The Pewter Plank
FanSided

2017 NFL Mock Draft: Buccaneers Take Help Over the Top

By Alan Schechter

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 33
Next
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers receiver Mike Williams (7) runs after a catch against Alabama Crimson Tide cornerback Marlon Humphrey (26) in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers receiver Mike Williams (7) runs after a catch against Alabama Crimson Tide cornerback Marlon Humphrey (26) in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Keenan Allen is a great talent. Bottom line though is he’s played nine games in the last two seasons.

He’s not an injury prone bust yet, but drafting his potential replacement isn’t a bad idea when you’ve got a guy like Mike Williams coming out of Clemson this year.

Wide receiver Travis Benjamin has game-changing speed and deep ability. He can’t fully take advantage of it though if there isn’t another threat to keep defenses from cheating deep on him.

If Allen can stay healthy, then bringing Williams in to play opposite of him while Benjamin presents the speed mismatch just makes Philip Rivers that much more exciting to watch.

In case of injury, Williams and Dontrelle Inman provide the veteran quarterback a fighting chance to still produce a suitable passing attack in the AFC West.

With the former Tiger’s ability to win jump balls and significantly tilt the scales on 50/50 balls, this is a move which just makes too much sense at this point.

Williams as a number two gives this offense a wide receiver duo which could one day compete with the likes of Denver’s and Oakland’s.

In case of chronic injury returning to Allen, drafting him gives them a head start to repairing their passing game right before they likely begin looking for their next franchise quarterback.

Home/Bucs Draft