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About the Author: Scott Reynolds

Avatar Of Scott Reynolds
Scott Reynolds is in his 30th year of covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the vice president, publisher and senior Bucs beat writer for PewterReport.com. Author of the popular SR's Fab 5 column on Fridays, Reynolds oversees web development and forges marketing partnerships for PewterReport.com in addition to his editorial duties. A graduate of Kansas State University in 1995, Reynolds spent six years giving back to the community as the defensive coordinator/defensive line coach for his sons' Pop Warner team, the South Pasco Predators. Reynolds can be reached at: [email protected]
Latest Bucs Headlines

UPDATED APRIL 19 – 2:15 pm

• Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller reports that the Bucs are one of the teams that has had Central Michigan cornerback Sean Bunting in for a pre-draft visit or private workout. Bunting is considered to be one of the best press man corners in this year’s draft and a likely second- or third-round pick.

UPDATED APRIL 19 – 1:00 pm

• It’s been a busy week at PewterReport.com with our 2019 Draft Previews + Bucs’ Best Bets articles, and there were a couple of visits that slipped by our draft radar. Tampa Bay has had a couple of cornerbacks in for Top 30 pre-draft visits before, including Kentucky cornerback Lonnie Johnson.

The Bucs also had USC defensive back Iman Marshall in for a visit according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Marshall is projected to be a third- or fourth-round pick. First N Goal reported that Michigan cornerback David Long in for a Top 30 pre-draft visit.

Marshall is a big, physical cornerback in the mold of Tampa Bay’s Carlton Davis. He’s a four-year starter, who had six interceptions in his first two seasons, but none over the past two years. There has also a chance he could be moved to safety at the next level. Long, a junior, is a smaller, aggressive corner with plenty of experience playing press man coverage. He’s logged 12 pass breakups and three interceptions in his two seasons as a starter for the Wolverines.

UPDATED APRIL 13

• NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says that the Bucs have either a Top 30 visit or a private workout with Elon College right tackle Oli Udoh. The Bucs were impressed with Udoh, who played in both the East-West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl in January and like his upside. Tampa Bay will certainly draft a right tackle this year as the team has already had visits or private workouts with Florida’s Jawaan Taylor, Alabama State’s Tytus Howard and Kansas State’s Dalton Risner among others.

• Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports that the Bucs have a Top 30 visit with Kentucky CB Lonnie Johnson. Tampa Bay is targeting cornerbacks that may get drafted between the second and fourth rounds. Wilson also reports that Albany QB Vinny Testaverde, Jr. attended the Bucs’ local pro day on Friday after he had a good showing at the USF pro day.

Testaverde is the son of former Bucs quarterback Vinny Testaverde, who was the No. 1 overall pick in 1987. Vinny Testaverde, Jr. began his college career at Texas Tech before transferring to Miami and then to Albany where he finally emerged as a starter last year.

UPDATED APRIL 9 

• There are two more pass rushers to add to the list of defensive tackles and edge rushers that have visited One Buccaneer Place this offseason. PewterReport.com is reporting that the Bucs have had Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons in for a Top 30 visit. Simmons was once considered to be a Top 10 NFL Draft prospect before tearing his ACL on February 12 while preparing for the NFL Scouting Combine.

Mississippi State Dt Jeffery Simmons

Mississippi State DT Jeffery Simmons – Photo by: Getty Images

Simmons will miss the entire 2019 while he rehabs his injury, but he’s still considered to be a late first- or early second-round pick due to his talent.

• The other defensive lineman to visit One Buccaneer Place is Florida’s Jachai Polite, as reported by The Athletic’s Greg Auman. Polite was once considered to be a first-round pick, but bombed the NFL Scouting Combine drills and then not faring much better at his pro day. Polite also didn’t impress teams during his Combine interviews, and many in league circles believe he’ll slip to the second round.

Because Polite went to Florida, his visit is considered a local visit and does not count as a Top 30 visit.

UPDATED APRIL 8 – 4:45pm

• MMQB’s Albert Breer reports that the Bucs will dine with Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa on Sunday night and have him visit One Buccaneer Place on Monday, April 15. Bosa is expected to be a Top 5 in the 2019 NFL Draft, and his visit will mean that the Bucs will have met with all of the Top 5 defensive players – Bosa, Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, Kentucky outside linebacker Josh Allen, LSU inside linebacker Devin White and Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver – prior to the draft.

UPDATED APRIL 8 – 12:15pm

• Rotoworld’s Josh Norris reports that Alabama State right tackle Tytus Howard is visiting One Buccaneer Place on Monday. Howard ran a 5.05 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine and interviewed with the Bucs at the Combine following a good showing at the Senior Bowl.

