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Assessing Buccaneers’ 2018 Rookie Class: A mixed bag

By Ryan Doyle

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 21: Ronald Jones #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after scoring in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns on October 21, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Bucs won 26-23. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 21: Ronald Jones #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after scoring in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns on October 21, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Bucs won 26-23. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 03: Jack Cichy #48 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates with fans after defeating the LSU Tigers 16-14 at Lambeau Field on September 3, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 03: Jack Cichy #48 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates with fans after defeating the LSU Tigers 16-14 at Lambeau Field on September 3, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

LB Jack Cichy (Rd. 6, Pick 202)

Injuries have slowed down Jack Cichy‘s football career. In his final season Wisconsin, Cichy tore his ACL, ending his terrific college career early. The injury also sent him on a freefall in the 2018 Draft.

The Bucs were able to pick him up in the sixth round. It felt like a steal. If Cichy could ever get healthy, he could develop into a productive linebacker.

Unfortunately,  Cichy tore his ACL, in the opposite knee that he hurt in college, the same week that starting linebacker Kwon Alexander suffered the same fate.

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Cichy would have been in line for significant snaps if he didn’t suffer the ligament tear. He flashed on special teams and seemed like at worst a backup level player in 2018, but it wasn’t meant to be.

Hopefully, Cichy can return in 2019 with the injury bug behind him. The linebacking corps needs depth next season. Cichy can provide that.

WR Justin Watson (Rd. 5, Pick 144)

A training camp darling, Justin Watson looked like he was in line for production in 2019, rather than last season. The Bucs had a deep receiving corps,  and at best, Watson would be the fifth receiver on the depth chart.

However, Watson contributed on special teams. He led the team in special teams tackles and suited up in 12 games, despite a deep wideout group.

As Adam Humphries faces free agency and DeSean Jackson‘s faces a likely departure, the door has opened up for the Penn product.

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