Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3 players to target in the third round

By Cory Kinnan | Apr 21, 2019

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Jachai Polite #99 of the Florida Gators puts a hit on Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers as he loses the ball during the first quarter of the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images /

Darnell Savage, S, Maryland

In what has turned out to be a deep safety class, Maryland prospect Darnell Savage has put himself firmly in the mix to be a day-two pick and may end up in the top-50. The Buccaneers have met with him and hope to see him drop to the 70th pick in the draft. If Savage does drop to that point, it would be a home run selection by Licht to take him in the third round.

While Savage is a bit undersized at 5’10½ and just under 200 pounds, he put together a great combine which forced scouts to go back, watch his film, and realize he is a dynamic safety. At the combine, Savage ran a blazing 4.36 40 yard dash, hit nearly 40 inches on his vertical, over 10 feet on his broad jump, and nearly hit the seven seconds flat mark on his 3-cone drill.

It just so happens the safety position is more than likely the weakest and most exploitable hole on the Buccaneers’ roster. Adding Savage would give Tampa Bay day-one competition for M.J. Stewart, Justin Evans, Jordan Whitehead, and Kentrell Brice; it would be safe not to bet against Savage to win one of the starting jobs in the third level of the defense as well.

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