Mel Kiper Jr’s Mock Draft 2.0 provides Bucs fans with a new name to research.
In his first mock draft for the 2019 NFL Draft’s first round, Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN projected the Bucs to select offensive tackle Jonah Williams from Alabama.
For many Bucs fans, this was no surprise. The speculation for a while has been the Bucs will likely either go with the Alabama offensive tackle or LSU cornerback Greddy Williams.
However, in Kiper’s latest mock draft released this morning, he has a new name for the Bucs to consider.
Kiper projected with the fifth overall pick of the 2019 NFL draft that Tampa will select defensive end Montez Sweat from Mississippi State.
Here’s a look at what Kiper had to say about Sweat:
“The 6-foot-6, 245-pound Sweat, who had 22 sacks over the past two seasons, was the best prospect at the Senior Bowl in January. He keeps rising on my board, and he should have a great combine workout. Tampa Bay’s defense is likely to undergo an overhaul under new coach Bruce Arians and coordinator Todd Bowles, and the Bucs have to add edge rushers. Jason Pierre-Paul had a nice first season in Tampa (12.5 sacks), but he’s 30. Former second-round pick Noah Spence, meanwhile, has just one sack over the past two seasons. This is another spot that could be for sale in a trade as teams try to get ahead of the Giants to grab a quarterback.”
After reading the analysis, Kiper’s projection may just make perfect sense.
The Bucs need a pass rusher to pair with Jason Pierre-Paul. At 6’6 Sweat is extremely long and can use his long wingspan to get past offensive tackles.
In his 2018 season at Mississippi State, Sweat recorded 8.5 sacks, made 14.5 tackles per loss and forced a fumble.
If Tampa were to draft Sweat they could create a dynamic pass-rushing duo.
The argument against drafting the pass-rusher is simple. Many fans feel the most significant need for the Bucs is at cornerback or offensive tackle.
However, the 2019 draft class will be loaded with corners such as Lonnie Johnson from Kentucky or Chauncey Gardner-Johnson out of Florida who Tampa can select in the second or third road.
As for an offensive lineman, Tampa can likely find a quality offensive tackle on the free agent market.
If not there are a handful of talented offensive tackles projected to go in the later rounds of the NFL draft. These names include Oklahoma’s Bobby Evans or Ohio State’s Isaiah Prince.
Thus, drafting Sweat may be a good option for the Bucs.
Every good defense starts up front. If the Bucs can have a dominant pass-rushing duo the rest of the defense would face far less pressure.
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