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.
In this mock draft, the Buccaneers look across the state line to Georgia for the first two picks. Then head out west for a monster of an offensive lineman.
Round 1 (19th)
Nolan Smith, LB/EDGE, Georgia
HT: 6’2
WT: 238 lbs
Accolades:
• Named to preseason watch lists for the Outland Trophy (nation’s top interior lineman) and Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation’s top defender) 2021
• Second-team pre-season All-America selection by Athlon Sports 2021
• Twice named SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week: vs. USC and Florida 2021
• Named one of three team captains for the Vanderbilt game. 2021
Video:
Pros:
• Can attack the edge with speed and has the flexibility to dip low and under the tackle’s reach.
• He’s very good in coverage when looking into the backfield in zone coverage.
• Has crazy speed and very good strength considering his 235lb frame. Gives the ability to play any edge and linebacker position
• Smith can be used as a rangy run defender inside, instinctive when it comes to locating the ball with the quickness to get to it before blockers can react at the second level.
• Ferocious against the run and very good in coverage, is extremely versatile. Despite his build, Smith holds up well in traffic and makes a lot of plays by engaging a block, shedding, and pursuing.
• Has an excellent skip move to win around the edge
• He has an excellent feel for working off blockers and knowing how and when to counter as the play goes on.
• Smith will always try to plow into the largest piles and has a good knack of ending up glued to the ballcarrier.
• Impressive change of direction and quickness to win with inside and outside stick moves.
• Good bend to turn a tight corner and take an efficient path to the quarterback.
Cons:
• Despite being an impressive elite athlete – his production as a pass rusher has only been decent. Has produced just 9 sacks over the last two years, despite being the number one edge rusher on the top defense in the country
• Lacks pop due to his smaller size to anchor, though. Most effective when uncovered inside and chasing stretch plays to the sideline.
• Has some injury concerns – has missed time in both 2021 and 2022
• He may need to be covered up to be effective and can be neutralized by running at him
• Smith’s hand usage will need be cleaner and more coordinated
• He relies far too much on speed and doesn’t have a complete set of pass-rushing moves
• He’s overly reliant on bull rushes – dominates smaller college players. Will not work to the same way at the next level
• Trouble stacking counters with initial moves
• Struggles with momentum when met by bigger stronger linemen
• He all too often takes poor angles
Summary:
In 2021 as a junior Smith played in 14 games and contributed on 499 snaps. He recorded 32 tackles, 11 assists while making 27 stops. In coverage, Smith chalked up no pass breakups, one interception, and an impressive QB rating when targetted of 68.8. As a pass rusher, he produced 28 total pressures, which included 18 QB hurries, 3 QB hits, and a solid 7 sacks on the year.
In 2022 as a senior Smith’s season was cut short after he suffered a torn pec, but still started 8 games and logged a total of 188 snaps for the Bulldogs. He also added 14 tackles, 6 assists, and 15 stops. As a pass rusher, he tallied 19 total pressures, which included 12 QB hurries, 5 QB hits, and 2 sacks on the season.
Nolan Smith is a supreme athlete at outside linebacker, the former five-star prospect has the speed of a corner, combined with the strength of a player 20lbs heavier. His potential is huge, however, he’s never been a consistently dominant player on the field and far too often relies on speed and power to mask a very limited skillset of pass-rushing moves. He’ll need to quickly learn on the job at the next level or risk being found out.
Smith provides instant impact for the Buccaneers’ pass rush.
Round 2 (50th)
Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
HT: 6’2
WT: 210 lbs
Accolades:
– 2× CFP national champion (2021, 2022)
– Second-team All-SEC (2022)
– AP and Coaches’ All-SEC Second Team
Video:
Pros:
– At his best in man coverage, moving down to guard tight ends and some bigger slot receivers.
– Has explosive movement skills and the fluid athleticism and change-of-direction ability to come down and cover slot receivers.
– Great on route recognition and has click-and-close ability
– Elite athletic skills — Made Bruce Feldman’s ‘Freaks List’ at number 6. He wrote: “Ringo’s combination of size and freakish explosiveness is reminiscent of another SEC Freak DB, Patrick Peterson. The 6-2, 215-pound Ringo, a World Class junior sprinter from Arizona who ran a 10.43 100- and 21.18 200-meter time, is a legitimate 4.3 40 guy and consistently clocks in the high-22 mph range on the GPS.”
