It’s that time of year again Buccaneers fans! The NFL offseason, or silly-season as some would call it is here. That can only mean it’s time for some mock drafts. So without further ado…
In this 3-Round mock the Buccaneers look to bolster their defensive side of the ball. More accurately their front-7. With the unknown status of pending free agent linebackers Lavonte David and Devin White, we look to fill both spots for the Buccaneers just in case the unthinkable happens. And for good measure we add an EDGE rusher to the mix. You can never have enough pass-rushers right?
Round – 1, Pick 26
Jeremiah Trotter Jr, LB, Clemson
HT: 6’0
WT: 230 lbs
Accolades:
Second-team All-American (2022)
First-team All-ACC (2023)
Video:
Pros:
• Trotter is competitive and plays energetically, often overcoming bigger blockers with his motor.
• He shows good speed and closing burst when blitzing.
• Has the combination of size and athleticism worthy of development.
• He has enough speed to chase and run in pursuit. He has the overall athleticism to hold up in space when dropping into coverage.
• Trotter chases well in pursuit, and Trotter has the athleticism to play in space if asked to drop into coverage.
• Quick to read run, showing good agility and speed to get past blockers and finish. Experienced in coverage and gets a strong jam on outside receivers.
Cons:
• Trotter could improve his ability to anchor against the run, as he sometimes struggles at the point of attack.
• He’s not a guy who can be put on the edge every down and be expected to consistently create pressure.
• While he shows persistence in the pass rush, he could benefit from increased functional strength to effectively disengage and avoid being pushed past the pocket.
Summary:
In 2023 as a junior Trotter Jr. played in 12 games and contributed on 689 snaps. He recorded decent 54 tackles, 24 assists while making 37 stops. In coverage Trotter Jr. chalked up 2 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and QB rating when targetted of 82.7. As a pass rusher, he produced 27 total pressures, which included 13 QB hurries, 7 QB hits, and 7 sacks on the year. This would be a plug and play type guy for the Buccaneers.
Round – 2, Pick 57
Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama
HT: 6’3
WT: 255 lbs
Accolades:
• Second-team All-SEC (2023)
Video:
Pros:
• In coverage, Braswell shows excellent awareness and anticipation when dropping back into zone, and he has the fluidity and speed to run with most tight ends over the middle.
• Braswell shows good quickness off the line of scrimmage and flashes the violent hands to win around the edge.
• Made Bruce Feldman’s Freak’s List – ranked #10. He wrote “Braswell (13 tackles in 2021) is the biggest Freak. At 6-3, 243, he squats 705 pounds and power-cleaned 405 pounds this offseason. He also vertical-jumped 38.5 inches.”
• Coordinated footwork and balance. Makes more plays in pass coverage than expected because of his natural football instincts.
• Good closing speed with long arms to drag down quarterbacks and running backs.
• He has the fluid movement skills and speed to turn and run in coverage against tight ends.
• Braswell has ability as a blitzer, with the length and flexibility to get around the edge.
Cons:
• Generally an effective openfield tackler but doesn’t wrap up consistently. Shows only average awareness in coverage.
• Braswell also has a tendency to be too aggressive attacking downhill, and Braswell can be beat on counter plays and cutbacks.
• Limited vision and is easily fooled by misdirection. Lacks range and lateral agility in coverage.
Summary:
As a sophomore for the Crimson Tide in 2022 Braswell played in 12 games and took part in 283 snaps for the Crimson Tide. He recorded 11 tackles, 2 assists, while adding 11 stops. As a pass rusher, he chalked up 27 total pressures, and 19 QB hurries, 4 QB hits, and 4 sacks during the year.
In 2023 as a junior Braswell played in 13 games and contributed on 534 snaps. He recorded 21 tackles, 14 assists while making 24 stops. In coverage Braswell chalked up no pass breakups, one interception, and QB rating when targetted of 90.6. As a pass rusher, he produced 54 total pressures, which included 31 QB hurries, 10 QB hits, and an outstanding 13 sacks on the year. The Buccaneers pass rush was inconsistent during parts of the 2023 season. This pick will help solve that issue.
Round – 3, Pick 89
Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State
HT: 6’2
WT: 239 lbs
Accolades:
• 2x First-team All-Big Ten (2022, 2023)
• Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year (2023)
Video:
Pros:
• Eichenberg 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.
• He’s rangy and instinctive when he’s looking into the backfield as a zone defender.
• Has a filled-out frame with good thickness. Plays at full speed at all times with an active motor and determined quickness in pursuit.
• He has good quickness and an excellent understanding of angles, often beating blockers to the spot.
• He chases well in pursuit, and Eichenberg has the athleticism to play in space if asked to drop into coverage.
• Has the combination of size and athleticism worthy of development.
• Eichenberg has the fluid movement skills and speed to turn and run in coverage against tight ends.
Cons:
• He’s more of a grab-and-drag tackler who could stand to be more violent as a hitter.
• As a pass rusher, Eichenberg needs the scheme to create deception and confusion to give him a free run.
• Eichenberg is in a hurry to get upfield but shows poor instincts when locating the ball against the run.
Summary:
In 2022 as a senior Eichenberg logged playing time in 12 games and logged a total of 697 snaps for the Buckeyes. He also added decent 84 tackles, 27 assists, and 65 stops. While in coverage Eichenberg made 3 pass breakups, one interception, and QB rating when targetted of 87.5. As a pass rusher, he tallied 22 total pressures, which included 14 QB hurries, 4 QB hits, and 4 sacks on the season.
In 2023 as a fifth year senior Eichenberg logged playing time in 10 games and logged a total of 607 snaps for the Buckeyes. He also added decent 57 tackles, 27 assists, and 31 stops. While in coverage Eichenberg made 2 pass breakups, no interceptions, and QB rating when targetted of 100.5. As a pass rusher, he tallied 11 total pressures, which included 8 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and one sack on the season. While maybe not a day-1 starter for the Buccaneers, Eichenberg has a huge upside.
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 2024 NFL Draft at nfldraftbuzz.com
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