2016 NFL Mock Draft: February edition

9th Pick – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10)
Jonathan Bullard – DE
Florida – Senior
6-2, 283 Pounds

My second surprise (Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky) of the draft, and it comes from Florida this time. Can we just say that Tampa was good and bad at the same this year, with most of the success being with Jameis Winston. I love Gerald McCoy, Jacquies Smith, and Lavonte David, it seems like the foundation is officially set, but not to were the talent should be. They need help on defense, very badly, and it could be a local Florida prospect. Many would say “why is DeForest Buckner or Shaq Lawson not in this spot?”, in which I reply, I don’t think that they should ignore the local talent.

With the sudden emergence of Jacquies Smith, Jonathan Bullard becomes a sack artist for a team that needs it. I’m not saying year one he will blow the sports world on fire, but I am saying he has the talent to become the versitile lineman who can disrupt running lanes. I know that the Buccaneers need a corner very badly, but I just don’t see Vernon Hargreaves III or Mackensie Alexander being what the Bucs need in round one. Honestly, if the Bucs can get their hands on Joey Bosa by trading up, I say they do it. This is a good prospect if that doesn’t happen.

Jonathan Bullard sometimes gets pushed out of position when he is double teamed, or when a chip block disrupts him. I think he is a big contributor with great bend, he seems like he can be an effort guy, being able to set the edge and disrupt passing lanes (as previous mentioned, running lanes too). I don’t want to say that he is an automatic contributor, day one, but he is a guy who can be a rotational guy when he comes in. This pick just makes the most sense to me. He does have the kind of body type to play 3-4 outside linebacker, but he seems more built towards 4-3 defensive end.

Player Comparison: Everson Griffen – Minnesota Vikings

Next: The Giants are on the clock