2022 NFL Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers retool in 7-round mock draft
By Kyle Edmond
Round 7, Pick 244: Jerreth Sterns, WR, Western Kentucky
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are masters of finding late round wide receiver gems. The 2019 NFL Draft saw them select Scotty Miller in the sixth round out of Bowling Green. The 2020 NFL Draft was Tyler Johnson in the fifth from Minnesota. Last year was Jaelon Darden in the fourth out of North Texas. Jerreth Sterns out of Western Kentucky has the potential to be the best of the bunch.
Sterns played just one season at Western Kentucky, but he A) made it count and B) did enough at the FCS level to draw draft consideration alone. This season for the Hilltoppers, Sterns logged 1,902 receiving yards on 150 receptions and scored 17 touchdowns. That was enough to earn All-Conference-USA First Team honors and being named the conference Newcomer of the Year.
But what about prior to WKU? Well, Sterns was just as good. At Houston Baptist, Sterns played 27 games and registered 1,971 yards on 221 catches and 18 touchdowns. His receptions mark led all FCS players over that span and his receiving yards ranked third. The question will be if it translates to the NFL level.
If the Bucs really do lose Chris Godwin, Sterns could be a player with high potential to step into that role. Tampa Bay has taken shots on smaller school players in later rounds, including fellow WR Miller, who have turned into solid options. Sterns could be the next name added to that list.