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About the Author: Scott Reynolds
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Wednesday is the last day for all NFL teams to host their draft prospects on Top 30 visits, so a few more names are coming out. The Bucs hosted two players that are held in very high regard in this year’s draft as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that they’ve met with Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks while Tony Pauline reports that the team met with Iowa State outside linebacker Will McDonald. Both could be in the Bucs draft plans.
#Maryland CB Deonte Banks, who has had meetings or visits with nearly every team, ends his tour with the #Bills today, source said. He's also visited the #Saints, #Commanders, #Titans, #Vikings, #Raiders, #Texans, #Giants, #Bucs, #Eagles, #Jaguars, #Bears, and #Steelers.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 19, 2023
Official 30 visit list for McDonald- Packers, Bears, Cowboys, Bucs, Eagles, Bills, Vikings, Giants, Cards, Seahawks, Chiefs. Had to turn down half dozen visits due to time retraints https://t.co/REsZutIDHk
— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) April 19, 2023
The Bucs have a need for a slot cornerback and an extra outside linebacker. Banks and McDonald are both considered to be potential first-rounders and could contribute as Day 1 starters in Tampa Bay as Bucs draft picks.
CB Deonte Banks, OLB Will McDonald Are Bucs Draft Fits
While Maryland used Deonte Banks mostly as an outside cornerback, his speed and agility make him a perfect fit to move inside and cover in the slot. At 6-foot, 197 pounds with 4.35 speed, Banks has enough size to work in Todd Bowles’ scheme and he would certainly make Tampa Bay’s defense faster, which is a stated goal in this Bucs draft. At the very worst, he’s an incredibly solid starter on the outside for the Bucs.
Iowa State OLB Will McDonald IV – Photo by: USA Today
Banks only recorded two interceptions for the Terrapins, including one last year to go along with eight pass breakups. But he does such a tremendous job mirroring receivers and blanketing them that he doesn’t allow many catches.
Banks will likely be a Top 20 pick and is considered to be among the Top 3-4 cornerbacks in this draft class. The Bucs have also brought in Illinois cornerback Quan Martin and Kansas State cornerback Julius Brents in for Top 30 visits.
Iowa State’s Will McDonald plays bigger than he 6-foot-3, 239-pound frame suggests. McDonald has freakish athleticism and ability to bend. The Bucs are looking for a proven producer when it comes to rushing the passer. No one in this draft has been more productive than McDonald, who terrorized the Big XII with 34 sacks, 40.5 tackles for loss, 10 forced fumbles and seven pass breakups in five seasons.
McDonald carries a late first-round, early second-round grade. He’s worth being Tampa Bay’s first selection, especially if the team can trade down in the first round and acquire more picks. With 30-year old Shaq Barrett’s return to form from a torn Achilles uncertain and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka failing to move past four sacks again last year, the Bucs need a proven pass rusher like McDonald.
McDonald is one of five edge rushers the Bucs had in for Top 30 visits, joining the likes of Georgia’s Nolan Smith, LSU’s B.J. Ojulari, Kansas State’s Felix Anudike-Uzomah and Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness.
