Buccaneers address all three phases in final seven round mock draft

With the 248th overall pick, the Buccaneers select Austin Allen – TE (Nebraska)

The cat and mouse game between Rob Gronkowski and the Bucs pertaining to the future Hall of Fame tight end’s future may very well end up with Gronk’s return to Tampa Bay. With that said, it’s also completely fair to feel that with each passing day there’s no definitive answer, it’s getting increasingly frustrating.

The tight end position has to be addressed eventually with or without Gronk since the only other tight ends on the roster are ol’ reliable Cameron Brate and Cody McElroy. What better time to do so than the draft?

It may be a little later than preferred, but given the players who could be available at more pressing needs in earlier rounds, coupled with the fact that any tight end drafted will more likely than not be the third option at the position, it still makes sense.

With that being said, the Buccaneers find the perfect fit in Austin Allen. The colossal Cornhusker stands at 6’8″ and weighs 260 pounds, so naturally is a solid blocker, which he would probably be doing more of out of the gate. Once he bulks up as most tend to upon entry into the NFL, things will only go up. He’ll develop his receiving skills to go along with his blocking and god-given catch radius, and would have quite the room of mentors in Brate and (hopefully) Gronkowski.