Buccaneers three-round mock draft following Week 16 loss
By Ryan Doyle
48. . Edge. Louisiana Tech. Jaylon Ferguson. 73. player
The Buccaneers. solved some of their pass-rushing deficiencies in 2018. They brought in former All-Pro Jason Pierre-Paul via trade, and the unheralded Carl Nassib has the second-most sacks on the team.
However, the Bucs are missing that final piece to the pass rush puzzle. Noah Spence appeared to be the answer before the season started, but he has barely seen the field. Now that Spence’s future is in doubt, Tampa will have to find some production through the Draft.
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The Bucs also need to get younger along the defensive line. Gerald McCoy and Pierre-Paul are in their primes, but Vita Vea will need someone aside from him in the long-term.
Louisiana Tech’s Jaylon Ferguson may be the answer for Tampa Bay. He leads in the NCAA with 15.0 sacks. He isn’t just a pure pass rusher in the mold of a Melvin Ingram or Dee Ford, he can help with run defense and has the physical attributes to play inside as well.
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If the Bucs are apprehensive to bank on potential, rather than pure production, Ferguson could be an option in the second or third round.