Pewter Report analyzes the highest gamers within the 2024 NFL Draft with its place previews – energized by CELSIUS, the official vitality drink of Pewter Report. Matt Matera continues the previews with the defensive deal with place, with a complete have a look at what the Bucs have and what they want on the place.
Matera additionally offers an in depth checklist of this yr’s prime defensive tackles. As well as, Scott Reynolds presents up the Bucs’ draft wants and the annual Pewter Report Bucs Greatest Bets – the almost certainly defensive deal with for the Bucs to pick in Rounds 1-3 and in Rounds 4-7.
What The Bucs Have At Defensive Deal with
Bucs DT Calijah Kancey – Picture By: Cliff Welch P/R
The Bucs are just about bringing again the identical group for 2024. Vita Vea remains to be in his prime as a frontrunner of the group and a prime nostril deal with within the league. Final yr’s first spherical choose, Calijah Kancey, has all of the makings to be an ideal participant as properly, contemplating how he was in a position to return from a calf harm and file 10 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. He additionally added one other 1.5 sacks within the postseason.
Logan Corridor is heading into his third season and was usually a starter when the Bucs are in a 3-4 scheme. Corridor hasn’t executed sufficient but in his Bucs profession for the crew to belief him being a starter for the long run. His manufacturing has been pedestrian at finest and he must make an enormous bounce this season.
Backups Greg Gaines and very long time Buccaneer Will Gholston are again once more. Gaines is a strong substitute when Vea wants a break, and Gholston offers rather a lot as a mentor and filling in as a rotational participant. C.J. Brewer, Eric Banks and Lwal Uguak spherical out the depth chart and can present competitors in coaching camp.
What The Bucs Want At Defensive Deal with
Including one other defensive deal with could be very a lot on the board for Tampa Bay, whether or not it’s in an early spherical or in a while. Vita Vea is 29 and received’t carry out at a excessive degree of manufacturing endlessly. Logan Corridor, who has two years remaining on his deal, can’t be relied upon. If the Bucs don’t see Corridor as an enormous a part of the rotation this yr, it’s finest so as to add one other defensive deal with into the combination to pair with Calijah Kancey now and for the long run.
Reserves Greg Gaines and Will Gholston, who turns 33 this yr, are every on one-year offers, so there’s no assure how lengthy they’ll be round. Drafting a defensive deal with early might give the Bucs a brand new starter over Corridor, or at the least push him in coaching camp.
A late-round choose provides depth and provides the Bucs an alternative choice ought to an harm happen to any of the opposite gamers. It most accurately fits Tampa Bay to have one other youthful participant alongside the line of defense within the occasion they’ve to exchange a number of defensive tackles subsequent offseason. So heading in to this yr’s draft every little thing is on the desk.
High Defensive Tackles In 2024 NFL Draft
1. Texas DT Byron Murphy II – Junior – 6-1, 297, 4.87
Texas DT Byron Murphy II – Picture by: USA Right this moment
There’s a particularly reasonable argument that Murphy needs to be the highest ranked defensive deal with on this group. He’s a drive an influence that tosses offensive lineman apart on performs. He gained all that energy being a menace within the weight room. Along with his energy, Murphy has distinctive velocity for a defensive deal with on the road of scrimmage. Whereas his arm size is missing, Murphy makes up for it in each different space.
He had quite a lot of enjoying time over this three years at Texas, however he didn’t turn into a starter till final season, beginning in all 14 video games. Murphy recorded 29 tackles final season with 8.5 tackles and 5 sacks. This earned him Massive XII Defensive Lineman of the Yr, first-team all Massive XII and second-team All-American honors. Murphy additionally performed a bit of little bit of offense lining up in objective line conditions, scoring a dashing landing and a receiving landing.
2. Illinois DT Johnny Newton – Senior – 6-2, 304, N/A
Newton is an ultra-talented defensive deal with who can showcase his skillset is many various methods. He had a productive profession at Illinois with 164 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks over the previous three seasons, whereas Texas’ Byron Murphy II posted 70 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and eight sacks over the identical three-season span. However Newton has additionally made extra influence performs with 5 move deflections, 4 blocked kicks, three fumble recoveries and two compelled fumbles whereas Murphy will get blanked in these statistical classes.
