Tampa Bay Bucs Rookies Forecast

By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell

Solid Starter

Vita Vea, DT, Washington – Round 1
During the day on the opening night of the 2018 NFL Draft, I reported that sources told me the Buffalo Bills were attempting to trade up into the Nos. 4-7 range of the first round. Thanks to Tampa Bay being willing to move down, Buffalo made that move to get quarterback Josh Allen and the Bucs were able to add more second-day picks. I thought the Buccaneers were wise to trade down with the Bills and take the two second-round picks. However, I think Tampa Bay made a mistake by taking Vita Vea with their first-round pick.

Don’t get me wrong, I really liked Vea as a prospect and he is an excellent football player. Vea is a stout defender at the point of attack in the ground game. He is difficult to move and eats up blockers via his size and strength while maintaining his gap integrity. As a run defender, Vea doesn’t just chew up blocks, he will use his strength to shed blocks and use speed to chase down ball-carriers. Vea does more damage at the line of scrimmage than getting upfield. He can bull rush some, but in the NFL, he won’t be a big-time sack producer.

There are a lot of flaws, however, with Vea as a fit with the Buccaneers. The 350-pound nose tackle is going to rotate out of the game a fair amount in the sub package because he is a limited pass-rusher for the NFL. Vea’s conditioning and weight are also going to be issues in the Florida heat. He gets in trouble when he wears down and plays too high, and in the Tampa heat, that fatigue is going to hit him faster. Because of the heat and the nature of his position in the passing-driven NFL, Vea could end up playing half the snaps for the Buccaneers. Spending a top-12 pick on a rotational football player is not good value.

A few years ago. the Browns made a similar mistake in taking Washington nose tackle Danny Shelton as a top-20 choice. Three years later, he was given away to the Patriots. I think Vea will be a solid starter, but he won’t be a boom pick for the Bucs given his limitations in the pass rush and the conditions that will force him to sit out a fair amount of snaps.

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

Alex Cappa, G, Humboldt State – Round 3
This was a tough decision between Cappa and second-round pick M.J. Stewart. Other teams had Stewart graded as a third- or fourth-round pick, so he was a bit of a reach by the Buccaneers in the second round. However, Stewart is a gritty slot corner who can cover receivers and prevent separation. One top cornerback evaluator at another team said they thought Stewart was a shorter version of Vernon Hargreaves, so I think Stewart could have some bust potential. Overall though, I see bigger risk with Cappa.

The 6-foot-5, 299-pound Cappa was very effective at his Division II school, and he didn’t get embarrassed at the Senior Bowl. Coming from Humboldt State, Cappa is going to be in for a big transition in the caliber of competition. I think he could have issues with NFL speed rushers, and heavy defensive tackles are going to test his ability to anchor. He definitely needs to add weight and get stronger. Cappa doesn’t scream future bust to me, but of Tampa Bay’s early-round picks, he has the most risk of not transitioning to the NFL.

2017: Justin Evans, S
2016: Noah Spence, DE
2015: Donovan Smith, OT
2014: Charles Sims, RB
2013: William Gholston, DE

Potential Boom Pick

Ronald Jones, RB, USC – Round 2
A year ago in my top second-day value picks, I had Alvin Kamara as the top value from Day 2 at running back. That turned out to be spot on as he set the league on fire as a rookie. This year, the back I chose for that value spot was Jones.

Of the second-day backs from the 2018 NFL Draft, I think Jones has the most potential to make an impact like Kamara. The 6-foot, 200-pound Jones has excellent first-step quickness to fire out of the backfield. With explosion, Jones gets to the second level in a blur and looks to get North-South as quickly as possible. As a junior, Jones ran with more physicality to run through tackles and was a more decisive runner. The results were excellent, making a fast back all the more dangerous. When he gets into the open field, Jones is tough for defenders to catch as he possesses the deep speed to take carries to the house. He also has receiving ability and is a mismatch target in the passing game.

