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About the Author: Trevor Sikkema

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Trevor Sikkema is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat reporter and NFL Draft analyst for PewterReport.com. Sikkema, an alumnus of the University of Florida, has covered both college and professional football for much of his career. As a native of the Sunshine State, when he's not buried in social media, Sikkema can be found out and active, attempting to be the best athlete he never was. Sikkema can be reached at: [email protected]
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Now that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ draft class is complete, it’s time to round up the opinions of how they did versus the rest of the league.

The thoughts surrounding the Bucs’ draft varies, as expected, but most major media evaluators thought the Bucs did a pretty good job of not only acquiring talent, but the right kind of talent for their team.

Here’s what some of the big-time media analyst had to say about the Bucs’ 2018 draft class.

Chad Reuter, NFL.com | Grade: A-

“Vea could be a difference-maker against the run and as a penetrator in the interior. There was better value at a position of need in Florida State safety Derwin James. They could have picked a nose tackle later in the draft. But they did pick up two second-round picks by trading back only five spots in the first round. That haul resulted in a starting running back in Jones, who can do a bit of everything and was a worthy selection. Pairing Stewart with outside corner Carlton Davis gives the Bucs depth. Cappa is a starting guard for the Buccaneers sooner than later. He’ll get after it in a big way.”

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports | Grade: A

“They needed players on defense and they landed a bunch of talented guys who can help, thanks in part to a trade down in the first round. Defensive tackle Vita Vea gives them much needed bulk up front and they took some secondary players who will help. I really like the pick of corner Carlton Davis in the third. Second-round pick Ronald Jones will be a star. Watch out for this team next year.”

Dan Kadar, SB Nation | Grade: B-

“Taking defensive tackle Vita Vea in the first round over safety Derwin James was a puzzling move. Vea is a really good player, and will help a re-shaped defensive line that already added Beau Allen, Vinny Curry, and Jason Pierre-Paul. Safety was a just a need for the Buccaneers and it wasn’t addressed until the fourth round with Jordan Whitehead of Pittsburgh.

Between those two picks the Buccaneers got some starters in cornerbacks M.J. Stewart and Carlton Davis. Taken at No. 63 overall, Davis was a good value at the end of the second round. Running back Ronald Jones II is a playmaker and should get a majority of the carries for the Buccaneers. He may be an Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate. Alex Cappa has good potential at guard.

Sixth round guard Jack Cichy could stick as a nice backup if he can stay healthy. Had he not been injured last year, he may have been a top 100 pick.”

Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports | Grade: C

“Big Vita Vea completed Tampa’s overhaul on the defensive line, though it’s hard to see Vea having much of an impact on passing downs. Ronald Jones is an interesting second-round pick: Can he be an every-down back? He had some high-volume games at USC, and his game-breaking ability is undeniable. Cornerbacks M.J. Stewart and Carlton Davis need to contribute soon. Overall it’s nothing to get too excited about, unless Jones becomes an elite back right away.”

Ian Wharton, Bleacher Report | Grade: B+

“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did well to move back and collect two second-round picks in the 2018 NFL draft. They had the chance to add safety Derwin James to their secondary but instead went with mammoth defensive tackle Vita Vea in the first round. Vea is not yet a complete three-down player but is a terrific athlete for his size and is the latest investment this offseason as the team tries to shore up a woeful run defense.

General manager Jason Licht had a terrific Day 2, led by explosive running back Ronald Jones. The USC ball-carrier has home run speed and consistent vision. He should excel behind the Buccaneers’ athletic offensive line and has untapped potential as a pass-catcher.

Defensive backs M.J. Stewart and Carlton Davis immediately add needed talent into one of the worst cornerback depth charts in the league, and Tampa Bay now boasts a bit of a surplus at the position. Humboldt State guard Alex Cappa had dominant film and could be the next Ali Marpet for the Buccaneers’ offensive line.”

Andy Benoit, SportsIllustrated | Grade: B

“It’s a little odd to sign career backup Beau Allen to a three-year, $15 million free-agent contract if the team didn’t think he’d become a starter. Vita Vea’s arrival relegates Allen to a second-string role. And the Bucs can’t play the “we didn’t think Vea would still be on the board when we picked” card because they entered this draft with the No. 7 pick. Which means they knew when they signed Allen that they could get Vea if they wanted.

If Vea had been gone at No. 12, Tampa Bay almost certainly would have drafted a defensive back—safety was their biggest need, with corner not far behind. The second-round selections of M.J. Stewart and Carlton Davis can be interpreted as a subtle message to up-and-down 2016 first-rounder Vernon Hargreaves, especially when you consider the Bucs also drafted a defensive back in the fourth round who has slot coverage potential (Jordan Whitehead). But nickel is the main defense in today’s NFL, and Tampa Bay realizes it can’t have too much depth here, especially with soon-to-be 35-year-old Brent Grimes entering perhaps his final year. If Hargreaves plays in 2018 like he did in the second half of his rookie season, he’ll be viewed unequivocally as a long-term starter.

Dropped in between these defensive picks were Ronald Jones, who fills Doug Martin’s multi-year void at running back, and Alex Cappa, an interior O-lineman. With Cappa now on the roster, it’s likely that the J.R. Sweezy experiment won’t last much longer—though some see the rookie as a tackle. If Tampa Bay does, this pick becomes that much more interesting given that 2015 second-round left tackle Donovan Smith is in a contract year.”

Buccaneers Grade Average vs. Rest of NFL

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