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Which Buccaneers’ Draftees Will Make the 2016 Roster?

By Alan Schechter

Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter speaks to the media during the NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter speaks to the media during the NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Carolina Central defensive back Ryan Smith goes through a workout drill during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Carolina Central defensive back Ryan Smith goes through a workout drill during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Ryan Smith

Ryan Smith was up next.  With 11 interceptions in his college career, Smith has ball skills.  However, he is another guy, like Grimes and Hargreaves, that is short in stature, standing at only 5’11”.  Listed as a cornerback for the draft, he enters a crowded field, with the aforementioned Hargreaves and Grimes joining a field that includes Johnthan Banks and Alterraun Verner, among others.

Some believe that he will see most of his looks at safety.  That is a possibility, but he isn’t a great tackler, called an “ankle-biter” in his draft profile.  He’s also a bit slow coming out of his breaks and changes of direction.  That will potentially make him a liability when giving help over the top.

He comes to a position of need, but with these small problems, I believe he falls too far behind the curve to make it work.

Roster Result: Cut

Next: Caleb Benenoch

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