Bucs Focused On Demetric Felton?
March 24th, 2021
Linked to Bucs.
It seems the Bucs may be zeroing in on a second-day draft pick at running back, one whose versatility might set him apart.
Per UCLA beat writer James H. Williams, the Bucs are a bit more than intrigued at Bruins running back Demetric Felton. Per Williams, the Bucs have already had two interviews with him. Further, apparently, the Bucs have told the running back/returner they would use him as a “gadget guy.”
Joe knows if teams talk to a guy more than once they are interested, maybe very interested. Teams are not going to waste their time with a guy after one interview if he is not squarely on a team’s radar. And teams sure as hell don’t tell a player how they will use him if they are not very interested.
Joe wonders if the Bucs would use Felton as a receiving back or a returner?
He was the fourth-leading rusher in the PAC-12 last year (668 yards on 132 carries in 6 games), so he doesn’t seem to be an overly special running back. His versatility lining up at receiver and as a returner seem to be key elements of his game.
Oh, and to add additional intrigue to the Bucs-Felton connection, Felton has been training for the draft since January in Tampa.
Felton said he’s been in Tampa since Jan. to prepare for the #NFLdraft.
— James H. Williams (@JHWreporter) March 23, 2021
March 24th, 2021 at 4:15 am
So basically he would be a Tyrek Hill kind of guy
March 24th, 2021 at 4:44 am
i’m impressed…the kid is nice!
March 24th, 2021 at 5:01 am
He’s quick, but he doesn’t have cheetah speed, guys were running him down from behind. Remember the lesson of Mahomes. You can never have too many O linemen, and this is a deep class. Trade down in the first if possible for an extra 2nd and 3rd, then go OT, DL, C-G, LB. Then if this guy is still there in the 4th, sure take a flyer.
March 24th, 2021 at 6:20 am
No team should spend a high draft pick on a ‘gadget guy’ who’s not particularly fast (4.49). Walter Football has him ranked as the #10 RB but sees him more likely used at the NFL level as a slot receiver (Rnd 3-4 pick).
Bucs have better uses for our Rnd 1-4 picks. Bucs have a LOT of key players becoming FAs next year (Godwin, Gronk, OJ, RoJo, Donovan Smith, Jensen, Cappa, Stinnie, Vea, JPP, Gholston, Davis, Whitehead plus maybe Suh or his replacement among them). That’s over half of our starters. Plus we would’ve already committed $147 mil of 2022 salary CAP on just 33 players before we even count in any Dead CAP money. And oh ya, with very little room to restructure because we’ve already kicked that can pretty far down the street this year.
What that tells me is that the draft this year & next year will be even more important than usual. We’ll almost certainly lose some key players next year, and we need to have several quality replacements already onboard waiting to step in. Priority One should be beefing up the trenches big time.
March 24th, 2021 at 6:52 am
I’ve heard comparisons to Warrick Dunn. Light but durable for such a small from. He’s been in all the Buc mocks since late December.
March 24th, 2021 at 6:55 am
IMO this is where then NFL is headed, with almost all positions: the hybrid players. The RB/WR, the LB/S/EDGE, etc. I believe we’re going to see more and more of this in the coming years, guys that you can put in multiple positions. It makes sense. Most all coaches value that kind of versatility.
March 24th, 2021 at 7:06 am
if he’s viewed as a 3rd down back and returner, he fits like a glove to this team….good player
March 24th, 2021 at 7:17 am
@Defense
You’re exactly right. They can’t miss in these next couple drafts. They need to be meat and potatoes players that have a high chance at developing.
The first couple rounds will almost certainly be either offensive linemen or front 7 defensive players.
March 24th, 2021 at 7:26 am
Herrrrrrre we go again with people bichin, whining, complaining about potential draft picks. Hey never mind that the Bucs have kinda sorta earned the benefit of the doubt by absolutely nailing the last 2-3 drafts, never mind that they won the Super Bowl with a few rookie starters that will be eventually be all-pro at their position – there will still be a-holes that think they know more than the guys that spend their lives watching film. I would have thought people would have learned after spending all summer acting like little women over the the Antoine Winfield pick, because they wanted to draft a running back instead, but nope I guess I was wrong. I can see the miserable people getting all lathered up because they’ve interviewed a guy they’ve most likely never heard of or seen play because they’re too busy watching FSU go like 3-9
March 24th, 2021 at 7:39 am
Gofortheface:
Fans have earned the right to question the Bucs over their history with drafting RBs. They seem to always try to get cute and pick up a diamond in the rough after passing over stronger RB pick, and it’s left them with series of mediocre RBs. I’m with you on not picking a RB over a quality pick like Winfield–but their track record on RBs is ROUGH. That points to an evaluation issue at the pick. Here’s hoping they’ve solved it.
Also, are you really Nole bashing as if that’s the problem here? Last I checked the Noles have a more recent title than any other college team in this state. Every team in this state has had their bout of irrelevancy–hell, Miami has been stuck there for years.
March 24th, 2021 at 8:12 am
Defense I agree with you 100. Now hopefully JL sees it to that way and starts the process of picking up players that can be developed like we did with cappa
March 24th, 2021 at 8:18 am
Might as well waste a pic on a flyer. It’s been a couple of drafts since Jason Licht did that. At least we aren’t talking a kicker here.
March 24th, 2021 at 8:31 am
Wonder if he was a team captain. Seems to be one of the boxes the Bucs check when making their selections. Recruit smart leaders.
March 24th, 2021 at 8:42 am
SK Bucs lol about the kicker. That hasn’t been mentioned but 10,000 times now and it always is funny.
March 24th, 2021 at 8:59 am
It is difficult to evaluate an offensive skill player out of the PAC-10. The defenses are mediocre and just like those highlights there always seems to be huge holes to run through and open secondary’s. Not a dig at him at all.
March 24th, 2021 at 8:59 am
Impressive jump cut in that second run. Not every running back can do that.
March 24th, 2021 at 9:12 am
Looks like Felton certainly has some “intangibles”. Could be a fine returner we have been needing for a long time. His effectiveness as a RB in the NFL might be more challenging since he weighs about 170lbs.
March 24th, 2021 at 9:13 am
agree w irish^ flood the dl, ol and cb in the draft
March 24th, 2021 at 9:13 am
@ Joe I see you appreciate JBP. That’s pretty much where I go to watch highlights haven’t found another on YouTube that’s better or comes close.
March 24th, 2021 at 9:53 am
Reminds of Ronnie Harmon with a little more speed.
March 24th, 2021 at 9:59 am
This kid is electric, solid hands. He could plug in right away as a Tarik Cohen type, not quite as fast though. But we need a 3rd down back and kick returner, he looks to fit the bill. Let’s see how the draft plays out. We might end up with a stud 3-down RB in the first round. We need depth at edge and on the offensive line, after that RB looks like the biggest need.
March 24th, 2021 at 10:11 am
AB’s replacement.
March 24th, 2021 at 10:15 am
A 3rd down back that can get open against your 3rd corner is indefensible.
March 24th, 2021 at 10:23 am
How do you think he compares to again well from Memphis as far as projected draft position. They seem like similar type players with similar skill sets
March 24th, 2021 at 10:43 am
Reminds me a lot of ex Bucs RB James Owens… also out of UCLA
March 24th, 2021 at 12:42 pm
Gofottheface30, we’re all amateur gm,s on this page,lol,no disrespect
March 24th, 2021 at 12:43 pm
On my part
March 24th, 2021 at 2:53 pm
Reminds me of Antonio Gibson, whom played really well for WFT