Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Projecting day two at the 2018 NFL Draft
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Options at picks 53 and 56
We’ve spent a lot of time focused on pick 38, and for good reason. What the Tampa Bay Buccaneers do there will be pretty big in shaping out the rest of their draft class.
But, we can’t just ignore the two later second-round picks. So, in our fifth and final scenario I’m giving you five sub-scenarios on what could happen at 53 and 56.
Cornerback, Donte Jackson
LSU
Let’s address this player first. Because if you’ve listened to any of the off-season Locked on Bucs podcast episodes you’ve likely heard me profess my draft love for this player.
Jackson has a sleight frame and his wingspan is under 30 inches. These are the two biggest reasons he wasn’t talked about as a first round cornerback, and also the reason he may still be available 20 or so picks into the second round.
It’s not likely, but it’s possible.
What Jackson does have is speed, athleticism, and a lot of fight.
Simply put he isn’t afraid to play in bump coverage and has the speed to make up for getting beat if he does get beat off the line.
He loses almost no momentum when changing direction and unlike some, I believe he can convert his game to the NFL while remaining outside.
Safety, Ronnie Harrison
More from The Pewter Plank
- Devin White posts cryptic message to Lavonte David on Twitter
- ESPN predicts surprising outcome to Devin White trade saga
- Updated Buccaneers depth chart after signing two players from rookie minicamp
- Todd Bowles sends clear message about Baker Mayfield’s role with Bucs
- The Athletic is wrong about Bucs one ‘must-watch’ game in 2023
Alabama
Alabama has turned in some solid NFL defenders in their time. Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans have also had a bad taste left in their mouths by Mark Barron and the team’s inability to convert him into a productive player for the franchise.
Harrison is a thumper. And Bucs fans seem to want a thumper to join Evans in the defensive backfield.
Kam Chancellor is listed on NFL.com at 6’3” and 225 lbs. He’s 30. Harrison stepped into the NFL Combine at 6’2” and 207 lbs.
There’s still some work to be done with him, but getting him with the 56th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft is a good spot if they don’t grab Reid earlier.
Running Back, Kerryon Johnson
Auburn
For me, Kerryon Johnson represents the line between getting a running back I’m personally happy with and drafting the next Jeremy McNichols.
In 2017 Johnson rather quietly racked up over 1,300-yards rushing and scored 18 touchdowns.
While not considered a primary receiving threat, Johnson did haul in 55 career passes at Auburn with his single-season high coming just last year with 24 receptions. He also scored his only two touchdowns off passes in 2017.
Johnson isn’t the main guy I’d like to see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers grab, but I wouldn’t be mad with him coming aboard at all.
Wide Receiver, Dante Pettis
Washington
Let’s be clear, if the Bucs do take a wide receiver I’d prefer it was D.J. Chark out of LSU. But, unless they plan on spending the 38th pick on him, this is a very unlikely and inadvisable possibility.
Now, I couldn’t find a forty time for Pettis, and I’m not sure he ever ran one in the process leading up to the draft.
However, what I can say is on tape he’s quicker than fast but isn’t slow. He’s not going to blister your stopwatch finger like Chark could, but he’s no slouch.
Many think he has the ability to play outside in the NFL, and I won’t disagree, I’ll only say he’s better suited playing in the slot where he’ll get more room to operate and shake his defender.
The future of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver corps looks like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin on the outside.
Adam Humphries is a very solid slot receiver option, but Pettis could turn into a top-blasting interior option who can also hold his own outside if the need arises.
56 is a bit of a stretch for him, but without a third-round pick, it’s an acceptable one assuming the team satisfies some needs with their first two second-round picks.
Stacking Picks
There are those who believe Jason Licht is on the hot seat. That if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers don’t win this year, he’s likely to be out of a job.
I don’t know how much truth there is to the idea, but even if it is true, it’s not outside the realm of possibility we see Licht leverage his later second-round pick for even more.
We’d all like to see more picks in the same year of course but trading out of 56 to move back to the 80’s range and pocket a third-round pick for 2019 would do well for the team as well.
The middle of the class is stacked with talent. Drafting in the middle of the third-round let’s the Bucs take advantage of an unexpected slide by a talented rookie and gives them an extra third-round pick to use as they inevitably look to re-tool the roster again in 2019.
I don’t say this in a way of thinking the team will struggle again in 2018. I just mean every off-season is a new opportunity to identify areas to improve.
Making smart decisions with their first two second-round picks gives them the opportunity to address current needs, trade back, address another current need later and secure assets to aid in filling needs next year.
Of course, this is a long-game strategy. If I didn’t think I had a next year in my pocket already, then I’d likely keep the pick and go all-in on 2018.
"Listen to the Locked on Bucs recap and reaction to Day One of the 2018 NFL Draft!"
The options are as plentiful as the excitement is palpable. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a big day ahead of them folks. Let’s all wish them well, hope the board falls in our favor, and enjoy the festivities!
Which outcome do you prefer? Or do you have one of your own I didn’t list here.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments or on social media.