Draft Scenario 3 (4/14/2022)
Draft Strategy: My strategy here started off with the best available, then I kind of switched gears and drafted based on team needs and ended with roster depth and potential special teamers.
Round 1, Pick 27, 27th Overall.
David Ojabo
Edge
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan EDGE defender David Ojabo is sure to elicit excitement from NFL decision-makers and coaches alike given his raw tools and the bright flashes of high-level understanding of the game that peek through on film. Ojabo is very green in the grand scheme of things; he didn’t play organized football until his junior year of high school after being born in Nigeria and moving to Scotland at the age of 7. And yet, Ojabo is still very much a high-impact defender and shows surreal natural feel and instincts for the game despite the lack of experience—his nose for the football and brilliant rush counters are awesome to take in. And with a high school background in track (he won a prep state title in the 100m dash in 2018 with a 10.93s time), Ojabo has freakish burst and range as an athlete to help make an impact on the perimeter as both a pass rusher and in pursuit. Ojabo isn’t a perfect prospect, but his ceiling may be as high as any 2022 pass rusher not named Kayvon Thibodeaux, and prospects with these kinds of physical gifts don’t last very long in April. Teams that implement wide-angled rushers will find great temptation in Ojabo’s game and will be best positioned to find an every-down role for him early in his NFL career as he continues to add seasoning and better understanding of the snap-by-snap workings of the game. The only thing standing between him and dominance as an EDGE rusher is more experience—finding a secure path to getting that experience will depend on his pro landing spot. I would consider that variable to be the biggest, most serious threat that could contribute to any variance in outcomes he’ll see as a pro player.
Written by Kyle Crabbs
My Take: If David Ojabo hadn’t torn his ACL at his pro day, he would probably be a top 10 pick. The Buccaneers are going to most likely lose Jason Pierre-Paul and even though they have Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, they could always use another elite edge rusher. It would also be the perfect place for Ojabo, because he could take his time to get healthy and he could make it back late in the season for the Bucs playoff push. Could you imagine a rotation of Shaq Barrett, JTS and Ojabo? I can see Todd Bowles smiling from ear to ear already.
Round 2, Pick 28, 60th Overall.
Trey McBride
Tight End
Colorado State Rams
Trey is a 4th year Senior who aligns at TE for the Rams offense. He is a good athlete with regards to agility and movement skills. In the run game, he’s not an over powering inline blocker but he plays with physical toughness at the point of attack. In the passing game he has excelled as the primary receiving target for that offense. He does a good job uncovering and plays with sufficient straight line speed. His football instincts makes him effective against zone defenses. He displays good, strong hands to make catches away from his frame. He has enjoyed success as the primary target on offense and has been extremely productive. On 3rd downs, he is a versatile asset that displays the skill set to align at H, FB, TE or Y. His toughness, speed and agility projects him well as a core special teams player.
Written by Drae Harris
My Take: I still think Rob Gronkowski returns to the Bucs, but it’s probably only for one more year. Plus, Cameron Brate is in his 30s. So regardless, the Bucs need to get better at TE. And if the best TE in the draft is sitting there in round 2, Jason Licht should pull the trigger. Not only would Trey McBride be able to make an impact this year, he would be a great check down player for the QB of the future Kyle Trask
Round 3, Pick 27, 91st Overall.
Spencer Burford
Guard
UTSA Roadrunners
The first ever 4-star signee in UTSA football history, Spencer Burford became a starter for the Roadrunners as a true freshman and was a fixture on the offensive line across four seasons. He began his career at left guard before spending his final two seasons at left tackle where he projects best at the next level. His family members include former NFL players LaAdrian Waddle and Sam Hurd, who are his cousins. Burford is an athletic offensive tackle with outstanding length. He has good temperament when blocking and is an aggressive player. As a run blocker, Burford shines when he can use his length, quickness, and power to find leverage points on defenders and widen lanes. When pass blocking, Burford’s length and foot speed shine as physically, he has everything necessary in his toolbox to excel. When it comes to areas of concern for Burford at the next level, it’s becoming more consistent with weight distribution and not getting his head out in front of his toes and eliminating balance issues while putting more trust in his anchor to absorb power. He also needs to find more consistency with reaching his set points and trusting his athleticism to stay square in true pass sets. He can still find more consistency with his punch timing and placement. Burford has the makeup of a starter in the NFL at offensive tackle in a zone-blocking scheme but that is likely a two-year projection as he adds functional strength and cleans up his technique.
