Buccaneers Mock Draft 2017: Day 2 Selections

With the Buccaneers drafting Alabama’s O.J. Howard in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, we can scratch tight end from the areas this team has needs. What about day two needs?

Moving into day two though, the Buccaneers still have plenty of openings to fill.

In the second round, the Bucs have the 50^th overall selection along with the 84^th overall in the third.

Some big names have slipped into Saturday’s group including running back Dalvin Cook, linebacker Reuben Foster and defensive tackle Malik McDowell.

Which prospects should find themselves as the newest members of this franchise on day two of the NFL Draft?

Let’s take a look.

Coming into the NFL Draft we all knew the Bucs needed to add to their secondary somewhere.

Earlier is better as the talent in this class looks very promising.

Safeties have always been a little under-drafted and this year is no different. After watching Jamal Adams slip out of the Top-5 to the Jets at 6^th overall, it’s obvious the value placed on the position is still lower than perhaps it should.

Must Read: Grading the Howard Pick

Malik Hooker similarly slid to the end of the Top-15 and it wasn’t until ten picks later when the Cleveland Browns took Jabrill Peppers – who kind of rates as a safety.

My preference has been, and still is, Budda Baker. However, unless Jason Licht trades up, Baker won’t be there at 50.

Marcus Maye out of Florida should be though, and getting one of this classes top safeties would really inject some athletic talent into a group currently consisting of Chris Conte, Keith Tandy and J.J. Wilcox.

Last year’s second-round selection, Noah Spence, made impacts in key areas when called upon.

Maye could provide much of the same support, and may even line himself up for a starting job by the end of 2017.

Say what you want about the Bucs offensive line, they need some depth.

Ali Marpet is moving to center, and J.R. Sweezy coming back is a hope not a reality.

Even if Sweezy does come back, he may not prove to be a long-term solution on the interior line.

Feeny wouldn’t demand immediate action as a third round pick, rather he would be looked at immediately as a young depth player who should develop into a solid starter in a year or two.

If the former Seahawks guard fizzles out, then Feeny will be capable of coming in and reaching an equivalent level of performance at a minimum.

This won’t be the most exciting selection of the draft, but it could be one of the most valuable if the Bucs offensive line has injury struggles similar to what they had last season.

Must Read: Fans React to O.J.

Talent exists all over the list of remaining players.

These two makes sense to what I’ve seen and what I feel like the Buccaneers are trying to do.

Let me know what you think, and which players you can see the team grabbing on day two of the NFL Draft.

We’re just getting started, there’s plenty to come, so stay with us as we get you more news, analysis and opinions moving forward!