19) Nick Emmanwori, Safety, South Carolina. There are plenty of holes along the defensive side, but one area that gets constantly overlooked is a starting caliber safety. And the chance to add a high upside safety to pair with AWJr is something Licht can’t pass up. Emmanwori is a big/fast/physical playmaker who can be used as a chess piece under Bowles. AWJr finally gets his running mate to shore up the backend of the defense. Emmanwori has pro bowl upside.
53) Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State. Another position the Bucs need an influx of talent at is CB. Jamel Dean appears to be sticking around one more year but is injury prone and getting older. We turn our attention to Porter, former WR turned CB, with good size and speed. 6th year senior is already 24, but only 2 years playing the position. He needs some seasoning, but here he won’t be thrown to the wolves early on and can develop to take over Dean when the time comes, gives us good depth for this year.
84) Demetrius Knight Jr, LB South Carolina. We go back to the USC well and get a player the Bucs have met with formally and taken interest in. Another older prospect who will be 25 this year, which I think pushes him down, but there are mocks where he doesn’t make it out of round 2. Knights has good size, instinctive and good in coverage. Let him play alongside Lavonte for a year and we may have our defensive captain of the future.
121) Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma. Bucs take another shot at LB. With Lavonte being in his likely last year and Dennis unable to stay healthy, firing multiple times at this position isn’t a bad thing. Stutsman is a tackling machine and may not have the upside of Knight, but his floor is very high and I see him becoming an average starter. Which we’ve desperately lacked the last few years.
157) Charles Grant, OL, William and Mary. Classic Licht small school lineman pick. Good size and super athletic former wrestler. Challenges Charlie Heck for the reserve OT spot this year and gives us high upside as a backup to develop.
235) 6. Jo’Quavious (Woody) Marks, RB, USC. Rachaad White is on the final year of his rookie deal. And with Bucky’s breakout last season it may be his last in Red and Pewter. Marks has good vision and a great pass catcher. Bucs Add him in hopes of developing for a year. May be a good Kickoff Return specialist. Also, a Bucky/Woody backfield is too fun.
All in all, I’d be very happy with this draft as it strengthens the back end and middle of the defense while also giving some high upside/developmental players on offense. Bowles is wanting more turnovers, and this draft definitely helps in that regard. Would’ve liked to take advantage of the deep Edge/DL class, but the way the boards fell this is how it shakes out here. Roast away!
