7-round Buccaneers mock draft after first wave of free agency
By Josh Hill
Round 2, Pick 57: Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE/Western Michigan
We all know how big of a need offensive line is for the Buccaneers heading into the draft, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Jason Licht opt to bulk up the defense with the team's first two picks before dipping into a deep lineman class.
Drafting Western Michigan's Marshawn Kneeland in the second round would be a perfect chaser to taking McKinstry to bolster the secondary. He's PFF's ninth-highest-rated edge rusher, earning an elite grade that looks even better after his NFL Combine performance. Kneeland was a high-motor monster for the Broncos last season, shooting off the line with a violent rip move that will only get nastier if he drops into Todd Bowles' defense.
Tampa Bay hit the jackpot with Calijah Kancey last year and adding Kneeland either behind him or on the other side of the line could be devastating. With Vita Vea in the middle of Kancey and Kneeland, offenses would have their hands full trying to keep that trio from wrecking things; from Vea stuffing the middle to Kancey and Kneeland flying around the edge. That's before we get to supplementary pass rush elements like what Yaya Diaby is expected to do in his second year.
Edge rush is an area the Bucs haven't yet addressed in free agency, but there might not be a need when a guy like Kneeland might fall right into the mix on Day 2.