From now until draft day we’ll have several writers and contributors posting numerous Buccaneers’ mocks. It’s that time of season, put on your GM hat and let’s get to work.
The Buccaneers look to fortify their offensive line in this latest mock.
Round-1 (19th)
Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
HT: 6’4
WT: 315 lbs
Accolades:
2022
– AP First Team Preseason All-American
– Named PFF Offensive Player of the Week after allowing no sacks and leading the rushing attack to 224 yards and two TDs against Nebraska (8/27)
– Named to PFF Week 3 Team of the Week for his dominant performance against Southern Illinois (9/17)
2021
– All-Big Ten First Team (coaches)
– All-Big Ten Second Team (media)
– Started all 12 games as a sophomore
– Paved the way for Evan Hull’s 1,000-yard season on the ground
Video:
Pros:
– Exceptional athleticism
– High football intelligence
– Natural leader with high work ethic
– Crisp hand technique and pass sets
– Firm anchor and dynamic base in protection
– Effective vertical movement on double teams
– Ability to string out point of attack horizontally
– Projects well to gap and power concepts
Cons:
– Limited length, arm length, and overall wingspan more typical of a guard. A number of pro teams would consider him a blue-chip LT prospect as a result
– Struggles getting his hands attached to a rusher due to short arms
– Short second-level angles when climbing to pick off backside flow
– Play strength not strong enough to be seen as a pro tackle
– Inconsistent hitting of landmarks – needs more consistency
– As an outside chance to stick at left tackle, but he might actually fit better on the right side or kicking in to a guard spot.
Summary:
In 2020 as a freshman Skoronski saw action in 9 games and played a total of 672 snaps for the Wildcats. He allowed 11 QB hurries, 4 QB hits, and 2 sacks while playing at left tackle.
As a sophomore in 2021 he played in 12 games and a total of 828 snaps. He conceded 12 QB hurries, 6 QB hits, and 2 sacks while playing at left tackle.
In 2022 as a junior Skoronski saw action in 12 games and totaled 881 snaps. He gave up just 3 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and one sack while playing at left tackle.
Round-2 (50th)
Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
HT: 6’4
WT: 249 lbs
Accolades:
– 2022 Dick Butkus Award winner for the best linebacker in the nation
– First-team All-America by Walter Camp, Sporting News, Associated Press, FWAA, AFCA and Phil Steele 2022
– 2022 first-team All-Big Ten by league coaches and media
– 2022 Campbell Trophy
– 2021 Academic All-Big Ten, second-team All-America by FWAA and Phil Steele
– Second-team midseason All-America by The Athletic, 2021
– 2021 first-team All-Big Ten by league media and Phil Steele
Video:
Pros:
– Campbell has been a hugely productive player who has received an almost endless list of awards – including the Butkus award
– Prototypical size for the position standing 6-4 and weighing in at 249 lbs combined with excellent speed (4.65 combine forty)
– He’s a sure and violent wrap-up tackler with sideline-to-sideline range. He’s an excellent tackler in space, showing loose hips and the ability to break down and contain runners.
– Can attack the edge with speed and has the flexibility to dip low and under the tackle’s reach.
– Really improved his stock at the combine where he displayed serious explosion putting up a 128 broad jump and a 6.74 three-cone both in the 96th percentile
– Team captain who is like a coach on the field – super smart player quick thinking with a high football IQ
– Good closing speed with long arms to drag down quarterbacks and running backs.
, Campbell will always try to plow into the largest piles and has a good knack of ending up glued to the ball carrier.
– He possesses an intriguing blend of size and movement skills. He has good length, wide shoulders, and long arms, and Campbell has room to add weight.
– Reacts well to draw plays and misdirection, sniffs out screens to his side of the field. Keeps his eyes in the backfield when rushing the passer and uses hands and strength to stay in the play.
– Has complete position versatility – can play any linebacker position as well as on the edge with his hand on the ground
– Has become elite in coverage – plays the position like a pumped-up safety – is easily able to lock down tight ends man-to-man
– Campbell has big value as an inside blitzer as well, showing the initial burst to shoot through gaps and disrupt the backfield.
Cons:
– Occasionally caught out of position if exposed to a lot of presnap activity. Almost too aware and overthinks
– Not fluid enough in space which slows his reaction speed
– Despite the combine agility drills proving otherwise he isn’t quite as twitchy as you would want
– Suffered a knee injury early in 2022 – will need to check out medically
– Campbell is a stretch to be able to cover tight ends or running backs in the NFL.
– Needs to use his hands more violently to defeat blocks while coming after the quarterback at the next level.
– Upper body strength is not elite and will lose power battles against bigger offensive linemen
Summary:
In 2021 as a junior Campbell played in 14 games and contributed on 972 snaps. He recorded an impressive 95 tackles, 44 assists while making a huge 56 stops. In coverage Campbell chalked up 3 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and a QB rating when targetted of 85.3. As a pass rusher, he produced 13 total pressures, which included 7 QB hurries, 5 QB hits, and one sack on the year.
