Solid Starter
Logan Hall, DE, Houston – Round 2
The Buccaneers have a roster with a lot of talented veterans locked into starting positions, but one spot that was wide open was on the defensive line. Entering the 2022 NFL Draft, veteran defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was a free agent, and even if he re-signs, Suh is not a long-term starter at this point in his career. Tampa Bay traded out of the first round during the 2022 NFL Draft, but the franchise came away with a potential long-term starter to replace Suh by selecting Hall to open the second night of the draft.
Hall (6-5, 278) is developing pass rusher and has the potential to grow in the NFL. His strength lets him fight off offensive tackles, and he can use his power and length to push around finesse offensive tackles. With a quality burst, Hall can close on the quarterback once he gets free, and he moves well for his size. Hall is a tough fighter who has imposing size and physicality to take on offensive tackles. While he may not be a prolific sacker in the NFL, he could be a solid base end who contributes pressure and is a solid No. 2 rusher to go with a lead rusher on the other side.
In the ground game, Hall is tough and has the size and strength to set the edge. He can get in trouble when he stands up too high, but when he maintains his leverage, he is difficult to move and will maintain his gap integrity. Hall can hold his ground, shed blocks, and flow down the line to take stops.
With Vita Vea next to him and edge rushers like Shaq Barrett and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Hall should see plenty of single-block opportunities. He has a lot of upside, and after some development, Hall could easily emerge as a solid starter for Tampa Bay.
2020: Kyle Trask, QB
2020: Antoine Winfield Jr, S
2019: Mike Edwards, S
2018: Vita Vea, DT
2017: Chris Godwin, WR
2016: Roberto Aquayo, K
2015: Ali Marpet, G/C
2014: Mike Evans, WR
2013: Akeem Spence, DT
Most Likely To Bust
Rachaad White, RB, Arizona State – Round 3
This wasn’t easy choice because I could see White become a solid backup and rotational back for Tampa Bay. However, third-round picks are graded to be “backups-to-starters,” meaning they start out their careers as backups before developing into starting roles. I think White could fall short of that since he is best as a receiving back. He may not have the ability to be a three-down starter and bell-cow back. White also is facing a crowded depth chart, and it could be hard for him to establish himself behind Leonard Fournette, Gio Bernard, and 2020 third-rounder Ke’Shawn Vaughn. While White could be a solid role player, he may not evolve beyond that for Tampa Bay.
2021: Robert Hainsey, OT
2020: Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB
2019: Sean Murphy-Bunting, CB
2018: Alex Cappa, G
2017: Justin Evans, S
2016: Noah Spence, DE
2015: Donovan Smith, OT
2014: Charles Sims, RB
2013: William Gholston, DE
Potential Boom Pick
Luke Goedeke, G, Central Michigan – Round 2
Goedeke was a very underrated player in the 2022 NFL Draft, and I believe he could end up being a steal for Tampa Bay. While Central Michigan teammate Bernard Raimann received more media hype, NFL team sources were higher on Goedeke, and that explains why he was a second-round pick and Raimann fell into Round 3. Goedeke could be a plug-and-play starter at guard, and I think he could turn into a fantastic interior blocker in the NFL.
As a run blocker, Goedeke (6-4, 318) has good technique and strength at the point of attack. He packs a punch and can rock defenders back with his strength. When Goedeke gets his hands on defenders, he stalls them out and keeps the from making plays by moving them at the point of attack. With his hand placement and technique, Goedeke sustains blocks well and keeps second efforts from happening. The converted tight end has solid mobility and enough athleticism to be movement blocker. Goedeke could be a fit in a zone scheme or power-man scheme.
Goedeke (6-4, 318) is a reliable pass protector. He has a strong anchor with the ability to sink his weight to stuff bull rushes. Goedeke could stand to continue to improve his feet to mirror speed rushers, and he can get himself in trouble when he lunges after fast defenders. Due to his lack of length, Goedeke would be a better fit moving inside to guard in the NFL.
