Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Iowa EDGE Anthony Nelson

After selecting three defensive backs in on day-two and a linebacker on the opening night, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to overhaul the defense.

With the 107th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Iowa edge rusher Anthony Nelson. After selecting three defensive backs on day-two the Buccaneers add depth to their pass rushing unit in Nelson.

Nelson is an athletic specimen; measuring in at 6’7 and 271 pounds, Nelson’s arms are nearly 35 inches. To add to his size, Nelson runs a 4.82 second 40 yard dash, runs a sub-seven second 3-cone drill, and hit 35.5 inches and 9’10 feet on his vertical and broad jump respectively.

Three years as a starter for the Hawkeyes, Nelson tallied a total of 31 tackles for loss and 23 sacks. Having his best season in 2018, the tall and long pass rusher recorded 13.5 sacks and nine and a half sacks.

Continuing to overhaul their defense, the Buccaneers have yet to make an offensive pick in the draft. Nelson will join a group of pass rushers that currently includes Shaquil Barrett, Carl Nassib, and Noah Spence and has a significant opportunity to carve out immediate playing time this season.

Needing depth along the defensive line, Nelson can play in a versatile of ways, off of the edge or as an interior defensive end in defensive coordinator Todd Bowles’ 3-4 defensive scheme. With the uncertainty still surrounding Gerald McCoy, his size, length, and athleticism is much needed along the Tampa Bay defensive front.

Comparing well to current Buccaneer Nassib, Nelson will provide great depth and will give the Buccaneers needed versatility moving further into the offseason. It will be interesting to see what the Buccaneers do with their remaining three picks.