NFL Draft: HBCU Legacy Bowl Week Standout Receiver Working Out for Buccaneers

Coming off a strong showing during HBCU Legacy Bowl Week, Florida A&M Rattlers receiver Xavier Smith will take the trip to show the Tampa Bay Buccaneers what he can potentially do for them as an NFL Draft pick this April.

David Harrison | Apr 4, 2023

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done a good job of finding lesser-known talents in recent NFL Drafts and turning them into key contributors on the team.

Florida A&M Rattlers receiver Xavier Smith is hoping to be one of those guys and will get his chance Thursday to show the Bucs what he can do for them on the field.

That, according to Greg Auman of Fox Sports.

Smith played three seasons for the Rattlers and had two seasons with 1,000 yards receiving or more and 11 touchdowns in each of those.

He also threw for a touchdown this past season.

In February, NFL.com's Charles Davis identified Smith as one of the standout players from HBCU Legacy Bowl Week, saying that the prospect had done plenty for NFL scouts to pay attention to.

"Of all the participants, I think Smith left New Orleans having done the most to raise his draft stock," Davis wrote. "He did it all, showing elite route-running ability, hands and awareness. He made catches whether he was wide open or facing tight coverage. He was an easy pick for the Offensive MVP in the game, scoring the contest's lone touchdown. Smith provides punt return ability, too. I could not have been more impressed. He has everything you're looking for in a classic NFL slot receiver."

As for draft projection, Smith isn't even currently on Pro Football Focus' list of draftable players when you dive into their mock draft simulator.

We know the Buccaneers will need to look to address their receiver room via the NFL Draft or through the addition of an undrafted free agent or two.

In fact, Tampa Bay may just do both.

And if Smith can make good on reports he ran a 4.3 40 at the HBCU Combine like Davis has heard, then he could be a prime candidate to be one of Jason Licht's latest diamonds in the rough.

Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82

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Published Apr 4, 2023

DAVID HARRISON

David Harrison has been in sports media since 2015 using written, audio, and video media to cover athletes, coaches, and games. In addition to covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for BucsGameday and Locked On Bucs he also covers the Washington Commanders for Commander Country and Locked On Commanders and the Washington Wizards for Inside the Wizards. David also covers the NFL as a whole as one of the Friday hosts for Locked On NFL. He is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and previously spent 20 years as an active member of the United States Army. Contact David via email at david.w.harrison82@gmail.com or on Twitter @DHarrison82.