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2019 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Defenders dominate throughout

By George Stockburger

HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 8: Ed Oliver #10 of the Houston Cougars warms up before playing against the Arizona Wildcats at TDECU Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 8: Ed Oliver #10 of the Houston Cougars warms up before playing against the Arizona Wildcats at TDECU Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – OCTOBER 08: Levonta Taylor #1 of the Florida State Seminoles celebrates after a blocked extra point during a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on October 8, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – OCTOBER 08: Levonta Taylor #1 of the Florida State Seminoles celebrates after a blocked extra point during a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on October 8, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

player. 48. . CB. Florida State. Levonta Taylor. 15

Tampa Bay needs another playmaker on defense, and the numbers clearly reflect it. They allow an average of seven yards per play, the most in the league, and their towards the bottom of the league in takeaways with five. Opposing teams score a touchdown on 8.3% of their pass attempts versus Tampa, also the highest in the league, and quarterbacks have a 130.8 QBR versus the Bucs, number one in the NFL.

So to say Tampa Bay’s defense needs help is an understatement.

Vernon Hargreaves has disappointed since his rookie season, and hasn’t had an interception since December 2016. He’s currently on ice with a shoulder injury, leaving the Bucs with 35-year-old Brent Grimes and second-round pick Carlton Davis. Grimes is a free agent after this year and Davis rates as PFF’s 86th cornerback through his first four games.

Levonta Taylor swings back to the Bucs old trend of taking home state prospects while filling an immediate need at cornerback. All Florida State does is produce defensive backs, see Jalen Ramsey, Derwin James, and Lamarcus Joyner.

Taylor is a very fluid player with loose hips and excellent play recognition both in the pass and run game. Both of his interceptions versus Florida last year were thanks to his awareness on the field, one being a tipped ball and the other simply reading the quarterback and jumping the route.

Taking Taylor gives the Bucs and immediate upgrade at corner and hopefully flips the script on their defense.

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