Buccaneers 2020 NFL Draft: Pewter Plank final draft grades
By Rob Leeds
Rob Leeds
Round 1: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
The Buccaneers desperately needed a tackle and were able to find a steal. Tristan Wirfs is one of the most athletic players in this class, and he miraculously fell to the Buccaneers.
Trading up one spot was not as desirable as Wirfs falling to #14. Still, with Joe Staley‘s retirement yesterday, the 49ers were likely mulling over the idea of drafting a tackle, and the decision by the Buccaneers to trade up looks even better in retrospect.
Draft grade: A
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Round 2: Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
The Buccaneer secondary experienced a renaissance during the latter half of the 2019 season, but the overall level of play from the safeties still left something to be desired. Tampa Bay passed on a J.K. Dobbins in the second round and made the decision that was substantially smarter in drafting a first-round talent to take their defense to the next level.
Draft grade: A+
Round 3: Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB, Vanderbilt
In what was one of the most surprising picks of the night, the Buccaneers drafted Ke’Shawn Vaughn in the third round. Vaughn was likely going to be available in a later round, but the consensus is that Tampa Bay has found its third-down running back.
Taking a running back in the third round is still a little early, but Vaughn has the talent to be great in this system. Because Tampa Bay reached on this pick, they were able to find steals in the fifth and sixth rounds at greater positions of need for depth.
Draft grade: C
Round 5: Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota
He may not be the burner that the team needs, but Tyler Johnson in the fifth was an excellent selection for the Buccaneers. He gives Tampa Bay much-needed depth at receiver, and Tom Brady has another great receiver to throw to.
The only problem with this pick is that Tampa Bay now has two receivers that predominantly play in the slot, but if anyone can handle this embarrassment of riches, it’s Bruce Arians.
Draft grade: A-
Round 6: Khalil Davis, IDL, Nebraska
Tampa Bay needed depth on its defensive line coming into this draft and was able to find Khalil Davis in the sixth. Davis had a great final season at Nebraska statically and tested out of his shoes at the combine. The Bucs now have another depth piece alongside Rakeem Nunez-Roches and a player that can compete for a starting job down the road.
Draft grade: B+
Round 7: Chapelle Russell, LB, Temple
Chapelle Russell has a terrible history of injuries, tearing his ACL twice while in college. Still, he has seemingly put that behind him and gives the Buccaneers an additional linebacker on the depth chart while also being available for special teams.
Draft grade: B
Round 7: Raymond Calais, RB, Louisiana-Lafayette
The Buccaneers used their final pick of the draft on another running back in Raymond Calais. He immediately brings speed to the position and will be competing with T.J. Logan and Dare Ogunbowale for the final roster spot. Calais is predominantly a runner, but if he can learn to catch, he could be dangerous for the Buccaneer offense.
Draft grade: B-
Overall grade: B+