Bucs’ Best Bets At Defensive Tackle

Bucs’ Best Bet – Rounds 1-3: Alabama DT Quinnen Williams

Tampa Bay has its eye on LSU inside linebacker Devin White with the fifth overall pick, but if Williams slips out of the top four spots and is there when the Bucs are on the clock the team would have a real dilemma. Williams is a game-wrecker along the defensive line and would be the ideal replacement for Gerald McCoy, who just turned 31 years old and is set to make $13 million. The team has attempted to trade McCoy and is looking for his replacement in this draft.

At 6-foot-3, 303 pounds, Williams has the perfect build and quickness to play the three-technique defensive tackle spot, and his game has tremendous polish despite being a one-year starter where he recorded 71 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks last year for the Crimson Tide. In fact, his game is closer to that of Bucs legend Warren Sapp than McCoy due to Williams’ ability to re-direct in the backfield and pursue the ballcarrier or quarterback. Williams, who was at One Buccaneer Place for a Top 30 visit, ran a 4.83 at the NFL Scouting Combine, and it’s believed that he is the top player on Tampa Bay’s draft board.

Bucs’ Best Bet – Rounds 4-7: Maryland DT Byron Cowart

Cowart, a Tampa native, was the top high school player when he committed to Auburn, but wound up as a major disappointment for the Tigers. He registered just 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble in three seasons at Auburn before transferring to Maryland last year where he finally lived up to his talent became an impact player. The 6-foot-3, 298-pound Cowart recorded 38 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions and one forced fumbles for the Terrapins defense. He plays with power and has good pursuit ability.

The Bucs interviewed Cowart at the NFL Scouting Combine and like his versatility to play the five-technique defensive end role as well as the three-technique defensive tackle position. Todd Bowles loves versatility when it comes to player traits, and Cowart has played both inside and on the edge in college. Cowart went to One Buccaneer Place on April 11 for the team’s local pro day, and could be targeted by Tampa Bay in the fourth or fifth round.