Odd Pick For Bucs
April 8th, 2021
A Northwestern CB at No. 32?
Since Joel Buchsbaum died and Mike Mayock took a gig as a general manager, helmethair Mel Kiper has become the No. 1 draftnik in the land.
And he does have some headscratchers in his mocks.
Recently, Kiper decided to go head-to-head with Todd McShay. The game (?) was both are NFL general managers and they picked against each other. One GM picks then the other takes his turn, on through the first round.
Kiper selected Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome as the Bucs’ pick at No. 32.
Newsome is rising after a terrific 2020 season. I put him at No. 29 to the Green Bay Packers in my Mock Draft 3.0. He could play in any system.
OK, but does Kiper know the Bucs’ roster? The Bucs already have three starting corners. Of all the positions on defense, this is the deepest for the Bucs. Joe isn’t sure why the Bucs would draft a corner at No. 32, unless they plan to let Carlton Davis walk after the season, which doesn’t seem wise.
Now let’s just say if this Newsome (who ran a 4.38 40-yard dash) is on the board at No. 32, this is a value pick. Dane Brugler of The Athletic in his “Beast” draft guide released yesterday is very high on Newsome and has him ranked as the third-best corner in the draft. He projects Newsome as the No. 14 overall pick.
Here is Brugler’s breakdown of Newsome:
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Northwestern, Newsome was the left cornerback in former defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz’s man/zone scheme, lining up primarily from off-coverage. After leading the team in passes defended (11) as a sophomore, he was No. 1 in the Big Ten in passes defended (10) as a junior and led the FBS in passer rating against (15.77) — of the 10 completions he allowed in 2020, only one was 10-plus yards downfield. With his agile footwork and anticipation, Newsome attaches himself to receivers and stays under control in coverage. He has terrific eyes to sort and make plays, but he needs to turn the pass break-ups into interceptions. Overall, Newsome comes with durability concerns, especially against the rigors of the NFL, but he is a route magnet with fluid transitions and natural instincts. He projects as a press-man NFL starter as a rookie.
Uh, oh. “Durability issues.” Isn’t that Jamel Dean’s hangup?
Joe doesn’t know about a corner with durability issues in the first round. If the Bucs keep Davis, Newsome might be buried on the depth chart. Do you really want a first-round pick to be on the bench for years, potentially (barring a trade)?
Joe is very lukewarm about this idea.
April 8th, 2021 at 8:24 am
Ya well Antoine Winfield had injuries in college as well. No time for emotions, and “feelings” here. Jamel Dean and Bunting aren’t beyond reproach. They had a fantastic postseason and I’m thankful – it doesn’t mean that they don’t need to be pushed now. Maybe a pick like that will compel Bunting to be consistent or they may have found themselves a true lockdown corner that can push Davis down to covering the WR2. Who knows. People overthink or worry too much about drafting a position where there is a lot of alleged depth when EITHER WAY you are making your team better. If the Bucs have him as their very-best-player, then so be it.
April 8th, 2021 at 8:28 am
Depth would be nice but we need DL, LB. suh and jpp are old there great but we need those 2 rookies to sit behind the pros and learn from the big dogs. Same with a QB. Just imagine we draft replacements for Brady suh and jpp have all the young guys learn from them and we are set for the future
April 8th, 2021 at 8:28 am
It’s not that odd of a pick. Cockrell hasn’t resigned. Davis is due for an extension next year and SMB and Dean are due in 2 years. Can’t pay everyone and Newsom fits the body type the Bucs like.
April 8th, 2021 at 8:33 am
I think this is what we need most. Our second was questionable at best most of the regular season. I’m not confident in SMB or Dean. I think Davis is the only lockdown corner on the team. I don’t know much about Newsome but I really like the position pick.
April 8th, 2021 at 8:36 am
Pass.
Zaven Collins please….JPP and LD54 need someone to groom. And Devin needs some fellow young blood to bring along.
April 8th, 2021 at 8:44 am
Agree that DL and edge are higher priorities. Perhaps an experienced CB or Safety (we lost Adams) could be picked up as a FA. More cuts are coming.
April 8th, 2021 at 8:55 am
Would much rather see us draft a DT, DE or OLB but our CB position group could use better depth. Todd Bowles often puts 3 CBs on the field, and after Davis, SMB & Dean we only have Herb Miller under contract, plus Ross Cockrell as a UFA (doesn’t look like we’ve re-signed him yet, but I’m sure that we will). That’s not much depth to go a full 17-game season with, plus (hopefully) 3-4 playoff games.
April 8th, 2021 at 9:03 am
Newsome 4.38
(Our current “lockdown”) Davis 4.44
Dean 4.30 Combine time
SMB 4.42
@Cobra
If you’re around you know more than me about these details. Is a 4.38 needed? Until I looked up their numbers I had thought our DB’s were relatively slow but Dean’s 4.3 in the combine is excellent and Davis 4.44 is not shabby either.
