Pro Football Focus lead draft analyst Mike Renner dubbed the Buccaneers as the most improved team in the NFC South after the draft.
The @Buccaneers got great value outside of the first round in the 2019 NFL Draft. In fact, @PFF Lead Draft Analyst Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) named Tampa as the most improved team in the NFC South following the draft.
📰: https://t.co/lfaoRAhBDO pic.twitter.com/y4COW07OWV
— PFF TB Buccaneers (@PFF_Buccaneers) May 2, 2019
Sure it’s early to determine which team in fact benefited from the draft the most, but it is nice to see a national publication say the Buccaneers did the most to improve their team compared to the rest of the division.
Devin White is the obvious player that jumps out at you when looking over the Buccaneers draft class. Looking deeper into it, DB Sean Bunting looks to have a solid chance of cracking the starting lineup, but there’s two players in the Buccaneers draft class that have the potential to become significant contributors if not challenge for a starting position.
First up is the Buccaneers 4th round pick.
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – NOVEMBER 03: Iowa Hawkeyes defensive end Anthony Nelson (98) lines up before the snap during the college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Iowa Hawkeyes on November 3, 2018, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Anthony Nelson, EDGE, Iowa
HT: 6’7 WT: 271 lbs
Accolades:
– Bednarik Award preseason Watch List
– Big Ten Conference DPOTW
– Academic All-Big Ten
Video credit: Joseph Hoover
Anthony Nelson was a 4th round pick by the Buccaneers. Nelson has the size and length NFL teams covet. He can play the run effectively and is a force off the EDGE in passing situations. Nelson is an exceptional student of the game and has great technique.
The second draftee that has the potential to move up the depth chart is the Buccaneers 7th round pick.
EAST HARTFORD, CT – OCTOBER 28: Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Terry Beckner Jr. (5) gestures after a tackle during a college football game between Missouri Tigers and UConn Huskies on October 28, 2017, at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT. Missouri defeated UConn 52-12. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Terry Beckner Jr (DT, Missouri)
HT: 6’3 WT: 305 lbs
Accolades:
– Second-Team All-SEC (2018)
– Sporting News Freshman All-American (2015)
Video credit: ShowMeBoy1591
Terry Beckner Jr. fell almost entirely out of the draft, I would imagine because of having serious injuries to both knees during his college career had something to do with that. Beckner Jr is a solid run stopper that can also use an effective swim move to rush the passer. Beckner does need some coaching up, but if this guy can stay healthy he can definitely become a key part of the Buccaneers defense.
