The Pewter Plank
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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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CINCINNATI, OH – OCTOBER 28: M.J. Stewart #36 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers attempts to tackle Tyler Boyd #83 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – OCTOBER 28: M.J. Stewart #36 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers attempts to tackle Tyler Boyd #83 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

CB M.J. Stewart (Rd. 2, Pick 53)

At the time, selecting M.J. Stewart in the second round made sense for the Buccaneers. They were in desperate need of a cornerback. The problem was, his skill set fit the mold of a slot cornerback, something that the Bucs already had in Vernon Hargreaves.

It made even less sense when Licht nabbed the big-bodied Davis just 10 picks later. Stewart didn’t have a path to get meaningful snaps unless injuries occurred, which they, unfortunately, did for Hargreaves.

During the Bucs Week 1 win over New Orleans, Hargreaves suffered a season-ending injury. Stewart got his chance.

Stewart struggled in the slot for most of the season. Even Mitchell Trubisky had a field day when he targeted Stewart. According to PFF, Stewart allowed a catch on every five snaps, the worst mark of any cornerback that played at least 20 percent of a team’s snaps.

Stewart’s lack of speed became far too obvious, and a position change may be necessary next season.

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