Drafting Buccaneers: Players to Watch at the 2017 Shrine Game
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
East Wide Receiver Kermit Whitfield, Florida State Seminoles
Kermit Whitfield has three years’ worth of numbers to put on his resume as NFL teams look to him as a return specialist with potential to enter the passing game at some point down the road.
Buccaneers fans who are also Seminoles fans will look at him as a former Jameis Winston teammate who could bring the speed Dirk Koetter said was missing from the team in 2016.
His best season came in 2015 when Whitfield brought in 57 passes for 798 yards and six touchdown receptions.
We all know how bad the Bucs’ return game has been lately and the 5’8” speed-demon would instantly improve upon it.
If Whitfield can find some separation in the Shrine Game then he may turn some heads as he seeks to draw some NFL attention as a likely undrafted free-agent candidate.
There are three coaches from Tampa working with the teams, so you can bet they’re tracking this young man’s performances.
West Tight End Michael Roberts, Toledo Rockets
As a versatile tight end for the Toledo Rockets, Michael Roberts used his 6’5” frame to bring in 70 career receptions amassing 832 career yards with 22 touchdowns.
16 of his scores came in 2016 along with 45 catches and 533-yards. More than his previous year’s production combined.
Consistency is the mark of a good player and this young man’s single year of performance is one of the reason’s he’s on the outside looking in when it comes to tight end talk about the draft.
He’s impressed in practices though, and could become a riser on many NFL boards if he has a good outing here.
Roberts leaves a little to be desired as a blocker, and he’ll have to learn not to get so tall at the next level or he’ll be bull-rushed into his own backfield.
As a receiver, he’d make a good developmental project as he looks to climb the depth chart behind Cameron Brate with his big catch radius and undeveloped route running ability.
He’ll find his way onto someone’s training camp roster, why not the Buccaneers’?