NFL: Buccaneers preparing to move on from second-round pick

NFL talent evaluators knew GM Jason Licht made a horrible mistake on draft night, and he’s already paying for it

Any time a player designated to appear solely on special teams is drafted before the third day of the NFL Draft questions will be raised. When you trade UP into the second round for one of those players, mutiny will be had.

That’s the case in Tampa Bay, where the team is already preparing for life without their 2016 second round pick, kicker Roberto Aguayo. It cost Licht a third and fourth-round draft pick to move up in the second round, and in any other major marketplace, the fans would form a mob outside his home.

Florida State’s robotic kicker made all 198 of his extra point attempts and 88.5% of field goal opportunities before declaring for the 2016 NFL Draft after three seasons.

As a rookie, Aguayo missed two extra-point attempts and converted a league-low 71% field goal tries.

His struggles have carried over into organized team activities, where veteran Nick Folk is outkicking the high-priced youngster.

Reports have Aguayo making 5-9 field goal attempts during open media access and Folk converting all nine opportunities.

Considering Aguayo’s rookie contract will earn him $1.3 million more than Dak Prescott, the Buccaneers horrible mistake is clearly evolving in front of them. Prescott was one of three rookies to earn a Pro Bowl selection, despite being drafted after Aguayo. Jordan Howard and Tyreek Hill share the same title in that regard.

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If Aguayo loses to Folk during training camp and the preseason, the Bucs may take a dead cap hit of $1.3 million this season if the kicker is cut.