– Gets an effective jam on the receiver and has loose enough hips to turn and run.
– He’s long and strong enough in his core to steer receivers to the sideline without getting grabby with his hands when playing inside technique.
– He’s also very good in zone coverage, showing a great understanding of routes and the ability to close quickly.
– With his length, athleticism, and natural ball skills, Ringo will be highly valued by press cover teams and could earn a top 100 pick.
– Can get up on the line of scrimmage and deliver a solid punch early in routes, then use that quickness to shadow, or back off and close quickly when the ball comes out
Cons:
– Has had some issues developing a smooth back-peddle when playing off-man
– Sometimes is a little too confident in his abilities and takes unnecessary risks assuming his innate skills will bail him
Summary:
In 2021 as a freshman Kelee Ringo saw action in 15 games and played a total of 797 snaps at cornerback for the Bulldogs. He recorded 31 tackles, 7 assists, while adding 8 stops. In coverage Ringo notched up 4 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and an impressive QB rating when targetted of 69.8.
As a sophomore in 2022 he played in 13 games and logged 710 snaps for the Bulldogs. He made 35 tackles, 2 assists, and had 9 stops. In coverage he totaled 4 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and an impressive QB rating when targetted of 69.8.
Ringo would seemingly take over the role Sean Murphy-Bunting played. Solid addition with a high ceiling for the Buccaneers.
Round 3 (82nd)
Andrew Vorhees, G, USC
HT: 6’6
WT: 325 lbs
Accolades:
– Morris Trophy (2022)
– First-team All-American (2022)
– First-team All-Pac-12 (2022)
Video:
Pros:
– Bursts off the line of scrimmage and has tremendous natural strength and power, able to dominate at the point of attack and wipe out defenders in the run game.
– Has a naturally wide base, thickly build, and good length. Long legs to cover a lot of ground with his initial kick slide. Has the quickness to set up quickly with enough lateral shuffle to mirror and mobility to get to the second level.
– Made Bruce Feldman’s Freak’s List – ranked #99. He wrote, “The Trojans’ best O-lineman is also their strongest player and their resident “Freak,” according to strength coach Bennie Wylie. Vorhees can bench-press 225 40 times.”
– Is effective when asked to pull, showing the agility, speed, and overall range to get out as a lead blocker, where Vorhees locates defenders and shows the ability to adjust and land blocks against linebackers.
– As a pass protector, he plays with good balance and holds up against the bull rush. Vorhees has strong hands and does a nice job gripping and latching on once he has his hands on the pass rusher.
– Has a powerful lower body and enough leg drive to knock defenders back at the point of attack. Vorhees flashes light feet as a pass protector, with the ability to mirror against quickness and the anchor strength to hold up against the bull rush.
Cons:
– Needs to prove his worth in a straight-ahead running game.
– Can struggle to stay engaged, especially on the second level. His hand placement can be sloppy, costing him power.
– He’ll have some trouble with quickness as a pass protector; Vorhees needs to make better use of his hands, and he often stops his feet once he makes initial contact as a pass protector.
Summary:
Andrew Vorhees from Kingsburg High School was rated a 4-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 3-star grade by 247 Sports. Following high school, Vorhees opted to join USC.
In 2018 as a freshman Vorhees saw action in 12 games and played a total of 681 snaps for the Trojans. He allowed 11 QB hurries, no QB hits, and 4 sacks while playing at right guard.
As a sophomore in 2019 he played in just 2 games and a total of 56 snaps. He conceded no QB hurries, no QB hits, and no sacks while playing at right guard.
In 2020 as a junior Vorhees saw action in 5 games and totaled 415 snaps. He gave up an impressive 7 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and one sack while playing at left guard.
In 2021 as a senior Vorhees saw action in 12 games and played a total of 902 snaps for the Trojans. He allowed 11 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and one sack while playing the majority of his snaps at left guard, and the rest at left tackle.
In 2022 as a fifth year senior Vorhees saw action in 11 games and played a total of 720 snaps for the Trojans. He allowed 12 QB hurries, one QB hit, and 2 sacks while playing at left guard.
Voorhees is a beast of an interior lineman. Which is exactly what the Buccaneers need.
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
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