Now that the 2017 NFL Draft has concluded, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vastly improved their roster with their six picks in this year’s draft.
Tampa Bay’s front office has delivered when it’s come to the draft in the past two seasons, this year they had the same expectations for themselves.
The team has a high graded draft class no matter where you look, and there’s a good reason why.
Round One, Pick 19: TE O.J. Howard, Alabama
Grade: A
2017 NFL Draft: Alabama tight end O.J. Howard selected 19th by Tampa Bay Buccaneers https://t.co/8aBR4XeUQl #RollTide pic.twitter.com/jliBp0cLyC
— SEC Country Alabama (@SECCountryBama) April 28, 2017
The pick was a safe pick for the team. A disciplined, physical player with great hands and awesome productivity. Howard brings another target to this offense for not only Jameis Winston but for whoever is carrying the ball, as he can block at a higher level than Cameron Brate.
Round Two, Pick 50: S Justin Evans, Texas A&M
Grade: B+
5 Things to Know about new #Buccaneers safety, Justin Evans (@kingjayev)
READ MORE: https://t.co/MJFiT994UC pic.twitter.com/XlR4nRfqvy
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) April 29, 2017
Justin Evans is a hard-hitting safety who marks his territory. He made a name for himself at A&M for his hard hits, but also has great instinct. He should be starting come week one, if he comes and puts in his work during training camp.
Round Three, Pick 84: WR Chris Godwin, Penn State
Grade: B+
Remembering former Penn State WR and Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft pick Chris Godwin as a recruit #PennSt https://t.co/RFMkGslIf6 pic.twitter.com/RzPC0wOi8H
— Land of 10 PennState (@Landof10PSU) April 29, 2017
Chris Godwin was a steal in many drafts. He has outstanding hands, awesome balance and has the speed to break open a play. The Penn State alum can find himself a workload this season if he gets the chance.
Round Three, Pick 107
Grade: A-
Former 4-star LB Kendall Beckwith his more than living up to his ranking with LSU https://t.co/u0gjrNkbyA pic.twitter.com/mIXcHwjlcb
— Woody Wommack (@RivalsWoody) October 26, 2016
Kendall Beckwith is my favorite of the entire draft for the Bucs. The team has decided Kwon Alexander is the team’s future defensively and are now building around him by partnering him with his college buddy. They traded their fourth and sixth round picks for him. Beckwith will fit nicely as a SAM linebacker for the team.
Round Five, Pick 162: RB Jeremy McNichols, Boise State
Grade: B
Bucs are happy with Doug Martin’s trajectory; add Boise State’s Jeremy McNichols fifth round https://t.co/KPkzSwrwSc pic.twitter.com/HONfj5yH5X
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) April 30, 2017
Jeremy McNichols out of Boise State is good. The fifth rounder was taken to build behind a potentially good RB core. He’s a downhill runner that’s hard to bring down despite his size. He comes in with a relationship with Bucs’ RB Doug Martin who can develop him into a feature back.
Round Seven, Pick 223: DT Stevie Tu’ikolovatu, USC
Grade: B
ARRR! #USC's Stevie Tu'ikolovatu has been picked by the Tampa Bay #Bucs.
????: https://t.co/cKJWKIyhLg pic.twitter.com/K0qezzkE9j
— Reign of Troy (@ReignofTroy) April 29, 2017
Despite being a seventh round pick, “Stevie T” has a nice shot at making the Bucs’ final roster. He’s a run stopper and with his great size and strength, can slow down the running game for opposing offense’s.
Overall Grade: A-
The overall draft for Tampa Bay showed great improvement to their roster. They filled voids and added on to an already explosive offense. Going into camp, watch out for the 2017 draft class rookies, as they all can make a case for a role on the team.
