The Stanford product Lorig was taken with the 253rd overall pick. Lorig finished his collegiate career with 95 tackles, 16.5 tackles for a loss, and 4.5 sacks. Lorig also has the ability to play special teams and tight end. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Lorig has been held back by a pectoral injury throughout the Bucs OTAs (organized team activities), but was able to start practicing earlier this week.
Tampa Bay selected Watson with 217th overall pick. The Florida State product Watson was a second-team All-ACC selection last year. Watson recorded 184 tackles with 11.5 sacks, 32.5 tackles for a loss, 10 passes defensed, three fumble recoveries, two interceptions, and one safety. The 6-foot-1, 240-pound Watson was slowed during the OTAs with a pulled hamstring, but is back practicing with the team.
The Bucs made room on their roster by releasing Crowell, safety Emanuel Cook, and long-snapper Chris Mauriello. Crowell was re-signed by the Buccaneers on March 29. Tampa Bay signed Crowell in free agency in 2009 and paid him a salary of $2 million. Crowell spent all of the 2009 season on injured reserve with the Buccaneers. After a quality season for the Buffalo Bills in 2007, Crowell missed all of the 2008 season with a knee injury. Cook was on the Buccaneers practice squad during the 2009 season. Mauriello was signed as an undrafted free agent after the 2010 NFL Draft.
Lorig and Watson are the fourth and fifth draft picks the Buccaneers have signed. Tampa Bay has also signed wide receiver Mike Williams, cornerback Myron Lewis, and punter Brent Bowden. The Bucs have four players remaining to be signed: defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, defensive tackle Brian Price, wide receiver Arrelious Benn, and safety Cody Grimm.
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