In 2022 as a senior Campbell had a massive year as he logged playing time in 12 games and a total of 804 snaps for the Hawkeyes. He added 77 tackles, 37 assists, and 47 stops. While in coverage Campbell made one pass breakup, 2 interceptions, and a QB rating when targetted of 70.6. As a pass rusher, he tallied 13 total pressures, which included 9 QB hurries, and 4 QB hits on the season.
Coming into the combine Jack Campbell was known as a hugely dominant, skillful, and successful college player whose only major negative was his reportedly average athletic ability. He proved his doubters very wrong as he displayed speed, explosion, and power in all the drills where he competed. Campbell has a chance to be a special player at the next level and will start as a rookie and has a good chance of quickly establishing himself as a pro-bowl-caliber player.
Campbell has first-round talent, although due to the lack of demand for traditional-style linebackers in the modern pro game, he’ll probably hear his name called in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft.
Round-3 (82nd)
Jammie Robinson, S, FSU
HT: 5’11
WT: 203 lbs
Accolades:
– 2× First-team All-ACC (2021, 2022)
Video:
Pros:
– Explosive quickness and speed
– An in-the-box safety at heart
– Excellent tackler
– Solid blitzer
Cons:
– Lacks aggressiveness in coverage
– Susceptible to double moves
– Unnecessarily handsy, leads to penalties
– Needs to develop route recognition
Summary:
“In 2022 as a senior Robinson saw action in 12 games while playing 710 snaps. He logged decent 54 tackles, 22 assists, and made 17 stops. In coverage Robinson had 3 pass breakups, one interception, and surrendered a solid QB rating when targetted of 78.8. He also chalked up 11 total pressures, and no sacks on the season.”
Round-5 (154th)
Drake Nugent, IOL, Stanford
HT: 6’1
WT: 305 lbs
Accolades:
-Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll (2021)
– All-Pac-12 honorable mention offensive line – Coaches (2021)
– Rimington Trophy watch list
– Outland Trophy watch list
– Preseason All-Pac-12 fourth team (Athlon)
Video:
Pros:
– Nugent thrives on physicality, often out-grappling bigger defensive linemen and winning in the phone booth with tenacity and upper-body strength.
– Solid positional run blocker who flashes the nasty demeanor and killer instinct scouts covet.
– In the run game, Nugent shows good burst off the line of scrimmage, with the ability to win at the point of attack. He has enough speed and athleticism to move to the second level and land blocks.
– Plays with natural leverage and has the strength to anchor against the bull rush. He also packs a violent initial punch that can stand up pass rushers.
– On the short and stocky side but has the lateral agility and punch to make up for it. Finishes plays and will reset to recover and drive linemen out of the play.
– As a pass protector, he plays with good balance and holds up against the bull rush. Nugent has strong hands and does a nice job gripping and latching on once he has his hands on the pass rusher.
Cons:
– Solid all-around prospect, but he’s not elite in any one area.
– Needs to work on his technique in pass protection, using more consistent leverage and continuing to move his feet.
– Needs to prove his worth in a straight-ahead running game.
Summary:
As a sophomore in 2020 he played in just one game and a total of one snap. He conceded no QB hurries, no QB hits, and no sacks while playing sparingly.
In 2021 as a junior Nugent saw action in 12 games and totaled 733 snaps. He gave up a solid 8 QB hurries, one QB hit, and 4 sacks while playing at center.
In 2022 as a senior Nugent saw action in 12 games and played a total of 822 snaps for the Cardinals. He allowed a solid 5 QB hurries, one QB hit, and 4 sacks while playing at center.
Round-5 (174th)
Luke Haggard, T, Louisville
HT: 6’7
WT: 297 lbs
Accolades:
– Earned the team’s Chris Dal Sasso Award (Outstanding Lineman)
Video:
Pros:
– He’s a coordinated athlete who can win at the point of attack in the run game, and Haggard can also move to consistently land blocks at the second level.
– Carries his weight naturally, wide-framed with low body fat, along with long arms and large, powerful hands. Haggard moves naturally, with agile feet and the natural balance to mirror in pass protection.
– Consistently lands blocks at the second level, and he finishes strong. As a pass protector, he has violent, heavy hands. Along with a strong initial punch, he has the hand strength to grip and redirect pass rushers.
– In the run game, he explodes off the line of scrimmage and consistently gets out to the second level to do damage.
– Is effective when asked to pull, showing the agility, speed, and overall range to get out as a lead blocker, where he locates defenders and shows the ability to adjust and land blocks against linebackers.
– He’s especially light on his feet considering his size, a fluid mover who has natural balance as he kick-slides and sets. Haggard has the long arms to ward off pass rushers and send them flying past the pocket.
