Picks: 2.01(from Washington), 2.27, 3.27, 4.27, 5.27, 6.27, 7.01(from Washington), 7.27

2.01 – DE Rashawn Bernard (Quick) – The defensive end dubbed as “Baby Clowney” comes to Tampa from Mississippi State.  Bernard was a projected 7^th rounder but the front office had theirs eyes on him for some time.  When asked if that was the reason Tampa decided to trade down out of the first and into the top of the second, team officials said “First and foremost we anticipated a deep draft, second we wanted to save cap space; first-round picks are more expensive than second, and third we did not want to look like total fools for reaching for a 7^th rounder if didn’t pan out”.

2.27 – OL Kris Longwell (Normal) – Longwell is a day 1 starter for the Bucs at the center position.  He is well balanced and will provide some much needed cap relief in that position.  There is speculation that veteran Demar Dotson who is due to make 5.32M this year (and 6.61M next) will be getting cut.

3.27 – OL Clay Lewan (Normal) – Clay Lewan comes to the Bucs as a well rounder tackle from Baylor that the Coaching staff fell in love at first sight.  Although not named a starter yet, Lewan is expected to be a year 2 starter in this high demanding run heavy line.

4.27 – LB Rashawn Horne (Normal) – The 21 year old comes to Tampa as a ROLB but would best be suited as a strong side and/or pass down specialist.  He has good solid core attributes and at only 21 he has plenty of time for growth.

5.27 – DT Stanley Ivey (Normal) – Apparently, everyone in the war room was on bathroom break when the 5th came up.  With only 30secs on the clock the bucks went on a blind pick.  Not sure how this pick will fit in the current scheme.  Ivey would best be suited as a 3-4 DE and at 22 he could be built to a nice backup.

6.27 – LB Antavio Yates (Normal) – The Alabama hard hitting linebacker comes to the team with high scores.  He will best be suited to play the strong side and at only 22 years old he will have plenty of time to grow in the position.

7.01 – OL Ali Bars (Normal) – Ali Bars is that 340lb guy that can move!  Not only does he have good solid building blocks, at 21 years old he will have all the time to grow.  Ali Bars is projected to be a year 2 starter.

7.27 – HB James Chanoine (Normal) – Chanoine is a solid pick (especially this late) for this Tampa Bay team that likes to have a deep running back roster.  He will be returning kicks this year with the occasional carry.  We anticipate seeing Chanoine climbing up the depth through his career.  

Bucs 2018 Top Free Agent Acquisitions

Offense

RB – Jamal Charles will be joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers!  Even though the Bucs relied heavily on a three (sometimes four) “running back by committee” system in 2017, the addition of Jamal Charles might show some indiction that they might be going a little different direction with the running game.  Immediately after the signing running back Doug Martin was released by the team. For weeks now there were talks about Martin’s long term high valued contract being a sticking point with team officials that Martin and agent refused any restructuring discussions.  This addition not only upgrades the backfield with a veteran bell cow running back, it also frees up short and long term salary cap.

QB – After Joe Flacco got released by the Ravens the phones were ringing.  Flacco will be joining the Bucs as the backup quarterback for 2018.  No controversy here, Winston is the teams quarterback but Flacco provides veteran mentorship and a security blanket in the even Winston goes down.

Defense

CB – With the departure of cornerback Byron Maxwell “Pac-Man” Adam Jones joins Tampa to fill the void.  This is more than likely Jones’ last season and is very motivated to make the best of it. 

LB – After multiple failed negotiations to keep linebacker Sam Acho on Tampa Bay’s roster the Bucs were forced to find a strong side bruiser in free agency.  Veteran Jarrell Freeman fit the bill.  Freeman did it all last season… “fumbles”…check!, “interceptions”…check!... Defensive TDs…check!... can he lay the lumber… he sure can!.  Freeman has the potential to thrive and get big numbers in Tampa’s scheme and the Bucs will use his services as he upgrades the linebacker core.     

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announce today they have placed the Franchise Tag on their Tight End Austin Seferian-Jenkins.  The 8 million tag comes after numerous failed attempts throughout the season for both sides to come to a long-term deal.

Seferian-Jenkins who had 60 receptions for 649 yards and two touchdowns was said to be content with move and eager to sit down and attempt re-negotiations with the franchise sometime next season.

Team officials said Seferian-Jenkins is a big part in the current pro-style offense, “The league is full of TEs that can catch and TEs that can block… Its very hard however to find TEs that can do both and do it well.  We weigh our options and concluded that losing Austin would have been an irreplaceable move.”

Possible big names that coule be testing Free-Agency this off-season.  It includes all 81+Ovr players that have not signed up to this point (week17) but still subjet to Franchise Tagged or retiring.

Just two weeks after running back Charles Simms was placed on IR with a season ending injury, Akeem Hunt answers the scratch in Lambeau Field with 154 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.  This was a career high single game perfomance for Hunt which proved to be instrumental to the Buccaneers 25-24 victory over the Packers.

There has been plenty of speculation all season on who the "Bell Cow" in the Bucs deep running back position should be, but Head Coach Ozone instists in staying with what has been working and utilizing the hot hand, RBBC appraoch. 

Sims on IR

A week after RB Charles Sims III tore his bicep against New England the organization has placed him on IR.  Team doctors stated Sims’ injury was going to require 10 weeks of rehab and the fact that we are this late into the season his return was highly unlikely.