It shouldn’t take long for Jones to take on a big role for Tampa Bay. He is clearly more talented than backs like Jacquizz Rodgers and Charles Sims. Peyton Barber is a nice rotational back to go with Jones, but as soon as Jones is in a good place with the playbook, he should be the team’s three-down starter. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jones makes a quick impact and ends up being a boom pick for Tampa Bay.

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

Justin Watson, WR, Penn – Round 5
I would have picked Jordan Whitehead for this, but his off-the-field issues caused some teams to pull him from their draft boards. Team sources told me Whitehead was likely to have another suspension if he had returned for his senior year, so I’m not confident that he can avoid getting suspended in the NFL. Watson, however, should be a competent third or fourth receiver in the NFL. I think Chris Godwin will eventually emerge as the starter to go across from Mike Evans, and Watson will rotate in as the third or fourth wideout. Watson (6-2, 213) is built solidly and runs well for his size. He is a tough receiver for running the staple routes of the west coast offense with slants, digs and crosses. Watson has run-after-the-catch skills and is good to shield the ball from defenders. As a pro, I think he could be a quality depth player for Tampa Bay.

2017: Kendell Beckwith, LB
2016: Devante Bond, LB
2015: Kwon Alexander, LB
2014: Robert Herron, S
2013: Mike Glennon, QB

Walt’s 2018 NFL Draft Grades:

12. Vita Vea, NT, Washington B Grade
I don’t hate this pick because Vita Vea is a talented player. Also, the Buccaneers traded down to get him, which was nice. However, I just don’t know about taking a two-down player like Vea when a player like Derwin James is available. James, arguably a better prospect, fits a much bigger need, especially after Tampa signed Beau Allen and Mitch Unrein in free agency. Again, I don’t hate this selection, but the Buccaneers could’ve done better.

38. Ronald Jones, RB, USC B+ Grade
We heard the Buccaneers preferred Derrius Guice, but Ronald Jones is definitely a strong option as well. The Buccaneers needed to upgrade their backfield after Doug Martin struggled so much last year. Jones is a dynamic threat who can go the distance whenever he touches the ball, so Jameis Winston will love playing with him. My one concern is how having Jones will work in Tampa’s crazy party atmosphere, where many young careers have been derailed.

53. M.J. Stewart, CB, North Carolina C- Grade
This is a bit of a reach, as M.J. Stewart seemed like a third- or fourth-round prospect. The Buccaneers have the 102nd selection, and I don’t think it’s out of the question that Stewart could’ve been available then. Still, this isn’t a terrible pick, as Stewart seems like a good fit, and he fills a need.

63. Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn B Grade
It should not be a surprise to anyone that the Buccaneers spent two second-round picks on cornerbacks. This is a position they absolutely had to attack, given their weakness in the secondary. Davis was either a second- or third-round prospect, depending on which team was polled, so he definitely makes sense in this range.

94. Alex Cappa, G/OT, Humboldt State B Grade
Alex Cappa was one of the least-athletic offensive linemen in this class, but that’s not a big deal. Cappa is a strong blocker who should be able to open up some big holes for Ronald Jones. I thought Cappa would go in this range after a terrific Senior Bowl, so this seems like a solid selection.

117. Jordan Whitehead, S, Pittsburgh C+ Grade
Jordan Whitehead makes sense as a fourth-round prospect. He’s small, but could eventually become a starter if he remains clean off the field. The problem is that Whitehead has some off-field issues, and I’m not sure the crazy Tampa party environment is the right fit for him.

144. Justin Watson, WR, Penn B Grade
Justin Watson was considered a fifth-round prospect, so he makes sense at this juncture. Watson is a highly athletic receiver, but will need to prove that he can be productive out of the Ivy League. The Buccaneers will need to replace DeSean Jackson soon, so maybe Watson can start in 2019 and beyond.

202. Jack Cichy, LB, Wisconsin A Grade
Jack Cichy would have gone in the second round if it weren’t for some medical concerns. He’s coming off a torn ACL, but should be ready to go at some point in 2018. This could end up being a great value choice, and he’s worth the risk in the sixth frame.

2018 NFL Draft Team Grade: C+ . Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

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