Top Seven Buccaneers Targets For Their First Round Pick

The NFL Combine is over and we now have a lot of data to process. This was a critical step of the process for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who put a lot of stock into athletic testing and character interviews. As a reminder, the Bucs haven’t used their top pick in the draft on a player who had a relative athletic score under 9.0 (putting them in the 90th percentile in terms of all athletes at their position) since Jameis Winston in 2015. 

That is to say that any prospect who doesn’t hit this threshold probably won’t be the Bucs pick at 19th overall. This eliminates several impressive prospects who had been connected to the team such as Malaki Starks and James Peaces (who reportedly did very poorly in interviews). However, it does allow us to narrow down the list of potential prospects.

Here are the seven players that I believe are most likely to be the Buccaneers first round pick.

Honorable mention: Mykel Williams (I expect him to be off the board before the Bucs will pick).

7) Jalon Walker, Linebacker, Georgia

If you liked the idea of the Devin White experience, then this is the pick for you! Part linebacker, part edge rusher with excellent athletic tools to work with. This is a jack of all trades chess piece who Todd Bowles can move all over the defense. 

However, he is also the master of none. He isn’t refined in his pass rush moves, but he also lacks the coverage ability needed as a linebacker. This would be a high risk, high reward type of pick who could help fill two needs.

6) Darius Alexander, Defensive Tackle, Toledo

Talk about checking boxes, Alexander is everything the Bucs look for in a first round pick. He is a disruptive trench player who stole the show at both the combine and the Senior Bowl. His hustle and physicality both pop off the screen and make you excited to watch him play every down with intensity. 

Alexander looked like a man among boys while playing in the Mid American Conference. He rushes the passer with power moves, as well as using a variety of pass rush moves. I would put him high on this list, but his age (turning 25 as a rookie) may turn teams away from drafting him earlier. 

5) Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

The ultimate boom or bust prospect. Stewart has incredible physical tools to work with and he is a handful for any offensive tackle. However, despite that fact he has only recorded 1.5 sacks in each of the last three seasons.

Watching his tape, I can definitely see the appeal here. He’s more disruptive than his sack numbers indicate and he could have a Trevon Walker type career arc. However, after going the high risk/high reward route with Joe Tryon-Shoyinka I expect Jason Licht to be looking for more of a sure thing.

4) Jihaad Campbell, Linebacker, Alabama

I’m starting to warm up to the idea of Cambell more and more. He had an excellent combine performance and proved that he was an elite athlete in this draft. Considering the huge need at linebacker, it makes sense to draft someone early at this position if they don’t sign someone.

Campbell is at his best in coverage, which is where the Bucs need the most help. He was also a tackling machine in college, so we know he can handle the down to down thumping of the NFL. It’s still not my preferred pick, but I expect Campbell to be very much in play.

3) Will Johnson, Cornerback, Michigan

This is a bit of a dark horse candidate. Johnson hasn’t tested yet as he recovers from injury, but I have no reason to believe that he wouldn’t test great. Still, there have been rumblings about his long speed and there is some speculation that he could slide in the draft.

Johnson is a big time playmaker at cornerback. He is a big body who is very good in both zone and man coverages. If the Bucs are looking for ballhawks in the draft then this is an ideal pick if he is actually available for them.

2) Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

If the Buccaneers are looking for a pass rusher then there wasn’t a better one in college football last year than Green. His 17.0 sacks led the NCAA and he looks to have the skillset of an impact NFL player. From a football standpoint, he is a perfect fit.

However, there are off the field allegations floating around him that could affect his draft stock. Licht and the front office might not be comfortable with him as a person in their locker room. Everything will depend on what they think of his character after meeting with him at the combine, but on the field he makes a ton of sense.

1) Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College

This is probably the leader in the clubhouse right now to be the pick for the Buccaneers. Despite not hitting the 9.0 threshold as a defensive end, Ezeiruaku did clear that mark as a linebacker which is where he would play in this defense. This was his biggest hurdle for being the pick at 19.

Ezeriuaku is a skilled pass rusher with excellent bend and a wide variety of pass rusher moves. You can tell he is a true student of the game who is always trying to gain an edge. In terms of skill and mentality, Ezeiruaku checks all the boxes.

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