Back To Lovieball In The Third Round?
May 3rd, 2014One player who fascinates Joe in this NFL Draft is Jackson Jeffcoat. College football’s 2013 sacks leader out of the University of Texas has the pedigree and production but not the love from scouts.
The Big XII defensive player of the year and Ted Hendricks Award winner (best DE in the nation) is widely projected as a third- or fourth-round draft pick. And that’s where he appears as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer in the latest mock draft from NFL Network draft guru and former NFL player Bucky Brooks.
No. 69 overall: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas
Lovie Smith prefers to use a deep defensive end rotation to wear opponents down late in games. Jeffcoat is a natural edge rusher with a non-stop motor.70. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tre Mason, RB, Auburn
Gus Bradley could add Mason to a lineup that features Toby Gerhart to give the Jaguars a formidable 1-2 punch in the backfield.71. Cleveland Browns: Terrance West, RB, Towson
Kyle Shanahan’s zone-based running game is ideally suited for an efficient, hard-nosed runner like West. He can spell Ben Tate early in his career before taking over as the Browns’ feature runner in a year or so.72. Minnesota Vikings: Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU
After watching Mettenberger improve dramatically under one of Norv Turner’s protégés (Cam Cameron), theVikings could peg the LSU standout to be the quarterback of the future.73. Buffalo Bills: Ja’Wuan James, OT, Tennessee
With Erik Pears entering the last year of his deal, GM Doug Whaley could bring in an eventual successor at this point.74. New York Giants: Gabe Jackson, OG, Mississippi State
The G-Men need to become bigger, stronger and more athletic on the interior. Jackson is a mauler who will add toughness to the Giants’ front line.75. St. Louis Rams: Phillip Gaines, CB, Rice
Jeff Fisher knows good teams can never have enough quality cover corners.
Yes, the Bucs have Michael Johnson, Adrian Clayborn, Will Gholston, Steven Means, Scott Solomon, and Da’Quan Bowers on the roster, but are they enough to form a defensive ends rotation that would satisfy Lovie Smith, or Bucs fans coveting a savage pass rush?
If Bowers and Clayborn play pretty well, even in part-time duty, then they’ll be in demand for strong paydays this offseason as unrestricted free agents. Pass rushers always find cash. And Joe suspects both would want out of Tampa if Gholston wins the starting job.
Joe would not be surprised if Lovie Smith wants a talented rookie edge pass rusher in the mix — for now and for the future.
A knock on Jeffcoat is he’s too lean at 6-3, 250. Joe doesn’t think that will be an issue for Lovie, who prefers speed over size with his defenders. Jeffcoat is the son of former star DE Jim Jeffcoat, who’s also a pro D-line coach, can only be considered a plus for his son.
May 3rd, 2014 at 2:25 pm
Joe is worried about Ac and Bowers playing well and leaving in free-agency for big contracts?????? While most of us are worried that those 2 are wasted roster spots!!!!!
Don’t make up stuff. Joe is not worried about that. However, the regime has to consider the future. And the Bucs have to address the futures of those guys in 10 months. It’s part of the equation. –Joe
May 3rd, 2014 at 2:39 pm
Ya I’d be willing to bet on Adrian having a solid year. The kid hS good mental DNA, bowers dosent n
May 3rd, 2014 at 2:45 pm
If this situation was presented – I’d prefer Gabe Jackson to bolster the OLine interior.
May 3rd, 2014 at 2:49 pm
@JOE……. Bucky Brooks is fkn pathetic, this idiot had one of the worst mock drafts I have EVER seen, Purifoy in the fourth round after that drug arrest? before that drug arrest he probably wasn’t even getting drafted in the fourth. LOL DION BAILEY IN THE THIRD?? that’s not happening. Chris Davis going in the fourth? higly doubt that also. LMAO CROCKET GILLMORE IN THE 4TH?!?! i like gillmore but he’s not going in the fourth. and lastly… LMFAO JIMMY GAROPPOLO IN THE 4TH?? Bucky brooks is a fkn joke
May 3rd, 2014 at 4:13 pm
I think having this kid in the fold would be a major plus. His father was a really good pass rusher for the cowboys during their super bowl hay days. Besides, I don’t think much of Bowers and Clayborn really needs to step up his game. I’d like to see Gholston and Means get more playing time to see what they can do under Lovies scheme and tutelage.
May 3rd, 2014 at 4:41 pm
Can not say I saw all of Ted Hendricks games @ the Orange Bowl…but I did see most of them !….
May 3rd, 2014 at 5:15 pm
I believe Clayborn will be a very effective player in the new D. I also believe it’s time to move on from Bowers – try to unload him during the draft for a 6th or 7th round pick, or throw him in as part of another trade to help them maneuver a bit. Would like to see if Means takes a step up in the new D. If they don’t see that happening, I think a 3rd rounder on a DE would be smart.
May 3rd, 2014 at 6:11 pm
Maybe next time this year Joe coul post a few “NFLBuc” historical stories of interest…
http://www.tedhendricks.com/bio-stats.htm
&
Joe Don Looney
Fred The Hammer” Williamsom
May 3rd, 2014 at 6:44 pm
Jeffcoats Dad was a great player. The draft is so dam heart breaking I want them all. I would like to get both Jeffcoats and Gabe Jackson and it always stinks to watch the players you like go to others teams especially division rivals. Atl picking in front of us just sucks.