Buccaneers 7-Round NFL Mock Draft after re-signing Jamel Dean, trading Shaq Mason
By Josh Hill
Round 2
50. player. Felix Anudike-Uzomah. 823. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. EDGE. Kansas State
Other Available Options:
- Tanner McKee (QB, Stanford)
- Daiyan Henley (LB, Washington)
- Steve Avila (OG, TCU)
- Tryique Stevenson (CB, Miami)
After using the first round to address a glaring need on offense, Todd Bowles gets to add to his defense with the team’s second round pick. Rather than look at the secondary, the Bucs could add some depth to the defensive line based on who is on the board, and grabbing Kansas State’s Felix Anudike-Uzomah is not a bad idea.
At Kansas State, Anudike-Uzomah was named a Big 12 Lineman of the Year in two of his three years with the Wildcats and won Defensive Player of the Year last season. He’d add much-needed prowess off the edge of the line, but would also come in and serve as some competition for Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. While he’s shown flashes over the last few seasons, it’s hard to say the Bucs have unlocked star potential in JTS, but perhaps the presence of a potential successor could push him to another level.
Plus, why not have a pair-up defensive ends with hyphenated names and hope they both turn into studs?
More seriously, Anudike-Uzomah would add defensive line depth that the Bucs will need to make up for with the likely departures of Akiem Hicks, Will Gholston, and Carl Nassib this offseason. Even if he’s not someone who usurps Tryon-Shoyinka on the depth chart, he can be a part of a brooding rotation of lineman for Todd Bowles to deploy.