Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2016 NFL Draft Grades

Morgan Epstein grades the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2016 NFL Draft. Does Tampa Bay have a bright future after drafting Vernon Hargreaves with the eleventh pick in the 2016 NFL Draft?

11. Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida A+ Grade

Pairing Vernon Hargreaves III up with Brent Grimes gives Tampa Bay the best cornerback tandem in the NFC South now that Josh Norman is gone. The question is will that be enough to win the NFC South. Tampa Bay gets an A+ grade for moving down and still landing Vernon Hargeaves III at 11.

Hargreaves can play man, zone, or press. I think he will do better starting out as a #2 boundary corner rather than a #1 field corner. Playing with someone like Grimes only helps him out.

39. Noah Spence, LE, Eastern Kentucky B Grade

Tampa Bay really needed a 4-3 right end. Keeping Robert Ayers at 4-3 right end and grooming Spence to be the 4-3 left end is not a smart idea.

I'm giving Tampa Bay a B grade here. The Buccaneers got great value, but they didn't get a starter in Spence, plus Spence had some character issues that got him dismissed from Ohio State.

59. Roberto Aguayo, K, Florida State C Grade

Roberto Aguayo can start right away. My issue is you don't trade back into the second round for a kicker. That's why Tampa Bay got a C grade here.

108. Ryan Smith, CB, NCCU D Grade

North Carolina Central cornerback Ryan Smith is expected to be the #8 cornerback on this depth chart. That's why Tampa Bay gets a D grade here.

148. Caleb Benenoch, RT, UCLA C Grade

Caleb Benenoch is a third string left tackle on Tampa Bay's depth chart. He' also a natural right tackle so Benenoch is the #5 offensive tackle on the depth chart and the top offensive tackle after the starters and backups. Benenoch has tremendous run blocking, but mediocre pass protection.

183. Devante Bond, LOLB, Oklahoma B Grade

Devante Bond was a starting left outside linebacker at Oklahoma. He's expected to be a third stringer in the NFL which is understandable since he was a sixth round pick. I'm giving this pick a B grade.

197. Dan Vitale, FB, Northwestern A Grade

Dan Vitale can start at fullback right away. I'm giving Tampa Bay an A grad instead of an A+ grade since Gino Gronkowski was also still there.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Team Grade: B Grade

Tampa Bay drafted Jameis Winston with the top pick in 2015 and he shined as a rookie. They needed another strong draft to get defensive players to build a winning team around Winston. Tampa Bay had a really strong draft. Tampa Bay got 3 starters with 7 picks and Spence could end up being a steal if he starts at some point. Trading up for a kicker keeps them from getting an A grade even if Aguayo is the next Gostkowski, it's a foolish move.