With one week left, here is our Buccaneers seven round mock draft.
Can you believe we are here? The NFL draft is one week away. Finally, the speculation will come to an end and we can finally learn the Buccaneers draft class of 2017. Who are the potential stars of tomorrow? What position are they going to address on day one? Will it be Dalvin Cook like many are hoping, or will they consider going to the defensive side of the football? We will find out in just one week.
For the next week, however, the speculation will be fast and it will be furious. The content will be coming out from all of the sites you can think of. Everyone will be getting in their final mock drafts prior to the real thing. It’s the chance for all of us to take out best educated guesses as to who the teams are going to pick, and when.
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For us at the Pewter Plank, our college football mavens, David Harrison and Zach Sauers are back at it. This week, what they have for you is a combined Bucs seven round mock draft. In the coming pages, they will alternate rounds, with David taking the odd-numbered rounds and Zach taking the even-numbered rounds.
In addition, they will be evaluating each other’s picks. Following the pick and the justification, the evaluation will be noted by “David’s Take” and “Zach’s Take”, respectfully.
All right, let’s get down to the business of figuring this draft out, starting with round one.
Round One: Dalvin Cook
Certain Bucs fans have been pining over Florida State’s most exciting offensive prospect since Jameis Winston. We know that the team and the player have mutual interest in each other. That is with good reason. He would be a great fit.
The idea these two could team up once again is legitimately exciting. The fact it may be with Tampa’s own NFL franchise makes it down right dreamy.
Leonard Fournette is considered the best power back in the draft, Christian McCaffrey is hands down the best back as a receiver.
Cook is the best combination of power and athleticism. While he may not be the supreme choice in either category of player style, he’s the closest thing to a three-down back in this class. He can waltz into town and be a dangerous weapon both on the ground and through the air.
Taking him at 19 not only fills a team need, but it makes this offense a legitimate threat no matter the down and distance. This move needs to happen.
ZACH’S TAKE:
"I full heartedly agree with David with this pick. After much time analyzing draft wants and needs for the various teams ahead of Tampa Bay along with Dalvin Cook’s off the field issues, his slide into number 19 or close to it is extremely possible. Cook’s versatility and every down back potential kicks Doug Martin back to Boise."
Round Two: Chris Godwin
In the second round of the 2017 NFL draft the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Chris Godwin, wide receiver out of Penn State.
After answering the bell this offseason for the need of a wide receiver with the addition of highly coveted free agent DeSean Jackson, General Manager Jason Licht decides to double dip. Godwin has been on the Bucs radar for quite some time, and after meeting with the team over various occasions, it leads to his selection.
In Godwin brings a receiver that not only has outstanding speed but also fantastic hands. If you take a look at his tape versus USC, you see a receiver capable of being a number one threat on some lucky NFL team.
Although his hype has not pushed him into the first round, grabbing him here in the second gives the Bucs depth at a position that they need so desperately. I know David will like this pick.
DAVID’S TAKE
"I absolutely love this pick for the Bucs. Jason Licht has shown already he isn’t against drafting early at positions he also added to in free-agency. Don’t for a minute think the Bucs are out of the wide receiver market just because they brought in DeSean Jackson. Chris Godwin is one of the better options after Corey Davis and John Ross for Tampa Bay. He’s just a solid all-around player who will really give the Bucs some offensive flexibility and can be set-up in mismatches to get the best out of him. Some might consider the second-round a bit high to bring in a rotational player, but hey, look at what this team did with Noah Spence. Rotational doesn’t mean ineffective, and this one could be the number two in three years or less."
Round Three: Sidney Jones
So, it’s a bit unclear if this young man will even be available when the Bucs pick in the third round.
If he is though, Jason Licht has to roll these dice and take this top-10 talent with his third round pick.
There are some reports Sidney Jones plans on returning in 2017, and while this is an admirable goal, I’d hope the team would shut him down for the year to give him more than enough time to come back fresh in 2018.
The secondary looked improved in the last part of the 2016 regular season, but it’s in no way a finished product.
Unfortunately, cornerback Brent Grimes isn’t going to be around for many years if they do get it figured out, and getting a prospect who was considered the second-best cornerback in this draft will be a steal moving forward.
