Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-round mock draft before the Combine
By Cory Kinnan
7.1 Bryce Love RB Stanford
It is early, but last year’s pick in the second round of Ronald Jones looks like a huge whiff by Licht, and while the team saw great production from Peyton Barber, they should be hesitant to lean on him long term. Here in the seventh round would be a great opportunity to take a flier on a running back.
Nobody saw their stock fall further from their decision to stay in school than Bryce Love. A Heisman finalist in 2017, Love decided to say no to the draft and return to Stanford, even after being expected as a early-mid day two pick. However, Love saw his numbers drop from over 2,100 yards on the ground and 19 touchdowns to 740 yards and six scores.
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To add insult to injury, Love then tore his ACL ten games into the season and will not be ready to fully participate at the Combine. Love’s stock has taken a hit from potentially a second round pick to a late round flier. Here with the first pick in the seventh round, the Bucs should take that chance with Love, who has shown flashes of brilliance in the past and hope that he fully recovers from his ACL injury.