Written by Joe Marino
My Take: I don’t know how Jason Licht does it, but he always finds these random small college offensive linemen and turns them into pro bowl caliber players, exhibit Ali Marpet and Alex Cappa. Spencer Burford was a big part in UTSA’s 12-2 success last year, where his blocking helped his QB throw for 27 TDs and over 3,000 yards and his RB rush for almost 1,500 yards and 15 TDs. I feel like Burford would be another diamond in the rough find for Licht.
Round 4, Pick 28, 133rd Overall.
Jerome Ford
Running Back
Cincinnati Bearcats
A 4-star recruit out of Florida, Jerome Ford began his college career at Alabama where he spent two seasons before transferring to Cincnnati ahead of the 2020 season. After serving as complementary back in his first season with the Bearcats, he became the featured back in 2021 and flourished. Ford is a no-nonsense runner that showcases good vision, power, and decision-making with the football. He has a nose for the end zone and excels in short yardage but can be used as a traditional inside/outside runner as well. While he is a bigger back, Ford has a second gear and he frequently breaks pursuit angles and runs away from defenders. He has outstanding acceleration once he finds daylight and commits. Ford is a disciplined runner that plays within himself while doing a terrific job of blending decisiveness with patience. Ford won’t be confused as an overly elusive or shifty back, but he has plenty of agility to complement his downhill style. When it comes to growth areas, the biggest thing for Ford is proving himself on passing downs. While he’s hauled in almost every target sent his way in college, it was never a priority for him to be featured in the passing game and has run a basic route tree. While he has the makings of an outstanding back in pass protection, he needs to improve his ability to diagnose and respond. Ford has the makings of a top-two option in a running back stable and has starter traits should he prove himself more on passing downs.
Written by Joe Marino
My Take: The Bucs resigned Leonard Fournette to a three year deal, resigned Giovani Bernard to a one year deal, and they still have Ke’Shawn Vaughn. But you know how the saying goes, you can never have too many good running backs. Jerome Ford exploded for the Bearcats last year and ran for over 1,300 yards, 19 TDs and even had 21 catches for 220 yards and another TD. So, he’s a guy that can run and catch, the type of RB that Tom Brady loves.
Round 7, Pick 27, 248th Overall.
Mykael Wright
Cornerback
Oregon Ducks
Mykael Wright burst onto the scene as a true sophomore with an outstanding performance that garnered him first-team All-Pac-12 honors. He is a good athlete who demonstrates good body control, short-area agility, and quickness in coverage. In the run game, he’s sufficient as a tackler but presents the threat of bigger backs breaking his tackles. On the perimeter with receivers, he’s a much more efficient tackler and does a good job of limiting extra yardage. In the passing game, he covers very well in the short-to-intermediate range. He closes separation with quickness and his lack of true length forces him to put his body in better positions to get his hands on the football. He has been better in this regard in years past but hasn’t had the same type of output in 2021. In sub-package situations, he should primarily play inside, as his lack of length and bulk will be an issue for him outside.
Written by Drae Harris
My Take: With 7th round picks, most of the time teams look for some added depth and special teamers. Mykael Wright can be both for the Bucs. During Wright’s college career he had 2 kick returns for TDs. He also had decent stats as a CB and he seemed to improve each year, so there is a chance he could work his way up the depth chart. The Bucs secondary was banged up all last year, so adding some additional players could go along way.
Round 7, Pick 40, 261st Overall*
Amari Carter
Safety
Miami Hurricanes
Amari Carter is a former 3-star recruit out of Palms Beach Garden. Carter is a thick-framed and rocked-up defensive back. According to 247 Sports, he ranked as the No. 32 safety and the No. 57 player in Florida. He was named 2016 All-County Defensive Player of the Year by the Sun Sentinel after senior season. Carter is known for his physical and aggressive style of play. Once he triggers downhill, he approaches offensive players with bad intentions. He’s a violent-striking tackler that punishes ball-carriers. He’s at his best in coverage dropping down as a robber or aligned as a big-dime ‘backer. The downside is that he has been flagged for targeting and unnecessary roughness penalties for his hard-hitting style. He will benefit from processing information quicker, which will allow him to play faster and make plays in the passing game.
Written by Damian Parson
My Take: Similar to my reasonings for the last pick, the Bucs could always use some extra guys in their secondary. Amari Carter is a big time hitter and could be used as a gunner on special teams at the very least.
Stogies & Football 