The Buccaneers currently sit with the number 19 overall choice in the draft. How has the pick performed over the last five drafts?
More from The Pewter Plank
- Devin White posts cryptic message to Lavonte David on Twitter
- ESPN predicts surprising outcome to Devin White trade saga
- Updated Buccaneers depth chart after signing two players from rookie minicamp
- Todd Bowles sends clear message about Baker Mayfield’s role with Bucs
- The Athletic is wrong about Bucs one ‘must-watch’ game in 2023
Can you believe we are less than one month away from the NFL draft? It feels like yesterday that we were cheering on our Buccaneers as they made a run for that final playoff spot. No matter how much that still stings, we are all looking forward to the 2017 season with great anticipation.
But, first we must get through the annual selection meeting, better know to all of us as the NFL draft. What began as a closed-door meeting between NFL owners is now one of the most highly anticipated events on the NFL calendar. It draws large numbers of fans to attend live and posts TV ratings that rival live sporting events going on at the same time.
The Bucs currently sit with the 19th overall selection. They obviously could move, but what if they don’t. I decided to look at how this selection has turned out in recent history. More specifically, we are looking back at the last five players to be chosen with the 19th pick, to see if the spot has been historically a good one.
We go backwards, starting with last year.
2016: Shaq Lawson
In 2015, Rex Ryan inherited a Buffalo Bills team that boasted Mario Williams. He was coming off of a 14.5 sack performance the previous year, and expected to do more. However, Williams never bought into the system and he ended up being released following the 2015 season. His production dropped to five sacks and he was never the same in the Ryan system.
Ryan needed an edge rusher, and with his son Seth attending Clemson, he had a close scouting report. He chose Lawson with the 19th pick in the 2016 draft. Unfortunately he missed significant time due to a shoulder injury, sitting on the PUP list. He did flaunt some of his talent when he returned, recording his first of two sacks as a rookie against Tom Brady in October. His second came the following week against Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks.
Overall, one would say Lawson flashed in his first year. In addition to the two sacks he posted 13 total tackles, a forced fumble and a pass defense. It will be interesting when Lawson finally has the opportunity to play a full season. However, being able to get to both Brady and Wilson shows a player that has ability. How much NFL ability remains to be seen, but Lawson has the makings of an exciting player.
2015: Cameron Erving
With all due respect to the city of Cleveland, the Browns seem to always be in a state of rebuilding. While the original version of the Browns achieved some success, the new version hasn’t been so lucky. Since their return to the NFL in 1999, they have only posted two seasons with an over .500 record. They have added only one playoff appearance (2002).
In 2014, the Browns offense was ranked 27th in points scored. They were 17th in the league in overall rushing offense and 20th in passing offense. They allowed 31 sacks and 29 quarterback hits. To put it mildly, the Browns needed help on the offensive line, so they chose Cameron Erving with the 19th pick in 2015.
Irving has been a versatile lineman, which is always a preferred quality. He has spent time over his first two seasons at every position along the line except for left tackle. He took some time to work his way into the starting lineup, starting a mere four games in 2015. Irving saw more time in 2016, starting 13 games between center and right tackle.
It’s hard to evaluate a two-year lineman on the Browns, simply due to the lack of team success. If they ever find themselves a quarterback this evaluation will become a bit clearer. But you can never discount a versatile player along the offensive line, and the Browns certainly found one in Cameron Irving.
2014: Ju’Wuan James
Coming out of the 2013 season, the Miami Dolphins were in a bit of a mess up front. Yes, they finished 8-8. But, that left them without a postseason berth for the fifth straight year. They also allowed 58 sacks to lead the NFL. This just in, that isn’t good. Time to get some help for their franchise quarterback, Ryan Tannehill. So, they take Ju’Wuan James with the 19th pick of the 2014 draft.
His draft profile indicated the following:
"Big, strong, heavy pass protector with good balance, anchor strength and hand use to handle power and speed. Does not affect the run game the same way and almost appears more destined for the left side in the pros. Has instant-starter potential."
It turns out he did start right away, but eventually ended up on the right side. In 2014 he became the starting right tackle and has been in the position ever since. Unfortunately, a toe injury ended James’ 2015 season after only seven games. However, he came back to start all 16 games at right tackle in 2016.
Pro Football Focus ranked James as the 32nd overall tackle with a grade of 78.3. His run block grade was 80.8, jumping him up to 18th. Has he been a dominant right tackle? Not by a long shot. But James has clearly been a consistent one.
2013: Justin Pugh
Another offensive lineman chosen at number 19.
Though they finished 9-7 in 2012, the New York Giants understood that the key to a successful offense is a great offensive line. The team was 14th in the league in rushing in 2012, but they wanted more. They needed to better the offensive line to continue sustained success. An offense can have all of the skilled players in the world. Without an offensive line, they have nothing.
Therefore, Justin Pugh was selected with the 19th pick overall in the 2013 draft. His draft profile had this to say:
"Pugh is a seasoned starter at offensive tackle with very good movement skills. However, he lacks adequate arm length and size to stick at offensive tackle going forward. His best fit will likely be as an offensive guard in a zone-blocking scheme."
Pugh has been a starter from the moment he arrived in New York, starting all 55 games he has been active for. As we said on Erving, versatility is key. Pugh has played four out of five of the line positions, all of them but center. That cannot be discounted when discussing Pugh’s value.
In 2016, Pugh started all 11 games he played at left guard. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the 16th overall guard with a grade of 83.2. That is an excellent year for Pugh. He is a talented player and a successful selection.
2012: Shea McClellin
Back in 2012, the Bears looked to commandeer help off of the edge by selecting Shea McClellin with the 19th overall pick. He was quite the active player in college (per Sports Reference), posting 130 tackles, 33 for loss and 20.5 sacks. His draft profile listed these strengths and weaknesses:
"Strengths McClellin is a strong player inside for the Broncos who uses good leverage to get under heavier offensive linemen and jolt them back in their stance. He is aggressive, stout, and can hold off linemen and smother tight ends at the point of attack. He has no problem tackling and is a good pass rusher. Weaknesses McClellin will have a tough time convincing teams, even though he has been productive, to take a shot on him early in the draft because of his size. He has displayed enough athletic ability for teams to consider him at outside backer, but he could stand to lose weight as he enters the next level."
He showed excellent speed at the Combine, running the forty yard dash in 4.6 seconds. McClellin spent the first four years of his career in Chicago with modest success. His sack totals peaked with four in 2013 and his career high in tackles came in 2016 when he posted 71. He earned his way into the lineup, however, starting 21 of his final 24 games in a Bears uniform.
McClellin signed with the Patriots prior to the 2016 season and played a depth role with the Super Bowl champs. He now holds the record for the longest fumble return in franchise history during a win over the Dolphins (69 yards). He posted 39 tackles, two fumble recoveries and a sack for Bill Belichick’s squad.
Overall, the position has been very offensive line heavy over the past five years. It’s interesting that not a single offensive skilled position player has been taken. Might the Bucs change that with Dalvin Cook? Only time will tell, if they even stay at number 19.