It was already predicted that the Bucs were going to be heavy on the defensive side of the football in this year’s draft. But if it feels even more so with who Tampa Bay has given their attention to. The top 30 visits for draft prospects continue to roll out for each team and it appears the Bucs have entertained another player from Texas A&M.
Texas A&M Edge Nic Scourton – Photo by: USA Today
According to Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network, the Bucs are hosting edge rusher Nic Scourton from Texas A&M. He is also expected to meet with the Eagles and the Browns as well. The Bucs did not meet with Scourton in any capacity at the NFL Combine, although they met with fellow teammates Shemar Stewart formally and Fadil Diggs informally.
At age 20, there’s plenty of time to develop Scourton while also learning from a veterans like Haason Reddick. There’s a case to be made that he already has more pass rushing moves than Yaya Diaby, including a spin move that he likes to use, which gives the Bucs a different kind of pass rusher.
Bucs Can Use Another Edge Rusher
Scourton has the size and burst that teams want from a player, but needs the other aspects of his game to show up in order to be drafted in the first round. Having the traits to be a one trick pony can get a player drafted, but it immediately sticks the player in one spot and could keep them there for longer than anticipated.
Bucs OLB Haason Reddick – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
There are a ton of options that Tampa Bay can go with early in this draft. They have a cushion with Yaya Diaby and Haason Reddick at outside linebacker, but that shouldn’t stop Tampa Bay from drafting another edge rusher especially with Reddick on a one-year deal.
As much as Tampay Bay wouldn’t want to stunt the growth of Braswell, they also need to find out the future of their pass rush. The possibility of Reddick being in Tampa for one season is high, so if Braswell doesn’t cut it, the Bucs are back to the same situation they were in.
Scourton bring a rawness to his game that can be developed. Can the Bucs afford to take time with a player at that position? That’ll be up to Jason Licht and company. It feels like this is a best player available type of draft for the Bucs in the first round so all options are available.
