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2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sam Darnold chosen by Browns

By Brad Weiss

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Sam Darnold (14) of the USC Trojans during a college football game between the UCLA Bruins vs USC Trojans on November 18, 2017 at the Los Angeles memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Sam Darnold (14) of the USC Trojans during a college football game between the UCLA Bruins vs USC Trojans on November 18, 2017 at the Los Angeles memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Derwin James
TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 23: Defensive Back Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles celebrates after a play during the game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on September 23, 2017 in Tallahassee, Florida. NC State defeated Florida State 27 to 21. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

player. 48. . Defensive Back. Florida State. Derwin James. 7

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done a nice job bringing in talent this offseason, though they still have a lot of work to do. Last year, the team was expected to come out of the NFC South as division champs, or at least a Wild Card, but ended up being the only team not to make it to the playoffs. All other teams in the NFC South made it to the postseason, and now it will be up to Jameis Winston to lead them out of the cellar in 2018.

Winston had a great 2016 campaign, and added weapons were expected to help him take it to the next level in 2017. However, he struggled with injuries, and inconsistent play, as the Bucs failed to take the next step as a team. Heading into the 2018 NFL Draft, they need to bring in some talent in the defensive backfield, and Derwin James from Florida State is an elite talent.

James can do it all from the defensive back position, including playing cornerback, or safety. He is also an elite return man, as he left the Seminoles as their all-time leader in return yards. He has had to deal with some injuries during his time in college, but when he is healthy, it is hard to find a defensive back that can have his kind of impact in this draft class. James to the Bucs makes a lot of sense.

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