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NFL Draft 2018: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-round mock

By Joe Romano

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 31: Jameis Winston No. 3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks over the defense during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 31-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 31: Jameis Winston No. 3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks over the defense during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 31-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 29: Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive back Jessie Bates III (3) cuts through the line and runs back a kickoff for a touchdown during the Belk Bowl between the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Texas A
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 29: Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive back Jessie Bates III (3) cuts through the line and runs back a kickoff for a touchdown during the Belk Bowl between the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Texas A /

Round 5 – Pick 144

Jessie Bates, S, Wake Forest

After grabbing a corner, the Buccaneers continue building up their secondary. Jessie Bates is one of the more productive safeties in this class. When it is all said and done I see him as a late day two player. In this draft he was available at the top of round five. As a safety he is a tackling machine, despite not being the biggest player. He also shows excellent ball skills but lacks consistency to play single high. Bates could pair well with last year’s draft pick Justin Evans as a pair of instinctive safeties on the back end of this defense.

Round 6 – Pick 180

Nathan Shepherd, DT, Fort Hays State

Another player that is likely not going to be here when it is all said and done is Nathan Shepherd. The Canadian prospect from Fort Hays State was dominant at the Senior Bowl. His stock is shooting up, and impressive combine could push him into the top 75 picks. Shepherd is an athletic but powerful defensive tackle. Teams will be concerned about his level of competition but his dominant performance in Mobile quieted a lot of that. Tampa needs someone to pair with Gerald McCoy and Shepherd would be a great partner.

Round 6 – Pick 202

Darius Phillips, CB, Western Michigan

Double dipping at a position of need is a great strategy. A year ago the Cowboys did this, at an early stage, with corners. Tampa could do the same in a deep corner class. Darius Phillips of Western Michigan is a developmental corner who could turn into a starter in the NFL. He shows great ball skills and mirror ability. However he will need to get better at tackling to make any sort of impact. Phillips also offers some return ability for the team that drafts him, which may push him up boards a bit. As a developmental corner who can play in sub-packages, this is a good value.

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Round 7 – Pick 237

David Bright, T, Stanford

With the last pick, the Buccaneers can address a position that is not an immediate need, offensive tackle. The team is set with Donovan Smith and Demar Dotson outside. They could also use a prospect to develop. A smart bet for a player to develop is offensive lineman from Stanford. David Bright is the long Cardinal offensive lineman in the class.

Bright can play both guard and tackle spots. Coming from Stanford he has the mental make-up and intangibles that could make him stick in the league a lot longer than his talent warrants. He would be a great versatile back-up for this Buccaneers team.

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