Sims who is on his final year of his contract had been the primary ball carrier in Tampa’s RBBC system.  So far he had a career high season with 813 yards, averaging 6.4 ypc and 10 tds on his 128 carries.

When asked about the injury, Coach Ozone said this is a big loss for the offensive side of the ball but there is a reason why the Bucs like to carry 5 running backs on their roster... #NextManUp

The Bucs are currently sitting with 4 active running backs on their roster; veteran Doug Martin (539yards, 5.4ypc, 3tds), 3^rd Round pick Anton Towns (114yards, 6.7ypc), 2^nd Round pick Parrish Mayberry, and three-year man Akeem Hunt who had been taking care of return duties.

Linebacker Matt Frey was signed from the practice squad to fill the 53-man roster and sources close to the team say he should start seeing limited action.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2017 Draft


Even though the Bucs only had 5 weeks of drafting under the new coaching staff, the 2017 draft was successful for the team’s future building plans. The war room’s strategy was to draft “need” in the first round, “best available” in 2, 3, and 4, and try to hit on some “fliers” with 5, 6 and 7 picks.

Pick 1 – OL Sergio Guerrero (Miami)

Guerrero was a position of need for the offensive line. After losing the wildcard round in the playoffs against the Rams, it was obvious that the o-line needed help at the edge. Guerrero who comes in at 296 pounds played center in Miami is slated to make the transition and start at tackle. What Guerrero lacks in size, more than makes up in strength and physicality. He has the skills to play both the run and the pass and talent to become one of the elite offensive linemen in the league.

Pick 2 – HB Parrish Mayberry (Baylor)

Mayberry comes to Tampa with the second round pick as best available on the board (based on scouting). Mayberry shows great signs of speed, agility, and hands. He is only 22 years and has plenty of room to grow as the team moves forward.

Pick 3 – HB Anton Towns (Georgia Tech)

Towns’ explosive play potential is what caught the eyes of the coaching staff. Combine that with his athletism and his potential in becoming a bruising back and this could be a player that could develop into a “Doug Martin” clone.

Pick 4 – S Rashard Waller (Vanderbilt)

Waller is a balanced safety that can bring the lumber in run support and play coverage during the passing game. This is prototypical pick that the coaching staff was looking to complement the defensive scheme.

Pick 5 – CB Johnathan Watts (Central Michigan)

The 5th round was when the Buc’s coaching staff started switching to a more of a speculatory strategy. Watts comes in as a developmental corner with potential to become a nickel back by year 2. He displays wide receiver type hands and has good starting points to build on agility and coverage.

Pick 6 – LB Christian Connelly (Florida)

Connelly provides good attributes to be a day one starter for some of the teams currently in the league. He comes with good speed but his strength and physicality is what makes him excel. If Connelly’s development continues (and he takes serious) he has a really good chance in becoming the strong side linebacker for season 2.

Pick 7 – S Jarrell Jenkins (Hawaii)

What seemed to be a project 7th round pick for the Buccaneers turned out to be the Buc’s gem of their draft. Jenkins already possess the attributes and abilities the coaching staff values for their defensive scheme. Jenkins is a day 1 starter and at 21 years old he is sure to become one of the league’s elite safeties in the future. 



Team Draft Rating - “B”

Based on the amount of scouting available this draft exceeded expectations. The need was accomplished, best available paid off with “safe” picks, and the flier picks will be contributors sooner than expected. The only down grade has to come from picking back to back half backs based on the best available strategy. If the draft pans out as forecasted, that grade could easily be elevated to an “A-“.

OFFENSE

On the offensive side of ball Tampa Bay had five off season signings of which four will likely be starters.

FB – Patrick Dimarco comes to Tampa after getting the cold shoulder from Atlanta. Dimarco is currently listed as the best full back in the league and along with his 3M a year contract (2 year), it solidifies that the Bucs will heavily rely on their power run scheme.

WR - Albert Wilson comes to the team as a slot receiver signing but could easily find himself in the #2 spot. “Young-check, “talent-check”, “ready to play-check”, “team friendly contract-check”… Overall this was the steal of all Tampa’s signings this season.

TE - Cameron Bate returns to the Bucs after he tried his luck in free agency. This is a player that the Bucs know well and are excited to see him return and contribute.

OL – Louis Vasquez comes to the Buccaneers after the team got exposed by Aaron Donald in the wildcard game. Realistically Aaron Donald will expose anyone he faces but nonetheless the front office saw the need and excuse in upgrading the offensive line.

Other Notable Signing(s): QB Brian Hoyer

DEFENSE 

Tampa Bay’s seven free agency acquisitions are mostly backups and situational guys. Below is the breakdown.

SS – Tony Jefferson comes to Tampa to add a spice of toughness to the secondary. He is the prototypical safety for the scheme the Buccaneers will be running and it was love at first sight when his name popped up in the free agency player list.

DE – Junior Gallete had been described as a “has been” with “no more fuel in the tank”. The Bucs found the opportunity to sign Gallete to a one year contract to prove the NFL wrong. The front office believes in the right system he is good to be a starter for most teams in the league but for now the Bucs have the luxery to use him as a rotational and special package guy.

LB – Sam Acho is coming from Baltimore and will be solidifying the strong side. Lavonte David, Kwon Alexander and now Sam Acho proves that this team is committed to becoming more physical and looking to bringing the lumber.  

Other Notable signing(s): LB Carl Bradford, CB Byron Maxell, CB Justin Bethel, CB Terrance Mitchel