After a nice haul in the 2017 NFL Draft, where do the newest members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers project to fall on the depth chart?
The Buccaneers have needs that they hope will be filled through the draft. Tampa has made strong efforts to improve offensively. The #WeaponsforWinston crowd will be extremely happy because Licht has brought in some new toys for Jameis.
Tampa also addressed the safety issue, adding depth to the position. The Buccaneers safeties have been one of the weakest groups on the team for years now. It was encouraging to see the Buccaneers use a second round pick to upgrade the position.
The Bucs also addressed the defensive line, hoping to add depth. The defensive line suffered through some injuries this past season so increasing depth definitely was needed.
Licht does not usually hit on picks 5th round and later so it will be interesting to see if there will be a late round gem this year. Without further ado, let’s find out where these rookies will be on the Bucs depth chart.
Round 1: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
Tampa gave a big boost to their offense with the selection of O.J. Howard. Howard was considered the best TE and a top 10 player overall in the draft class. The Bucs were very fortunate that Howard fell to them at 19.
Howard will be a lethal weapon in the passing game as well as providing quality blocking. Howard standing at 6’6 249 lbs ran an impressive 4.51 40 yard dash showcasing his speed. His 40-yard dash was even faster than Mike Evans which goes to show how much of a freak Howard is.
The Buccaneers drafted Howard to pair him up with Brate and forming an elite double TE set. Howard will undoubtedly be the starter at TE because it is unlikely that the Bucs drafted him to not start. Many felt that the Bucs were set at TE with Brate, while Brate is a good TE without a doubt, Howard is an incredible talent that Bucs fans will fall in love with. #YayforOJ
Round 2: Justin Evans, S, Texas A&M
The Buccaneers filled a big need when they drafted Justin Evans in the second round. Evans provides depth to a position which was sorely in need of depth. Tampa’s safeties have been their Achilles heel for several years now but with Evans, they may have a long-term solution.
Justin Evans’ skill set shows that he is a ball hawk type safety that can also lay the wood. Evans coverage skills will be a welcome addition as that is what Chris Conte struggled with at times. Evans also has the ability to return kicks, another area where the Bucs have struggled for years.
Tampa drafted Evans in hopes that he can come in and compete for a starting spot. While Evans shows solid coverage skills and is a big hitter, he also shows poor tackling technique which will prevent him from starting the season as a starting safety. However, I do believe that he could gain the starting role as the season progresses.
Round 3: Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State
The Buccaneers continued to add depth to their wide receiving corps with the selection of Chris Godwin. Tampa’s wide receiver corps has quickly gone from a weakness to a strength. Mike Evans had virtually no help outside of Adam Humphries last season but with the signing of Desean Jackson and now drafting Godwin, Evans has more help than he could have ever imagined.
Dirk Koetter said he wanted the Buccaneers to get faster and Godwin fits the description of fast. Godwin ran a 4.42 at the combine in March, showcasing his speed. Godwin also has the ability to return kicks which provides much-needed competition at the position.
The Bucs drafted Godwin to provide WR depth but he could end up being more than that. Godwin will challenge Humphries for the slot WR role and I believe he will win that competition because of his speed. Godwin could end up being a big contributor for Tampa’s passing offense.
Round 3: Kendell Beckwith, LB, LSU
With the departure of Daryl Smith, Tampa needed a strongside linebacker and they may have filled that position with Beckwith. While the strongside linebacker does not take that many snaps the Bucs felt it was important to add to their LB depth. The major concern with Beckwith is that he is coming off a torn ACL in November and it is unknown if he will be ready for the start of the season.
Beckwith is touted as a great downhill tackler with an above average football IQ. While Beckwith may not be the most athletic player, his ability to tackle should be able to cover that. Beckwith will be a welcome addition to the LB corps which has very little depth after Kwon and Lavonte.
The Buccaneers drafted Beckwith hoping that he could provide LB depth and compete for the strongside linebacker spot. Beckwith’s injury will give him a disadvantage as it takes time to recover from ACL injuries. To start out, Beckwith will more than likely start off as a backup strongside linebacker. However, Beckwith has a bright future and high praise from his former LSU and current Buccaneer teammate Kwon Alexander.
Round 5: Jeremy McNichols, RB, Boise State
It is no secret that the Buccaneers run game struggled last year, while McNichols may not completely solve the problem he provides another option. The Bucs RB’s all suffered through injuries and McNichols will provide some depth.
McNichols is an elusive back with great vision. McNichols is a legitimate pass catching option as well. The versatility McNichols possesses is probably what caught the Bucs attention and will be the main premise of his possible success.
Tampa selected McNichols in the hopes that he would provide depth at the running back position. McNichols will be in a competition with Peyton Barber for the 4th spot on the depth chart. I believe McNichols will beat out Peyton Barber and challenge Charles Sims for his third down role. McNichols could eventually carve out a role as the third down back over Sims.
Round 7: Stevie Tu’ikolovatu, DT, USC
The Buccaneers traded up early in the seventh round to nab Stevie Tu’ikolovatu to provide depth on the defensive line. Tampa’s defensive line suffered injuries throughout the year and had to rely on undrafted FA’s at one point. Tu’ikolovatu could possibly step in if needed.
Tu’ikolovatu is a big guy, weighing at 331 lbs his size will cause issues for offensive linemen. Stevie’s biggest strength appears to be his strength and his great initial punch. Tu’ikolovatu also appears to be a solid run stuffer which the Bucs could benefit from.
The Buccaneers wanted Tu’ikolovatu to provide depth at the defensive tackle position behind Gerald McCoy. Tu’ikolovatu will be competing with Sealiver Siliga for a backup defensive tackle position and I believe Tu’ikolovau comes out on top. Tu’ikolovatu has faced adversity before, as he had lived in his car for two years but that only made him stronger and he will be looking to continue his journey on an NFL roster.
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This draft class could shape up to be a big one for the Buccaneers. If they are able to hit on their picks and have two or three starters along with some quality depth pieces it could propel them to the playoffs. By the looks of it Tampa appears to have had a good draft, hopefully, looks are not deceiving.