Mock Draft Monday: Buccaneers do not take a kicker
By Cory Kinnan
![BATON ROUGE, LA - OCTOBER 13: Grant Delpit #9 of the LSU Tigers celebrates during the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Tiger Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. LSU Tigers won 36-16. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) BATON ROUGE, LA - OCTOBER 13: Grant Delpit #9 of the LSU Tigers celebrates during the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Tiger Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. LSU Tigers won 36-16. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/c603e8004ab0d3ed0e3d976137bc6db6dcfcbc5578ced62b5c5a031a03a2eeab.jpg)
1.8: Grant Delpit, S, LSU
The Buccaneers do not have a dire need at safety as youngsters Jordan Whitehead and Mike Edwards have been playing well through the first three weeks of the season. However, if Grant Delpit is on the board with the eighth overall pick (determined by reverse Super Bowl odds), then you take him.
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Listed at 6-2 and 203 pounds, Delpit is an aggressive and rangy safety for the Louisiana State Tigers and is a top three overall player on most big boards at this point in the college football season. A stat sheet stuffer, Delpit is frequently in the backfield of opposing teams and can also make plays as an umbrella overtop of the coverage.
Having a monster sophomore year last year, Delpit stacked up 46 solo tackles, including nine and a half coming behind the line of scrimmage from his safety spot. Additionally, Delpit recorded five sacks, five interceptions, and nine passes defended.
Just imagine how defensive coordinator could use Delpit all over the field in his defense. With the uncertainty surrounding veteran safety Justin Evans, the Buccaneers should not be afraid of using a high pick on a safety, especially one with the talent of Delpit. With Delpit, Edwards, and Whitehead as the safeties moving forward in a pass-heavy league, the Buccaneers will be well equipped on the defensive side of the football.