Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL draft picks: 2017 round-by-round results, grades

How will the Buccaneers use their picks in the 2017 NFL draft? We’re breaking down every selection below.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL draft picks: 2017 round-by-round results, grades
Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL draft picks: 2017 round-by-round results, grades /

Coming off a 9–7 campaign, the Bucs are looking to take the next step going into the 2017 season. Here's the full list of picks the Bucs hold in the 2017 draft, which will be updated as each selection is made.

Round 1, Pick 19 (No. 19 overall)

O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama: Jameis Winston likely hoped the Buccaneers would draft Dalvin Cook, because he and Cook played together for a season at Florida State. The Tampa Bay QB should not have any complaints about how this played out, though. Howard has the type of mismatch-creating abilities as a receiver that’s perfect for the modern NFL, and he’s a blocker with an advanced skill set. The run game still is a bit unsettled, but Tampa Bay now has Howard and Cameron Brate to pair in two-TE sets, with Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson outside. Look for Winston to have a huge 2017 season. GRADE: A​

Round 2, Pick 18 (No. 50)

Justin Evans, S, Texas A&M: Evans slid a little bit under the radar within a deep and talented safety class, but he is not out of line here. Because of the way he clobbers people, he’s better playing closer to the line. He can drop back and play deep, though, so Tampa Bay can mix and match him with new addition J.J. Wilcox and incumbents like Chris Conte.​ GRADE: B

Round 3, Pick 20 (No. 84)

Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State: Jameis Winston might not have to do anything other than drop back and heave it deep this season. Godwin is a go-and-get-it receiver on the outside, joining a pass-catching corps that already included Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson and first-round pick O.J. Howard. GRADE: B+

Round 3, Pick 43 (No. 107)

Kendell Beckwith, LB, LSU: The Bucs sent picks 125 and 204 to the Jets for Beckwith, a former teammate of Kwon Alexander at LSU. It might be a redshirt pick, because a.) Beckwith tore his ACL in November, and b.) there’s not an obvious spot for him in the rotation, aside from adding depth.​ GRADE: C

Round 5, Pick 18 (No. 162) Jeremy McNichols, RB, Boise State

Round 7, Pick 5 (No. 223, from Dolphins via Rams) Stevie Tu'ikolovatu, DT, USC


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