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Buccaneers’ 2017 7-Round Mock Draft 1.0

By Zach Sauers

May 28, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter and general manager Jason Licht watch practice at One Buc Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter and general manager Jason Licht watch practice at One Buc Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Eddie Jackson (4) returns a kick during the third quarter of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Alabama won 48-43. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Eddie Jackson (4) returns a kick during the third quarter of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Alabama won 48-43. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

Eddie Jackson – Safety – Alabama

In the third round of the 2017 NFL draft, the Bucs’ select… safety Eddie Jackson out of Alabama. The former corner is only still around due to his undersized build and his recent leg injury, and that is it. Jackson is a true ball hawk, and it showed when his position was changed. His transition to safety helped him intercept six balls in 2015 and made teams rethink whether they wanted to throw the deep ball.

More from Bucs Draft

The Bucs’ safety group was one of the worst in the league this season. Former starters Chris Conte and Bradley McDougald are coming free agents,  and the Bucs need to look towards the future. McDougald is a young player and it would be wise to re-sign him to continue his grooming, but as for Conte, he should start packing his bags. Keith Tandy stepped in for Conte during the second half of the season and played the best all-around safety play all season.

Tandy deserves to keep his spot in the lineup, but if Conte is gone/McDougald resigned, the Bucs will only have two returning safeties on the roster due to the position move of Ryan Smith.

With the position move of Smith, it is evident that the Bucs wanted a safety that possess the skills of a corner. Jackson is just that guy. A true coverage safety might be what is missing on the back end, and it would not be the first time a Jackson has lined up at safety in the bay.

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