The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made three selections last night on day-two of the 2019 NFL Draft. Here are grades and reactions for each pick. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made some peculiar decisions on Friday night, using all three of their day-two picks (trade back with the Los Angeles Rams netted them an extra third round pick) on defensive backs. After selecting linebacker Devin White in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers used the 39th overall pick in the draft of Central Michigan State cornerback Sean Bunting, a rising player since the combine and the fourth best cornerback on this writer’s big board. However, what transpired in the third round remains interesting. With the 94th pick in the draft, the first of two picks received in the trade down with the Rams, the Buccaneers drafted yet another cornerback in the form of Auburn’s Jamel Dean. A big bodied receiver, who tested athletically at the combine. The 99th pick in the draft, the second pick received by the Rams, Tampa Bay then took Kentucky safety Mike Edwards. A four year contributor for the Wildcats with great production across the stat sheet. The Buccaneers added talented players to their roster last night. With that being said, get to know each new member in Tampa Bay here and get reactions to the picks from day-two of the NFL Draft.<doc-sep>The NFL Draft is over, which means we can start analyzing a team’s new stock of talent and see which franchises came out winners from the big weekend. And while it is always hard to grade a team’s draft since we never really know how things will pan out until years down the road, we can always take a look at the names on paper and how they compared to pre-draft predictions. So, while some teams like the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots came out with grades of A and A-, respectively, from ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came away with only a C+. That might not seem too bad, but when you consider that a C+ was the lowest grade Kiper gave to a team, it certainly gives you pause. The analyst’s main issue with the draft seemed to be what the Bucs did in the second round and third round, taking cornerback Sean Bunting and cornerback Jamel Dean, both of whom Kiper felt were reaches. He was also not a fan of the team taking kicker Matt Gay in the fifth round, especially given the team’s rough history of late when it comes to drafting kickers. Again, it’s all just speculation now as to who came out winners and who came out losers from the draft, but the initial reaction from some seems to be that Tampa Bay stumbled a bit after taking linebacker Devin White at five.<doc-sep>Before we get started, let’s go ahead and get this out of the way: Yes, I know it’s hard to evaluate a team’s draft picks before they actually step on the field. We have no clue what these guys will do in their careers. The first round pick could flame out while the fifth-rounder becomes an All-Pro, for all we know. But you can still grade a team’s draft based off need, the players available, and draft history. All of those elements should be considered when weighing the next player for your football team. So, how did the Bucs do in this year’s draft? Let’s dive in. Round 1, Pick #5: Devin White , LB, LSU Everyone knew that White was a great player leading up to the draft, but were the Bucs getting enough value selecting him at number five? That was the biggest (and only) question surrounding White. Which is obviously a good situation to be in. The value question was answered later when the Pittsburgh Steelers traded with the Denver Broncos for the 10th overall pick and selected Devin Bush out of Michigan. Additionally, there were reports that the New York Giants were going to take White with the sixth pick in the draft. So, the Bucs get a top-five talent that will be a three-down linebacker. The selection of White also fills a major need. He also told me the day before the draft that it’d be a smooth transition into the NFL due to the fact that Dave Aranda’s (LSU’s DC) and Todd Bowles’ defenses are practically identical. Potential #Bucs draft pick Devin White: “I’d be way better in Todd Bowles’ system than a lot of systems because I already know the system. I’m very capable of going into any building and re-learning a system, but my speed would be at 100 instead of 90.”