Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2021 NFL Draft guidebook

The Buccaneers need the proper depth in the 2021 NFL Draft

Addressing depth is a finicky prospect for the Buccaneers. They have two different ways to address positions; with guys that could be quality back-ups now or with guys that can become great down the road with some refining to their game.

Bruce Arians has been very clear in the fact that this team is building to win now, not down the road, but that doesn’t mean that developmental players are off the board. The Buccaneers would be better off finding raw players that have the athletic or mental upside rather than the guys that are clear contributors now, largely because the Bucs may draft no starters at all this year.

For example, look at outside linebacker. The crop of picks in this class isn’t excellent, but there are still 2-3 starting-caliber options that could come out out of the first round. Names like Jaelan Phillips and Azeez Ojulari are the best suited to start soon, but there is a better fit for the Buccaneers.

Instead of these options, the Bucs would be better off by investing in Jayson Oweh. Oweh is an athletic freak with more upside based on ability than anyone else in the class, but he is far from the talent that anyone else is in year one. Oweh could be great down the road, but he needs a team to develop him properly.

Prioritizing the players like Oweh in this class is critical for the Buccaneers. It is already improbable that even the first-round pick would find a starting role on this team, so focusing hard on developmental studs could keep the team functioning long after this iteration of the team ends.

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