2019 NFL Draft Review – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are rebuilding once again, but there is optimism for the 2019 season due to Bruce Arians being the new head coach.  His no-nonsense style will lead to the team making less mistakes than last season.  Actually, if you watched any Buccaneers games last season, then you know that the team needs to make less mistakes on the field.  The beginning of the turnaround starts with the NFL Draft.  Let’s take a look at who Tampa Bay drafted.

Round 1, Pick 5:  Devin White, LB, LSU.  6’0″, 237 lbs.  White will start right away for Tampa Bay.  He was the best linebacker in the country last season.  He plays at all three levels extremely well.  He is able to make tackles, rush the passer, or drop back in coverage in order to make high-impact plays.

Round 2, Pick 7:  Sean Murphy-Bunting, CB, Central Michigan.  6’0″, 195 lbs.  Murphy-Bunting will get plenty of minutes at cornerback due to his strong technique in covering receivers.

Round 3, Pick 31:  Jamel Dean, CB, Auburn.  6’1″, 206 lbs.  Dean will also gain minutes at corner as well lining up against taller receivers.

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Round 3, Pick 36:  Mike Edwards, CB, Hawaii.  5’9″, 189 lbs.  As you can see from these picks, the Bucs secondary was a problem last season.  Their secondary was scorched last season.  Edwards will also see time at corner either on the outside or inside against the slot receiver.  Edwards also gives a boost in the area of special teams because he returned kicks as well.

Round 4, Pick 5:  Anthony Nelson, DE, Iowa.  6’7″, 271 lbs.  Nelson will bring more pass rushing to the Buccaneers.  His height being in the same range as offensive tackles gives him an advantage since tackles are not able to use extra leverage against him.

Round 5, Pick 7:  Matt Gay, K, Utah.  6’0″, 232 lbs.  Gay will compete for the placekicker position.  All of the kicks that he missed in college last season were beyond 40 yards, so he is automatic within 40 yards.

Round 6, Pick 36:  Scott Miller, WR, Bowling Green.  5’9″, 174 lbs.  Miller could see time at the slot or in gadget plays.  He has a good chance to make the team even though he was drafted late because he was the only offensive player drafted by Tampa Bay.

Round 7, Pick 1:  Terry Beckner, DT, Missouri.  6’4″, 296 lbs.  Beckner will add depth to the defensive line.  He may see time as a pass-rushing tackle if he is not placed on the practice squad.

Grade:  The defense definitely needed to be upgraded.  I give them a C+.