UPDATED APRIL 8 – 8:15am

• Rotoworld’s Josh Norris reports that Oklahoma wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is visiting One Buccaneer Place on Monday. He’s a speedy, undersized game-breaker in the mold of DeSean Jackson. Bruce Arians had similar players in Arizona in John Brown and J.J. Nelson.

Alabama Dt Quinnen Williams

Alabama DT Quinnen Williams – Photo by: Getty Images

Brown was the top target for Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. Brown, who is coming off a foot injury, is one of the fastest receivers in the draft and should be available in the second round.

• ESPN’s Jordan Schultz reports that Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who is regarded as a Top 5 pick, is also visiting Tampa Bay on Monday. The Bucs have a need at three-technique defensive tackle to replace the 31-year old Gerald McCoy – either this year or next year. Tampa Bay has been trying to trade McCoy, who is  set to make $13 million this year, as the Bucs could really use some salary cap space with less than $2 million worth of cap room currently.

UPDATED APRIL 5

• NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Baylor wide receiver Jalen Hurd in for a visit. Hurd used to be a running back at Tennessee, but transferred to Baylor for his senior season. Hurd started ahead of former Volunteers running back Alvin Kamara, rushing for 899 yards and five TDs as a freshman and then 1,285 yards and 12 TDs as a sophomore.

Baylor Wr Jalen Hurd

Baylor WR Jalen Hurd – Photo by: Getty Images

The 6-foot-5, 226-pound Hurd has good hands and was moved to wide receiver in his lone season with the Bears, catching 69 passes for 946 yards and four touchdowns in 2018. Hurd also rushed for 209 yards and three touchdowns on 48 carries (4.4 avg.) as an occasional running back at Baylor. Hurd, who has 4.66 speed, figures to be a Day 3 selection.

UPDATED APRIL 3

• NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Buccaneers hosted Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver and Clemson defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence on Wednesday. Rapoport also reports that Tampa Bay hosted Auburn cornerback Jamel Dean on Tuesday. Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles was at both the Houston pro day last week and the Clemson pro day two weeks ago watching Oliver and Lawrence work out.

Oliver and Lawrence will be first-round draft picks, while Dean could be drafted anywhere from the second to the fourth round.

UPDATED APRIL 2

• NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports that the Bucs hosted Mississippi State defensive end Montez Sweat and LSU linebacker Devin White on Monday, which had been previously reported. Wilson also reports that Mississippi State strong safety Johnathan Abram will be visiting Tampa Bay, which isn’t news PewterReport.com.

K-State Rt Dalton Risner - Photo By: Getty Images

K-State RT Dalton Risner – Photo courtesy of KSU

But Wilson also notes that Oklahoma offensive tackle Cody Ford will be visiting One Buc Place, and that hasn’t been previously reported. Sweat and White are locks to be drafted in the first round, while Ford and Abram are likely late first-round or early second-rounders.

• PewterReport.com is reporting that Bucs offensive line coach Joe Gilbert flew to Kansas State to privately work out Wildcats All-American right tackle Dalton Risner, who is projected to be a late first-round or early second-round pick.

• NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that the Bucs will be hosting Louisiana Tech defensive end/outside linebacker Jaylon Ferguson, who broke Terrell Suggs’ career sack record last year with 45 sacks. Ferguson, who met with the Bucs at the Senior Bowl, recorded 187 tackles and 67.5 tackles for loss for the Bulldogs. Ferguson is regarded as a potential second-round pick.

UPDATED APRIL 1

Michigan Ilb Devin Bush

Michigan ILB Devin Bush – Photo courtesy of Univ. of Michigan

• ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that LSU inside linebacker Devin White and Michigan inside linebacker Devin Bush have official visits planned with the Buccaneers this week. White was featured in the first two editions of PewterReport.com’s 2019 Bucs’ Mock Drafts, while PewterReport.com reported Tampa Bay’s heavy interest in Bush in a recent edition of SR’s Fab 5. White could be the Bucs’ pick at No. 5, while Bush would be in the mix in the top 15 if Tampa Bay were to trade down to acquire more draft picks.

• The Bucs were represented at the Washington Huskies pro day on Monday to watch cornerback Byron Murphy and safety Taylor Rapp. Murphy, who figures to be a mid-first-round pick, stood on his numbers from the NFL Combine and has drawn heavy interest from Tampa Bay, according to Rob Rang. Do not be surprised if Murphy is one of the team’s Top 30 pre-draft visits.

Rapp ran a pair of 40-yard dashes in the 4.7 range, which was disappointing after he didn’t run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. Rapp, who is likely a second-round pick, had a one-on-one meeting with the Bucs, according to Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com.

UPDATED MARCH 28 – 2:20 PM

• Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com reports that Memphis running back Darrell Henderson met with the Bucs at his pro day yesterday. PewterReport.com reported that Henderson had a formal interview at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last month, and don’t be surprised if Henderson is among the Top 30 official visits to One Buccaneer Place – although that hasn’t been confirmed yet. Henderson is a third-round pick in the latest PewterReport.com Bucs Mock Draft.