Cons:
– Needs to work on his technique in pass protection, using more consistent leverage and continuing to move his feet.
– While Haggard displays a decent amount of strength at the point of attack, he lacks the raw power to re-establish the line of scrimmage in short-yardage situations.
– Is a bit underpowered, often coming off the line of scrimmage too high and struggling to generate movement. Haggard might be no more than a wall-off, angle blocker.
Summary:
In 2020 as a freshman Haggard saw action in 7 games and played a total of 331 snaps for the Hoosiers. He allowed a disappointing 15 QB hurries, 3 QB hits, and one sack while playing at left tackle.
As a sophomore in 2021 he played in 11 games and a total of 707 snaps. He conceded a disappointing 23 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and 2 sacks while playing at left tackle.
In 2022 as a junior Haggard saw action in 12 games and totaled 901 snaps. He gave up 10 QB hurries, 8 QB hits, and 3 sacks while playing at left tackle.
Round-6 (178th)
Chandler Zavala, G, N.C. State
HT: 6’5
WT: 325 lbs
Accolades:
– All-America Honors 2018
– First-team All-MEC
Video:
Pros:
– Has the natural power to move defenders at the point of attack. Zavala also has the agility and speed to get out in front and land blocks at the second level. He also shows a good understanding of angles when climbing to the second level.
– Displays good awareness when it comes to reading moving bodies, effectively reacting and adjusting. He also shows a good feel for combo blocks.
– Zavala plays with good leverage despite his taller frame, and he’s a surprisingly good mover for his size, showing fluidity and flexibility when blocking on the second level.
– He’s a coordinated athlete who can win at the point of attack in the run game, and Zavala can also move to consistently land blocks at the second level.
– Consistently keeps his feet sliding while maintaining power when dealing with speed, often sending speed rushers flying past the pocket
– In the run game, he explodes off the line of scrimmage and consistently gets out to the second level to do damage.
Cons:
– Has enough power in the run game, but at times Zavala seems to lack a mean streak.
– Can struggle to stay engaged, especially on the second level. His hand placement can be sloppy, costing him power.
– Could be a liability against speed-to-power pass rushers early in his career.
Summary:
Zavala will add instant quality depth to most rosters. His size and strength translates well to the pros. If Zavala can improve against the speed rush he can definitely be a starter in this league.
Round-6 (180th)
Jakorian Bennett, DB, Maryland
HT: 5’10
WT: 188 lbs
Accolades:
– 2022 Duke’s Mayo Bowl MVP
– 2022 PFF All-Bowl Team
– 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl Invitee
– 2021 & 2022 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten
– Pro Football Focus Cornerback of the Week (9/7/22)
– 2022 Preseason Athlon Sports & Phil Steele Second Team All-Big Ten
– Preseason Lindy’s Sports Third Team All-Big Ten, 2022
– 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl 1000
– 2021 Phil Steele Third Team All-Big Ten
Video:
Pros:
– Flashes some physicality as a hitter.
– Made Bruce Feldman’s Freak’s List – ranked #60. He wrote, “The 5-11, 195-pound Bennett goes against elite receivers every day at practice, and that competitiveness carries over to training, where he and Rakim Jarrett go back and forth over who can jump the highest and run the fastest. Bennett is proud to say he’s got his buddy with a 42-inch vertical. He claims to be the fastest on the team with a 22.9 mph on the GPS, although Jarrett said he matched that in late July.”
– Bennett tracks the ball well and does a nice job of getting his head around in plenty of time to avoid flags.
– Explodes out of his backpedal and has the hands and coordination to force interceptions.
– Should excel as a zone defender because of his closing speed to wrap receivers after the catch.
– Has quick feet and excellent change-of-direction ability, capable of mirroring quickness underneath.
Cons:
– Has tense ankles and hips with choppy footwork when attempting to redirect and doesn’t always look natural changing directions.
– Feet aren’t ideal, as Bennett gets sloppy in his backpedal and can be sluggish when transitioning to close on the ball.
– Feet aren’t ideal, as he gets sloppy in his backpedal and can be sluggish when transitioning to close on the ball.
– Inconsistent getting off of blocks. Can be a step slow to react when a quarterback comes back to his side of the field late in progression.
Summary:
As a sophomore in 2021 he played in 12 games and logged 740 snaps for the Terrapins. He made 22 tackles, 3 assists, and had 10 stops. In coverage he totaled 8 pass breakups, 3 interceptions, and QB rating when targetted of 75.0.
In 2022 as a junior Bennett played in 11 games and contributed on 663 snaps. He chalked up 34 tackles, 8 assists, and added 12 stops. In the secondary Bennett forced 7 pass breakups, one interception, and gave up QB rating when targetted of 57.5.
