Draft History: Grades and stats for every first- and second-round pick since 2015 NFC South edition
ProFootballFocus
BY CAM MELLOR • FEB 13, 2019
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
2015:
Jameis Winston, Quarterback
Round 1, Pick 1
Career-high overall grade: 73.7 (2017)
The year is 2019, and we still don’t know if Jameis Winston is the long-term solution for the Bucs at quarterback. He’s just 25 years old at this point and staring down either a massive contract extension with the Bucs or testing the free agency waters next offseason. One thing is certain, at times Winston has shown he is capable of being mentioned in the top signal-caller discussion with his 85 big-time throws, while he has also shown his tendency to force throws, which has led to 86 turnover-worthy plays, the latter figure ranking second-most since 2015.
Donovan Smith, Tackle
Round 2, Pick 34
Career-high overall grade: 66.4 (2018)
Smith is on the heels of his highest-graded season to date as he enters free agency. His time in Tampa appears to have run its course as he finishes his tenure with the Bucs having allowed 202 career pressures on his 2,828 pass-blocking snaps. His durability will likely get him signed elsewhere, and for big money in a left-tackle depleted landscape.
Ali Marpet, Guard
Round 2, Pick 61
Career-high overall grade: 82.7 (2016)
Marpet is a stalwart along the Bucs offensive line, and after having spent a year away at center, he has come back to the position in which he put forth his career-high grade in. He’s no slouch with his run blocking but has shined in pass protection, allowing just 97 pressures over his career spanning 2,445 pass-blocking snaps.
2016:
Vernon Hargreaves, Cornerback
Round 1, Pick 11
Career-high overall grade: 61.8 (2017)
It remains to be seen what type of Hargreaves that Bucs fans will get to see as he was limited to just 53 snaps a year ago. He shined in the slot during his second season but still has given up four touchdowns compared to just one interception and missed 22 of his total 147 tackle attempts in his young career.
Noah Spence, Edge defender
Round 2, Pick 39
Career-high overall grade: 62.8 (2017)
Spence bounced from Ohio State to Eastern Kentucky and landed on the Bucs as a potential pass-rushing threat, and he flashed that during his rookie season with 40 QB pressures. He has been able to muster just 13 since.
Roberto Aguayo, Kicker
Round 2, Pick 59
Career-high overall grade: 37.9 (2016)
You’ve known this by now, but it must be said again: Aguayo was an abomination with the Bucs. He made just 71.0% of his field goal attempts including making just 4-of-11 from 40 yards or more. He missed two extra points in his one-year stint with Tampa and has signed and been waived by the Bears, Panthers, and Chargers since.
2017:
O.J. Howard, Tight end
Round 1, Pick 19
Career-high overall grade: 89.4 (2018)
A prime candidate to bounce back after a disappointing rookie season, Howard more than impressed this past year. Before injury shut him down after Week 11, Howard had hauled in 72.3% of his targeted passes and put forth plus-grades in both pass protection and run blocking. He’s primed and ready to be a top tight end in the league for years to come.
Justin Evans, Safety
Round 2, Pick 50
Career-high overall grade: 67.6 (2018)
Evans was actually the Bucs’ fifth highest-graded player on defense this past season, shining in Year 2 as he limited the mistakes he was prone to during his rookie season. After allowing 17.7 yards per reception in 2016, he shortened that to just 11.8 in 2018 while limiting receivers to only 51 yards after the catch last year.
2018:
Vita Vea, Interior defensive line
Round 1, Pick 12
Career-high overall grade: 74.2 (2018)
Vea came on strong down the stretch, landing a spot on our All-Rookie team in the process. He racked up 26 QB pressures on just 233 pass-rushes and was a force in run defense, which we knew already. If he can continue to increase his pass-rushing skillset, the sky is the limit for the former Washington Husky.
Ronald Jones, Running back
Round 2, Pick 38
Career-high overall grade: 48.8 (2018)
You may not have known it, but Jones played in eight games this season and ran the ball 23 times. He hardly made a splash, however, as his season-long carry was just 9 yards. It remains to be seen what new head coach Bruce Arians’ plan for the former USC running back moving forward.
M.J. Stewart, Cornerback
Round 2, Pick 53
Career-high overall grade: 58.7 (2018)
Stewart struggled in coverage during his first professional season, and there is no way around that. He allowed 34 of the 40 targeted passes thrown his way to be caught for a whopping 407 yards, 206 of which came after the catch. He allowed five touchdowns without making a single interception and saw a passer rating of 148.6 when targeted. That will have to improve.
Carlton Davis, Cornerback
Round 2, Pick 63
Career-high overall grade: 61.2 (2018)
Not much better than his rookie counterpart, Davis also allowed a heavy catch rate and four touchdowns without making an interception. His grade was helped overall by the fact that he added value in run defense, not necessarily something you’d want to lean on as a defensive back in today’s NFL.
