Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Redrafting the 2017 draft class
By Rob Leeds
Eddie Jackson, Safety, Alabama
Originally drafted by the Chicago Bears at 4-112
Kendell Beckwith was the final pick of the third round and the second by the Buccaneers, but his time in Tampa Bay has been comparable to Justin Watson. Both players have shown flashes of great talent, but availability is the best skill, and neither had this due to injuries.
After two full years without a snap, the Buccaneers finally cut Beckwith this past offseason, a move that many people expected. With Lavonte David and Devin White on the roster, very few fans are wishing that Beckwith was still here.
If the Buccaneers still wanted to address safety in this class, Eddie Jackson was a much better option than Justin Evans. The All-Pro safety has put together a great start to his NFL career and has ten interceptions with 26 passes defended over his first four years in the league.
Jackson is a ballhawk and would’ve fit perfectly with the Buccaneer defense. In addition to his impressive talent, Jackson has also not struggled with injuries, which should be his most significant selling point.
Beckwith and Evans will always be major “what ifs” for the Buccaneers, but injury issues are the easiest ways for teams to decide to move on from players.