The 4-12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a better side than their record suggests. Despite parting ways with Darrelle Revis they still have a strong defense with plenty of youth. On offense they still have plenty of questions but went a long way to answering those via the draft. Let’s take a look at how they graded out over the three day event.
First Round, Seventh Pick: Mike Evans, Wide Receiver, Texas A&M
After trading away Mike Williams the Bucs had to find somebody to play opposite Vincent Jackson and they found a stud in Mike Evans. Johnny Manziel’s favorite college target is a playmaker in every sense of the word who should also draw coverage away from Jackson. (Grade: A)
Second Round, 38th Pick: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Tight End, Washington
Seferian-Jenkins enters the NFL with some off-the-field baggage but he has the skills to be a top-tier NFL tight end. There is no obvious weak facet to his game and he should provide a red zone target over the middle for Mike Glennon. (Grade: B+)
Third Round, 69th Pick: Charles Sims, Running Back, Virginia
Being compared to Matt Forte is never a bad thing and it would be no surprise if Sims carves out a very good professional career for himself. However, running back was not a position of need for the Buccaneers making this a baffling pick, especially with tremendous value in other areas still available. (Grade: C-)
Fifth Round, 143rd Pick: Kadeem Edwards, Guard, Tennessee State
Edwards is a very good depth pick for Tampa Bay with the possibility he earns a starting role once he overcomes some technical issues. Comign from Tennessee State there are obvious level of competition questions but he should quickly overcome those. (Grade: B)
Fifth Round, 149th Pick: Kevin Pamphile, Offensive Tackle, Purdue
Pamphile is one of the rawest players in this year’s draft but has huge upside if the Bucs get it right. Finding players like Pamphile in the fifth round is exactly what the NFL draft is all about and the Purdue tackle could turn into an NFL starter. (Grade: B+)
Sixth Round, 185th Pick: Robert Herron, Wide Receiver, Wyoming
My favorite pick from this draft class, Herron is lightening quick and was one of the surprise fallers on draft day. He is undersized at 5’9” but has a chance to flourish playing alongside Jackson, Evans and Seferian-Jenkins. (Grade: A+)
Overall Grade: B+
Only time will tell if Lovie Smith’s first draft as the Buccaneers’ head coach turns out as good as it appears on the surface but I have no doubt the whole organization are delighted by the way last weekend went. Charles Sims received the lowest grade but that is no knock on him as a player. There is huge potential from this draft which should have an impact from week one.
Follow Richard on Twitter @Richard_Gatenby