2021 NFL Draft: Way too early mock draft for the Buccaneers
By Rob Leeds
Eric Burrell, S, Wisconsin
While most of this mock draft makes sense on paper, this is the one selection that doesn’t fit. With Antoine Winfield Jr., Jordan Whitehead, and Mike Edwards on the roster, the Buccaneer safety room is one of the strongest parts of their roster.
It has only been three weeks, but Winfield is playing at a near All-Pro pace, and Whitehead has made a case as one of the most underrated safeties in the league. Edwards is the odd man out of starting reps, but he has received chances at nickel behind Sean Murphy-Bunting and saw immediate success last week versus Denver.
Eric Burrell is a talented player, but his role on the Buccaneers would be minimal. The Bucs love their starters, and taking reps from any of the main three would only hurt the overall level of play.
One way or another, the simulation here reigns supreme, and Burrell in this scenario is a Buccaneer. Burrell has pieced together an impressive college career, and he would give the Buccaneers a phenomenal fourth safety in their defense.
Burrell has shown a depth with his game that can threaten the pass and the run, and the stat sheet reflects a player that has the potential to be a consistent piece in an NFL defense. With nine passes defended and three interceptions, Burrell is a ballhawk, which is the perfect skillset to carry into the next level in the modern NFL.