Round-6 (195th)
Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia
HT: 5-11
WT: 192 lbs
Accolades:
– Named Offensive MVP of the CFP Championship Game
– Completed 17 of 26 passes for 224 yards and a pair of TDs
– Directed two fourth-quarter TD drives vs. Alabama…his final two passes of the game went for touchdowns of 40 and 15 yards
– Offensive MVP of the Capital One Orange Bowl after completing 20 of 30 passes, with 3 TDs vs. Michigan
– One of three finalists for the 2021 Burlsworth Trophy
Video:
Pros:
– Good (not elite) arm strength and can make most the NFL throws with effortless intermediate passes.
– Sees the field very well when the play breaks down and has the quick-thinking and football IQ to change plays at the line.
– Very confident passer and shows good accuracy and feel when in rhythm. Showed better ball placement from past years and throws very catchable passes
– Picks up yards with his legs when needed and shows a natural affinity to avoid pressure and buy time
– Possesses very good vision balance, elusiveness, and deceptive speed as a runner.
– Has a quick release – making him tough to sack
– Has a natural instinct for the game and a fantastic never say die attitude – that so far have managed to make up for his average athletic skills
– Sprays the ball anywhere on the field, especially when given a pocket from which to deliver. Will step up into the pocket while looking downfield, reset his feet and deliver.
– Natural leader who’s well respected by all his teammates
Cons:
– Bennett often holds the ball too long. While Bennett keeps his eyes up while moving, his mechanics get increasingly sloppy once he’s pushed off his spot.
– It’s obvious why Bennett isn’t viewed a highly rated NFL prospect – he’s diminutive in the pocket at just 5-11 (at a push!) and 190 Lbs. He may struggle to stay healthy when not playing behind a Bulldog line
– His arm strength is decent but less than ideal; he lacks a little zip, and accuracy becomes an issue when he’s unable or unwilling to set his feet.
– Puts too much air in some of his throws and needs to show a lower trajectory on deep throws.
Summary:
As a senior in 2021 Bennett was again relegated to the back role as transfer JT Daniels was gifted the starting job. Daniels lasted just one game before going down with an injury, giving him a second chance to impress as the starter – this time he didn’t disappoint. Playing in a total of 13 games he threw for 2637 yards on 261 attempts with a completion percentage of 64 for an average of 10.1 yards per attempt adding 27 TDs, and allowing 9 sacks, with an excellent QB rating on the year of 120.8. As a runner, he logged 46 runs for a total of 347 yards at an average of 7.5 per run. The year was capped off with him successfully quarterbacking the Bulldogs to the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship game in a rematch against Alabama.
Bennett surprisingly opted to stay at Georgia and forgo entry into the draft – and as a fifth-year senior in 2022 while playing in 13 games as he threw for an elite 3430 yards on 395 attempts with a completion percent of 67.8 for an average of 8.7 yards per pass, putting up a decent 20 TDs, while taking 9 sacks, and totaling a QB rating of 105.4. He added 49 runs for a total of 224 yards at an average of 4.6 per run.
Round-7 (252nd)
Darius Rush, CB, So. Carolina
HT: 6’2
WT: 196 lbs
Accolades:
– 2021 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll
– 2019 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll
– 2018 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll
Video:
Pros:
– Willing and successful blitzing off the edge. Consideration for a move to safety with a combination of range and sure tackling.
– Great on route recognition and has click-and-close ability
– A coordinated athlete with good footwork and balance. A heady cover player with above-average · feel and anticipation in space.
– Extremely aggressive to come up and put his body in traffic to make tackles.
– Tough and scrappy with forceful nature to be physical at all levels of the field. Has good bulk on his frame to be aggressive in run support.
– Can deliver the big hit and isn’t afraid to jump inside to slow the ball.
Cons:
– Isn’t great in route recognition when he’s facing the action, is hesitant and susceptible to double moves, and too often gets unnecessarily handsy when playing trail position
– Rush runs well, but Rush doesn’t have elite recovery speed.
– Gets sloppy with his backpedal when playing off-man and seems to lack the instincts to close on the ball.
Summary:
In 2021 as a junior Rush played in 13 games and contributed on 617 snaps. He chalked up 18 tackles, 4 assists, and added 4 stops. In the secondary Rush forced 8 pass breakups, one interception, and gave up QB rating when targetted of 97.1.
In 2022 as a senior Rush saw action in 10 games while playing 576 snaps. He logged 26 tackles, 8 assists, and made 5 stops. In coverage Rush had 6 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and surrendered a decent QB rating when targetted of 87.7.
Information in this article first appeared on NFL Draft Buzz and is used with permission. Find the latest coverage, analysis, and player rankings for the 2023 NFL Draft at nfldraftbuzz.com
Follow, Like and Subscribe to Bucs Report
For more on this and everything Buccaneers check back here hourly at BucsReport.com