The Tigers’ other running back Tony Pollard, also had an official visit with Tampa Bay at the NFL Scouting Combine, and it wouldn’t be far-fetched to see him get a Top 30 visit to AdventHealth Training Center at One Buccaneer Place, either. Pollard went to the Bucs in the fifth round of PewterReport.com’s second Bucs Mock Draft, which came out in February.

Houston Dt Ed Oliver

Houston DT Ed Oliver – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

• The Athletic’s Jason Butt reports that Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Todd Bowles is at the Houston pro day to watch defensive tackle Ed Oliver work out. Bowles will also be keeping an eye on Cougars cornerback Isaiah Johnson, who is one of the fastest corners in this draft class.

• NFL Network’s Andrew Sicilliano reports that Michigan defensive end Rashan Gary has a visit lined up with the Bucs.

• Tampa Bay will be hosting two Maryland Terrapins defenders at their local workout on April 12 as PewterReport.com has learned that defensive end Byron Cowart (Armwood) and linebacker Tre Watson (Tampa Catholic) will be visiting the Bucs. Tampa Bay interviewed Watson in St. Petersburg when he was a participant in the East-West Shrine Game. Watson, who began his career at Illinois before transferring to Maryland for his senior season, is viewed as a Day 3 inside linebacker that can cover and blitz. Watson had 108 tackles, five interceptions and a sack last year.

Cowart began his career at Auburn after being ESPN’s top high school player in the nation, but he never lived up to expectations and transferred to Maryland for his senior season where he recorded 38 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble. The 6-foot-3, 298-pound defensive lineman could play a five-tech defensive end or a three-tech defensive tackle in Tampa Bay’s 3-4 scheme. He’s a Day 3 pick.

The Bucs also have a Top 30 visit lined up with Maryland safety Darnell Savage, who is regarded as a second-round pick. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Savage had 52 tackles and four interceptions last year, and had eight career picks and 13 pass breakups for the Terps. Savage was one of the fastest players at the NFL Scouting Combine, running a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash. Savage is considered to be a Day 2 selection.

Utah State Rb Darwin Thompson

Utah State RB Darwin Thompson – Photo by: Getty Images

• Tampa Bay also has a visit set up with Utah State running back Darwin Thompson, according to Nick Farabaugh of Stampede Blue. The 5-foot-8, 198-pound Thompson ran a 4.48 at his pro day on Wednesday, and impressed with a 39.5-inch vertical jump and 28 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.

Thompson, a junior entry, played just one year at Utah State where he rushed for 1,044 yards and 14 touchdowns while averaging 6.8 yards per carry. He also has great hands, evidenced by 23 catches for 351 yards (15.3 avg.) and two tackles. Thompson is considered to be a Day 3 pick.

• According to Zach Hicks, the Bucs met with Ohio State guard/tackle Malcolm Pridgeon after his pro day workout. The 6-foot-7, 322-pound Pridgeon was a two-year starter at guard for the Buckeyes, but played offensive tackle at JUCO. Pridgeon is a late Day 3 selection and may go undrafted.

UPDATED ON MARCH 27

• The Bucs had representatives at Wednesday’s pro day at Mississippi State to watch defensive end Montez Sweat work out and presumably talk with defensive end Jeffrey Simmons, who tore his ACL six weeks ago. Both Sweat and Simmons are Top 20 talents, although Simmons could slide out of the first round due to his injury. Sweat told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero that he has an official visit with Tampa Bay this weekend.

Pelissero also reports that Mississippi State safety Johnathan Abram, a likely second-round pick, will also be visiting the Bucs soon.

• Tampa Bay Times reporter Matt Baker was at the University of Florida pro day workouts where the Bucs had several representatives, including offensive line coach Joe Gilbert, to see Gators right tackle Jawaan Taylor, who is expected to be a Top 20 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The Bucs interviewed Taylor at the NFL Scouting Combine and had planned to meet with him again after his pro day workout.

Florida Ot Jawaan Taylor

Florida OT Jawaan Taylor – Photo by: Getty Images

PewterReport.com had previously reported that the Bucs had also met with Florida defensive end Jachai Polite formally at the Combine, and met informally with running back Jordan Scarlett and defensive end Cece Jefferson in Indianapolis.

