Buccaneers 2020 NFL Draft: Pewter Plank final draft grades

Kenny Barrett

Round 1: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

The only reason I couldn’t give the Bucs an A+ is because they had to give up the 4thround pick to move up the one slot. If anyone would have said the Bucs had to trade into the top 10 for Wirfs, it’s hard to find people who wouldn’t be on board, so the 4this small fries in the grand scheme of things. Wirfs has the most potential of the big 4 tackles in my eyes. He’s crazy athletic, nasty in the running game, and is coming from a great coaching staff that produces great tackles into the NFL. Wirfs steps in immediately as the starting right tackle with the potential of being a left tackle in the future. Many analysts are saying kick him into guard, just tune that noise out, he’s a pro-bowl caliber offensive tackle.

Grade: A

Round 2: Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota

Perfect value meets need. I wasn’t the biggest proponent of the Bucs drafting a safety UNLESS that safety was a centerfielder. Winfield is that and then some. He can play slot corner as well as over the top free safety. He has insane instincts, is a ballhawk, and is a leader in the secondary. He will step into the season as the starting free safety, regardless of Justin Evans health. In fact, don’t be surprised to see the Bucs implement three safeties with Whitehead and Evans deep and Winfield in the slot in some situations. His potential in the defense is Tyrann Mathieu‘s role, but with that added element of playing the deep third better. Find the tape against Penn State, and from the start, you’ll love what you see.

Grade: A+

Round 3: Ke’ Shawn Vaughn, RB, Vanderbilt

When Vaughn was first announced, I admittedly wanted to hate the pick; however, this is where watching film on a player becomes EXTREMELY important. Vaughn reminds me a lot of Ronald Jones, but with a little more added in the passing game with a significant upgrade as a pass protector. Watch the LSU and Georgia games in 2019 to get a broad scope of what Vaughn can offer. The lower grade has to do with value more than the player. If Vaughn was a 4th round pick, it probably would have received a B from me. There were plenty of other great players on the board at the time, and this felt like Licht and BA settled. The more film I watch of Vaughn though, the more I like him!

Grade: C+

Round 5: Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota

Tyler Johnson’s drops are the only thing holding him back. He offers a Chris Godwin light to this offense. His presence will definitely be needed if Godwin or Evans were to go down. He offers a similar compliment to them that Scotty Miller and Justin Watson cannot provide. Solid route runner with great contested catch ability. He will have a small learning curve, however, he is a welcome addition to the offense in the fifth round and will be the third receiver on the depth chart sooner than later.

Grade: B+

Round 6: Khalil Davis, IDL, Nebraska

Davis is a great late-round prospect. He’s explosive and extremely athletic for a lineman; however, he isn’t the type of defensive tackle that the Bucs play and seem to want. He’s a quick-twitch and get upfield kind of defensive tackle, as opposed to a profile like Ndamukong Suh or Vita Vea. The effort and hustle of Davis is admirable, and it will be needed for him to make the roster. The grade is less on the player and more on the fit, but still, a positive pick as the depth at the defensive tackle position was needed.

Grade: C

Round 7: Chapelle Russell, LB, Temple

Normally the idea of picking athletes for special teams is the right way to go, but in this case, the fact that Russell is from Temple left a sour taste in my mouth. I understand his credentials as a leader at Temple are noteworthy, but most of the coaching staff coached at Temple. Rusell also comes with medical red flags as he has had 2 ACL tears in one of his knees. On film, Rusell is a great athlete and tackles well, and he is a complete project. I don’t see how he will see the field as an inside linebacker in a meaningful way and will be relegated to a special teams only kind of player at least to begin his career, most likely on the practice squad.

Grade: D

Round 7: Raymond Calais, RB, Louisiana-Lafayette

Solid hands, quick, and can be a return specialist. In the 7th round, it’s hard to complain about those traits as the Bucs need competition in the return game. Calais was part of a great three-headed backfield and can have a role on offense as well as special teams. What really perked my ears was in Arians mentioned that Calais has some hands and can have some value as a back coming out of the backfield. Being able to provide value in several areas is where Calais can make a career. Where Vaughn is a threat to Dare’s job, Calais is a threat to TJ Logan’s job.

Grade: B-

Overall grade: B-