Buccaneers Off-Season Position Preview: Defensive Line
Potential Draft Targets
Outside of their players under contract, and multiple potential targets in free-agency, there’s the upcoming Buccaneers draft class. Billed already as perhaps the most important class in Jason Licht’s career to this point, there is no shortage of potential directions the general manager could steer his team.
If the Buccaneers don’t get Bradley Chubb, all is not lost. Let’s look at two guys who could provide value deeper in the draft.
Marcus Davenport – Texas-San Antonio
Davenport reminds me of Noah Spence in two ways. First, he’s a guy from a smaller program who didn’t get a whole lot of press until college all-star season opened up.
By the end of the Senior Bowl week, Davenport was being billed as a potential first-round talent with some talent evaluators even putting him in the Top-10 of this year’s draft class.
While Spence started in big-time college football, Davenport started and finished in the smaller ranks. Still, his rise during the Senior Bowl is certainly going to make him some money this April.
The second way he reminds me of Spence is his raw ability. Generally speaking, he doesn’t require a whole lot of technique to defeat collegiate opponents, which brings some concern as to just how polished his skills are or will be when he enters the NFL.
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Seeing the Buccaneers take him with the seventh overall pick would be a bit nerve racking as I feel like he has more development needed to become a full-blown starter in the NFL.
If he’s still there in round-two, and the Bucs missed out on Chubb, then I’d certainly feel ok with them taking Davenport there.
Harold Landry – Boston College
I feel like Landry is the safer pick between he and Davenport. While the latter has a higher ceiling it would appear, Landry has a smaller gap between his own ceiling and his floor.
In some ways, this could make him the more ideal prospect for a coaching staff which is in need of fewer unknowns and more sure things.
Of course, there are no sure things in this business. Still, if Landry and Davenport are both available on day two, I’d first be surprised but at the same time just a dash more confident in the success possibility drafting Landry.
Best part about this prospect is he can carve out a role no matter which base package the Buccaneers roll into 2018 with.
A pass rush is a must have in today’s NFL environment. It’s also one of the biggest hole the Bucs have to fill. Expect plenty of activity in this area, either from the team or the media and fans.
Next: Should the Bucs trade Brate?
What are your thoughts on the defensive line for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Are there other free-agents or draft prospects you have your eye one? Let me know in the comments or on social media to discuss.
"James and David speculate on the potential that Le’Veon Bell could be pursued by the Buccaneers in free-agency. On the latest episode of the Locked on Bucs Podcast!"