So is 6 hundreths of a second that noticeable in a defensive backfield?
Looking at this draft we tend to focus on first round while the Bucs are looking at this strategically. If they think they have a guy pegged at DL or Edge rusher they believe they can pick up in a later round that would free them in the first to go DB or even QB if Mac Jones is still on the board.
April 8th, 2021 at 9:14 am
Some of you including joe does not get it. So what if dl or edge etc is the “biggest” need. You dont draft the edge rusher if you dont feel he is the better talent over newsome period. Didnt you learn from the whole you dont pick devin white at 5 over the d-end? Im all good with newsome. How many of you were scared to have to play ryan smith if one of our top 3 corners went down? Injuries happen so while you may not think cb is a need, it can be one just as soon as training camp starts. So again, if newsome is their guy, so be it. Stop over thinking this.
April 8th, 2021 at 9:14 am
Davis and Whitehead are both free agents after this year- NFL teams often overpay for FA secondary players- drafting a corner or safety early is a good move.
April 8th, 2021 at 9:19 am
Draft the best available player
April 8th, 2021 at 9:28 am
The CB’s are inconsistent, and there is no depth in case of injury.
April 8th, 2021 at 9:42 am
That’s right the BPA.. if there is no Player of value at that pick you try and get out of it.
April 8th, 2021 at 9:43 am
i’d go trenches 1st 2 rounds….
but whatever JL and BA decide is cool with me….
GO BUCS!!!!!
April 8th, 2021 at 9:43 am
TRENCHES
April 8th, 2021 at 9:57 am
Deeper than the RB all you people want???lol. CB is the deepest position because we have three of our starters and some no name??? Carlton Davis in a contract year was banged up bad in 2020 and SMB can’t play the outside. Sounds very deep, Joe. I’d like one in our first four picks which I’m not assuming is going to be first four rounds.
Center is deep in this draft, but Creed Humphrey sitting under Brady and Jensen for a year then will enter as a Wirfs type rock we can have for the next 10+ years. We need to start rebuilding OL through the draft now. It will be vital to Bucs future QB.
April 8th, 2021 at 9:59 am
Joe, if its the article I think you’re reading, when they went head to head, they were actually just building a hypothetical team to go against each other, it wasn’t really a mock draft.
April 8th, 2021 at 10:21 am
@spbf: a 40 time shows comparative speed potential, but shows nothing of quick-twitch direction change.
It’s important but doesn’t make much difference for a CB where route recognition with quick-change is vastly more important defending route-runners in man, less important in zone.
Not to mention a 4.2 forty is useless in the NFL if a player has a 6.0-second brain.
Raw speed is more important to a WR where quick-change is less important. Prime example: Scott Miller. He’s not a “route-runner” but can beat you deep.
“Lock down” corners have the quick-change gene. And if they are blazing fast (like Prime Time was), you have a potential HoFer…
April 8th, 2021 at 10:30 am
#1 Bucfan, bingo
April 8th, 2021 at 11:10 am
All of our cbs and 1 safety now are 2nd rd picks fpr perspective, the other safety was a 4th
April 8th, 2021 at 11:15 am
I’d either take the best available player on the board or trade down. Don’t reach for specific need like DT, DE, or QB. I don’t think any DL prospects will be worth the #32 pick unless one of the elite prospects like Paye drops. I would absolutely take an elite tackle, cornerback, wideout or running back.
April 8th, 2021 at 11:15 am
So, what is the scoop on Carlton Davis? After his social media fiasco last weekend, are there behind the scenes issues with him that the Bucs are aware of and maybe the Bucs don’t want any part of his social media or future contract demands dramas?
April 8th, 2021 at 11:21 am
Crazy draft year for the Bucs.
The only thing we know is we don’t know anything. I doubt the Bucs even know who they are targeting in R1.
April 8th, 2021 at 11:29 am
I suspect Sly is correct. Bucs have no idea who will be on the board @ #32 but do have a strategy for whatever happens.
April 8th, 2021 at 11:56 am
For those wanting Zavon Collins are insane. Collins isnt worth a first round or even a second round pick. At least Newsome is a first round grade and if we are truly taking best available and Carlton being a free agent, I wouldn’t hate it. Now, if Najee or Travis are there take them!
April 8th, 2021 at 11:59 am
I believe in Best Player available – you can never have enough CB IMO…I’d even take a peak at signing a vet – say Brian Poole? He may come cheap on a 1yr deal…plays slot corner.
Go Bucs!