#NFLDraft2019 — Evan Winter (@evan_winter) April 25, 2019 Top-five talent + need = great pick. Grade: A+ Round 2, Pick #39: Sean Bunting , CB, Central Michigan I’ll admit, I was caught off guard by this one and I think a lot of my initial confusion/resentment was due to the fact that Buffalo Bills traded up and took Oklahoma tackle Cody Ford at 38th overall - who could’ve likely been the Bucs’ next pick. But after watching what Bunting can do and looking at his measureables, this is a player that could really make a difference in this defense. Bunting is fast, athletic, and sticky - which is exactly what Bowles likes in his corners. This move also allows flexibility on the outside of the Bucs’ defense. Now, Vernon Hargreaves III can slide inside when needed, where he played well before getting hurt a few years ago. The knock here is a small-school talent that played against lesser competition. All I have to say is, check Ali Marpet. Grade: A Round 3, Pick #94: Jamel Dean , CB, Auburn This is the first questionable pick of Tampa Bay’s draft. The Bucs traded out of the 70th spot with the Los Angeles Rams and received picks #94 and #99 - both third-rounders - in return. It was a decent trade, but the Bucs missed out on some players that could’ve really helped them out. Names like Chase Winovich, Michael Deiter, David Long, Justin Layne, and Khalen Saunders are just a few that come to mind. Why is this an issue? Well, not only did the Bucs take back-to-back corners just like they did in 2018, but Dean has had some major knee issues throughout both high school and college. That is a concern for a speedy corner and one that should’ve likely been weighed a bit more by the staff. He hasn’t had any issues since 2016, but it’s still a concern. If he can stay healthy, then the Bucs add another big, fast, press corner who will fit in nicely on defense. Grade: D Round 3, Pick #99: Mike Edwards , DB, Kentucky This could turn out to be one of the best picks of the draft. Edwards is a physical, in-the-box safety that can also man the slot position when needed. He has just enough athleticism to hold up in both the run and the pass, which will be useful for the Bucs. If Jordan Whitehead and can’t continue his momentum from last season and if Kentrell Brice can’t come in and make noise early on, then Edwards could find himself starting opposite Justin Evans come September. He’ll struggle with the more dynamic/athletic players, but it’s hard to envision this staff putting him in that position. Edwards will work his tail off this summer, as well. Check out our own scouting report on him here. Grade: B Round 4, Pick #107: Anthony Nelson , DE, Iowa The first thing that comes to mind when you think about Nelson is the man’s size. At 6-foot-7, 271-pounds, he will be tough to handle off the edge - which is where he’d presumably play. He’s similar to Carl Nassib when it comes to size, length, etc - but he may actually be more athletic. Regardless, he comes from a blue-collar school in Iowa, where those guys work their asses off. Names like Bryan Bulaga, Karl Klug, Christian Kirksey, Brandon Scherff, and George Kittle all come to mind. There’s no doubt Nelson will put in the work to overcome his fourth-round selection. He needs to get stronger, which should be no issue considering he is about to enter a professional strength and conditioning program. Considering who was left on the board at the time, the pick made sense and looks to be a good one. Grade: B Round 5, Pick #145: Matt Gay , K, Utah Christ. Here we go. I can’t defend the actual pick here. I have no clue what is with this team’s obsession to draft kickers. It’s perplexing at best. What I can defend, however, is a coaching staff that is confident enough and brave enough to go get the players they think will help this team right away. Bruce Arians said when he first arrived that the special teams unit needed the most improvement. A lot of that was in regards to the unit’s coverage, but there’s no question the Bucs needed an improvement at kicker after last year. But drafting a kicker is not only a waste of a pick, it also puts an incredible amount of pressure on said player. And it’s easy to argue that this is the one position in football where 95% of the outcome is based off the player manning the position. Fifth round draft picks rarely work out, as well, but it’s a scenario that is still hard to wrap your head around. The PTSD is in full effect here, and rightfully so. The pooch was screwed on this one. Grade: F Round 6, Pick #208: Scott Miller , WR, Bowling Green As always, this is where the waters get extra-murky when it comes to projecting how a pick will shake out in the future. We know Arians loves speed. Whether it’s on offense or defense, the man is a big fan of guys who can get down the field. That’s exactly what Miller provides. Don’t get me wrong, at 5-foot-9, 174-pounds he needs to bulk up, but could become a nice complementary piece to the receiving core. He’s obviously a jitterbug-type receiver with more quickness and speed than most. Think Adam Humphries, but quicker. It’s not a stretch to think Miller could develop into that type of role, considering Hump was an UDFA when he began his NFL career. With the other players available in the draft, the Bucs had the luxury to take Miller here. If he can somehow stay active on game day, it’d be big win. Grade: B Round 7, Pick #215: Terry Beckner Jr, DT, Missouri Just like with Miller, there’s no guarantee this pick will work out, but you have to like the fact the Bucs added another player for the front seven. There is no doubt that Beckner will be a major project.<doc-sep>
