Buccaneers: Oregon Ducks 2018 Prospects to Watch

Continuing our look at prospects for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to sift through, we’ve reached the Oregon Ducks.

The school has fallen off a bit, and some Buccaneers fans may not even give this team a second look. Although the Oregon Ducks haven’t been the same team since Marcus Mariota left they still have some quality prospects. Can the Bucs find any prospects at the biggest Nike school in college athletics?

The Oregon Ducks football program is known for its colorful uniforms, their push-up master mascot, and high speed on both sides of the ball. They haven’t been the same powerhouse since the departure of Chip Kelly and Marcus Mariota but they are looking to rebuild. The popularity of the Nike logo and flashy jerseys still make Oregon a high-end destination. With multiple quality prospects joining them this season Oregon could be in store for a quicker bounce back. This isn’t about the future prospects it’s about this years draft prospects:

Arrion Springs, Cornerback

Charles Nelson, Wide Reciever

Jimmie Swain, Inside Linebacker

Royce Freeman, Running Back

Aiden Schneider, Kicker

Tyrell Crosby, Offensive Line

Henry Mondeaux, Defensive Line

Tanner Carew, Long Snapper

Scott Pagano, Defensive Tackle

Tyree Robinson, Cornerback

SENIOR PROSPECT TO WATCH: RUNNINGBACK ROYCE FREEMAN

The Buccaneers biggest offensive need is by far running back. The biggest issue on offense was mainly due to lack of consistency with the ground game. Without a solid backfield, it led the Buccaneers passing far more than rushing. Jameis is at his best when he can utilize the rush. Look at Nick Foles, he has a Super Bowl MVP now with all his success on run-pass option plays and play action. The Buccaneers don’t have a three-headed monster in the backfield like Jay Ajayi, Cory Clement, and LeGarrette Blount so it’s very difficult for them to successfully run the ball.

Royce Freeman is an enticing product to come out of Oregon. Freemans set multiple school-records including 31 100-yard games, rushing yards (5,621), all-purpose yards (6,435), points scored (384) and rushing attempts (947). He is also the NCAA’s seventh all-time leading rusher. He’s a willing blocker, has capable hands, and is very good at making defenders miss. He’s basically all the Bucs running backs mixed into one. While he isn’t the quickest running back and already has almost 1000 carries under his belt, he could still be very productive at the next level.

Freeman could’ve entered the draft last season but he decided to stay and build his legacy at Oregon. There are tons of running back talent in this draft class so Freeman may fall further than he would’ve if he entered last year. The Bucs could get lucky with a draft steal on day three in Royce Freeman.

Must Read: Why are the Bucs balking at the run?

ANOTHER SENIOR TO WATCH: LEFT TACKLE TYRELL CROSBY

The Oregon Ducks do not have any underclassmen that have declared for this class, so we’ll take a look at another senior the Bucs should keep an eye on. The Oregon Ducks other quality prospect is offensive lineman Tyrell Crosby. Like Freeman, he’s been an excellent the starter for the Ducks his entire career. The Buccaneers currently have Donovan Smith entrenched at the left tackle position but he has been one of the weaker members on the line. Crosby was given the third highest rating for a pass blocker in all of college football at 99.0. In 2017 he allowed zero sacks too. He suffered a broken foot his junior season and for a big guy like him could be worrisome, however, if his senior season is any indicator he’ll be just fine.

Next: Early names to watch at the Combine

If the Buccaneers want to make some moves along the line, like swapping positions, moving Demar Dotson to the left and starting Tyrell Crosby wouldn’t make me upset. The protection of Jameis Winston is a very high priority which is why they need to make adjustments they deem necessary. Winston and Fitzpatrick were sacked 40 times this year, adding a player that allowed zero last season might reduce that number.

Crosby can go anywhere on draft day from late round one to possibly early day three. It could all depend on combine performance and how the draft falls. If the Buccaneers plan on making moves on the offensive line grabbing Tyrell on day two could be a very wise investment for the future success of Jameis Winston.

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Buccaneers: Oregon Ducks 2018 prospects to watch

By Brian DeFeo | Feb 8, 2018