Vita Vea - Day 1 starter beside Gerald. Will split nose reps with Beau while also relieving McCoy on occasion at 3 tech.
5 sacks, 11 TFL, 2 Batdowns
Ronald Jones - Day 1 starter. He and Barber will work in tandem, at least early on. RoJo should get about 55% of the carries this season. Barber will carry about 30% of the running downs.
1,080 yards, 4.3 avg, 7 TDs
210 receiving, 3 TDs
MJ Stewart - Day 1 starter at nickel. Vernon better play better on the boundary this year, because the nickelback position is now filled. MJ will provide physicality, shutting down any off tackle runs and screens coming his way, and he will also see a lot of looks blitzing from the Nick. He will be out modern day Ronde Barber given his instincts, toughness and versatility.
Carlton Davis - Could be a day one starter. Grimes has CB1 on lock. CB2 is wide open between Vernon, Ryan, and Carlton. I believe when the season starts, Hargreaves will start across from Grimes, but he will be on a very short leash. Either way, Davis will get plenty of looks early and often, and eventually replace Vernon full time if the former Gator doesn't step his game up quick. Davis will be counted on to takeover for Grimes next year, even if he doesn't earn a starting spot in 2018.
Alex Cappa - Day one starter at RG. Cappa is mean and nasty. Just what we're looking for going forward. With some seriously violent film and a solid week against college football's best, Cappa showed enough to merit consideration as a day one starter. He will blast opens holes in the run game, and play close to what we thought we were getting with JR. The big question is whether he will be a liability in pass pro, either way he's an upgrade over the other guys on our roster already.
Jordan Whitehead - Don't sleep on Whitehead starting along side Justin Evans. While he's probably going to be in a reserve/special teams role to start the season, the talent at SS is weak enough that Jordan could run away with the job if he shows out in training camp. I don't think there would be much drop off from Tandy and Conte other than their leg up in scheme familiarity. Whitehead has the most to prove out of any rookie when July comes around.
Justin Watson - Should make the team as a 5th receiver. I don't think the team is too high on Bobo. I know Koetter has been loyal to his guy Freddie Martino but when the lights come on in the preseason, Watson will shine the brightest. I watched as Adam Thielen earned a roster spot with the Vikings with a tremendous preseason in Minnesota. I think Watson will do the same. The Jordy Nelson/Adam Thielen comps are legit with this kid.
Jack Cichy - Backup, Special Teamer. All of our draft picks will make the 53 man roster. How's that for a bold prediction? Jack should be able to outplay Cameron Lynch and Riley Bullough if healthy, earning his place as a backup LB. His special teams game has to be on point though, or he could be a practice squad candidate.
So there you have it. 4 day one starters (DT, RB, RG, NCB) at minimum and possibly 5 or 6 if Carlton and Jordan play lights on in the preseason.
Not bad Bucs Scouting Team, not bad at all.
