Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3 draft targets as Demar Dotson’s heir apparent

Tytus Howard

The Buccaneers have been getting quite cozy with Alabama State offensive tackle Tytus Howard throughout this pre-draft process. The team has met with Howard on a visit, as well as at the combine and the Senior Bowl, showing genuine interest in the 6’5 and 322 pound tackle.

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The Senior Bowl is where Howard first put his name on the map, blocking edge rushers such as Jaylon Ferguson, Montez Sweat, and Oshane Ximines throughout the week. He parlayed his performance in Mobile, Alabama into an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he saw his draft stock continue to soar.

At the combine, Howard ran a 5.05 second 40 yard dash and tested in the top half of prospects in the vertical and broad jump. Another appeal to Howard is his 34 inch arms and 10⅝ inch hands that will come in handy when shielding elite pass rusher off of the edge.

Howard is, however, was a fifth-year senior and is on the older side of he rest of the tackles in this class. If he is only sitting one year in Tampa Bay and then taking the reins at right tackle in 2019, then his age is not as big of a worry.

His stock is on the rise, and it is beginning to look like he will not be on the board at the 70th pick in the draft and may need to be selected with the 39th overall pick if the Buccaneers want him.