Buccaneers may have found two future starters in Round 5 of NFL Draft
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn't have a fourth round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, so they had to patiently await their turn on Day 3. The team made an interesting selection with linebacker SirVocea Dennis at No. 159 and then traded up four positions with the Los Angeles Rams from No. 175 to No. […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn't have a fourth round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, so they had to patiently await their turn on Day 3.
The team made an interesting selection with linebacker SirVocea Dennis at No. 159 and then traded up four positions with the Los Angeles Rams from No. 175 to No. 171 in order to draft former Purdue tight end Payne Durham.
The trade cost the Bucs their final pick of the draft, No. 252 overall in the seventh round. Jason Licht now has two picks left as the fifth round draws to a close.
Buccaneers’ Round 5 Picks in the 2023 NFL Draft
Round 5, No. 153 overall: LB SirVocea Dennis, Pittsburgh
Yep, that’s right. Dennis is pictured above with the Buccaneers’ first-round pick, Calijah Kancey. The two players were teammates for three seasons at Pitt (2020-2022) and helped the defense wreak havoc against opposing offenses.
Dennis isn't the biggest guy at 6-foot, 227-pounds, but neither was Lavonte David and we all know how that pick turned out.
What Dennis does have, however, is great instincts, tackling skills, and a feel for the linebacker position. Those are required traits to succeed at this position in the NFL and one can argue they're more important than the vast majority of measureables.
At best, Dennis can be a valuable backup and at worst, an OK special teams player, from the looks of it.
Round 6, No. 171 overall: TE Payne Durham, Purdue
Durham isn’t going to outrun many defenders, but he’s a big target at 6-foot-5, 253-pounds that has an impressive catch radius and high-end touchdown production (he recorded 21 touchdowns during his collegiate career).
He'll fit in nicely as another "Y" tight end behind second-year tight end, Cade Otton. This is huge for one main reason: New offensive coordinator Dave Canales wants to run multiple plays out of the same look(s). Well, in order to do that, you need players that are a) versatile enough to do that and b) won't give away what the Bucs are doing. For instance, everyone knew there was a 90% chance, or greater, of a run play when Ko Kieft was on the field in 2022.
The duo of Otton and Durham potentially gives the Buccaneers offense an element of consistency and ambiguity at the position, which is a breath of fresh air after last year.
- Round 5, No. 153 overall: LB SirVocea Dennis, Pittsburgh
- Round 5, No. 171 overall: TE Payne Durham, Purdue
