In just over 48 hours, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be on the clock during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
While an already short list of potential candidates, at pick number seven, various mock drafts are pointing to a defensive back as the target for General Manager Jason Licht and Head Coach Dirk Koetter.
Two of the leading candidates throughout the draft build up have been Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick and Florida State’s Derwin James.
Both players are completing very successful college careers but it was James that vaulted himself into elite territory at the NFL Scouting Combine. Both players offer versatility in the role of cornerback or safety.
“The thing about Minkah [Fitzpatrick] is that he’s played a lot of slot this year,” Licht said. “He’s played outside corner and in that slot position, you can see some of the things that he would do at safety.”
Licht noted the praise Fitzpatrick received from his college coach, Nick Saban, and admitted that there is a plan in place, should the Bucs select him Thursday night.
James, meanwhile, seems to intrigue the national analysts. One mock draft on NFL.com lists James as the Bucs’ pick.
James also represents an opportunity for the Bucs to land another “hometown” player with high credentials.
A graduate of Haines City High School in Polk County, James recorded 49 solo tackles in 2017, three shy of his 2015 total.
It is a notable statistic because James played in less than two games in the 2016 season due to a knee injury.
Two years ago, the Bucs selected Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III in the first round of the draft.
The former (Tampa) Wharton High star endured a difficult second season in the NFL, nursing a nagging hamstring injury.
James brings the same confidence to the field as Hargreaves and could line up with him as a safety.
Like Fitzpatrick, the Bucs have a “James plan” as well, just incase.
“He’s [James] a very good safety,” Licht said. “He’s a versatile guy, but he’s more of a strong safety. He can also drop down in your sub packages and play linebacker. He’s another good player.”
News Channel 8 sports anchor Annie Sabo will have live reports from the NFL Draft beginning Wedneday.