April 8th, 2021 at 12:01 pm
Bucs aren’t going to pay all three of our starting corners someone will be the odd man out. If all three are worth resigning it’s too expensive in two years which is the perfect cause it allows Newsome to get his feet wet in the most difficult position on defense to make the conversion to the pro level. If Bunting, or Dean continue to struggle with consistency then we wouldn’t resign both, and boom we have a top tier talent ready to go without missing a beat. This move is the definition of luxury pick, and it makes sense. Not saying this is the route I want to see them go, but I get it.
April 8th, 2021 at 12:11 pm
It’s not too odd, we don’t have much depth there. It depends on who is still hanging around that the Bucs covet more. There will be someone that falls, there always is. Not a Zavon Collins fan. Someone will bite on him before us, and good luck to them.
April 8th, 2021 at 12:13 pm
Don’t see that happening Mel. Sorry. Try again.
April 8th, 2021 at 12:15 pm
Corner makes a bit of sense. I dont think its for Davis or SMB, but for Jamel Dean who had trouble breaking into the lineup, and apparently trouble staying healthy for games. Availability is just as important for starters. I like Dean’s game, but starting to get old every time we hear stories on the secondary turnaround because Dean is back in the lineup. We got all over SMB last year for his play, Dean has been even more inconsistent and misses more games.
April 8th, 2021 at 12:53 pm
I saw one other person already mention it but yea….I think you totally misread the article. They were alternating picks and selecting a starting 11 on each side of the ball using draft picks. Pick 32 wasn’t for the Bucs….it was for Mel’s team he was building.
Tho if Newsome is there….I think it actually makes a LOT of sense! We need depth and a potential long term #1 CB on our roster (which I don’t think SMB or Dean are).
April 8th, 2021 at 1:12 pm
@Logan, care to back that up other than your uneducated opinion?
April 8th, 2021 at 1:14 pm
dude, if the bpa is a corner, you take him. you have to potential of having 2 very strong cbs and smb in the slot, you do it. i like dean but you can always upgrade a position anywhere on a team
April 8th, 2021 at 2:02 pm
As the saying goes “you can never have enough good CB’s”
April 8th, 2021 at 5:50 pm
My “no trades” board so far….
1st
zaven collins
frieremuth
etienne
jackson carman
2nd
rondale moore kr/pr/small rb
daviyon nixon
or one of the above if still there
3rd
darius stills if we dont land nixon
4th
pete werner ILB oh st if we dont land collins
April 8th, 2021 at 6:05 pm
Change that Jackson Carman to Center Landon Dickerson…forgot I updated my notes.
April 8th, 2021 at 7:11 pm
Max, Collins is a good but not great LB prospect. He isn’t slow but he’s not fast. He has great length. Collins is a liability in the run game. He shies away from contact. He doesn’t take on blocks. You’ll probably tell me I’m stupid and I don’t know what I’m talking about but watch one game. Don’t watch his YouTube highlights. There are videos that show every defensive snap and they cut out all the filler. You can watch his whole game in 9 minutes. He isn’t a bad player but I don’t think he will go in the 1st. He’s also not a 3-4 OLB. He’s never played DE. He did do a good job rushing the passer from the middle similar to Devin White in college. He may be able to play OLB in a 3-4 but no one has seen it. He is Leighton VanderEche.
April 8th, 2021 at 8:45 pm
or Landon Dickerson C/G in place of Carman.
April 8th, 2021 at 8:48 pm
I keep getting moderated Joe’s, i wait, but then it never gets approved…why? And dont tell me filters, it shouldve passed approval after 4 hours…yall know me jeeze lol.
April 8th, 2021 at 10:27 pm
@Whatthebuc, na man, Im always cool with fair criticism and would never name call anyone who does that. I dont have as much time as i used to in order to watch prospects. Maybe i need to do more homework on him.
Freiermuth though, whats your take on him? We could use a baby Gronk to learn behind Gronk, right? Again, im basing off of highlight vids. I dont get paid to do this, just a hobby lol.
April 9th, 2021 at 8:44 am
My crystal ball has an alcohol fog in it but it appears to indicate we will bolster the secondary with some cheap vets in FA on one year deals and draft Edge, trenches on both sides, possibly LB possibly RB and wild card if some fabulous skill player is there.
April 9th, 2021 at 10:02 am
There isn’t any DL worth a first not quite sure there will be a edge there worth a first either wouldn’t mind OL pick but I wouldn’t hate this pick either I’m not quite sold on our corners besides davis (even with the post season play) Newsome looks really good and might be the best available player at 32
April 9th, 2021 at 7:35 pm
Yeah, after watching more on Newsom, he wouldnt be a bad pick except we are pretty deep at cb, and his injury history scares me a little. But he does have that fire and hunt in him…hits hard to be so small….add about 15lbs of muscle and dude could really thump.
April 10th, 2021 at 6:18 am
So you are saying he is predicted to be as good as Vernon Hargreaves?