Bucs Add Depth On First Day Of The Draft
The Buccaneers began adding depth to the roster on day two of the NFL draft on Friday night.
Picking first in the second round, the Bucs drafted defensive tackle Logan Hall from Houston. With N’damokung Suh not signed and Jason Pierre-Paul probably not coming back, the Bucs took a player who can back up and play alongside Vita Vea and off the edge opposite Shaq Barrett.
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Hall is 6-6, 283 pounds and ran a 4.88/ 40 at the combine. He quickly gets into the offensive backfield as he had 13,5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks for Houston last season.
Hall and Vita Vea will form a great 1-2 combination on the defensive line.
Speaking with reporters after drafting Hall, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said, “He’s going to do quite a few things, but his primary position is going to be the three-technique,”
GM Jason Licht added, “With Logan, we think he can play the five-, the four- and the 3-technique. We think he rushes well inside, and that’s what piqued our interest the most: his value in the passing game as a three-technique. I would say his rushing skills from the inside is what we liked the most.”
That would indicate that the Bucs plan to use Hall primarily at the tackle position but will not be afraid to move him around to create some mismatches.
Hall has a reputation as a disruptive pass rusher. He uses his hands extremely well and in addition, can have his way with opposing offensive linemen using his power and quickness. Although playing primarily as an edge rusher in college, Todd Bowles indicated that he would be used more in the interior of the Buc’s defensive line than on the edge.
Late in the second round, the Bucs traded with the Buffalo Bills sending them a sixth-round pick to move up a couple of spots to 57. The Bucs selected guard Luke Goedeke from Central Michigan.
The Bucs lost two starters on the offensive line this off-season with the retirement of Ali Marpet and Alex Cappa signing with Cincinnati.
You can never have too much depth along the offensive line. The Bucs found that out when Tristan Wirfs was unable to play in the playoff game against the Rams. Tom Brady took a beating in that game, and the Bucs lost to the Rams 30-27.
GM Jason Licht talked about Goedeke and what he brings to the Bucs. “He’s a character. He’s all football. I think his hobbies are weightlifting, and it stops there. Maybe driving tractors. He’s a very good athlete. He’s all business, a very smart player, got a big upside. We’re going to put him in there at guard and let him compete there. But he could also play right tackle.”
Goedeke has a reputation as a ferocious run blocker and a nasty disposition on the field. According to PFF, he also posted the nation’s sixth-best overall run-blocking grade for tackles last season, grading out with a 92.2.
Goedeke speaking with the media, talked about his demeanor on the field. “I really see myself as a guy who’s a mean, nasty and relentless guy out there on the field. I’m always looking to bury guys and just put fear into their eyes.”
The Bucs have successfully drafted offensive linemen from smaller schools in the past. Ali Marpet was from Ithaca, Alex Cappa From Cal State Humboldt, and now Goedeke from Central Michigan.
With their second pick in the third round, the Bucs added running back depth, drafting Rachaad White from Arizona State.
As a senior last year, White rushed for 1,006 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also caught 43 passes for 456 yards and a touchdown.
Herm Edwards talked about what Rachaad White will bring to the Buccaneers. “He’s a really good football player. White can catch it. He’s a good blocker. He’s a slasher as a runner.”
White’s overall game has been compared to Raiders’ all-time great Marcus Allen.
As Jason Licht wrapped it up on Friday night, he seemed very happy however with the new additions to the Bucs roster. “I think every year I stand up here and say you’ll never hear a GM say, ‘I think we had a terrible night. But we all feel very, very good.”
The Bucs addressed their need along the defensive line by drafting Logan Hall from Houston, who can line up in the interior and additionally on the edge.
They also added depth along the offensive line by drafting Luke Goedeke from Central Michigan.
Then the Bucs added a running back with their pick of the night Rachaad White from Arizona State.
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The Bucs would finish things by taking five additional players in rounds four through seven of the NFL Draft.
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