The PewterReport.com Roundtable features the opinions of the PR staff as it tackles a topic related to the Tampa Bay Bucs each week.

This week’s topic: Which Senior Bowl player would you put on the Bucs?

Scott Reynolds: Western Illinois DT Khalen Saunders
There were a lot of really good draft prospects at this year’s Senior Bowl that I would like to see in Tampa Bay. Delaware defensive back Nasir Adderley, who had an interception in the game, really intrigued me. I thought Kansas State lineman Dalton Risner showed the ability to play right tackle or guard, and he could certainly help the Bucs – but I’m not going to be a homer. TCU defensive lineman L.J. Collier opened my eyes and really helped himself in Mobile, Ala. He reminds me a bit of a younger Vinny Curry.

But the player that really stood out to me was Western Illinois defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, and I would stick him on Tampa Bay’s roster in the middle rounds if I could. I really liked his interview with the media. I love his energy and the fact that he loves football came through loud and clear. His fiancée was pregnant and went into labor during Tuesday’s practice, but Saunders talked with her about it and they both agreed that he couldn’t pass up this opportunity to showcase his skills in front of NFL scouts, coaches and general managers as a small school prospect. So Saunders became a father Tuesday night, had a fantastic week at the Senior Bowl, rushing the passer with power and agility.

Western Illinois DT Khalen Saunders – Photo by: Western Illinois

Saunders returned home to Chicago on Friday to see his daughter, Kambridge Vonyea Saunders, before returning to Mobile on Saturday morning to play in the Senior Bowl where he recorded a sack for the North squad, had a couple of quarterback pressures and played well. That’s commitment.

At Western Illinois, Saunders recorded 204 tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, six pass breakups, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He posted 25 tackles for loss, 14 sacks and all four forced fumbles over the last two years combined.

The Bucs may be moving on from defensive tackle Gerald McCoy this offseason. He’ll turn 31 next month, and is slated to make $13 million. Tampa Bay would be wise to invest in another defensive tackle to pair with Vita Vea, especially in this year’s draft with the position being so flush with talent. The 6-foot-1, 320-pound Saunders is quick enough to play three-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3, powerful enough to play defensive end in a 3-4 and stout enough to play nose tackle in either a 4-3 or a 3-4. I wouldn’t hesitate to spend a third or fourth-round pick on Saunders if I’m general manager Jason Licht.

Mark Cook: Mississippi State DE Montez Sweat
Which Senior Bowl player would I choose to put on Tampa Bay’s roster? Mississippi State’s Montez Sweat. I don’t think that the Bucs should draft him with the fifth overall pick, but if the team finds a willing partner who wants to move up to No. 5, then I think Sweat should be on the team’s radar if they end up out of the Top 10.

Mississippi State DE Montez Sweat – Photo by: Getty Images

Sweat is a physical specimen at 6-foot-6, 252 pounds and has a really good motor under his hood as well. While Jason Pierre-Paul and Carl Nassib had outstanding seasons in 2018, JPP turned 30 on January 1, and isn’t getting any younger, while Nassib is still a bit of an unproven player who has managed to only put together one good season in the NFL, which was last year in Tampa Bay. Also, Nassib, a former third-round pick, is a high-effort guy, not necessarily a world class athlete.

I am not knocking Nassib. He was a great story last season and should continue his ascent in 2019, but he’s entering a contract year, and bringing in reinforcements is never a bad thing. Teams can never have too many good pass rushers.

Sweat had back-to-back double-digit sack seasons in his two years at Mississippi State with 10.5 as a junior and 12 as a senior along with a combined 30 tackles for loss for the Bulldogs. If the Bucs trade down outside of the top 10 then I think Sweat would have to be under strong consideration and would look great coming off the edge in pewter and red next season.

Trevor Sikkema: Boston College OG Chris Lindstrom
Okay, so I need to give some context to this question and answer. What we’re doing here is saying that if you could put any player from the Senior Bowl on the Bucs, regardless of round expectation, who would it be.

Obviously the Bucs wouldn’t take a guy like Boston College guard Chris Lindstrom at No. 5 overall, and I think he’ll be gone by their pick in the second round, but if I could take one player to plug into this Tampa Bay roster, it would be him.

Boston College G Chris Lindstrom – Photo by: BC

Lindstrom was awesome during Senior Bowl week, and he only got better as the week went on. As he began to get chemistry with the linemen around him, he became a player that was very hard to beat on the interior, and was able to help both the center and the right tackle consistently. Lindstrom is regarded by many draft analysts as the best interior offensive lineman to be had in this class.

If the Bucs could get him, he would be an instant starter for them, and certainly an upgrade over the like of Caleb Benenoch and Alex Cappa. The guard position opposite Ali Marpet hasn’t been good at all since Logan Mankins retired in 2015. Lindstrom is a plug-and-play starter that would bring much-needed stability to the position.

For all the aspirations the Buccaneers have under new head coach Bruce Arians in his first year, they can only go as far as their offensive line can take them. They have to address that heavily in the offseason, that’s why Lindstrom would be my guy.