Round 6: Central Michigan DE Joe Ostman – 6-2, 248 – 4.80 – Senior

Previous pick: Grambling State RB Martez Carter
Tampa Bay’s final draft pick is yet another front seven defender that can help the team’s pass rush in Ostman, who led the FBS in sacks last year with 14. Ostman doesn’t have ideal size or speed to play defensive end in the NFL, but what he does have is relentless pursuit of the ball and some of the quickest hands of any NFL Draft prospect.

Ostman finished his Chippewas’ career with 27 sacks, in addition to nine forced fumbles and four fumbles recoveries. He started his career as a linebacker before moving to defensive end in 2015, which ended up being a medical redshirt season. Ostman flourished as an edge rusher, notching 34 tackles for loss, 22 sacks, six forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries over the past two seasons.

Ostman’s Central Michigan Career Defensive Stats
2017: 69 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, 4 FF
2016: 69 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 2 FF, 2FR
2015: 11 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack
2014: 60 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 3 FF, 1 FR
2013: 20 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 FR

The Buccaneers are considering going to a 3-4 defensive scheme, or at least deploying more of that front seven alignment this season in order to generate more of a pass rush. Ostman is an undersized defensive end prospect that could play end in designated pass rush situations, but could also be a blitzing outside rush linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

Ostman showcased his ability to rush the passer in the East-West Shrine practices in St. Petersburg, Fla. In the East-West Shrine Game Ostman posted six tackles and a sack in the Bucs’ backyard. His lack of ideal size and speed are going to prevent Ostman from getting drafted before Day 3, but at the very least he’ll be a solid contributor on special teams as a rookie as he contributes as a situational pass rusher.

Tampa Bay does not have a seventh-round pick in 2018 due to trading for Miami’s sixth-round pick in 2017, which was used to draft USC defensive tackle Stevie Tu’ikolovatu.