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2018 NFL Mock Draft: Giants, Jets gets QBs

By Brad Weiss

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 29: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans looks for an open receiver against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 29: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans looks for an open receiver against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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BATON ROUGE, LA – SEPTEMBER 23: Arden Key #49 of the LSU Tigers rushes during a game against the Syracuse Orange at Tiger Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA – SEPTEMBER 23: Arden Key #49 of the LSU Tigers rushes during a game against the Syracuse Orange at Tiger Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Edge. LSU. Arden Key. 7. player. 48.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came into the 2017 NFL season with a lot of expectations placed upon them. Starting quarterback Jameis Winston appeared to be budding into a superstar, and the team looked to be on the doorstep of making it to the playoffs. However, they struggled to play consistent football throughout the year, and injuries to Winston really derailed their season.

Coming into next year, the Buccaneers are not too far away from being a playoff contender. They will have to deal with a very tough division, however, as the NFC South sent three teams to the playoffs this season. In order to keep pace with teams like New Orleans, Carolina, and Atlanta, they are going to have to be better getting after the quarterback in 2018.

Enter Arden Key, who is one of the better pass rushing edges in this draft class. Key has been a beast during his time with LSU, and while he has battled some injuries this season, he should find himself atop the first round next April. The Bucs need help on the defensive line, and with a player of Key’s caliber, they should be much improved up front going forward. The NFC South is going to be tough to navigate next year, but the Bucs are a couple pieces away from being really good.

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