Buccaneers Seven Round Mock Draft: One Week Left Edition
Round Six: Samson Ebukam
In the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Samson Ebukam, linebacker out of Eastern Washington. The addition of Ebukam brings an outside linebacker who can not only fill the role Daryl Smith left behind, but also bring a player who can rush the passer successfully when need be.
Ebukam is an athletic freak, who by his tape shows a great potential. His raw playmaking ability is something that will need to be crafted with, but his drive to succeed will make Licht jump at this selection.
The SAM position right now for your Bucs is a suspect topic. Will the IR’ed rookie of 2015, Devante Bond, get a gift of a starting job or will there be competition? In this scenario, Ebukam brings the competition needed for the position.
After the previous five picks, the two positions that needed to be addressed were outside linebacker and defensive end and with Ebukam you get both.
DAVID’S TAKE
"This time of the draft season tends to kind of even out as teams like the Bucs have been connected to just about every possible prospect to this point. Props to Zach for making me research this one. Samson Ebukam is not someone I was smart on coming into this, so Mr. Sauer’s assignment to me was a fun one. This player’s raw athleticism on display during his pro day was impressive. He looks to have the speed and strength to make an impact if he can learn to convert the first into more of the second. Like most of you, I’m looking forward to seeing what Zach wrote about this guy. From what I’ve learned completing this mock with him, I see Ebukam as a potential strong-side replacement for veteran Daryl Smith. At a minimum, he’s an addition to the defensive line with some real pass rushing ability and the intangibles to hopefully develop into a gem. Look for this young man screaming down in kick coverage come pre-season folks."