Newton additionally not often got here off the sector, averaging 62.4 snaps per recreation and is kind of sturdy. Murphy performed about half of these snaps and was a part of a four-man rotation at Texas, averaging 31.3 snaps per recreation. Newton is from St. Petersburg, Fla. and is cousins with Bucs inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis. He suffered a damaged pinky toe that slowed his offseason coaching, however he has since had surgical procedure to repair the harm.
3. Michigan DT Kris Jenkins – Redshirt Junior – 6-3, 299, 4.91
On a Michigan protection that had quite a lot of standout gamers, Jenkins dominated the center of the inside. He’s the prototypical run stopping defensive deal with that NFL groups search for in a prospect. Jenkins, whose father was a stud defensive deal with who performed for the Carolina Panthers, might be gentle on his toes, however largely wins with a substantial amount of energy and sticking to fundamentals. He’ll make sure to eat up double groups on the subsequent degree.
Jenkins began for 2 years on the Wolverines protection. He was a crew captain throughout the 2023 season. In 44 profession video games Jenkins recorded 112 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 4 sacks, one move breakup and an interception. Final yr he was additionally second-team All Massive 10 and second crew All-American in faculty soccer.
4. Florida State DT Braden Fiske – Redshirt Senior – 6-4, 292, 4.78
FSU DT Braden Fiske: Picture by – USA Right this moment
Watching a participant with the gargantuan dimension of Fiske be capable of transfer so quick doesn’t make sense, but it surely’s marvel to see him do it. Fiske started his faculty profession enjoying at Western Michigan for 5 seasons after which actually put himself on the map in 2023 enjoying for Florida State. Fiske is a cell defensive lineman with nice method who can cease the run but in addition has some move dashing prowess as properly.
Fiske has six sacks in 2022, his final yr with Western Michigan, and in addition recorded six extra with the Seminoles in 2023 serving to Florida State go undefeated within the common season. He had 191 profession tackles with 36.5 tackles for loss, 19.5 sacks and two compelled fumbles. Fiske earned second crew All-MAC and second crew All-ACC respectively at Western Michigan and Florida State. He was excellent on the Senior Bowl, successful Defensive Apply Participant of the Week for some nice performances.
5. Clemson DT Ruke Orhorhor0 – Redshirt Senior – 6-4, 294, 4.89
Orhorhoro was a three-year starter for the Tigers and posted a career-high 5 sacks in 2023 after notching 4 the earlier season. With quickness and robust fingers, Orhorhoro has notched eight tackles for loss in every of the final three seasons at Clemson and lives within the backfield.
His 4.89 time within the 40-yard sprint at 6-foot-4, 294 kilos speaks to Orhorhoro’s athleticism. The truth is, Orhorhoro is the Seventeenth-most athletic defensive deal with prospect within the draft since 1987. He can play all three downs along with his stoutness in run protection and move dashing skill. Orhorhoro had a proper interview with Tampa Bay throughout the NFL Scouting Mix.
6. Ohio State DT Michael Corridor Jr. – Redshirt Sophomore – 6-3, 299, N/A
Corridor is a twitchy hole shooter who can play properly as a backup to Calijah Kancey as a backup 3-technique on rush downs and as a 4i/5-technique in base personnel. He’s fast off the road and likes to penetrate gaps each as a move rusher and when defending towards horizontal run schemes. He makes use of his fingers properly to search out stress factors towards opposing linemen and might cut back his floor space to assist him win rapidly.
Corridor lacks ideally suited dimension and has hassle anchoring towards double groups. However in a run protection that options Vita Vea, the concept of constructing depth for the Bucs’ four-man move rush with a participant like Corridor is attractive. As a redshirt sophomore, there may be room for him to proceed to develop when it comes to mass on his body and his general long-term outlook. Corridor impressed on the Senior Bowl with some large moments throughout one-on-one drills.
7. Oregon DT Brandon Dorlus – Redshirt Senior – 6-3, 283, 4.85
Oregon DL Brandon Dorlus Senior Bowl – Picture by: USA Right this moment
Dorlus was one other participant who benefited from the Senior Bowl. He was tossing opponents all through the week in a approach the place he made a extremely troublesome activity look fairly straightforward. Dorlus has a wonderful skillset with energy and adequate velocity off of the ball. He might use a bit of bit extra consistency in his play, however the completely different move dashing strikes he has makes him an intriguing prospect.
