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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-round Mock Draft Vol. 2

By Ryan Doyle

GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 06: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson #23 of the Florida Gators celebrates following a 27-19 victory over the LSU Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 06: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson #23 of the Florida Gators celebrates following a 27-19 victory over the LSU Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 30: Montez Sweat #9 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs reacts after a tackle for loss against the Louisville Cardinals during the TaxSlayer Bowl at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bulldogs won 31-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 30: Montez Sweat #9 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs reacts after a tackle for loss against the Louisville Cardinals during the TaxSlayer Bowl at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bulldogs won 31-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Mississippi State. Montez Sweat. 39. player. 48. . Edge

The Buccaneers’ pass rush improved last season. They went from 22 sacks in 2017 to 41. That number still has Tampa right in the middle of the league. Licht needs to continue to address the front seven.

Jason Pierre-Paul led the charge last season with 12.5 sacks , but the Bucs need someone that can develop into the team’s number one pass rusher in a few seasons. Noah Spence was supposed to be that player, but injuries have hindered what looked like a promising career.

Adding Montez Sweat into the mix at defensive end could take the pressure off of Pierre-Paul. Sweat racked up 22.5 sacks in his two seasons at Mississipi State. He may not be ready to take over the full-time role at defensive end, but he should be able to defend the run well coming out of college.  With some work, Sweat could develop into Pierre-Paul’s sidekick.

Carl Nassib will still be in the mix next season, and it could create a nice trio of defensive linemen for the Bucs to work with.

Sweat has some question marks about his physical abilities, and that could be the reason that he falls into the second round. Even with some concerns, he would be a good get for a pick in the late 30s.

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