. Spence beat Buckner in all of the measurable speed drills. Spence also put up more consistent numbers in the pass rush, even though he went from Ohio State to Eastern Kentucky.
If the Bucs are comfortable with the character issues that come with Spence, he is the better choice.