He’s began for 3 straight seasons at Oregon, so he’s properly skilled. Dorlus can typically be discovered within the backfield having recorded 27 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in his profession. Throughout his time with the Geese he was second crew All-PAC 12 in 2022 and first crew All-PAC 12 in 2021 and 2023. Dorlus has been understanding in Tampa as he will get prepared for the 2024 NFL Draft. His 14 move deflections, together with 9 final yr, have him on the Bucs’ radar.
8. LSU DT Maason Smith – Redshirt Sophomore – 6-5, 306, 5.01
Exhibiting a great deal of athleticism, Smith has the agility to go sideline to sideline and keep in on each play. In fact he has prototypical dimension that groups need to see in a prospect that make him an intriguing possibility. Smith usually will get the primary punch on his lineman opponent on the level of contact when the ball is snapped.
There may be some concern that Smith doesn’t do properly when taking over double groups. Additionally, he comes with an harm historical past after tearing his ACL throughout the 2022 season and basically missed the entire season apart from one recreation. He did return in 2023 beginning 12 video games for LSU recording 28 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and two move breakups.
9. Texas DT T’Vondre Sweat – Redshirt Senior – 6-4, 366, 5.27
Sweat is a big human being who’s as robust as they arrive. Given his dimension he’s fairly athletic as properly. Sweat can obliterate opponents in entrance of him along with his energy simply on energy and the separation his arm size permits for him. He’s additionally constructed a knack to swat down passes on the line of scrimmage, exhibiting his athleticism. Sweat simply must play at a extra constant degree.
Whereas there’s a lot to love about him as a participant, there considerations have been already had about his maturity degree. Throughout the pre-draft course of Sweat was arrested and charged with a DWI. On the time it’s not recognized if it will trigger his draft inventory to drop. In 5 years at Texas, Sweat racked up 128 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, one compelled fumble and 14 move breakups. He additionally caught a landing move and blocked an additional level. Final season he was a unanimous All-American, the Outland Award winner and first-team All Massive 12.
10. Duke DT Dewayne Carter – Redshirt Senior – 6-2, 302, 4.99
An agile defensive deal with, Carter excels having the ability to cease the opponent’s run recreation. That’s not all he does, although, as he can play all three downs and doesn’t need to be taken off the sector. He additionally has a excessive soccer IQ. Carter simply must develop extra of a move dashing recreation if he desires to get as a lot enjoying time as he can on the NFL degree.
Carter was a crew captain for Duke. He’s made quite a lot of splash performs in his profession, together with a scoop-and-score touchdowns in 2022 in 2023, plus a blocked subject objective that yr as properly. In his final faculty season, Carter earned received the Jim Tatum award and was first-team All-ACC.
Greatest Of The Relaxation
11. LSU DT Mekhi Wingo – Redshirt Junior – 6-0, 284, 4.85
Wingo is a high-motor participant that works tirelessly to get the job executed. He performed for 2 completely different units of Tigers, starting his faculty profession at Missouri, the place he had a spotlight 40-yard pick-six earlier than transferring to LSU. Wingo is at his finest when taking pictures the hole straight away and disrupting the play earlier than it could possibly even get going. He has a strong anchor so he doesn’t lose a lot floor.
Wingo is on the shorter facet and must all the time play with sound method or else he can’t take over the rep. A crew captain, Wingo solely performed in eight video games final season after lacking 5 video games with a groin harm, however nonetheless managed to have a profession finest 4.5 sacks for LSU.
12. Miami DT Leonard Taylor III – Junior – 6-3, 303, 5.12
There’s actually the power to get into the backfield for Taylor, who recorded 10.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in 2022, though these numbers decreased to three.5 tackles for loss and one sack in 2023. That will have been as a result of he had offseason surgical procedure that compelled him to overlook time within the spring in preparation for the yr.
He has large dimension and a strong quantity of athletic skill since he recorded an interception in his faculty profession. Taylor wants to remain in his hole and develop extra strikes since he’s nonetheless fairly uncooked as a participant.
13. Alabama DT Justin Eboigbe – Redshirt Senior – 6-4, 297, 5.18
Eboigbe had a stellar final season for Alabama placing up nice numbers with 11.5 tackles for loss and 7 sacks. He has good fundamentals, particularly enjoying his finest proper because the ball is snapped. Eboigbe has good arm size that helps him win a good quantity of his matchups, letting his energy do the remainder of the work.