The Athletic’s Greg Auman reports that the Bucs will be bringing Taylor and Jefferson in for their local pre-draft visit – which does not count against the team’s official allotted 30 pre-draft visits – in addition to Florida defensive lineman Khairi Clark, Florida offensive tackle Martez Ivey, Florida guard Tyler Jordan, Florida tight end C’yontai Lewis, Florida guard Fred Johnson, Florida State defensive tackle Fredrick Jones, USF safety Jaymon Thomas, USF wide receiver Tyre McCants, USF linebacker Josh Black, USF cornerback Ronnie Hoggins, USF cornerback Mazzi Wilkins, UCF defensive end/linebacker Titus Davis, UCF safety Kyle Gibson, UCF linebacker Pat Jasinski, UCF tackle Wyatt Miller and UCF cornerback Rashard Causey.

Also according to Auman, the Bucs will be hosting several local prospects who played at schools outside of Florida on April 12, including Auburn wide receiver Ryan Davis (Lakewood), Alabama cornerback Saivion Smith (Lakewood/IMG), North Dakota State running back Bruce Anderson (Newsome), Lehigh quarterback Brad Mayes (Berkeley Prep) and Temple wide receiver Ventell Bryant (Jefferson).

PREVIOUS ENTRIES FROM MARCH 24

• Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles was at the Kentucky pro day on Friday to watch outside linebacker Josh Allen, who is regarded as a Top 5 pick. Allen is Tampa Bay’s pick at No. 5 in PewterReport.com’s latest 2019 Bucs mock draft and PewterReport.com has learned that Allen, who has proclaimed himself as the best player in this year’s NFL Draft, will be visiting One Buccaneer Place over the next couple of weeks for an official visit.

It’s interesting to note that Bowles was at Kentucky’s pro day as opposed to LSU’s pro day – both occurred on Friday. There are two potential LSU Tigers that the Bucs could target in the first round in inside linebacker Devin White and cornerback Greedy Williams.

NFLDraftAnalyst.com’s Tony Pauline reports that the Buccaneers met extensively with Michigan defensive lineman Rashan Gary at his pro day. Pauline also reported that Bucs cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross was at the Central Michigan pro day where he watched cornerbacks Sean Bunting and Xavier Crawford work out. Bunting appears in the latest PewterReport.com 2019 Bucs mock draft as a fourth-round pick.

• Pauline also reports that Tampa Bay run game coordinator Harold Goodwin and offensive line coach Joe Gilbert were at Oklahoma scouting the Sooners pro day as they have four offensive linemen heading to the NFL. After the workout, Pauline reported that the Bucs spent extra time with Dru Samia.

• Penn State running back Miles Sanders was put through the paces by McNair, who had a private meeting with Saquon Barkley’s successor prior to his pro day, according to ESPN’s Jenna Laine.

• Laine reports that Bucs running back Todd McNair was at Georgia’s pro day, to scout Bulldogs junior running back Elijah Holyfield and have a private meeting with him. Holyfield is expected to be a late-round draft pick or a possible undrafted free agent.

• Laine also reports that the Bucs have a private meeting set up with Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.

Ol Jonah Williams

Alabama OL Jonah Williams – Photo by: Getty Images

• PewterReport.com reports that Gilbert was at Alabama’s pro day to observe offensive lineman Jonah Williams in action.

• PewterReport.com has learned that Bowles was at Clemson’s pro day to check out several Tigers defenders, including first-round defensive tackles Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence.

• Pauline reports that Tampa Bay had an offensive line coach at Boston College to see guard Chris Lindstrom work out. Lindstrom has been previously featured in PewterReport.com’s 2019 Bucs Mock Draft, and the team met with him at both the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine with a formal interview, as PewterReport.com has previously reported.

Many rate Lindstrom as the best pure guard in the country. And while he has the potential to be a late first-rounder, he’s like an early second-round pick.

• According to Pauline, the Bucs were at the UMass pro day to see wide receiver Andy Isabella, who starred at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine where he ran a 4.31 in the 40-yard dash, and also met with him prior to his pro day workout. The 5-foot-9, 188-pound Isabella is similarly built to former Bucs wide receiver Adam Humphries, but his speed allows him to play outside where he can blow by slower cornerbacks.

Arians has drafted smaller, fast receivers in the past while with Arizona in John Brown and J.J. Nelson. Isabella is regarded as a potential second- or third-round pick.

• Pauline also reports that the Bucs met with junior Arizona defensive tackle P.J. Johnson, who is nearly 6-foot-4 and weighs 323 pounds, which is down 22 pounds from his playing weight. Johnson, who had three sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble, was timed at 5.09 in the 40-yard dash, which has opened some eyes. Johnson is likely a late-round draft pick or a potential undrafted free agent.

• Bucs wide receivers coach Kevin Garver was at the Toledo workout to see receivers Cody Thompson and Diontae Johnson work out, according to Pauline. Thompson met with the Bucs informally at the Combine, as PewterReport.com had previously reported.

Check back later this week to see updates regarding the players the Bucs are scouting at pro days or are inviting to One Buccaneer Place for a pre-draft visit.

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