Bucs’ Best Bet – Rounds 1-3: Washington WR Dante Pettis

Pettis could help the Bucs in several ways. He has experience in the slot and outside as an accomplished receiver with 2,256 yards and 24 touchdowns on 163 catches for the Huskies. At 6-foot, 186 pounds, Pettis isn’t the biggest receiver, but he’s plenty smooth and does an outstanding job of making adjustments on deep balls. Aside from being a receiver, Pettis used his 4.48 speed to become the best punt returner in NCAA history with a record nine career touchdowns, including four last year. With such a huge salary cap number ($10 million) in 2019, this might be DeSean Jackson’s last season in Tampa Bay, and the Bucs could draft the speedy Pettis as his eventual replacement. The Bucs wouldn’t draft a receiver earlier than the third round, but that’s right around where Pettis’ draft grade is.

Bucs’ Best Bet – Rounds 4-7: Penn WR Justin Watson

Tampa Bay likes Watson enough to bring him in for a Top 30 visit to One Buccaneer Place, which says a lot. At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds and running a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash, Watson has been compared to Minnesota wide receiver Adam Thielen. Watson is a sure-handed receiver that is faster in a straight line than he is quick, and he used that speed to post three 1,000-yard seasons for the Quakers, leaving the school as Penn’s all-time leader in receiving TDs (33), receptions (286), receiving yards (3,777) and all-purpose yards (4,116). Penn would bring some needed size to Tampa Bay where there is only one receiver over 6-foot-2, and that’s 6-foot-5 Mike Evans. Watson has the blue-collar work ethic needed to play on special teams, and asked the special teams coordinator at the East-West Shrine Game if he could play on every unit. Watson has the tools to make it as a fourth or fifth wide receiver, and potentially develop into a No. 3 wideout in time.

Visit PewterReport.com tomorrow for the OTs position preview