I'm really puzzled by the Beckwith pick. Yes, from a draft value perspective (bad value for a SLB). But also from a defensive scheme perspective. The NFL is getting smaller and faster. Big Sam LBs don't fit in today's NFL. This is also why Beckwith was pegged as an ILB to a 3-4 team, he wouldn't be asked to cover and could just come downhill.
There's also the fact that all the teams in the NFC South rely heavily on the passing game. The one exception has largely been Carolina, but they just spent their two top picks on RB/WR hybrids - getting smaller, faster, and more versatile. These games are won defensively in the nickel, not in base 4-3.
But what if Beckwith is an indication of where Mike Smith wants to go with this defense? Get a lot bigger, and play more 3-4/3-3/Leo style defences (Spence at Leo)?
Kwon's weakness is against the run and Smith has always liked big LBs. Maybe he wants to push Kwon outside (at least on run downs)? Play more 4-3 Over with Kwon/LD at OLB (thus off the LoS) and Beckwith at Mac?
Perhaps they do want to push Lavonte for playing time? Lavonte hasn't been as effective since Schiano was fired, and perhaps they feel more beef at ILB with Kwon at WLB (or Beckwith?) will help against the pass?
Every move we've seen the Bucs make for the front 7 has been to add more size. Ayers, Baker, Beckwith, Daryl Smith... On its own, this doesn't inherently make sense given the offensive (and defensive) push for fast versatile players. Smith is obviously smart, and had the defense over-performing last year, so what do you think he's trying to do?
