With their final choice in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers used the 233rd overall pick to select Northwestern’s Drake Dunsmore, who is expected to play fullback and tight end in Tampa Bay.

Dunsmore finished his Northwestern career with 143 receptions for 1,567 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has been pretty consistent in terms of offensive production, catching 47 passes for 523 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore, recording 40 catches for 381 yards and five scores as a junior and finishing his time with the Wildcats with 45 receptions for 522 yards and a career-high six touchdowns in 2011 as a senior.

At 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, Dunsmore played tight end and H-back for the Wildcats, but has added 10 pounds this offseason and now weighs 245 pounds. He will likely play tight end and fullback and be used as a move tight end in the slot for the Buccaneers.

“I think so,” Dunsmore said. “I am not 100 percent sure. I have not talked with the coaches in depth, so it is something I will be finding out for myself a little more coming up this week in mini-camp.

“If you turn on the tape of me you wont see me blocking that much over the past four years. I’d say I am an eager blocker. You’d be able to tell that by the way I block outside as a receiver and as a slot guy going in motion. But I haven’t had an opportunity to block a lot in line, and that is something I am really eager to learn from the coaches up there and the tight ends that are already in Tampa. I hope to progress in that department.”

Dunsmore has pretty good speed, evidenced by catches of 47, 66 and 69 yards in his career. He was timed at running the 40-yard dash at 4.64 in front of NFL scouts.

The Northwestern product has already had some highlights in Tampa Bay, including a tackle-breaking 66-yard touchdown catch in the Outback Bowl in 2009.

“You know what I love playing at Raymond James,” Dunsmore said. “It was a great game. Great weather. I had a lot of fun out in Tampa with my teammates at the Outback Bowl and I am excited to get back down there and play a few more games there.”

Dunsmore, who is from Lenexa, Kan., is eager to catch passes from another Kansas City native, Josh Freeman.

“I am really excited about it,” Dunsmore said. “I haven’t really had a chance to see him play a lot but everything I hear are good things. I had a chance to meet him when he was out here in Kansas City and I am excited to get to Tampa to start working with him and see just how great a quarterback he is.”

Dunsmore is also excited about working with Tampa Bay’s starting tight end, Kellen Winslow.

“I don’t know a whole lot about him, honestly,” Dunsmore said. “I just know from what I have seen from highlights. From what I have seen he seems like a real athletic tight end. I am eager to meet him and learn from him. “

Dunsmore’s father, Pat, played college football at Drake, played tight end for two years (1983-84) with the Chicago Bears. Dunsmore was named Drake after his father’s alma mater.

Aside from Dunsmore, the Buccaneers only have one fullback on the 2012 roster in Erik Lorig, and have five tight ends in Winslow, Luke Stocker, Zack Pianalto, Chase Coffman and Colin Franklin.