2021 NFL Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers seven-round mock draft
By Ian Higgins
Round Four
Jaret Patterson. 128. 48. Scouting Report. HB. Buffalo. player. College Stats
Possibly the most statistically potent prospect of the 2021 NFL Draft, Buffalo’s Jaret Patterson became a must-know name with performances such as his eight touchdowns against Kent State. This was no one-off contest though, as Patterson averaged 7.6 yards per carry and scored 11 touchdowns within the remaining five games on the schedule.
At only 5-foot-9, 195-pounds, Patterson doesn’t possess the typical size of a between-the-tackles back but is more than welcome to contact from physical inside linebackers when meeting them in the hole. Combined with a quick jump-cut reminiscent of David Johnson, Patterson can spring loose from traffic on inside shotgun handoffs and manufacture chunk gains on the ground even with subpar blocking.
This shiftiness translates into the receiving game as well, where Patterson is fully capable of offering an NFL offense the versatility of a receiving back who can make plays in the open field. Complimenting Ronald Jones within the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ backfield, Patterson could become one of the most effective running backs of the 2021 NFL Draft class.
Round Five
Scouting Report. College Stats. Garret Wallow. 160. 48. LB. TCU. player
Possibly the most fluid linebacker of the 2021 NFL Draft, converted-safety Garret Wallow has excelled as a weakside linebacker within the Horned Frogs’ front-seven over the past three seasons. This was highlighted by a 2019 season that saw Wallow collect 125 tackles (18 for loss) through 12 games with 3.5 sacks and an interception.
Projected to run in the low 4.6’s, Wallow is one of the next in line to become part of the next generation of rangy, physical linebackers who can both attack downhill with a stiff set of pads as well as match halfbacks in coverage.
One trait distinguishing Wallow from some of his hybrid colleagues though has been his ability to shoot gaps in pass-protection and wreak havoc on quarterbacks unwilling or unable to quickly adjust and complete the checkdown.
Still strong in their linebacking with budding star Devin White, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers find an even more athletic replacement for outgoing linebacker Lavonte David. Potentially reminiscent of the days when Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander roamed the hash marks alongside each other, Wallow could potentially become a perfect running-mate to compliment White as a weakside linebacker.