COOK’S BUCCANEERS’ 2017 DRAFT PICKS
Round 1 – Florida State RB Dalvin Cook
To have any shot at Cook the Bucs will have to make a move up to select him. I don’t think the Bucs would move up into the Top 10, but if Cook starts to slip, even a little, Tampa Bay’s war room will start buzzing and the debate is on. Pick 13 is where the Bucs would have to trade up to get him with the Colts on the clock at No. 14, so what is the price to pay to move up six spots with Arizona? Most likely next year’s No. 1 or perhaps two No. 2 picks. A steep price to pay and one many fans would balk at. No question that the NFL “life expectancy” for running backs isn’t too long with the constant pounding they take, however, if Cook can help the team get into the playoffs in each of the next four or five seasons, why isn’t it worth it? How good would Dallas’ Dak Prescott have been without Ezekiel Elliot last season? The window is now for the Bucs, not five years down the road. And look at the 2016 Bucs. Would a 1,400-yard Doug Martin have helped the Bucs win one more game and make the playoffs? You bet. Cook is a dynamic back that can hit home runs from anywhere on the field. 

Round 2 – No pick, traded to Arizona To move up for Cook

Round 3 — Western Kentucky WR Taywan Taylor
Despite adding Britt in free agency, the Bucs still can’t resist Taylor in the third. The Bucs need speed and a dynamic after-the-catch receiver, and that is exactly what Taylor would bring to Tampa Bay. Fast, solid route runner and plays bigger than his 5-11 height, another weapon for Winston is what Taylor would be. He had 1,730 yards receiving last year and has averaged 17 yards per catch in each of the last three seasons while recording 17 touchdowns in each of the last two years.

Round 4 – Miami CB Corn Elder
Elder’s stock isn’t where his talent level is because of his less than ideal size. At 5-10 (maybe) Elder will not go as high as his production deserves, but that is fine with the Bucs who love smaller, athletic corners. Elder is an ultra-competitive player who will probably be insulted to be drafted in the fourth round. That chip on his shoulder will fuel him during his NFL career.

Round 5 – Texas A&M DE Daeshon Hall
The Bucs took a speed rusher last year in Noah Spence, but he lacks ideal height and length, and while Hall is only 265 pounds, he stands 6-5, and plays fast. Hall is raw, but explosive, and the Bucs can allow him to develop and learn from some of the veterans on the team. There is a good chance that he could be a riser in the draft if he has a good showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, so he could be off the board before the fifth round. 

Round 6 – Drake TE Eric Saubert 
Saubert finished his four-year career at Drake with 190 catches for 2,253 yards and 21 touchdowns as one of the team’s main offensive weapons. At 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, he’s a slightly smaller version of Cameron Brate, but perhaps a tick faster. Defenders couldn’t cover Saubert at the East-West Shrine Game where he caught head coach Dirk Koetter’s eye. While he’s a willing blocker, Saubert needs a year in the weight room to get bigger and stronger.

Round 7 – FSU FB Freddie Stevenson
I am sure the homer accusations will come from non-FSU fans when they read this pick, but the Bucs have been looking for a late-round fullback with Jason Licht, who selected Joey Iosefa and Danny Vitale since taking over as general manager. Stevenson is a hard-working, unselfish football player with a terrific attitude and work ethic. Scouts learned that at the Senior Bowl last month, who came away impressed with his all-around game.