Tampa Bay Buccaneers Draft Grades and Analysis for NFL Draft 2019
Overall Grade: B+
I decided to do bonus draft coverage for the Buccaneers, since I'm also becoming a fan of them. It's hard because they are terrible, but still. It was a great draft for the Buccaneers. They needed major help
on defense and they got it! They found five potential future starters for the
defense, along with a new kicker, and a WR that has a chance to be good. It
would have been nice to see a RB drafted or one at least taken as a rookie free
agent. I’m not sure about Ronald Jones yet, who had a terrible rookie year. I
liked Nick Chubb better, who had better balance, power, and cutting ability. Jones
probably only beat him on top speed. He also looked to have as good explosion. Also
the Bucks should have drafted at least one offensive lineman.
Round 1: Devin White, LB – Grade: A
I love this pick! White just looks like a beast on tape. He’s
fast and powerful. He tested very well at the combine with a 4.42 40, a 39.5
inch vertical, a 7.07 three cone, and a 4.17 shuttle. He’s not huge at 237 lbs,
but big enough since he’s so strong. He had two great years with over 120
tackles and 12 tackles for losses. He also had 6 passes defended his senior
year and three sacks. He went from 37 solo tackles his junior year to 62 during
his senior year. The Buccaneers also needed an inside linebacker. Devin White
will be a probowl player.
Round 2: Sean Bunting, CB – Grade B-
Bunting has good size at 6’ 195 lbs. He’s athletic with a
4.42 40, a 41 inch vertical, and a 6.85 three cone drill. He had 5 passes
broken up for three years in a row, which isn’t amazing, but is okay. He also
had 9 interceptions over three years which is decent. His best stat is that he
allowed under a 39 percent completion rate during his senior year. It seems to
have been a little high to take him which is why he got a B - grade, but He has
a chance to become an eventual starter.
Round 3: Jamel Dean, CB – Grade B
He has slightly better size than Bunting at 6’1” 206. His 40
time is great at a 4.3 and is vertical and broad jump are also very good at 41
inches and 130 inches. His cone had shuttle were not as good as I would like
for a CB at 7.02 and 4.19. He has had multiple knee surgeries, but seems to
have healed up fine for now. He only allowed a 40 percent completion rate
during his senior year, but still needs to work on his technique. He only had 2
interceptions in two years, but did have 17 passes broken up. He’ll need some
work but has a chance to become a starter. Not bad for the third round.
Round 3: Mike Edwards, S – Grade B+
He has no testing data, but he looks very athletic on tape.
I’m confident that he can get it done in the NFL. He’s a little small for a
safety at 5’11” 205. He has good stats with 23 passes broken up over 4 years, 10
interceptions, 317 tackles, and 21 tackles for losses. He had 100 tackles
during his sophomore year. He looks like a play-maker on tape for sure. I wish
there was more data on him, but I like the pick and think that he can also
become a starter at safety, but might have to put on 10 lbs.
Round 4: Anthony Nelson, DE – Grade B+
Nelson is a big bodied DE at 6’7” 271lbs. He also has long
34 7/8 inch arms. He tested extremely well at the combine, especially for
someone his size. He had a 6.95 3 cone which is ridiculous at 271, as well as
one of the best vertical, and broad jump times. His shuttle is great at 4.23
and his 40 is above average for his size as well. He is a little low on tackles
with 45 his senior year but his 13.5 tackles for a loss and his 9.5 sacks are
decent. He also had 5 passes defended during his junior year. He should work on
getting stronger and work on his technique but he has great potential. He also
could eventually become a starter at DE and is a great pick in the 4th
round.
Round 5, Matt Gay, K: Grade B+
It’s tough to ever like drafting a kicker, but Matt Gay
seems worth it. The Buck’s kickers were horrible. He has a good leg, making 72
percent of his field goals over 50 yards. He’s also accurate, hitting 35 of 36
under 40. He’s the potential future at kicker in Tampa.
Round 6: Scott Miller, WR: Grade A
I love this pick for the sixth round. He’s got great top
speed with a 4.36 40, a great cone at 4.02. and a strong 15 bench reps for
someone his size. He had a great senior year with 1148 yards, a 16.2 yard
average, and 9 TDs. He has 2867 career yards and an impressive 23 touchdowns. He
shows off his impressive speed on tape. He also has great moves to make
defenders miss. Lastly, he made some impressive catches. His main issue is his
weight at 176, but that’s bigger than first round pick Marquise Brown who was
166.
Round 7 Terry Beckner Jr. DT: Grade D+
Beckner isn’t very athletic and is a little small at 296
lbs. He has low numbers of sacks and tackles. He did have okay numbers at
tackles for losses. Although he’s not athletic, he does have good feel in small
spaces and good hands. Still I don’t think he’ll make the team.
Bonus: RFA signing of Anthony Johnson, WR - Grade: A
He had 2367 yards in two years and 25 TDs. He also had a
career average of 17.8 yards per catch, which is great. He ran a 4.55,which isn’t
great an a 7.12 3 cone, which also isn’t great. He has good size though at 6’2”
209. He was projected to be a 4th round pick. He had some nice
contested catches, and looks to have good hands. He got pretty open on many of
his catches also. He’s an amazing find as a RFA. He has a chance to make the
team.
