Tampa Bay Buccaneers pick-by-pick draft grades
By Jeff Olson
B+. Some people might look down on a team drafting a full back because they are only on the field in particular situations. However, I am not one of those people. If you can get a starter at any position in the sixth round then it’s a good pick in my book. Now the Bucs have a new starting full back and special teams player. <p>Vitale was my top rated full back in the class. He put on a show at the combine, running a 4.60 40 yard dash, putting up 30 reps on the bench press and scored top marks among all full backs in the vertical jump, 20 yard shuttle, and 60 yard shuttle. He flies at would be tacklers like a battering ram and lays a nasty block on his opponent. He’s also fairly skilled, with the ability to carry the ball in short yardage and catch it out of the backfield. I don’t want to set expectations too high for this kid, but there is little doubt in my mind that Vitale is the most exciting full back the Bucs have had since Mike Alstott.</p>. . . DANNY VITALE
Overall I give this Bucs draft a solid B.
For the second year in a row Tampa Bay lands four starters in the draft and that’s not something teams can say very often. With a new corner and defensive end to help improve the defense and a new full back and kicker who will quietly help the offense, it’s hard to not like this class. On top of that they go two guys in Smith and Benenoch who could eventually develop into starters. Outside of outbidding themselves on a kicker and taking a linebacker that I don’t think is anything special, I’d call this a home run draft for Jason Licht and the Bucs.