NFL Draft 2019: Tampa Bay Buccaneers full mock draft
By Joe Romano
Round 4 – Pick 107
D’Andre Walker, EDGE, Georgia
A confusing position for Tampa Bay is at edge. Jason Pierre-Paul came in and produced the first double-digit sack season since Simeon Rice. He filled a desperate need for them. However, with new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles comes a new defense. Pierre-Paul was shipped out of New York because the lack of belief he could play in an odd front, the same type that the Buccaneers will be employing this season. Joining JPP are former second round pick Noah Spence, and free agent newcomer Shaquil Barrett.
Going back to the Georgia well to snag D’Andre Walker, would give Tampa Bay another stand-up pass rusher who can be groomed as an eventual replacement for Pierre-Paul or Barrett, who signed a one year deal. To start Walker can come in and be sub-package player if they opt to bump Pierre-Paul inside. A four man unit like that would give Bowles plenty of options on the edge for his aggressive defense.
Walker, like Hardman, has more traits than what his production shows in college. He needs to get better at working speed to power. He’s a strong enough run defender to be productive early on. There is a chance with more regular work and a plan for his development in place that Walker can turn into a quality starter at the outside linebacker spot in Tampa Bay.