Matera’s 2019 Draft Picks

Round 1 – No. 5 – LSU LB Devin White LB Devin White
Finally, we get to the true replacement for Kwon Alexander. An LSU product just like him, White is wildly fast, and a ballhawk. He can plug in and play right away with David, Marshall, or whoever else is lined up next to him. My favorite part about his game is his confidence and attitude. It’s the type of player the will excel under Todd Bowles and Bruce Arians, he’s going to fly around the field making plays for the Bucs because of his athleticism.

Round 2 – No. 39 – Boston College G Chris Lindstrom
Simply put, the Bucs need to replace Caleb Benenoch at right guard. Chris Lindstrom is the correct man for that job. I had the chance to see him up close and personal and the Senior Bowl and Lindstrom is a hard nosed player. He enjoys making that first point of contact and playing physical. While he probably is more of a blocking linemen, he can hold blocks for a long time in a Bruce Arians downfield offense.

Round 3 – No. 70 – Alabama State OT Tytus Howard
The Bucs have a penchant for drafting small school offensive linemen, and Howard continues that trend. Howard has a chip on his shoulder coming from a school, and he even told me that his favorite game he played this year was at Auburn because of playing the some of the best competition in college football. Howard is a big, agile tackle that isn’t afraid to mix it up, he held his own during the Senior Bowl week and even continued to block through a play after his helmet fall off. That is the kind of attitude Bruce Arians would want. Howard actually played quarterback in high school, so he’s as athletic of a lineman you’ll find, and has helped him in becoming a good pass blocker. He can compete with Demar Dotson for the starting right tackle spot, making for good competition in training camp.

Round 4 – No. 107 – Western Illinois DT Khalen Saunders
Many know him as the big guy that can do the backflip, but he’s a good football player too. Saunders is beyond athletic for 320-pound defensive linemen, and while he’s listed as a defensive tackle, he’s more than versatile enough to play tackle, nose tackle, or even rush off the edge, and he even caught a touchdown pass this season. Needing to replace Beau Allen along the defensive line, Saunders can bring a little more than just stopping the run. He notched 6.5 sacks in 11 games during his senior year and also had a sack on in the Senior Bowl. His stock continues to grow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVALEm3YL-U

Round 5 – No. 145 – Northwestern CB Montre Hartage 
Speaking to him during the East-West Shrine practice week, I could tell right away that Hartage is mature beyond his age. He is all about preparation, preparation, and more preparation, showcasing an excellent ability to play both zone and cover scheme. Hartage has this knack to cut receivers off during their route and anticipate their next move before they even run it, much like Darrelle Revis was well known for. I’m not saying this player is Darrelle Revis, but he has smarts and causes turnovers in a way the the Bucs crave for. Hartage plays better on the biggest stage, and had nine interceptions and 27 pass deflections in his time at school.

Round 7 – (No. 215 From Arizona) – Washington State QB Gardner Minishew
While Mark Cook has the Bucs signing him as an undrafted free agent, I see them jumping to it a little earlier as they take a flier on a young quarterback that played in Mike Leach’s passing first offense. We knew Bruce Arians likes to go down the field, so there’s a chance the QB whisperer can help mold Minishew into the right fit for the system if Jameis Winston were to go down.

Click the next page for my “Way Too Early” Projected Bucs’ 53-Man Roster.

Matera’s “Way Too Early” Project Bucs’ 53-Man Roster

Quarterbacks – 3

QB Jameis Winston
QB Gardner Minishew
QB Matt Cassel
Analysis: The Bucs keep three quarterbacks on the roster as Cassel is there to help coach Winston and be a mentor to Minishew.  This whole season is about whether Winston deserves a second contract, and Minishew can at least put his feet to the fire.

Running Backs – 5

RB Peyton Barber
RB Bilal Powell
RB Andre Ellington
RB Ronald Jones
RB Shawn Wilson
Analysis: Barber will continue to be the bell cow, but Powell gets his touches and is the main receiving back. Ronald Jones will get a second chance with a revamped offensive line, while learning from veterans like Ellington and Powell.

