2021 NFL Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers seven-round mock draft
By Ian Higgins
Round Two
DT. Jaylen Twyman. 64. 48. Scouting Report. College Stats. player. Pittsburgh
Following a similar trend to their first-round selection, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers invest their second-round pick in a direct replacement for veteran defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh. Having been such a dominant piece within the Buccaneers defensive front, fourth-year defensive tackle Vita Vea will likely garner the most responsibility in replacing lost production.
Slotted within the upper-portion of a relatively unimpressive defensive tackle class for the 2021 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh’s Jaylen Twyman is a 290-pound three-technique defensive tackle who could smoothly transition into the role of a 3-4 defensive end within the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive front.
One of the best interior pass-rushers of the class with shiftiness and a “one-on-one” mindset in pass-rush scenarios, following the footsteps of fellow Pittsburgh alumni and perennial DPOY-candidate Aaron Donald.
Placed alongside Vita Vea within the Tamp Bay Buccaneers’ interior defensive line, Twyman offers unique pass-rush potential on the interior to disrupt pocket-structure and become an essential piece within the Buccaneers’ defensive scheme.
Round Three
player. 48. College Stats. WR. 96. Scouting Report. Louisville. Tutu Atwell
Likely losing wide receiver Chris Godwin (and potentially Antonio Brown) to free agency this coming offseason, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to retain a viable core of offensive playmakers around Tom Brady in order to carry on the success of their downfield-attacking aerial offense. Thankfully, the 2021 NFL Draft has one of the best wide receiver classes in the history of the draft alongside last year’s outstanding roster of talent.
A gem currently projected to be buried within the third round of the 2021 NFL draft, Louisville’s Chatarius “Tutu” Atwell has been one of the most explosive wide receivers in college football, embodying the profile of a modern NFL wideout.
With projected 4.3 speed and natural shiftiness to threaten chunk gains on any given down, Atwell not only produces with the ball in his hands but is a natural vertical route-runner who understands how to leverage defenders to the benefit of his quarterback
At only 5-foot-9, 165-pounds though, the long-term durability of Atwell is the foremost area of concern within his draft profile that will need to be addressed with physical development upon entry to the NFL with an intensive regiment throughout training camp.