The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took defensive tackle Terry Beckner Jr. in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft, but has he earned a spot on the final roster?
When the 2019 NFL Draft came around last April, it was not a shock to anyone to see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers place a heavy emphasis on the defensive side of the ball as only two selections were not defensive players. Their last selection in April was defensive tackle Terry Beckner Jr. out of Missouri in the seventh round; as the last preseason game rolls around, does Beckner make the final 53-man roster?
A four year player at Missouri, Beckner missed significant time with multiple knee injuries that may have stunted his development during both his freshman and sophomore seasons. Beckner had a breakout junior season for the Tigers with seven sacks, 11 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, and even an interception from the middle of the defense.
During his senior year, however, Beckner took a step back, recording just three and a half sacks. After putting up a terrible performance at the combine, one of the worst for the entire defensive tackle group, Beckner fell all the way to the last round of the draft where the Buccaneers took a chance on him.
With pick 215 in the 2019 NFL Draft, the #Buccaneers select Terry Beckner Jr, DT, Missouri.
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 27, 2019
Terry Beckner Jr posted a V.Poor #RAS with Good size, Poor speed, V.Poor explosiveness, Poor agility at the DT position. pic.twitter.com/RoCrMNmqTW
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This spring Beckner had gathered a head of steam in the right direction with his showing during rookie and voluntary minicamp, but since the pads have gone on, the rookie big boy has been non-existent. Thus far through three preseason games, Beckner has managed just one tackle and one ball batted down at the line of scrimmage.
The Buccaneers, however, are extremely thin at the defensive tackle position right now with the injuries to Jeremiah Ledbetter and Vita Vea. Fielding a starting group of Beau Allen, William Gholston, and Ndamukong Suh at this point, the Buccaneers will need all of the bodies they can get along the defensive trenches; this could be Beckner’s saving grace when it comes to making the final roster.
With a wave of transactions set to happen shortly as teams are going to cut down their rosters to 53 players, it is a foregone conclusion the Buccaneers will add depth to the defensive line off of waivers. Will Beckner survive the cuts as other defensive tackles will be undoubtedly brought in or will he see himself on the practice squad in Tampa Bay?
It would not be a wise bet to suggest Beckner makes the roster as it seems his clearest path to development in the NFL will be to be stashed on the practice squad. If Beckner is placed on the practice squad, there is a chance another team can claim him as well. The future is murky for Beckner, as all avenues are currently wide open for him.