2017 NFL Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-round mock
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have seven draft picks in the 2017 NFL Draft. Who can they add to improve the core of their roster?
The Buccaneers took a big step forward in year two of Jameis Winston and found themselves just on the outside of the playoff picture. They went from the 11th pick last season to the 19th overall in 2017. Who should they draft to add to their core, and take the step forward in 2017 to the playoffs? Here is our Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-round mock draft
David Njoku
Tight End, Miami
The first thing the Bucs did this offseason was found a deep threat wide receiver to compliment Mike Evans and help Jameis Winston. Now, they go right back to a similar well to complete their skill player group with a stud tight end in David Njoku.
Njoku is a perfect fit in an offense with DeSean Jackson and Mike Evans. Jackson is a burner who takes the top off and keep safeties honest. Evans is another outside threat and downfield target but has a more well-rounded game than Jackson. Njoku will fit perfectly because where h excels in the passing game is in the flats and over the middle.
Njoku is not the most refined route runner, and he will need outside threats like Evans and Jackson to create space for him. However, when he gets space and gets the ball in his hands, he is close to unstoppable. Njoku is a physical freak with great speed, and a wide receivers vision to find space, set up blockers downfield and create after the catch.
He has some work to do as a blocker, but he shows great effort and can take snaps in-line immediately. The Bucs have Cameron Brate, but he is more of a blocker and red zone threat than a major weapon in the passing game.
The Buccaneers can now easily go with a two tight end set which will help their tackles and free up all kinds of space for their passing attack. Nook can also play the slot with Brate in-line to give the Bucs four tall wide receivers, and the speed of Jackson. Pick 19 feels like the lowest Njoku will go and if he is on the board, he should be the pick for Tampa Bay.