Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Complete 2018 first-round mock draft, version 1
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23. Los Angeles Rams: Guard, Will Hernandez (UTSA)
The Rams have already made the NFL’s scariest defensive front. Now it’s time to bulk up the other side of the trenches.
Somewhere, Todd Gurley is standing up and applauding this pick.
24. Carolina Panthers: Wide Receiver, D.J. Moore (Maryland)
Devin Funchess has obviously improved, but he isn’t enough for the Panthers.
Curtis Samuel is nursing an injury, Torrey Smith was a nice add but he isn’t a long-term solution.
Drafting Moore gives the team a young talent to groom and integrate into their efforts to return to the top of the NFC.
25. Tennessee Titans: Outside Linebacker, Arden Key (LSU)
If there’s a coaching staff who can deal with and accept Key’s personality and issues, it’s Mike Vrabel and Dean Pees.
LSU has put out some great defenders in the last decade or so, and even the troubled ones have turned out to be stars. This is probably the only reason Key gets into the first round.
26. Atlanta Falcons: Defensive Tackle, Da’Ron Payne (Alabama)
Dontari Poe is in Carolina so the Falcons need to replace him in order to keep their defense looking like a budding unit instead of a rebuilding one.
Having him up front will continue to let guys like Deion Jones and Keanu Neal find gaps to work in, and keep the young Falcons defense rising.
27. New Orleans Saints: Tight End, Dallas Goedert (South Dakota State)
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This year’s tight end group isn’t nearly as exciting as the last, but there is still some talent to be found.
Some might find 27 a little rich for Goedert who looks more like a 30’s type pick, but New Orleans needs to find a legitimate tight end to add to the offense.
Signing Benjamin Watson is a nice move for the year, but this pick gives them a player who could turn into a big part of their offense moving forward.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Linebacker, Rashaan Evans (Alabama)
While the franchise will certainly continue to support Ryan Shazier in his recovery, they can’t pass up a talent like Rashaan Evans.
Bringing Evans in will help soften the blow of losing Shazier, and give the Pittsburgh defense some added toughness they’re so well known for.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Linebacker, Rashaan Evans (Alabama)
While the franchise will certainly continue to support Ryan Shazier in his recovery, they can’t pass up a talent like Rashaan Evans.
Bringing Evans in will help soften the blow of losing Shazier, and give the Pittsburgh defense some added toughness they’re so well known for.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Linebacker, Leighton Vander Esch (Boise State)
The Jaguars had a strong defense in 2017, but lost a key piece when Paul Posluszny retired.
Vander Esch is a good prospect today and should only get better. Placing him in an already dominant Jacksonville defense will allow him to grow without added pressure to be the lone focal point of his unit.
30. Minnesota Vikings: Guard, Isaiah Wynn (Georgia)
What do you do when you’re getting Dalvin Cook back from injury and just signed Kirk Cousins? You block for them!
Isaiah Wynn is a solid interior lineman who will come in right away in Minnesota and take a starting job.
31. New England Patriots: EDGE, Marcus Davenport (UTSA)
Davenport was hyped heading into the Senior Bowl, and he did well for himself. His lack of enthusiasm seemed to rub some the wrong way however.
The Patriots do pretty good at getting the best out of folks, and I truly see him as a stand up outside linebacker for Bill Belichick.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Safety, Ronnie Harrison (Alabama)
For the Eagles to ensure they can stay atop the NFC East, they need draft best talent available at a position of need.
At this point in the draft, it’s this safety from Alabama. He likely wouldn’t become an immediate starter without injury, but Malcolm Jenkins and Chris Maragos are already in their 30’s so believe me there will be a need Harrison can fill shortly.
Next: Bucs Leaders Confident About Draft
This wraps up my first complete first-round mock of the season. It was a lot of fun, and I hope you enjoyed looking it over as much as I did putting it together.
For Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans specifically, this leaves guys like Isaiah Oliver, Sony Michel, James Daniels and Jaire Alexander still on the board when day two rolls around. Any of those guys would be a solid one-two combination of draft choices along with Derwin James in round one.
How do you feel about the way this draft filled out? Of course, there weren’t any trades here, but do you think there are any trades that just have to happen?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments or on social media anytime!