How will the Buccaneers use their picks in the 2019 NFL draft? We’re breaking down every selection. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished last season 5–11, marking their second-consecutive losing campaign. Tampa Bay hasn't made the playoffs in 11 years. But the Bucs hope to turn things around under new head coach Bruce Arians, who was hired earlier this offseason. Last year, the Bucs selected Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea with the 12th pick of the 2018 draft. How will they use their picks in this year's NFL draft? We’re breaking down every selection below, with grades from The MMQB's Andy Benoit. Here's the full list of picks the Buccaneers hold in the 2019 draft, which will be updated as each selection is made. Round 1, Pick 5 (No. 5 overall): Devin White, STACK LB, LSU Andy Benoit's grade: B Talk about a team having speed at linebacker. White is a classic undersized run-and-chase guy…just like the newly signed free agent Deone Bucannon, who played for new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles in Arizona. And remember, incumbent Lavonte David, an everydown stud, can also run. The beauty of this pick is it plays off last year’s pick of Vita Vea, a bigger-bodied athlete who can occupy blockers, keeping White, David and Bucannon clean. White flashed both as a designed blitzer and improvised blitzer at LSU. That interior pass-rushing prowess will be critical in Tampa Bay, as Bowles loves to pressure the quarterback up the middle. Round 2, Pick 7 (No. 39 overall): Sean Bunting, CB, Central Michigan Andy Benoit's grade: A- A long corner with press-man and zone abilities is exactly what new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles wanted. (Remember, Bowles was the head coach with the Jets last year when they spent big free agent money on a similarly built specimen, ex-Ram Trumaine Johnson.) Bowles believes in overload blitzing, especially right up the middle where it’s a shorter path to the quarterback. To do this, you must trust your perimeter defenders in solo coverage. With 2018 second-rounder Carlton Davis coming on strong down the stretch after a poor start, the Bucs are solid on both sides. Vernon Hargreaves will move to the slot (a better fit) and M.J. Stewart (also a 2018 second-rounder) becomes a utility backup, if not a contender for a starting safety job. This secondary now has options and depth. Round 3, Pick 30 (No. 94 overall): Jamel Dean, CB, Auburn Andy Benoit's grade: C+ That’s two corners drafted in one night for the Buccaneers, which makes you wonder how the new coaching staff views 2016 first-round pick Vernon Hargreaves. Round 3, Pick 35 (No. 99 overall): Mike Edwards, S, Kentucky Andy Benoit's grade: A Edwards was a versatile four-year starter in the SEC. Now he joins a Bucs scheme that places a premium on safety versatility, with Todd Bowles at defensive coordinator. The new staff is not tied to any of the incumbent safeties, and none of those incumbent safeties—save for maybe Justin Evans—are clear starters. Could Edwards become a first-unit player? Round 4, Pick 5 (No. 107 overall): Anthony Nelson, DE, Iowa Round 5, Pick 7 (No. 145 overall): Matt Gay, K, Utah Round 6, Pick 35 (No. 208 overall): Scott Miller, WR, Bowling Green Round 7, Pick 1 (No. 215 overall): Terry Beckner Jr., DT, Missouri See every NFL team's 2019 picks by clicking the links below. Arizona Cardinals | Atlanta Falcons | Baltimore Ravens | Buffalo Bills | Carolina Panthers | Chicago Bears | Cincinnati Bengals | Cleveland Browns | Dallas Cowboys | Denver Broncos | Detroit Lions | Green Bay Packers | Houston Texans | Indianapolis Colts | Jacksonville Jaguars | Kansas City Chiefs | Los Angeles Chargers | Los Angeles Rams | Miami Dolphins | Minnesota Vikings | New England Patriots | New Orleans Saints | New York Giants | New York Jets | Oakland Raiders | Philadelphia Eagles | Pittsburgh Steelers | San Francisco 49ers | Seattle Seahawks | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tennessee Titans | Washington Redskins