Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2018 Draft Class Review

With the 2018 NFL Draft behind us, it’s time to begin the review process on how each team stacks up with the selections they’ve made. While Tampa Bay was looking to add some key talent to this roster, they found a great opportunity to trade back garnering more draft capital from the Buffalo Bills. When everything was said and done, the Buccaneers had five picks in the top 100 with a finally tally of eight total draft picks. With a side note; one increasingly interesting player that found his way to the roster was undrafted free agent quarterback Austin Allen, he’ll definitely be one to watch, let’s review… 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2018 Draft Class Review:

Round 1 – Pick 12 (12)

Vita Vea (DT)

Finding their way to trade down in the first round to hold great position in the second, the Bucs landed the Bills original (12 overall) selection and chose to select the huge defensive tackle in Vita Vea. ADF truly believes this was a mistake in selection not because Vita can’t play, but passing on a sure fire super star potential talent like Derwin James is very baffling.

Either way, the choice has been made and Tampa Bay got their man to help solidify the defensive line which is beginning to take shape and look like it could be quite the dominate force this season. Vea is a ginormous individual at 6’4” teamed with a frame holding nearly 350 pounds with room to grow. Vita is the prototypical defensive tackle that shows great ability to get in the backfield to stop the run. The opening season depth chart should see Vita take his place beside all-star Gerald McCoy making it quite the task for any team to run free on them this season. Rounding out the group, Jason Pierre-Paul and Vinny Curry create a monster defensive front that should challenge to be one of the best units in the NFL.

Some scouts believe that Vita still has a lot to improve in his game to become a more consistent player overall, we tend to agree. However, with the cast of characters teaching him the tricks of the trade, it won’t be long until the highlight tapes are a constant occurrence.  

ADF Prediction: Day one starter, great potential.

Round 2 – Pick 6 (38)

Ronald Jones (RB)

With Derrius Guice still on the board, the Tampa Bay faithful let out a giant gasp seeing their home town Buccaneers select the speedy, elusive former USC Trojan with their first pick in the second round. While Guice should be the better overall talent, Jones provides a running style Tampa Bay hasn’t had in perhaps their entire franchise history. ADF feels that Ronald Jones possesses very similar traits to that of 49ers new running back Jerick McKinnon. They both have very similar body types though Jones has two inches more in height. Jones may lose out to the overall speed to McKinnon, but they both possess extreme cut-ability, great change of direction skill and Jones looks the part of an explosive running back. 

In reviewing his game film, and hearing the same arguments from our colleagues, Ronald has issues being able to run though the tackles while being an easy take-down if a finger is laid on him. While that evaluation might be a little excessive, there are great aspects to his game that will need refining for him to be taken seriously to lead the charge for the Bucs. The other concern for ADF is the immense injury history that follows Jones around like a bad smell. He definitely has big flags and risks attached to him which could make this pick a potential bust with equal high upside.    

ADF Prediction: Moderate potential, very low floor with injury concerns.  

Round 2 – Pick 21 (53)

M.J. Stewart (DB)

ADF had predictions before the draft that saw Derwin James or Denzel Ward heading to Tampa Bay as they require a massive talent infusion on the backend of this defense. While those picks never panned out, the Bucs chose to reach a little here selecting M.J. Stewart with their second of three picks in the second round. We have been describing the trend in this draft so far to teams selecting multi-faceted versatile players that can be placed in many areas of the field. Stewart is that type of player that could play all over the backend of the defense with also having the ability to play close to the line in run support. In Stewart’s case there is the potential he becomes good at a lot, but great at nothing, either way, his skillset is something the Tampa brain trust coveted greatly to jump on early.   

ADF Prediction: Moderate upside, versatile player.

Round 2 – Pick 31 (63)

Carlton Davis (DB)

Now this pick is what ADF has preached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to do to help fix their issues in the defensive backfield. Tampa should count themselves lucky that they were able to snag Davis with the later picks of the second round. Carlton Davis is a stud with fantastic measurables to man one of the outside cornerback positions on this defense. Not possessing breakaway speed, but great speed non-the-less, Davis has all the potential to be a lock down difference maker in the NFL. Carton has elite level press-cover abilities which opposing receivers would struggle to break when challenged with his coverage.

With the accolades and endorsements ADF will give Davis, he’s like any player that has minor issues he will have to correct to develop into the player we believe he can become. Improving his catching ability and reducing the amount of penalties he encountered in his college career could be the initial hurdle that may slow his progression at the start. However, Davis is far too smart and supremely gifted for ADF to think he can’t iron that out. Love this pick for Tampa Bay.         

ADF Prediction: Huge upside, day one starter.   

Round 3 – Pick 30 (94)

Alex Cappa (OL)

Understanding that another requirement for upgrade was the spotty offensive line and the Bucs certainly addressed that in the third round with this selection. In a very deep class of offensive guards, Tampa Bay may have got themselves a very serviceable player. Alex Cappa is a big man that possesses good instincts and a well-rounded set of skills that should allow him to compete for a starting job from day one.  The knock on Cappa is that he attended Humboldt State and never really saw strong competition to test his ability on the regular. While most players coming into the NFL will have at least a short list of items needing to be improved, Alex Cappa’s list is that much shorter. It may take a little time but he could find his way to being a mainstay on the Tampa line.

ADF Prediction: Good potential.  

Round 4 – Pick 17 (117)

Jordan Whitehead (DB)

As ADF outlined many times pre-draft, a major concern for the Buccaneers has been the play of their defensive backfield and general manager Jason Licht surely agrees. This selection looks more to address the depth on the defense and possibly having the potential to play special teams with his good hitting ability. There is an opportunity for Whitehead to find playing time on a rotational basis but nothing more than that at this point. Jordan is a true work in progress and needs to turn heads at training camp.    

Round 5 – Pick 7 (144)

Justin Watson (WR)

Justin Watson is a great pick in the fifth round for Tampa Bay as he brings great size (6’3” tall) while running a surprising 4.42 40 time back at his pro-day in late March. The great appeal in Watson is how consistently productive he was over his time in college. As a sophomore and beyond, Justin never saw anything fewer than 1000 yards topping out at 1115 receiving yards. His touchdown production was fantastic as well finding the endzone a whopping 33 times with securing 14 in his senior season, very impressive. ADF is a big fan of Watson and he should be able to carve out a role at least in the redzone to begin with.  

Round 6 – Pick 28 (202)

Jack Cichy (LB)

Tampa Bay looks to have reached a little on this selection even though it’s a late round pick. It’s clear the Bucs like his football IQ but may be hard pressed to witness it on the field as Cichy was often injured in his college career. This is a full-blown potential draft choice as Jack possesses good leadership traits that allowed him to be a favorite in the locker room. He should be hard pressed to find a role on this team if he can’t stay clear of the medical room.

2018 Undrafted Free Agent Signings

Shaun Wilson, RB, Duke

Austin Allen, QB, Arkansas

Evan Perrizo, DE, Minnesota State

Antonio Simmons, DE, Georgia Tech

Donnie Ernsberger, TE, Western Michigan

Jason Reese, TE, Missouri

Erv Philips, WR, Syracuse

Demone Harris, DE, Buffalo

Sergio Bailey, WR, Eastern Michigan

Cole Boozer, OL, Temple

Tanner Hudson, TE, Southern Arkansas 

Josh Liddell, DB, Arkansas 

Godwin Igwebuike, DB, Northwestern

Trevor Moore, K, North Texas