Analysis: Wide Receivers – 5

WR Mike Evans
WR Chris Godwin
WR Justin Watson
WR Bobo Wilson
WR Jalin Marshall
Analysis: Evans and Godwin are the stars of the pack as Watson and Wilson get a bigger role in the offense. The real question is if Watson can produce like Adam Humphries did and if Wilson can be a legitimate deep ball threat for an entire season.

Tight Ends – 4

TE O.J. Howard
TE Cameron Brate
TE Antony Auclair
TE Tanner Hudson
Analysis: Bruce Arians likes to play more of a one tight end set, so Howard will get the bulk of the snaps, but don’t count out Brate in the red zone. Auclair and Hudson are going to be important special teamer’s.

Offensive Line – 9

LT Donovan Smith
LG Ali Marpet
C Ryan Jensen
RG Chris Lindstrom
RT Demar Dotson
OL Caleb benenoch
OT Tytus Howard
OL Alex Cappa
G Reuben Holcomb
Analysis: The hope is that with better coaching, the Bucs offensive line can live up to its potential. Smith is back on a one-year deal, and Lindstrom is added via the draft to start as a rookie at right guard, which is where he played at Boston College. The Bucs are still holding out on Cappa while rookie Tytus Howard competes with Demar Dotson for the starting tackle spot. They’ll have good depth, and it will be an important year of development for both rookies, Cappa, and Benenoch.

Defensive Line – 6

NT Vita Vea
DT Khalen Saunders
DT Gerald McCoy
DE John Cominsky
NT Stevie Tu’ikolovatu
DL Demone Harris
Analysis: Many of these players positions are interchangeable, but it will be a combination of Vea, McCoy and Saunders at the forefront when they are in a 3-4 defense. They will be fast.

Outside Linebackers – 5

SLB Carl Nassib
WLB Jason Pierre-Paul
SLB Brandon Marshall
WLB Noah Spence
SLB Kendell Beckwith
Analysis: Nassib is the starting strongside outside linebacker in the Bucs’ 3-4 defense and will be the pass-rushing strongside defensive end when the team goes to a four-man front on nickel pass-rushing downs. Pierre-Paul will have the same duties as a weakside outside linebacker in a 3-4 and playing defensive end in nickel defense. Marshall gets the nod over Beckwith because of health reasons, and also can be moved around from inside to outside linebacker based on the team needs.

Inside Linebackers – 4

ILB Devin White
ILB Lavonte David
ILB Kevin Minter
ILB Riley Bullough
Analysis: White and David are the starters in both the 3-4 scheme and in nickel defense. Keep in mind that Brandon Marshall can also be thrown into this group depending on how the seasons goes. It’s good to have choices and the Bucs have plenty here. They’re going to be an aggressive group.

Cornerbacks – 5

CB Carlton Davis
CB Vernon Hargreaves
CB Ryan Smith
CB Montre Hartage
CB M.J. Stewart
Analysis: We’ll see how Davis and Stewart have grown from last season and learn from their mistakes. Hargreaves becomes the veteran of the bunch as he comes back from injury.

Safeties – 4

FS Justin Evans
SS Tyrann Mathieu
SS Andrew Adams
FS Jordan Whitehead

Analysis: The Bucs are counting on Evans to bounce back after a down year in 2018. He can be a big-time playmaker in Bowles’ secondary. Mathieu brings experience, playmaking and leadership ability to Tampa Bay, and has exceled in Bowles’ scheme.

Specialists – 3

K Cairo Santos
P Marquette King
LS Drew Ferris
Analysis: Santos returns as the Bucs’ kicker, while Marquette King is signed to take over for Bryan Anger and does a better job for less money, and brings swag that Bruce Arians will like. Ferris returns to the Bucs after a stint with the Orlando Apollos to handle long-snapping duties as a cheaper alternative to Garrison Sanborn.