2019 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams
By Conor Dorney
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Grade: A-
Best pick: Devin White (LB, LSU)
Questionable pick: Jamel Dean (CB, Auburn)
Sleeper pick: Anthony Nelson (EDGE, Iowa)
New head coach Bruce Arians took after his favorite country artist, Lil Nas X by putting his horses in the back of his defensive line and adding LSU linebacker Devin White (that took a long route to get to that punchline, I understand if you hate me for it). White was long-rumored to be a target of the Bucs with the fifth overall pick, and they made it happen despite going into shock when the Raiders took Clelin Ferrell directly ahead of them. White has speed and explosiveness in spades and should put up big time numbers in his rookie year as Kwon Alexander’s replacement.
Tampa Bay made it clear they wanted to add size to the secondary and did so in Day 2 with Sean Bunting, Jamel Dean and Mike Edwards. All are big, physical players in the secondary who should help with some of the division’s most impressive opposing receivers. While I like the additions of Edwards and Bunting, there are concerns over Dean with his injury history. Despite testing as an explosive athlete, Dean has numerous knee injuries in his past that makes it a risky pick for Tampa Bay.
Anthony Nelson was one of my favorite edge prospects in this class and tested ridiculously well for his size, including an eye-popping three-cone time at 6-foot-7, 271 pounds. Nelson is suspect against the run because of his play strength but his unique length and explosiveness should allow him to flourish wherever the Bucs end up playing him across the defensive line.