Buccaneers Draft 2017: Kendell Beckwith Instant Analysis
By Bailey Adams
After making two picks earlier in the night, the Buccaneers traded back into the third round to make their fourth pick of this yearâs draft. With the final pick of day two, Tampa Bay selected LSU linebacker Kendell Beckwith. Letâs break it down.
Once the Buccaneers passed on Dalvin Cook in round one of the draft and missed out on him, Joe Mixon and a few others, the speculation began. Tampa Bay had to make its way back into the third round, right? The team needed a running back. Well, after it seemed like it wouldnât happen, the Bucs made their move. However, Jason Licht shocked the fan base quite a bit. With the final pick of day two, Tampa Bay took LSU linebacker Kendell Beckwith.
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Beckwith saw his draft stock fall quite a bit after tearing his ACL in November. Prior to the injury, he was a full-time starter for the Tigers. His biggest strengths are his downhill tackling, as well as his ability to take good angles to the ball. He boasts what scouts will call âan above-average football IQ.â Thereâs a little left to be desired as far as his athleticism goes, but his tackling makes up for that more often than not. He takes good routes to the ball and finishes those routes with solid tackling ability.
What this brings to the Bucs defense is another solid run-stopper and someone who has shown good flashes of pass rushing ability. He was likely going to be a sure-fire day two pick before the injury. Apparently his talent caught Lichtâs eye, as he still managed to be a day two selection.
Of course, the last time Tampa Bay took a linebacker out of LSU, it worked out pretty well. Well, at least to this point. Of course, that linebacker was Kwon Alexander. Now, Alexander and Beckwith will be teammates once again. Along with Lavonte David, the two LSU Tigers give the Bucs a formidable linebacker group that will certainly come in handy with the likes of Adrian Peterson and Christian McCaffrey joining the division.
Next: Buccaneers Select Kendell Beckwith In Round Three
What do you think of the pick, Bucs fans? Kendell Beckwith is your newest Tampa Bay linebacker.