Buccaneers nab elite defensive lineman in Dane Brugler's seven-round mock draft
The 2022 NFL Draft is just a couple of weeks out, therefore, draft pundits are going to kick things into high gear over the coming days. The Athletic's Dane Brugler is one of them. He recently released his seven-round mock draft for all 32 NFL teams and all 262 picks. Brugler is one of the […]
The 2022 NFL Draft is just a couple of weeks out, therefore, draft pundits are going to kick things into high gear over the coming days.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler is one of them. He recently released his seven-round mock draft for all 32 NFL teams and all 262 picks. Brugler is one of the most respected and most knowledgeable pundits in the country and his mock drafts always contain the most important aspects/factors when it comes to predicting a team's future picks.
What does he have in mind for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Let's dive in and find out.
Brugler has the Buccaneers selecting the following players:
- Round 1, Pick No. 27 overall: DT Devonte Wyatt, Georgia Bulldogs
- Round 2, Pick No. 60 overall: TE Trey McBride, Colorado State
- Round 3, Pick No. 91 overall: G Sean Rhyan, UCLA Bruins
- Round 4, Pick No. 133 overall: RB Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M
- Round 7, Pick No. 248 overall: CB Vincent Gray, Michigan Wolverines
- Round 7, Pick No. 261 overall: LB Baylon Spector, Clemson Tigers
Best pick: DT Devonte Wyatt
This is easily the most ideal scenario for the Buccaneers at No. 27 in both this mock draft and in real life.
The Buccaneers need a defensive linemen who's primary skill is getting after the quarterback and that's exactly what Wyatt provides. He can also play the run, which makes him one of the most complete players in the draft.
This is a good pick even if Ndamukong Suh returns. Wyatt can come in on obvious passing downs or even in certain packages while Suh primarily plays on early downs. Not only does Wyatt give the 35-year-old a breather, but he brings an entirely different skill set that offenses will have to adjust to.
Wyatt and Vita Vea getting after it in nickel packages is a dream for the Buccaneers defense and a nightmare for opposing offenses and that's just one of the reasons why it's the best pick of this mock draft.
Worst pick: G Sean Rhyan
The only reason this is considered the worst pick is because Chattanooga guard Cole Strange is still on the board.
Strange epitomizes what Jason Licht looks for in his offensive linemen, but the good part about Rhyan's game is that he can be effective in either power or zone. The Buccaneers are primarily power, but they do run zone from time-to-time so Rhyan definitely has the skill set to make it work in Tampa Bay.
Final word
The Buccaneers get exactly what they want in Wyatt in this mock draft and they find depth at tight end and at guard, which is exactly what the team needs. They also find much-needed special teams help in the seventh round and the selection of Spiller in the fourth brings immediate competition to the running back room. Outside of Leonard Fournette, of course.
It's hard to come away with any negatives about Brugler's mock for the Bucs.
You can check out Brugler's full seven-round mock draft, here.
Featured image via Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports