Buccaneers’ 2016 Draft In The Books, Fans Approve
By James Yarcho
After months of waiting, the 72-hour whirlwind that is the NFL draft is over and the Buccaneers added seven players to their team. They made a questionable decision on day two, but Bucs fans took to social media to describe their feelings on the haul.
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As always, the NFL draft delivered drama, excitement, and surprises by the dozens. The Buccaneers were no exception there as they continued to build their team into a contender. They addressed some needs, added depth, and traded up (to much criticism) for a guaranteed three points anytime they get inside the 40-yard line. All-in-all, this appears to be another successful draft for GM Jason Licht. Of course, we won’t truly know for a few years, but on paper, things look good. Here is a quick recap of the Bucs draft;
48. . Cornerback. Florida. Vernon Hargreaves III. 11. player
Noah Spence. 39. player. 48. . Defensive End. Eastern Kentucky
Florida State. Roberto Aguayo. 59. player. 48. . Kicker
48. . Safety. North Carolina Central. Ryan Smith. 108. player
Caleb Benenoch. 148. player. 48. . Tackle. UCLA
48. . Linebacker. Oklahoma. Devante Bond. 183. player
player. 48. . Fullback. Northwestern. Dan Vitale. 197
So, after asking Bucs fans how they felt about their team once the smoke had settled and the dust cleared, here’s what we were told;
@ThePewterPlank really liked it, and cant wait till opening day!
— Cody Bowers (@cody_bowers44) May 1, 2016
4 starters, can you complain off that? https://t.co/YR6tTdKRZU
— 🦖T-Rex 🦖 (@RyanTerrana) May 1, 2016
@ThePewterPlank not too shabby. Nothing going mind blowing nothing upsetting.
— Brian DeFeo (@BriDeF36) May 1, 2016
@ThePewterPlank I give it a B+. Loved the 1st 4. Wouldve liked to address WR and S positions earlier tho.Great draft overall. I trust Jason.
— Jay Smith (@rearranged44) May 1, 2016
4 key starters coming out of it, can't complain at all. loved it https://t.co/CPpdJQIBTF
— Common Austin W (@BigBoyYoder) May 1, 2016
@ThePewterPlank @JYarcho_BUCS I think it's hard to be upset when you draft 4 starters 2 years in a row but I wish we got a ST instead of LB
— Jason Stokes (@xMisterFolgersx) May 1, 2016
Overall, response is pretty supportive of the job Jason Licht and first year head coach Dirk Koetter did in this draft. Getting a guy in the second many fans wanted in the first was a big time pick and the focus on the secondary was expected. Ryan Smith, the fourth-round pick from NC Central was a cornerback last season, but had converted from safety. Licht has said they drafted Smith as a safety, so there is the help there the Bucs needed.
Look, I’m not going to grade this draft. I don’t think you can grade a draft hours after it ends. I see the potential in guys the Bucs took, but no one will have a true sense on how this draft turned out until 2019 or 2020. Remember, we all thought Mark Barron, Adrian Clayborn, Gaines Adams, and Da’Quan Bowers were all going to be studs, so just pump the breaks and trust Jason Licht to make the right decisions. Now…how much longer until training camp?
Next: Meet The Bucs' 2016 Draft Class
Let us know how you feel about the Bucs’ 2016 draft picks in the comments below!