With the Bucs losing Ali Marpet to retirement, they needed one more guard with a starter to go with Shaq Mason. Goedeke might not start immediately, but before long, he could be an excellent interior blocker, and I think he has Pro Bowl potential for the Buccaneers.
2021: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, DE
2020: Tristan Wirfs, RT
2019: Devin White, LB
2018: Ronald Jones, RB
2017: O.J. Howard, TE
2016: Vernon Hargreaves, CB
2015: Jameis Winston, QB
2014: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE
2013: Johnathan Banks, CB
Future Depth Player
Cade Otton, TE, Washington – Round 4
The Buccaneers were in need of some depth at tight end after losing O.J. Howard in free agency. They also entered the 2022 NFL Draft without Rob Gronkowski, who has gone from not re-signed to retired, but they were able to come away with a good value pick in Otton in the fourth round.
Otton is a well-rounded football player who fell under the radar over the past few seasons. During his college career, he flashed nice receiving ability alongside his mismatch size, and some quality route-running with run-after-the-catch skills. Otton also has the size to be a blocker in the ground game or pass protection. While Otton may never be a dynamic starter, he could be a quality No. 2 and rotational tight end in the NFL.
2021: Jaelon Darden, WR
2020: Tyler Johnson, WR
2019: Anthony Nelson, DE
2018: Justin Watson, WR
2017: Kendell Beckwith, LB
2016: Devante Bond, LB
2015: Kwon Alexander, LB
2014: Robert Herron, S
2013: Mike Glennon, QB
Walt’s 2022 NFL Draft Grades:
33. Logan Hall, DE/DT, Houston – A- Grade
This pick makes so much sense for the Buccaneers. Ndamukong Suh is gone, and even he re-signs, he’s a shell of his former self. The Buccaneers need a young presence up front next to Vita Vea. I slotted Hall to the Buccaneers at No. 27 in my mock draft, so I like this value after Tampa Bay traded down.
57. Luke Goedeke, G/OT, Central Michigan – B+ Grade
Luke Goedeke is a versatile offensive lineman I’ve had in the late two/early three range, so this is a logical place to draft him. More importantly, the Buccaneers are filling a big need. They lost two guards this offseason, but filled just one spot with Shaq Mason. This addresses the other void.
91. Rachaad White, RB, Arizona State – B Grade
I’m sure Tom Brady loves this pick. I think it was made a bit early – I had White in the late fourth round – but I like the fit. Rachaad White is an impressive receiver out of the backfield, so Brady will make good use of him if he can get on the field.
106. Cade Otton, TE, Washington – B+ Grade
It should come as no surprise that the Buccaneers are picking a tight end to begin Day 3. O.J. Howard is gone, while Rob Gronkowski is a question mark to return, though I think he just wants to skip training camp. Still, the Buccaneers needed a young tight end, and Otton is a solid choice at this spot.
133. Jake Camarda, P, Georgia – MILLEN-19 GRADE
I’m so sick of these punter and kicker picks, yet they’re great at the same time because I can make fun of them for being so bad.
157. Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston State – A Grade
I love the value and the fit of this pick. Zyon McCollum has nice size and length for a cornerback, and I thought he would be chosen in the fourth round, or perhaps even the third frame. The Buccaneers had to find better depth at cornerback, and McCollum should provide that.
218. Ko Kieft, TE, Minnesota – C Grade
I’d ordinarily scoff at blocking tight end picks, but this is the end of the sixth round, so that’s fine at this juncture. Ko Kieft was not someone I projected to be drafted, however.
248. Andre Anthony, DE/OLB, LSU – B Grade
The Buccaneers needed edge-rushing depth, so perhaps Andre Anthony will be able to make the final roster. I tried slotting him in the seventh round, but never fit him into the mock. This is a fine pick though.
2022 NFL Draft Team Grade: A-. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
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