The top two Bucs draft selections were chosen to fill areas of need, and the expectation is for them to start at the beginning of the season. In a league that has come to demand instant results, it has put pressure on new talent entering the NFL to perform at a higher level than ever before. Vea and Jones, I believe, should not only be starters by game 1, but be fairly impactful as well.
The 346lb tree that is Vea adds much needed help for McCoy and a defensive line that has been overhauled this past off season after a lackluster 2017 campaign. He has some good raw potential and the ability to become a special player. The key will be the right coaching to laser focus that talent and his ability to draw knowledge from successful veterans like Gerald McCoy and JPP. If he is able to do this, the Bucs should be able to maximize his unique talents.
In the backfield, Jones should be a natural fit to fill a void made with the departure of the inconsistent Doug Martin. Two key strengths of this USC product are his patience as blocking develops and his ability to cut at the last moment when a seam develops. These two strengths will be critical for a young running back who will be carrying the rock behind an offensive line that is shuffling around to find the right fit after the season where they were beaten too often.
These top two picks weren’t what many Bucs fans were expecting after two rounds in the draft, but they might very well be exactly what the Bucs need in order to take a step forward in 2018.
