2021 NFL Draft: Buccaneers mock draft with Chris Godwin replacement

The Buccaneers add depth for the edge with draft pick #5

Elerson Smith, Edge, Northern Iowa

The current depth pass rusher for the Buccaneers, Anthony Nelson, played at Iowa, so it is only fitting that the Buccaneers stay within the state to find a better fit. Nelson has been mediocre during his time in the NFL, and Tampa needs to start trying out other players to maintain the talent in the role.

Day three picks are usually for project players and those that can serve a niche role, and Elserson Smith fits perfectly with the Buccaneers.

Tampa has consistently been tied to pass-rushers in round one in mock drafts and free agents predictions, but they already have one of the better duos in the league if they retain Shaquil Barrett. Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul dominated in the playoffs, and the Buccaneers can’t afford to break this pair up.

While the Buccaneers should keep Barrett, they still need an additional edge rusher to serve in a rotational capacity or in the obvious passing downs. Tampa Bay also employed sets with JPP lined up on the inside of the line in even fronts, and a pure pass-rusher to use on the outside in these situations would give Todd Bowles even more options to use on one of the best defenses in the NFL.

Smith is definitely in this position due to his projections and not because of what we have seen so far, but the potential is there to be an excellent number three on a team that is still trying to fill that role.