Bucs 2018 Draft Picks

Round 1 No. 7 – FSU DB Derwin James
I am sure I will get the homer label for picking a Seminole at No. 7, but if Derwin James had spent his college career in Gainesville and was the athletic freak of nature that he is, I would still be banging the desk for him on draft night.

You could argue the Bucs’ need at safety isn’t as great as some other positions, but with Bradley Chubb and Quenton Nelson most likely off the table when the Bucs turn to pick comes up, the team would be foolish to pass on the Polk County native. While he doesn’t have the same skillset as his former FSU teammate Jalen Ramsey, James will have the same type of impact in the same time frame — a Pro Bowl in his second season. Having spent some time talking with Ramsey and knowing and talking with a few people that played with him, James is a perfect fit for a Bucs defense desperately in need of some some nasty attitude and swagger.

Free safety, strong safety, even playing some slot corner or a hybrid blitzing quasi-linebacker, James checks all the boxes in what you look for with a Top 10 draft pick.

Round 2 (No. 38) – Georgia RB Sony Michel
The Bucs are holding their breath as players are picked off the board, and while they had him rated higher that the 38th best player in the draft, they can’t get the card in fast enough to draft Michel. While there were some defensive players the team really liked, getting Michel puts the finishing touches on what the team expects to be the most prolific offense in franchise history.

Combining Michel’s home run threat and Lewis’ three-down versatility, the Buccaneers feel they could have the best running back tandem in their division, even rivaling the Saints combo of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. Michel hits the hole quickly and doesn’t waste a lot of time getting north and south, and has terrific vision to cut back or sense a defender closing in on him.

Round 3 (No. 69) – Ohio State DE Tyquan Lewis
Lewis was part of the Greg Schiano rotation of talented defensive linemen at Ohio State that won a lot of ball games in Columbus. While Lewis didn’t put up elite numbers, he still shows  a lot of strength and relentlessness when rushing the passer when the tape comes on. Lewis will really get up to speed with new defensive line coach Brentson Bucker barking in his ear. He is no Bradley Chubb, but his upside is big. He is a thumper and will bring some attitude to the Bucs defensive line.

The Bucs need lots of pass rush help, and while Lewis may not be a double digit sacker as a rookie, he should develop into a long-term solution to Tampa Bay’s pass rush woes.

Round 4 (No. 108) – Alabama CB Tony Brown
Speed to burn — or hopefully speed to not get burned.

Brown is one of the fastest athletes in the draft as evidenced by his blazing 4.35 time at the Combine last week. With the Bucs signing Aaron Colvin, and re-signing Brent Grimes, it will allow Tampa Bay time to develop Brown who had some consistency issues at Alabama. Despite that, the talent to be at least in the nickel back rotation is there, in addition to be being a specials teams standout like he was for the Crimson Tide.

Brown is a confident and brash player who also will bring an attitude that is much needed on the Bucs defense.

Round 5 (No. 144) – Virginia Tech G Wyatt Teller
I have always loved offensive linemen who began their career as defensive players. That extra knowledge of spending time trying to beat offensive linemen is a huge benefit when a player switches to the other side of the ball.

Teller was the top rated defensive linemen coming out of high school in Virginia before making the switch. He was impressive first as a tackle before finding his stride as a guard where he eventually earned all conference honors in the ACC. He is one of the strongest offensive linemen in the draft  registering a 400-pound power clean, 460-pound bench press and a 600-pound squat. With a square body and decent  footwork, Teller is a player that can be athletic enough to pull and get to the second level when called on to do so. His 2017 campaign wasn’t nearly as good as 2016, and those question marks need answering. But if all checks out, Teller could be a future long-term starter at guard for the Buccaneers.

Round 6 (No. 180) – SMU DE Justin Lawler
Lawler will have the odds stacked against him coming into the NFL, but he is not stranger to beating the odds as he was just a two-star prospect coming out of high school. While he doesn’t possess the desired athletic traits teams are looking for, he is a highly intelligent kid with a strong desire to succeed. As a senior he notched74 tackles, 15.5 for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and three blocked kicks for SMU. Lawler may not make it as star player in the NFL, but it won’t be from a lack of effort.

Round 6 (No. 202 – From Pittsburgh) – LSU RB Darrel Williams
When you get this late in the draft it is a crap shoot and you hope to find that diamond in the rough. Williams sat behind some really good running backs at LSU, but when given the opportunity to show off he made the most of his opportunities. As a senior, Williams rans for 559 yards (5.2 avg.) while adding 18 receptions for 241 yards as the No. 2 back behind Derrius Guice. His slow 40 time(4.7) at the Combine was disappointing but he plays much faster on tape. Williams will have a shot to stick, especially if he excels on special teams. At 6-1, 230 pounds, Williams is a bruiser who is particularly good running the football in the red zone.

Round 7 (No. 255 compensatory pick) – USF CB Deatrick Nichols
Nichols got his first start as a true freshman and continued to improve each season, wrapping up his senior year with 56 tackles, four for loss, three interceptions and a team-high 12 pass breakups. At 5-10, 189-pounds Nichols seems to fit the size cornerback the coaching staff likes. He would most likely compete for a nickel corner role and would be a candidate for the practice squad after the preseason.