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About the Author: Scott Reynolds
Latest Bucs Headlines
Bucs’ Best Bet – Rounds 1-3: N.C. State RB Nyheim Hines
If Penn State running back Saquon Barkley somehow slips to No. 7 look for the Bucs to pounce on him. But if he’s not there, Tampa Bay will look for a running back later in the draft. Hines is built like former Bucs running back Warrick Dunn and has a similar running style in that he’s tougher than expected between the tackles and has the speed to rip off big runs. Tampa Bay head coach Dirk Koetter would like to add more explosive players to his offense, and that term describes Hines. He rushed for 1,113 yards and 12 touchdowns on 197 carries (5.6 avg.) last year. Another term that would describe him is “ultra-competitive,” which appeals to the Bucs. Hines could also be used as a receiver out of the backfield the way Charles Sims was. Hines had 89 catches for 933 yards (10.5 avg.) and one touchdown in his Wolfpack career. Tampa Bay currently doesn’t have a third-round pick, and appears likely to draft a cornerback in the second round. But watch general manager Jason Licht manufacture a third-round pick by making a trade during the draft. He could then use that pick on Hines, who can also provide a spark to Tampa Bay’s dormant kick return game. Hines returned two kickoffs 100 yards for touchdowns.
Bucs’ Best Bet – Rounds 4-7: Fordham RB Chase Edmonds
Edmonds was a workhorse back at Fordham, rushing for 5,862 yards and 67 touchdowns on 938 carries (6.2 avg.). Edmonds rushed for 1,838 yards and 23 TDs as a freshman, 1,648 yards and a sophomore with 20 scores, and 1,799 yards and 19 TDs as a junior. His senior season was shortened due to an ankle injury and he ran for just 577 yards and five touchdowns. Had he been healthy, Edmonds would have broken the all-time FCS rushing record with his good combination of elusiveness, burst and ability to slip tackles. Where he has appeal to the Bucs is that he can play on all three downs. Edmonds has great hands and caught 86 passes for 905 yards and seven touchdowns with an impressive 10.5-yard average. Edmonds’ ankle injury lingered into the offseason where it flared up at the East-West Shrine Game and slowed him down a bit at the NFL Scouting Combine. That dampened his draft stock, but he could prove to be a late-round steal for Tampa Bay.
