In one of the final installments of our Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft profiles, we go back to Penn State. We take a look at wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton and to see if he’s a good fit for the Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers offense actually has a surplus of weapons. With Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, Chris Godwin, Cameron Brate, and O.J. Howard the lone position of need is running back. However with the depth behind the starters as just Adam Humphries and Bobo Wilson. There is a clear need for depth because in football there are injuries. Also, DeSean Jackson will be passing the torch sooner than later and while Godwin looks like that guy it couldn’t hurt to test all options.
While wide receiver isn’t the biggest need the offense has to prove to the NFL they can score with anyone. Why not use the best weapons possible. The Buccaneers are in a division where points are scored in bunches with the offensive powerhouses in New Orleans, Atlanta, and Carolina. Adding another weapon definitely wouldn’t hurt the cause.
DaeSean Hamilton’s Collegiate Career
DaeSean Hamilton, born in Japan, due to being raised in a military family. He attended a high school in Virginia where he played safety and wide receiver. He was a four-star recruit after graduating with high honors he chose to go to Penn State.
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Hamilton had a great career as a Nittany Lion. Finishing as Penn States all-time leader in receptions with 214. 2842 receiving yards is also good for third all time. His tenure was rewarding as well.
As a freshman, Hamilton was selected to Big Ten All-Freshman Team, Freshman All-American second team and honorable-mention All-Big Ten by coaches. Following his senior season, Hamilton received All-Bowl Team honors from the Associated Press.
He finished all four years averaging thirteen yards a catch over four touchdowns a year. While he’s not an elite prospect there is a good chance he’s going to get drafted earlier than he should in this weak wide receiver draft.
Pros
DaeSean is smart, graduating high school with honors and earning an advanced diploma, and will graduate with a degree in communications. He also is very caring, his brother is autistic and he helps raised him due to his mother fighting cancer and his father being deployed. He’s been a captain and leader on and off the field.
On the field, he has a solid career and a proven pass catcher. He can play in the slot and outside and is reliable at getting first downs. While he didn’t run at the combine, he had a 4.52 40 yard dash at the Penn State Pro Day proving he is deceptively faster than he may have looked.
Cons
While he ran well at his Pro-Day he doesn’t have a secondary burst. If he wants to primarily be a slot receiver in the NFL he’ll need to break the press more efficiently.
He’s got great hands but he needs to work on his blocking. While he also was quicker than expected he didn’t show superior athleticism that is required for a top tier wideout in the NFL. He’s definitely got potential but will need the right situation to make a real impact.
Why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Need DaeSean Hamilton
Depth is a commodity that the Buccaneers never had. The Buccaneers need help in other positions but have an opportunity to make splashes. The Buccaneers offense needs sparks and reliable targets. Adam Humphries fills that role currently but Hamilton would be a slight overall improvement.
The relationship with Chris Godwin is already there so it would be an easy transition for him. The targets are already going to be spread around but DaeSean has been a constant threat in the red zone and on third down. Almost 80% of his catches in 2017 went for a first down or touchdown. While he likely won’t make an impact his first year, he appears to be a nice piece for the future.
Will it Happen?
At this point, the wide receiver position is one of the better aspects of the depth chart. DaeSean Hamilton would be a luxury pick. He’s currently projected to go in the third round. The Buccaneers don’t have a third-round pick and have more pressing needs with their top three selections.
If the Buccaneers trade down they can add more picks making this selection slightly more likely. DaeSean Hamilton will have other suitors making the chances of the Bucs picking him up slim to none.
Next: No Fear Of Guice Reports
We’ll see what the team can do in less than a week. Stay with us every day as we give you more prospects to watch on The Pewter Plank. Sound off on Twitter or Facebook if you think DaeSean Hamilton is one of the picks for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.