The Tampa Bay Buccaneers would run this card to the podium. Derwin James is a fantastic prospect out of nearby Florida State University, and while he’s the best remaining player on the board, he also fits the biggest position of need for the Buccaneers.
James is a free safety that plays the game in a similar style to Ed Reed, roaming sideline-to-sideline in opes of a theft. Tampa Bay ranked dead last in both total defense and pass defense in 2017, so acquiring somebody the level of James at this point in the offseason would be huge.
General manager Jason Licht knows he is working on borrowed time, with there being a good chance that he and head coach Dirk Koetter see the door if major changes aren’t made. James would slide right into a starting role, with Brent Grimes and Vernon Hargreaves III playing on the corners. Best of all, the front seven might finally be able to get a pass rush with the additions of Jason Pierre-Paula and Vinny Curry to play alongside Noah Spence and Gerald McCoy.
While mock drafts always have to operate with some guesswork, this pick would be an absolute no-brainer. Luckily for Tampa Bay, he’s expected to be available at this slot.