ZACH’S TAKE
"I like the thought process David has here with the selection of Sidney Jones. Although Jones suffered a serious leg injury during his pro-day, there is still optimism he may be able to make it back during the regular season. Tampa goes ahead and grabs Jones in order to prepare for the aging Brent Grimes departure, but was it the right move with the safety position not addressed?"
Round Four: Tedric Thompson
In the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Tedric Thompson, safety out of Colorado.
Finally, the need at safety is addressed.
Now although the Bucs went ahead and added hard-hitting J.J. Wilcox to the back-end of the defense this offseason, they are not done yet. One way or another the safety position for your Bucs will be addressed this draft.
The selection of Thompson here in the fourth round is an absolute steal. If Thompson manages to make it this far in the draft, you can bet the Bucs will be sprinting their card into the podium.
The 6’ 210 pound ball-hawk out of the Colorado is someone who is high on my players to watch. Thompson’s coverage skills are what stand out the most to me on tape, and he is a player who will see himself into the starting lineup quite quickly.
Adding Thompson to the back-end of the Bucs defense frees up more competition for the strong safety spot. Many fans and analysts believe Keith Tandy will keep his job, but I am not sold. Luckily this position will be able to be fought for between Tandy, Wilcox, and the returning Chris Conte.
DAVID’S TAKE
"Buccaneers fans were surprised to see the team bring back Chris Conte, and even more really didn’t know much about J.J. Wilcox when he was brought in. Tedric Thompson may not be a household name amongst the Buc faithful, but they’ll love his aggressiveness and ball skills should this be the pick in the fourth round. There’s definite potential in his skill set, and giving him time to learn the system without the pressure of starting right away will only help his development. My concern with this player would be the timing of Mike Smith’s eventual departure and what the system change would do to his learning curve. This is a staff concern though, not a player one. His talents should make him capable of having a role in whatever defense the Bucs put together."
Round Five: Michael Roberts
Any Bucs fan who has been watching the mocks has seen names like O.J. Howard and David Njoku tied to Tampa’s first-round pick.
While either of these players would certainly bring more electricity to the Bucs offense, so would this guy. Michael Roberts from Toledo is a nice athletic tight end who could help stretch the middle of the field and brings some good blocking skills too.
The best part? He doesn’t bring with him an automatic implication that Cameron Brate is going to be replaced, and truly allows this team the chance at creating a two-headed monster in two tight end sets.
Imagine red zone possessions with Mike Evans, Brate and the 6’4” Roberts all running routes on the same side of the defense.
This needs to happen.
ZACH’S TAKE
"Another selection here where David and I almost see eye to eye with. Roberts is an extremely gifted tight end prospect. His big bodied play gives the Buccaneers someone who can see himself onto the field in quick notice. Tampa gets a guy who can not only catch but also block, and that is something the Bucs have needed. Here is a guy who will make it farther in the NFL than that Austin Seferian-Jenkins cat. The only issue I see is that I believe Roberts will land a round earlier come draft day."
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."
Round Seven: Kyle Kalis
I’ve backed down a bit from my earlier narrative the Bucs needed to go offensive line early in the draft. I don’t, however, believe the team doesn’t need any further talent up front though.
The guard situation still concerns me, and the franchise would be wise to bring another player in to build a solid stable of offensive line depth. Kyle Kalis out of Michigan is probably the best available this late, and he fills a need at a relatively thin position.
If J.R. Sweezy’s back injury doesn’t heal the way we all hope, the Kalis could certainly develop into a solid rotational piece, and certainly has the potential to become a regular presence. Any investment in the offensive line is an investment in Jameis Winston’s future. We should all be happy with it.
ZACH’S TAKE
"I like the idea of what Kalis can bring to the table for the Bucs. It is incredibly difficult to pinpoint where NFL teams will go on day three of the draft, but this is a reasonable selection. I hope that with the Kalis selection that Tampa sees him as a tackle due to their lack of depth at the position."
Next: Bucs Five Biggest Draft Busts in Team History
So how did these guys do? Did they get it right? Let them know in the comments…