Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft profile: Tackle Chukwuma Okorafor

In our continued draft profile series, we will take a look into our second offensive lineman in offensive tackle Chukwama Okorafor a potential late second or early third day selection for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

With the 2018 NFL Draft less then a month away and free agency in its final stages we are getting a clearer picture of what the Buccaneers may be looking for with their draft picks.

We are discovering that even though the Buccaneers have added pieces on the defensive line and the offensive line that running back, secondary, defensive end, and if the value is right offensive line are still the biggest needs for the Buccaneers.

With previously profiled offensive guard Quenton Nelson a potential sure pick for the Buccaneers if he slides down to seven with the expected run at quarterbacks in the top five, but if not there is also another option on day two or even early day three in big bodied offensive tackle Chukwama “Chuk” Okorafor from Western Michigan.

Okorafor’s College Career

Playing at 6’6” 330 pounds last season as a senior for the Western Michigan Broncos he has an NFL sized body to play tackle at the next level, and was selected as a First Team All-American at left tackle out of the Mid-American Conference.

As a three-year starter for Western Michigan he played thirteen games at right tackle as a sophomore, and twenty-six games during his junior and senior years at left tackle, and showing that he has the versatility to play either tackle position is a plus for NFL teams looking for tackles in this year’s draft class.

Pros

As mentioned earlier at 6’6” 320 to 330 pounds he has the size to be an NFL offensive tackle and while playing both right and left tackle in college, he shows the versatility to begin his NFL career on the right side and eventually move into the left side if needed.

He also showed good hands with the ability to shove defenders out of the running lanes and get to the second level to apply another block as a road grading run blocker, as the WMU backs were able to average 224.8 yards rushing per game and 4.8 yards/carry last season.

As a pass blocker he showed very quick feet for his size and could get to the edge quite well to keep the edge rusher away from his quarterback, and would not get pushed back into the quarterback. As the Broncos moved to more of a rushing offense in 2017 he shined as a run blocker and may need more polish as a pass blocker at the next level but is good enough to start at tackle in the NFL.

Cons

As a pass blocker he had trouble adjusting to pass rushers who had a high motor and a never quit attitude with plenty of moves, and could not get back if beaten early to protect his quarterback.

At times when he gets off the line he ends up to upright and gets pushed off balance and can not adjust his weight in time to reestablish his block.

In the passing game he struggled to understand what his opponent was doing and was often surprised when they did something he was not prepared for, and had trouble understanding a zone blocking scheme.

When he gets beat quickly his hands tend to go to the outside of the defender which could cause him to get flagged by NFL officials.

Why the Buccaneers Need Chukwama Okorafor

You can never have enough offensive lineman, but seriously right tackle Demar Dotson at age 32 (33 during season) is not getting any younger and there isn’t much on the team for depth at tackle behind him and Donovan Smith. A right tackle to replace Dotson will eventually need to be found and even though Smith has not missed a snap in the NFL in his career depth on the offensive line is a must.

With Jameis Winston being sacked 33 times (40 total) last season and missing his first action due to injury of his career some new blood on the offensive line is a must, and adding center Ryan Jensen is a start but more needs to be done. Now whether that comes in the form of guards or tackles is anyone’s guess but more help needs to be added.

Will it Happen?

With Okorafor being graded out as a second day pick meaning a second or third round selection I do not think that he will be selected by the Buccaneers because with trading their third to the Giants for Jason Pierre-Paul they only a second rounder left on day two, and I believe that after the upgrade at center and moving Marpet now to left guard they will deem other positions as more of a priority.

Now that being said the offensive line is still a big need and if offensive guard Quenton Nelson is there at seven and Saquon Barkley and Bradley Chubb are gone I believe they would take him. Their second round selection then would likely be used on other positions of need such as running back, secondary, or defensive end. In my opinion I do not believe that Okorafor will be the Buccaneers selection on the second day of the draft, but if he falls into the third day then they may have to think about it.

Next: Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft profile: Guard, Quenton Nelson

Continue to check back each day for a daily draft profile to see whether or not these players should, would, or could be the next member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Tell me your thoughts on offensive tackle Chukwama Okorafor and his chance of being a Buccaneer in the comments section or tweet me directly @ND1Bucsfan and continue to read and enjoy all of the draft profiles.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Draft Profile: Tackle, Chukwama Okorafor

By Jerry Stalheim | Mar 30, 2018