What an incredibly wild week it has been. Major sporting events have been cancelled, travel restrictions set, and major universities are closing down. But one thing never stops, and that is our weekly mock drafts! I have been putting out 3-round mocks for some time, but I think it’s time to upgrade. So in the first edition of my 7-Round mock draft, I’ll take you through every Buccaneers selection with notes, analysis, and more.
Round 1
Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
HT: 6’5″ WT: 320 lbs
If you have been following along, this pick will seem familiar. With Jedrick Wills, Meckhi Becton, and Tristan Wirfs all off the board, Andrew Thomas has to be the pick. If Ndamokung Suh does not return, I will heavily debate Javon Kinlaw, but until then, offensive tackle is the biggest need. Here is my previous assessment of Thomas in my 3-Round Mock Draft 4.0
“I originally stated that Andrew Thomas will unlikely fall out of the top 10, but with the rising stock of other lineman, it is becoming more of a possibility. I have raved about Andrew Thomas for the past month, his versatility to play both guard and tackle at the NFL level is one reason why.
Thomas is incredibly powerful in the running game, his ability to maintain his frame is already at an elite level. His quickness off the ball is trait that I think is underrated in most analyst’s assessments of Thomas. One trait I like to see in first round prospects is intelligence, and Thomas has experience in pro-style passing sets.
One of the biggest drawbacks in film evaluation is Thomas’ endurance. He can get sloppy in his technique as the game progresses. This can cause slip-ups against quicker edge rushers, but I think with good coaching, Thomas can iron out these deficiencies.”
Round 2
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
HT: 5’8″ WT: 209 lbs
Clyde Edwards-Helaire has shot up draft boards since February. Many scouts had him penciled in as a third round pick, but not anymore. In the current mock draft process, you’d be lucky to select him at the end of the second round.
Edwards-Helaire is currently the RB3 according to my post combine rankings. I wouldn’t argue with anyone who has Cam Akers above him, as both are exceptional talents.
But Edwards-Helaire is a day one start at the NFL level, with the ability to slide right into a zone or man heavy blocking scheme. I think he would pair exceptionally well with Ronald Jones given his duel agility/power back mold. Edwards-Helaire is also a great pass catcher, and won’t be a liability stepping back to block on passing downs.
Rounds 3
Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne
HT: 6’2″ WT: 217 lbs
Another familiar face, Kyle Dugger is a small school safety who can make an immediate impact at the NFL level. Here is my assessment of Dugger in my 3-Round Mock Draft 4.0
“Some draft analysts knock prospects for playing at a small school. I think it should be included in your assessment, but completely shooting down draft stock because a player dominated at a division II school is unfair.
Kyle Dugger is an elite, but raw athlete. He excels in a strong safety role where he can “seek and destroy”. Think of a Jordan Whitehead type of play style, but with more speed and acceleration. One reason I also love Dugger is his versatility. He can be shifted to the linebacker position, a returner, and a gunner on punts and kickoffs. The Buccaneers have been searching for a returner for quite some time, why not kill two birds with one stone.
One of the weakness of Dugger is his zone coverage ability. He can sometimes get lost in space, which creates larger holes on his side of the field. I think this can be coached, especially in a specific NFL scheme. His man coverage ability is a bit more developed given his natural physicality, with that being said, I could see some difficulty covering quicker NFL receivers.”
Round 4
Ben Bredeson, IOL, Michigan
HT: 6’5″ WT: 316 lbs
As you can see from the first three rounds, I combined the “best player available” method with team need. Once we hit round four, I throw it all out the window, and just go BPA. Ben Bredeson was the top player on my board, even if he plays guard, a position not in need. You can never have enough depth on the offensive line.
Bredeson’s best trait is his power at the point of attack. Whether on pulls, moving up to the second level, or cutting down on a nose tackle, Bredeson will move the trenches. He is fit for a more power rushing scheme, but he can be molded into any system. One concern I have is his hand technique and he can often overreach and lose his balance.
Quintez Cephus, WR, Wisconsin
HT: 6’1″ WT: 207 lbs (Compensatory)
With the Buccaneers compensatory pick, I decided to draft wide receiver Quintez Cephus. Cephus comes with a major red flag, in that he was accused of sexual assault in 2018. The case was ultimately dismissed, so any team hoping to draft Cephus better do their homework.
Now getting to his game, Cephus is an elite route runner. On film, he can make heavy footed defensive backs look foolish. His catch radius also stands out, and he can often pluck the ball out of seemingly nowhere.
One concern that I have with Cephus is his blocking ability, and was sometimes a liability on outside runs. He can also mistime deep ball, causing the quarterback to overthrow nine routes. With that being said, Cephus has dropped in the draft due to his off field concerns, and should be a good value pick in the fourth round.
Round 5
Anfernee Jennings, EDGE, Alabama
HT: 6’2″ WT: 252 lbs
Anfernee Jennings should really be drafted into a 4-3 system, but I’m taking the best football players and molding them into my system. Jennings was the best value in round five, and I just couldn’t resist.
Jennings can absolutely contribute immediately on most NFL teams. He is everything you want in a defensive end with multiple counters and a good combination of power and speed. His speed off the ball and explosiveness are lacking, but these can be refined with good NFL coaching.
Round 6
James Lynch, IDL, Baylor
HT: 6’4″ WT” 285 lbs
With the last pick in draft, the Buccaneers select defensive tackle James Lynch. You’ll be hard pressed to find a day one start this late, but Lynch could develop into a solid rotational player. His toughness and competitive nature pops on film, and he plays until the whistle is blown twice.
A major concern I have with Lynch is his arm length. Going against longer guards at the NFL level, Lynch might get swallowed up in the trenches. He’ll have to develop better hand technique to become a full time starter.
That concludes the Buccaneers 7-round mock draft. Make sure you follow Bucs Report on Twitter and Facebook for up to date news and analysis. Everybody please stay safe during the Coronavirus pandemic, and remember to wash your hands!
