Draft Scenarios

The draft is only 2 days away and short of the top 2 picks being Quarterbacks no one else knows how the draft will fall. So with the Bucs sitting at pick 9 what scenarios could they see come draft day?

The best case scenario and Tampa fan base favorite would be if somehow by shear luck Ohio State Defensive End Joey Bosa were to fall all the way down to pick 9 and make the Bucs decision easy. Now that ultimately could happen but is very unlikely as a player of that quality shouldn't fall that far but crazier things have happened in past drafts.

Trading out of the 9th pick is another popular scenario if Bosa or some other top player isn't there that the Bucs really like. This option is also my personal favorite as we would be able to add more picks and give Jason Licht more ammo to attack the draft. Yes, it takes two to tango on a draft day trade but it seems the Titans are looking to get back in the top 10 for a left tackle to protect their franchise QB and that seems like an easy connection there.

Staying at pick 9 is an option only if they truly value a player of being worthy of that selection. Do the Bucs value Sheldon Rankins or Shaq Lawson that highly to be selected there or is that a reach? Tampa needs defense but Licht is adamant that he picks based on best player on his board not to need.

Last option is trading up to go get someone. I strongly disagree with that option as the Bucs are not a team that is only 1 player away right now. Even if say, Jalen Ramsey somehow falls to pick 6 or 7, I would still not jump ahead and risk losing a hand full of picks for one player.

Jason Licht has plenty of options and scenarios to run through his head before draft day and up until our pick. I believe the Bucs best option is to trade down and collect more picks but lets see what path Licht and company choose.

Drafting Sheldon Rankins at number 9?

Every Bucs fan realizes that the pass rush needs to be upgraded this offseason and that process has already begun with the signing of Robert Ayers, but what about the draft? The top local source to all Bucs news Pewterreport.com has the Bucs taking defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins with the ninth overall pick. Per Scott Reynolds of Pewterreport.com

ROUND 1 – Louisville DT Sheldon Rankins – 6-1, 299 – Junior Why a defensive tackle with the ninth overall selection when defensive end is the more pressing need? This pick probably comes as a surprise to most Bucs fans, but drafting for need rarely leads to success in the NFL. Defensive tackle is the strongest position in this draft and the Bucs are poised to grab the best prospect. Great three-technique defensive tackles like Rankins, who compares favorably to Pro Bowler Geno Atkins, who was coached by new defensive line coach Jay Hayes in Cincinnati, are hard to find, and typically go in the first round. 

I stand to agree with Pewterreport on this one as he has done nothing but produce at the college level with 18 sacks and 31.5 tackles for loss in 4 years. What makes Rankins special is his quickness and strength. The way Rankins can move for a man 300 lbs is very rare. Although only 6'1, Rankins rarely gets pushed back away from the play. He has a natural nose for the ball and a consistent motor that can be seen as he frequently runs the play down from behind. Louisville didn't utilize Rankins to his fullest abilities as he was often split out wide to take on longer left tackles in space which isn't his game.

The comparison to Geno Atkins fits the bill in my opinion. Both stand 6'1 but Rankins arms are longer (33 5/8 inches) which will only help with leverage. Rankins is best at using his quickness inside where he abuses slower guards and centers. He would be an upgrade to the pass rush but wouldn't solve the lack of edge rush the Bucs need. Drafting Rankins would be a prime example of drafting talent over need as the Bucs have Clint McDonald and Akeem Spence who are both better than average defensive tackles.

The Bucs are sitting in a good position at number 9 as they will have a tough yet welcomed decision to choose between Rankins and most likely the best defensive end that will be on the board in Shaq Lawson.