Best remaining players for the Bucs on Day 3 of the draft using only RAS scores

The first two days of the 2024 NFL Draft are over and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' current class is looking a lot like many expected in terms of positions taken. From the first pick in Round 1 to the last pick in Round 3, it went: center, EDGE, corner, and receiver. And there are still […]

Evan Winter — NFL Managing Editor
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Jared Wiley
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The first two days of the 2024 NFL Draft are over and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' current class is looking a lot like many expected in terms of positions taken. From the first pick in Round 1 to the last pick in Round 3, it went: center, EDGE, corner, and receiver.

And there are still three more Bucs picks to go. But, it's Day 3. We're starting to get into the weeds, now.

I figured a fun way to evaluate some of the best remaining players would be to go off RAS (relative athletic scores), which is a metric that measures and ranks an NFL prospect's overall athleticism based off combine/pro day results. To make the list, a player has to have an RAS of 8.0 or greater, as that's the "green" score.

So let's stop wasting time and take a look at the best remaining non-QBs at each position, using RAS.

Running back

  • Isaac Guerendo, Lousiville – 9.90
  • Will Shipley, Clemson – 9.58
  • Blake Watson, Memphis – 8.91
  • Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State – 8.85
  • Dylan Laube, New Hampshire – 8.79

Does RB make sense: Yea, it does. The Bucs could certainly get a super-athletic guy that can develop behind Rachaad White and Chase Edmonds, with the idea of eventually becoming the No. 2 in place of Edmonds.

Wide receiver

  • Devontez Walker, North Carolina – 9.76
  • Johnny Wilson, Florida State – 9.70
  • Bub Means, Pittsburgh – 9.35
  • Malik Washington, Virginia – 8.63
  • Jalen Coker, Holy Cross – 8.55

Does WR make sense: Not really, no. The Jalen McMillan selection gives the team a true slot option and Chris Godwin -even Mike Evans- can fill in on the inside when needed. Unless there is just an irresistibly dynamic player available, the Bucs should look to other positions.

Tight end

  • Theo Johnson, Penn State – 9.93
  • Jared Wiley, TCU – 9.30
  • A.J. Barner, Michigan – 8.70
  • Cade Stover, Ohio State – 8.55

Does TE make sense: It wouldn't be a surprise if the Bucs took a tight end on Day 3. They could use the depth.

Tackle

  • Frank Crum, Wyoming – 9.86
  • Tylan Grable, Central Florida – 9.85

Does T make sense: A swing tackle prospect is the only thing that makes sense when it comes to the tackle position. With that being said, I wouldn't rule out the Bucs taking a swing prospect if he has the right traits.

Interior Offensive line

  • G Mason McCormick, South Dakota State – 9.96
  • C Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin – 9.77

Does iOL make sense: No way, not at this point. There's plenty of interior depth to go around.

Defensive line

  • Mekhi Wingo, LSU – 9.93
  • Jordan Jefferson, LSU – 8.31

Does DL make sense: Yes, but it's going to be a raw player that will face an uphill climb when it comes to cracking the 53-man roster.

EDGE

  • Gabriel Murphy, UCLA – 9.28
  • Gabe Hall, Baylor – 9.25
  • Myles Cole, Texas Tech – 8.53
  • Brennan Jackson, Washington State – 8.42

Does EDGE make sense: Not after Day 2, although a pure athlete on the edge is awfully tempting.

Linebacker

  • Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington – 9.67
  • Jordan Magee, Temple – 9.60
  • Curtis Jacobs, Penn State – 8.47
  • Jaylan Ford, Texas – 8.30

Does LB make sense: Sure. The Bucs have three options to man the top of the roster in Lavonte David, K.J. Britt, and SirVocea Dennis, but the team usually carries four inside 'backers on the roster and LB4 is currently open for grabs.

Cornerback

  • Ryan Watts, Texas – 9.12
  • Cam Hart, Notre Dame – 9.00
  • Decamerion Richardson, Mississippi State – 8.61

Does CB make sense: Yea, honestly, they still need help on the outside. Tykee Smith is expected to compete for the nickel job and the Bucs still have an outside need after trading Carlton Davis III. Zyon McCollum has potential, but he needs someone to push him.

Safety

  • Dominique Hampton, Washington – 9.58
  • Trey Taylor, Air Force – 9.33
  • Jaylon Carlies, Missouri – 8.26
  • Kitan Oladapo, Oregaon State – 8.18
  • Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas Tech – 8.11

Does S make sense: The Bucs cut Richard LeCounte III before the draft, so safety seems to be a flexible position in terms of numbers. Todd Bowles asks a lot out of his safeties, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to have more bodies in case some of the current guys on the roster (minus Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead, obviously) struggle.

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