FORMAL MEETINGS

LSU DE Arden Key

Arden Key is one of the more polarizing prospects in this draft. NFL Network’s Mike Mayock said that Key is as talented as any pass rusher in this class, but the off-the-field issues with him bring up a lot of questions. Key had 12 tackles for loss and 11 sacks as a true sophomore in 2016, but then just 5.5 tackles for loss with 4.0 sacks as a junior in 2017. Key has also fluctuated with weight for the last two years, sometimes at 230 pounds, other times at a reported 270 pounds – he measured in at 238 at the Combine.

Key confirmed on Saturday that the Buccaneers have met with him for a formal meeting, which meant more time that just a casual informal session. That likely meant the Bucs put Key under the investigation lights to figure out what really happened when he left LSU’s program a year ago and what really happened with his drop off in play during the 2017 season.

Whatever came of those meetings, it’s clear the Bucs were interested in getting to the bottom of things. Key’s talent rushing the passer warrants a Top 15 pick – but only if the rest checks out.

FSU DE Josh Sweat

Another intriguing pass rusher who could really turn some heads this weekend is Florida State’s Josh Sweat.

Sweat came into the combine at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds. He’s a 4-3 defensive end who tells us he does his best work when he can have his hand in the ground in a three or four-point stance (that would be the Bucs preference based on last year).

Sweat was a former No. 1 overall recruit in the country as a high schooler, but an ACL tear early in his Florida State career gave him quite the setback when it came to his NFL development. He recorded 11.5 and 12.5 tackles for loss with 7.0 and 5.5 sacks in each of 2016 and 2017, respectively. He played both years with a brace on his knee, but didn’t appear to have the burst he did before the injury. Sweat, however, plans to change our minds on that when he hits the field for Combine drills. In the video above, Sweat rattled off some numbers that would be insane if he could hit for a man his size.

On Saturday, we learned that the Bucs will be having a formal meeting with Sweat. They’ll likely want the full story on his injury, where the knee is at, and likely will dig into some personality questions to learn about his work ethic.

If Sweat is the athlete he says he is, the Bucs would surely be interested – they are right now, at least.

Ohio State DL Jalyn Holmes

Perhaps one of the surprise (if you can even call it that) formal meetings the Bucs had was with Ohio State defensive lineman Jaylen Holmes.

Holmes was a player who came into Ohio State as a defensive end – a speed rusher, even. But, early in his career, they asked if he’d want to put on weight and play a little bit inside, as well. After watch Joey Bosa evolve next to him, Holmes agreed and thrived as a versatile defensive lineman.

In his podium presser, Holmes said he doesn’t really have a preference of which spot along the defensive line he plays, but rather prides himself on his versatility. At 6-foot-4, 283 pounds, Holmes wasn’t much of a sack master in college with just two in each of the last two years, but did have 9.0 tackles for loss in 2016.

We know the Bucs like versatility, and now we know they are interested in Holmes’ versatile ability enough to invest more time in him.

Alabama DT Da’Ron Payne

With the interior defensive line class so deep, we weren’t sure which ones the Buccaneers would be prioritizing. As of right now, we know that Alabama’s Da’Ron Payne is one of them.

Payne didn’t splash too much during the 2017 college football regular season, but during the college football playoff, Payne was a monster. He was nearly unblockable in the the Clemson semi-final and the national championship against Georgia.

Payne weighted in a 6-foot-2, 311 pounds this weekend, which was right around where most thought he would be. He’s a strong run stuffer with some pass rush ability splashed in. During his formal interview, the Bucs put Payne against the white board test and watched some film with him, asking him to analyze certain plays and just show off what football knowledge he had.

According to Payne himself, the meeting went well.

Virginia Tech DT Tim Settle

Virginia Tech defensive tackle Tim Settle has been gaining some media spotlight over the last few weeks, and as people have come to learn about him, they’ve watched and most have been impressed with his game.

Virginia Tech DT Tim Settle – Photo by: Getty Images

At 6-foot-2, 329 pounds, Settle is an under tackle playing in a nose tackle’s body. What that means is that he moves very well for a man of his size. He can fire off the ball with a good burst when the ball is snapped, and when he times it right, can really make a mess of things in the backfield. Settle’s tape isn’t perfect, though. His highs are still just flashes. At times, he struggles to anchor like you would want from your nose tackle and plays on the ground too much.

Right around the time of the Senior Bowl we learned that the Bucs were decently high on Settle as a prospect. Now, at the Combine, we’ve confirmed that for ourselves with a confirmation of a formal meeting between the two. Settle has had weight problems in the past, but on the positive side, he’s just 20 years old. We’re sure those were at least two of the topics discussed in the formal meeting.

Settle would be a Day 2 option for the Bucs, if anything.

Fort Hays State DT Nathan Shepherd

Before the Senior Bowl, not many people knew who Nathan Shepherd was.

Now, it might be a stretch to even call him a “best kept secret.”

Shepherd comes from a DII school in Kansas, so, as you can imagine, there have been doubts about the level of competition he went up against. But, when a good prospect plays against lower level competition, they’re suppose to dominate it, and, boy, does Shepherd dominate it. He makes the offensive linemen he’s up against hold him every play just to hang on. His tape is filled with top production from a defensive tackle position with violence and good technique.

At the 2018 Scouting Combine, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers not only had an informal meeting with Shepherd, but also had a formal meeting after that. It’s clear that Shepherd is no “under the radar” player to them. They’re fully aware of Shepherd and seem to be interested.