While it made little sense for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to fire their head coach Lovie Smith this offseason, the Bucs have at least made plenty of moves over the last couple of seasons that have vastly improved their team. This makes the 2016 NFL Draft key for them and new head coach Kirk Koetter as it could be the group of players that finally push them past mediocrity.
So here is my perfect mock draft for the Bucs. To see every team’s perfect draft click here.
Round 1, Pick 9 – DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
2015: 83 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss, 10.5 sacks, five passes defended, one fumble recovery, 6-foot-7,291 pounds
I’ve seen so many draft projects with the Bucs taking a corner or some other position, but I don’t see how they can pass up a guy like Buckner, especially after shedding so many defensive linemen this offseason. Buckner’s size, strength and production will easily put him on the field day one for the Bucs.
Round 2, Pick 39 – Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas State
2015: Started 50 straight games, All Big-12 honors all four seasons, 6-foot-4, 301 pounds
If you want a prototype NFL guard, Whitehair is it. The Bucs need to replace Logan Mankins on the line and Whitehair is a plug-and-play starter who should pay dividends immediately. The Bucs have their quarterback in Jameis Winston, they have the weapons he needs at receiver and running back. Now they need to do everything they can to protect him.
Round 3, Pick 74 – Jerald Hawkins, OT, LSU
2015: Started 36 straight games, 6-foot-6, 305 pounds
The Bucs stay on the offensive line in round three, stealing Jerald Hawkins right here. Hawkins was overshadowed at LSU by other offensive lineman, but all he did was start every single game for the last three seasons in the Southeastern Conference of football. Maybe you’ve heard of it.
Round 4, Pick 108 – Miles Killebrew, Safety, Southern Utah
2015: 132 tackles, 2.5 for a loss, seven pass defended, two blocked kicks, 6-foot-2, 217 pounds
Killebrew has been a tackling machine at Southern Utah, putting up exactly the kind of numbers you’d expect from an elite player playing non-elite talent. His 4.65 40 at the combine is fine for a safety and his size, strength and tenacity should help him find the field for the Bucs very soon.
Round 5, Pick 148 – Kevon Seymour, CB, USC
2015: 25 tackles, one for a loss, one interception, 5-foot-11, 186 pounds
Seymour played in three fewer games this season for the Trojans thanks to an ankle injury and it showed up on his stat sheet, likely dropping his draft position a little. Still, he’s a future NFL starter and should be able to contribute on special teams and in nickle/dime packages right away.
Round 6, Pick 183 – DeAndre Washington, RB, Texas Tech
2015: 233 carries, 1,492 yards, 14 touchdowns, 41 catches, 385 yards, two touchdowns, 5-foot-8, 204 pounds
Washington is a small back, but is built solid and should be able to take the punishment that NFL defenders dole out. The Bucs’ offense is built around small, multi-talented backs and Washington should be able to step right in when Doug Martin needs a breather.
Round 6, Pick 197 – Victor Ochi, OLB, Stony Brook
2015: 47 tackles, 16.5 for a loss, 13 sacks, one forced fumble, 6-foot-1, 246 pounds
Ochi is another small school man among boys. He’s listed as an outside linebacker, but spent his time at Stony Brook as their right defensive end. He recorded double-digit sacks for the last two seasons. While he’ll be a linebacker in the pros and will need some development in that area, he can be a third-down blitzer on day one.
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