2017 NFL Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers final grade
By John Buhler
Fifth Round
Jeremy McNichols
Running Back, Boise State Broncos
With questions about Doug Martin in the Tampa Bay backfield, why not double-down on some former Smurf Turf standouts and draft the best player the Boise State Broncos had to offer this draft in running back Jeremy McNichols.
It’s embarrassing that he fell to No. 162 in the fifth. Perhaps he was overworked in the Mountain West? Even if he is also-ran, McNichols could be a player capable to make a difference right away in the Tampa Bay ground game. If Tampa Bay can pound the rock, they can win over 10 games next fall and make the NFC Playoffs.
Seventh Round
Stevie Tu'ikolovatu
Defensive Tackle, USC Trojans
All is right in the world. Big Stevie Tu’ikolovatu was able to get drafted in the back-end of the seventh round. The massive USC Trojans defensive tackle is not swift of foot, but he is one power son of a gun.
He immediately becomes America’s Sweetheart during this summer’s season of HBO’s Hard Knocks. Tu’ikolovatu will be premium cable television’s favorite Buccaneer by the start of the regular season. How many crab legs can he pound at Publix? Does it matter? Keep Big Stevie on tv for ratings, Buccaneers. It’ll be awesome!
Next: 2017 NFL Draft instant grades
Overall, the Buccaneers crushed their 2017 NFL Draft. Howard was an all-time steal at No. 19. Godwin and Beckwith were solid in the third round. McNichols was a tremendous value pick in the fifth round. Big Stevie is a champion of life. The only weird pick was Evans in round two. Other than that, it’s time to fire the cannon in Tampa because your Buccaneers might have won the draft.