The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had quite the haul during the 2018 NFL Draft, selecting eight players after general manager Jason Licht traded down twice – once in the first round and again in the second round. Now it’s time for PewterReport.com’s Scott Reynolds to review the 2018 Bucs draft class and assign some initial grades based on the players’ attributes and value based on the round they were selected.

Wide receiver Justin Watson, the team’s fifth-round pick, is up next, followed by linebacker Jack Cichy, who was Tampa Bay’s sixth-round pick.

Round 5: Penn WR Justin Watson – 6-3, 215 – Senior

Watson is a highly motivated receiver that had great production at Penn where he put up three straight 1,000-yard seasons. Watson’s NFL comp is Minnesota’s Adam Thielen, a big, fast receiver with the ability to get yards after the catch. He accounted for 60 percent of the team’s passing offense at Penn. At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Watson brings size and an extended catch radius to a Tampa Bay receiving corps that has only one player above 6-foot-2, and that’s star receiver Mike Evans, who is 6-foot-5.

Penn WR Justin Watson – Photo courtesy of Penn

The Bucs brought in Watson, who was one of PewterReport.com’s Bucs’ Best Bets at wide receiver, as one of their Top 30, which showed how much the organization thought of a player that was going to be drafted in the fifth round. After not being invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, Watson had a tremendous pro day workout where he ran a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash, posted a 40-inch vertical jump and benched 20 reps of 225 pounds. Those numbers would have made him one of the standouts at the receiver position at this year’s Combine had he been invited.

Watson is represented by Joe Linta, who is the same agent that reps Bucs tight end Cameron Brate and linebacker Cam Lynch and only takes on quality, high character players. Licht and Linta have a strong relationship, and that helped. Watson is not a silver spooner despite the fact that he went to an Ivy League school. In fact, he’s quite the blue-collar kid that could be described as a wide receiver version of Brate.

The Question Marks

Watson proved he could play against a higher level of competition at the East-West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl where he exceled at both all-star games. But not every one of those players he faced will make an NFL roster, or much less, see playing time. There is a good sized learning curve from the Ivy League to the NFL, but the Bucs like Watson’s mental make-up and work ethic and bet he can make a smooth transition to the increased speed of the game. The biggest question surrounding Watson could be the most positive one. How high is his ceiling? Can he develop into a starting-caliber receiver, or is he just a third or fourth receiver?

The Rookie Season Expectations

The Bucs’ top four receiver positions are set with Evans, DeSean Jackson, Chris Godwin and Adam Humphries, but don’t be surprised if Watson beats out Bobo Wilson and Freddie Martino for the fifth receiver spot. While Watson doesn’t have kick or punt return ability, he has the work ethic and ability to star on special teams on punt and kick coverage as a rookie. Watson may not see much time on offense as rookie, but with the chance that Jackson and Humphries move on after 2018, the Penn product could wind up as Tampa Bay’s No. 3 receiver next year if everything goes according to plan.

The Grade: B

Watson could prove to be a Day 3 steal for the Bucs because he has the potential to develop into a solid No. 3 or even a No. 2 NFL wide receiver with his skill set. While receiver may not have been a glaring need this year for the Bucs, Jackson and Humphries may not be on the roster in 2019 due to salary cap reasons, and Watson could wind up as the team’s No. 3 receiver behind Evans and Godwin quicker than some might think.

Up Next: LB Jack Cichy