The Buccaneers have made recent moves to help their offensive line. They have signed Demar Dotson and Donovan Smith to extensions. With those signings and the recent comments of the front office and coaching staff, it looks like most players are staying. The Buccaneers may go into the draft and go defensively. Of course, considering the most recent comments regarding the uncertainty of Gerald McCoy and Kwon Alexander, they might go with an edge rusher or another linebacker. Here are two players I think the Buccaneers may pick in round 1 at pick number 5.
Devin White, LB, LSU
Even if the Buccaneers bring back Alexander, it would be nice to have a young linebacker. They also have Lavonte David. What White will bring is a player who is ready for the NFL. He has elite speed and is a true sideline-to-sideline player. White has good range and prowls the tackle box. He would be a great fit in Todd Bowles’ 3-4 defense. The Buccaneers still haven’t announced if Alexander and David are going to be back. White would be a good fit if one or both get traded because of the salary cap.
Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky or Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State
The one shining part of the Buccaneer defense last year was edge rusher Jason Pierre-Paul. They have Vita Vea in the middle and at this moment Gerald McCoy. I believe that Allen and Sweat will help whomever is available. If the Buccaneers don’t pick White or another linebacker, this would be a smart pick. Josh Allen has been a great edge rusher at the University of Kentucky. Montez Sweat, like Allen, has been a great edge rusher at Mississippi State. It would help having either gentleman as another rusher from the other side of the defensive line.
With the recent extensions, the Buccaneers have made it look like they will go defensive with their first pick. That will all depend on who they bring back or trade. The defense will have to get better from 2018. With the draft about a month away, let’s see what the Buccaneers decide to do.
