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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Re-drafting the historically bad 2016 NFL Draft

By Cory Kinnan

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: Vernon Hargreaves III of Florida holds up a jersey after being picked #11 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: Vernon Hargreaves III of Florida holds up a jersey after being picked #11 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 11: Austin Blythe #66 of the Los Angeles Rams blocks Justin Coleman #28 of the Seattle Seahawks to allow Malcolm Brown #34 room to run at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 11, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 11: Austin Blythe #66 of the Los Angeles Rams blocks Justin Coleman #28 of the Seattle Seahawks to allow Malcolm Brown #34 room to run at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 11, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

Round 6, Pick 183: Austin Blythe, C, Iowa

Original Pick: Devante Bond, LB, Oklahoma

The Buccaneers used their sixth-round pick on Oklahoma linebacker Devante Bond, and the thing is, he may be their most productive draft pick of the class. He has been a spot starter for the Buccaneers at linebacker and has made significant special teams contributions as well.

Starting four games for the Buccaneers last year, Bond tallied 16 solo tackles and one quarterback hit from his outside linebacker spot under former defensive coordinator Smith’s scheme. He graded out as a below average starter with a score of 47.3 according to PFF.

Still on the board at the time of Bond’s selection was Los Angeles Rams’ starting interior lineman Austin Blythe from Iowa. Blythe graded out as an above average starter for the Rams last year, landing in the green with a score of 71 from PFF.

Originally drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round, Blythe did not make the team the next year and was cut, then signed by the Rams. Last year was his first season as a full time starter, and he played well and has locked down his spot at right guard in LA for a long time coming; the Buccaneers, meanwhile, have a gaping hole at the right guard spot.

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