Buccaneers mock draft 1.0
With the NFL draft less than two weeks away it is time to give you the first official NFL Fan Blitz Tampa Bay Buccaneers mock draft.
The Buccaneers have many needs, most of them on the defensive side of the ball with a few needs of offense. This should be be a draft that Is defensive focused for the Bucs.
At. No. 5 overall the Bucs will select linebacker Devin White from LSU. The linebacker position was weakened considerably with the loss of Kwon Alexander who signed with San Francisco.
White is 6-0 240 runs a 4.64/40 would come in and be an immediate starter in Todd Bowles 3-4 defense. White registered over 100 tackles his last two season at LSU so he has a good nose for the football. White can play the run as well as the pass so would be an every down three down linebacker.
For more on why Devin White is the right choice for the Bucs at No. 5 check out my thoughts http://nflfanblitz.com/why-the-bucs-should-draft-devin-white-with-the-5th-overall-pick/
With the 39th selection overall the Bucs select defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones from Ohio State.
All you need to know about Jones as a football player is how he performed when he was made the starter after Nick Bosa suffered his season ending injury. Jones emerged as an All-American and became one of the best defensive tackles in the Big 10 with 13 tackles for losses and 8.5 sacks.
His strength is his his pass rushing ability and his durability as he played in 37/39 games for the Buckeyes.
With the selection of Jones, the defensive tackle position would be set for the foreseeable future with Vita Vea and Dre’Mont Jones.
With the 70th pick the Buccaneers will select guard Michael Jordan of Ohio State. 6-6 310. With the all the focus on defense and improving the defense, why select an offensive lineman?
Because Michael Jordan happens to be one of the best run blocking guards in the draft and that is where the Bucs where held back offensively. Not being able to run the ball effectively.
The offensive line has a lot of good pass blockers but they are at the bottom of the NFL when it comes to run blocking. Jordan would come in and help the Bucs running game get to the next level.
For more on how important a good run blocking offensive linemen check out my thoughts here http://nflfanblitz.com/the-buccaneers-are-one-offensive-line-piece-away-from-an-elite-offense/
With the 101st pick the Bucs will stick with offense and select running back David Montgomery from Iowa State. 5-10 216 4.63.
With the jury still out on Ronald Jones, and Peyton Barber not exactly the every down back that can carry a heavy work load, the Bucs need to bring and another back and David Montgomery would be a perfect fit.
Montgomery is the complete package who can run and catch. Matt Campbell the head coach at Iowa State says Montgomery would be the best route runner on the team if he played wide receiver.
Montgomery is an excellent change of direction back who can pick up those tough yards.The knock on Montgomery is his lack of elite speed for his position, but he does possess very quick feet.
With the 135th pick in the draft, the Bucs will select defensive back P.J.Locke out of Texas. 5-11 175.
Locke is one of those under the radar players that could surprise some folks when he gets a chance to play. Locke is a defensive back who has had a lot of success playing nickel and safety for the Longhorns, another perfect fit for Todd Bowles defense as Bowles likes the players that are versatile and can play more than one position.
Locke is a hard worker and is very good against the run. A solid tackler that will keep the play in front of him, the big knock on Locke and it is a big one, he only had three picks his entire college career.
With the 193rd pick in the draft the Bucs will select linebacker Jahlani Tavai from Hawaii. 6-3 245 4.75. Tavai will be the first Hawaii defensive player taken in the draft since 2012.
Tavai was a four year starter at Hawaii notching 391 tackles and 17.5 sacks. The Bucs would be wise to take a flyer on this linebacker and with some time in the system could become a decent NFL linebacker.
