NFL.com draft expert’s Daniel Jeremiah and Mark Dulgerian weighed in on the draft prospects earlier this spring and PewterReport.com complied a listed of Tampa Bay’s selections. After the draft was completed, NFL.com added their pick-by-pick grades for each of the Bucs selections. Below is a list of the pre-draft evaluations, then a the snapshot analysis post-draft for the new members of the Tampa Bay roster. Read their thoughts below.
PRE-DRAFT EVALUATIONS
LSU ILB Devin White
GRADE = 6.24 – Should become instant starter
NFL Comparison = Myles Jack
Draft Projection = Round 1
Running back convert out of high school who continues to show rapid development as a high-impact linebacker in a physical conference. White is still learning to take on blocks and play with better control/efficiency, but he’s a willing pupil and coaching should improve both areas. White’s work ethic, competitiveness, and rare play speed are elements that can’t be taught and should push him into an early starter’s role and a successful NFL career.

“Devin White makes a lot of sense for the Bucs. When you lose Kwon Alexander to free agency, they went out and found an upgrade, in my opinion, to Alexander. He has great sideline-to-sideline range and with running backs in that division like Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara, you need somebody like that.” – Daniel Jeremiah

Central Michigan CB Sean Bunting – Photo courtesy of CMU

CMU CB Sean Bunting
GRADE = 5.76 – Chance to become an NFL starter=
NFL Comparison = Levi Wallace
Draft Projection = Rounds 2-3
Long, lanky press corner who plays with good control, an ability to stay connected to routes and above-average ball skills. Bunting is a bail or trail corner who is more adept at shadowing the release than road-blocking it with physicality due to a leaner frame. He’s confident in coverage and doesn’t play with panic, but has to prove his top-end speed. He’s proven his worth on 50-50 balls, but may fall below NFL standards with closing twitch and instincts. He’s a solid Day 3 prospect with CB4 potential.

“Big corner. He can play inside-outside. Very twitched-up. He’s a little grabby downfield, which is something he needs to work on. Very aggressive.” – Daniel Jeremiah

Auburn CB Jamel Dean – Photo courtesy of Auburn

Auburn CB Jamel Dean
GRADE = 5.73 – Chance to become an NFL starter
Draft Projection = Rounds 3-4
Dean’s combination of height, weight and speed will get the conversation started off in the right direction for NFL evaluators, but there is no way around the fact that multiple knee surgeries will be a cause for concern in those same circles. His length and ability to disrupt catch space is a big plus in his favor and he has the athletic ability to play in a variety of coverages. However, he needs more consistent competitiveness and better technique for the next level.

“Teams all over the league were split on him. When you watch him on tape, you don’t see the speed he showed at the combine. He’s also had some knee issues that concerned teams.” – Daniel Jeremiah

Kentucky S Mike Edwards – courtesy of Kentucky

Kentucky SS Mike Edwards
GRADE = 5.59 – Chance to become NFL starter
NFL Comparison = M.J. Stewart
Draft Projection = Rounds 3-4
Versatile defensive back with above-average instincts, awareness and toughness. Edwards has the instincts and range to become an eventual starter at safety, but some evaluators might view him as a big nickel with the size to handle bigger slot receivers and the toughness to get his nose dirty in run support. Edwards is a smart, tough and consistent player who could find early starting work if he tests well.

“I love watching him play. He’ll play in the deep half and get his hands on a lot of balls.” – Daniel Jeremiah

Iowa DE Anthony Nelson – Photo courtesy of Iowa

Iowa DE Anthony Nelson
GRADE = 5.74 – Chance to become NFL starter
NFL Comparison = Carl Nassib
Draft Projection = Rounds 3-4
Promising 4-3 defensive end prospect with outstanding length, good quickness and a play motor that keeps humming from snap to snap. Nelson needs to add play strength and learn to leverage his length to unlock his intriguing potential as a pass rusher. Teams could be tempted to play him inside in odd fronts, but he might not have the strength or physicality to handle that early on. His areas of concern are mostly correctable for a traits-based prospect with the potential for rapid improvement as a future starter.

“The Bucs value length in their defensive end position and Nelson certainly fits that mold. He also offers them versatility to move around the defensive front in various packages.” – Mark Dulgerian

Utah K Matt Gay – Photo courtesy of Utah

Utah K Matt Gay
GRADE = 5.00 – Has 50-50 become NFL starter
Draft Projection = Round 7- undrafted
Surprising omission from the Senior Bowl, Gay is a big boy with an even bigger leg who has the ability to drive both the long field goal and the long kickoff. The former soccer player has an awkward, three-step approach to strike field goals which may require some work to make a roster on the next level.

The Bucs were abysmal in the kicking game last season, hitting on just 74.1% of their field goals (4th-worst in the NFL). Gay has a booming leg and should help the points per game column for an offense that ranked 3rd in total yards. – Mark Dulgerian

Bowling Green WR Scotty Miller – Photo courtesy of Bowling Green

Bowling Green WR Scotty Miller
GRADE = 5.17 – Better-than-average chance to make NFL roster
Draft Projection = Priority free agent
Slim, slot target with legitimate track speed and short area burst to separate over the top and underneath. Miller was lightly recruited out of high school but posted strong catch production for Bowling Green over the last three years. He’s tough, but durability will be a concern for NFL scouts considering how often he absorbs big contact. There are boxes he won’t check, but the speed/separation is one that gets an immediate check and that could help him find a roster spot as a three-level target and Day 3 selection.

“It’s not far-fetched to believe Tampa Bay sees Miller in a John Brown-type of role in Bruce Arians’ offense. He is a true field-stretcher.” – Mark Dulgerian

Missouri DT Terry Beckner, Jr. – Photo courtesy of Missouri

Missouri DT Terry Beckner, Jr.
GRADE = 4.99 – Should be in an NFL training camp
Draft Projection = Priority free agent
Beckner has flashes where his ability and football instincts can take over in spurts, but he struggles to sustain it. He’s strong and has enough athleticism to compensate for his lower body stiffness when taking on double teams, but he gets put on skates and washed out when he gets blocked on the move. If he can improve his hands, that should help, but his medicals could be a concern moving forward.

“Beckner has traits to develop into a solid contributor down the line. He is likely a practice squad stash for now.” – Mark Dulgerian

POST-DRAFT GRADES
Day 1 grade: B+
Day 2 grade: C
Day 3 grade: C
Overall grade: C+
Draft analysis: White is a star inside linebacker who will lead the Bucs’ defense for years to come. Thankfully, his talent was not overlooked due to the diminished value that’s often placed on his position. If Josh Allen becomes a star pass rusher, though, Tampa Bay fans will wonder “what if?”

Bunting could be a good player for Tampa Bay, but there were other corners of higher value available in the early second round. Dean’s film was quite inconsistent, but the team thought his potential on the outside was worthy of a third-round choice. The secondary got more help with Edwards, a starter-quality safety who will compete for playing time sooner than later. However, the Bucs ignored needs at running back, wideout, and offensive line to pick those defensive backs.

Nelson will be a starting power end in the NFL for many years. They certainly needed a kicker, though I don’t believe Gay is the best in the draft and I figured they would wait until Round 6 or 7 to address the position. The team may see Miller as its new Adam Humphries. Beckner flashes great talent inside.