The initial surge of free agency activity may have passed, but the NFL offseason is far from quiet. With the NFL Draft looming just over a month away, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers find themselves in an intriguing position as they contemplate their moves in the latter part of the first round.
Having made significant waves in free agency, the Buccaneers have positioned themselves with various options. Instead of splurging on external acquisitions, they opted to secure key talents such as Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, and Antoine Winfield Jr. with long-term deals, while also retaining vital players like Lavonte David and Chase McLaughlin.
Additionally, the return of Jordan Whitehead from a stint in New York bolsters their defensive lineup. Their focus on bolstering offensive line depth rather than pursuing marquee starters hints at potential draft strategy, particularly in tapping into the abundant interior line talent available.
General Manager Jason Licht finds himself in a commanding position, with speculation swirling about potential surprises in the first round.
In the latest NFL Mock Draft by Mel Kiper, the Buccaneers are projected to not only select an offensive player but to opt for a wide receiver, specifically targeting the speedster Xavier Worthy from the Texas Longhorns at the 26th pick.
“I see room for a third wideout to take the top off the defense. And what better way to do that than with the fastest prospect in NFL combine history? At 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, Worthy is small, but he is electric with the ball in his hands. He’ll help Mayfield’s yards-per-attempt average just by running past corners on crossers. He had 26 touchdowns over three college seasons.”
While selecting a receiver might raise eyebrows, it underscores the breadth of choices available to the Buccaneers. It also underscores Licht’s enigmatic nature as a draft decision-maker, evident in past surprises like the selection of Calijah Kancey last season when expectations leaned towards a quarterback or offensive lineman.
While addressing the offensive line remains a priority at some point, the deep talent pool in this year’s class alleviates the urgency to reach in the first round. Although the choice of a receiver might initially appear unconventional, Kiper’s rationale holds merit. Adding Worthy, renowned for his exceptional speed, to complement talents like Evans and Chris Godwin could significantly elevate the arsenal at Baker Mayfield’s disposal.
The selection of Worthy aligns with the absence of clearly superior alternatives on the draft board. While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could benefit from talents in positions such as cornerback or edge rusher, the unpredictability of the draft and the potential for trades further complicates the decision-making process. Such moves could potentially furnish the Buccaneers with additional Top 100 picks, providing further flexibility in shaping their roster.
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