As we are now single-digit days away from the 2017 NFL Draft, the picture is starting to get a little more clear showing who the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are targeting, not only in the first round, but in the rounds beyond.
On Thursday, Bucs fans picked up anther hint for who one of those second or third round picks might be when Oklahoma’s Samaje Perine explained that Tampa Bay was the team that has shown the most interest in him on PFT Live.
Oklahoma RB Samaje Perine says on PFT Live that the Buccaneers are the team that has shown the most interest in him https://t.co/c0UWSaMGcW
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 20, 2017
“I would have to say Tampa Bay just because they came down to Norman to work me out and they flew me out to tour their facility to talk with all the coaches. Other than them, it’s been pretty equal,” Perine said.
In his three seasons at Oklahoma, Perine carried the ball a whopping 685 times for 4,122 yards and 40 touchdowns – that’s while splitting carries with Joe Mixon, too. He also own the single-game rushing record with 427 yards against Kansas.
The Bucs have also paid similar attention to USF’s Marlon Mack, and to a lesser extent, Toledo’s Kareem Hunt. It seems they’re very keen on these Day 2 backs, which could be telling us they won’t be inclined to take a running back in the first round, no matter who is there.