His scenario was very severe in 2022 when a spinal twine harm price him all however 4 video games that yr, however as said he got here again with a vengeance throughout the 2023 season. The medicals will likely be necessary for him throughout this draft course of developing. He earned first crew all-SEC with the Crimson Tide.
14. Auburn DT Marcus Harris – Redshirt Senior – 6-2, 286, 5.06
Auburn DT Marcus Harris – Picture by: USA Right this moment
A standout on the Senior Bowl, Harris is a bit undersized and has quick, 32-inch arms. He’s one inch taller and some kilos heavier than Bucs defensive deal with Calijah Kancey, who was the Bucs’ first-round choose final yr. However what he lacks in dimension, Harris makes up for in quickness and method.
He has an uncanny skill to slide blocks and penetrate the backfield and has nice fingers. Harris’ excessive motor is on show on movie and that was considered one of his finest traits on the Senior Bowl. Between Kansas and Auburn, Harris recorded 126 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, two compelled fumbles and two move breakups.
15. Clemson DT Tyler Davis – Redshirt Senior – 6-2, 301, 5.02
His finest season got here in 2019 the place he had 43 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and two move breakups. He was in a position to duplicate the TFLs and sacks in 2022, with 9.5 and 5.5, so he rid return to type. Davis has some harm historical past that is likely to be a priority to groups.
Davis was a crew captain for Clemson so he has management qualities and is taken into account a excessive soccer IQ participant. He doesn’t have the explosiveness however he’ll attempt to make up for it along with his instincts.
16. Texas A&M DT Mckinley Jackson – Senior – 6-1, 326, 5.26
The Texas A&M product typically drew double groups throughout his time in faculty due to his skill to win one-on-ones along with his explosiveness. There’s quite a lot of upside for Jackson as a later Day 2 choose.
Jackson is compact at 6-foot-2, 325 kilos, however he shows good agility and go off the snap. He’s excellent towards the run, and whereas he has room to develop as a move rusher, he has proven glimpses of move rush chops. He totaled 55 pressures over his four-year profession with the Aggies.
17. Baylor DT Gabe Corridor – Redshirt Senior – 6-6, 294, 5.03
Corridor can play as a three-tech or a five-tech on the line of defense. He offers explosiveness up entrance however doesn’t play constantly sufficient to be an every-down defensive deal with. Corridor recorded 12.5 sacks in his faculty profession, incomes honorable point out All-Massive XII final season. He’s had his moments as a participant, it’s only a matter of if he can put all of it collectively on the subsequent degree.
18. Mississippi State DT Jake Crumedy – Redshirt Senior 6-4, 301, 4.97
For his dimension, Crumedy strikes very properly contemplating his 40-time was slightly below 5 seconds. He’s fairly athletic and generally is a rotational defensive lineman in a system. He lacks the common fundamentals that groups need when drafting a defensive deal with. Crumedy can also be 24 years previous already so he’s up there in age in comparison with others in his draft class.
19. Florida State DT Fabian Lovett Sr. – Redshirt Senior – 6-4, 316, 5.0
He has nice size and could be very robust when in fight towards the opponent. There’s not a lot quickness from Lovett that groups ideally want, and it most likely performed a think about not being a starter for Florida State final yr, although he did play in 13 video games. Lovett has some talents as a move rusher if he can showcase these traits regularly.
20. Illinois DT Keith Randolph Jr. – Redshirt Senior – 6-3, 296, 5.15
Randolph offers the elemental traits which are required of a participant that wishes to succeed on the NFL degree. He is aware of methods to learn a play and make the appropriate name on it. He’s cell sufficient and has a few strikes, however also can play too stiff and get out of place at instances. Final yr he was a crew captain and honorable point out All-Massive XII.
21. LSU DT Jordan Jefferson – Redshirt Senior – 6-3, 316, 5.08
Taking part in most of his profession at West Virginia, Jefferson transfered over to LSU for the 2023 season and was in a position to begin the final six video games on their schedule. Power is an enormous issue of his recreation however he doesn’t have selection in strikes to beat the opponent.
22. Northern Iowa DT Khristian Boyd – Redshirt Senior – 6-2, 329, N/A
A small faculty participant, Boyd does his finest work stopping the run up the center. He fights to remain in his hole and maintain the again from going the place he’s. Generally Boyd will get too excessive along with his pad degree when taking over a blocker, inflicting him to lose his rep. He must maintain his fundamentals collectively.
23. Cincinnati DT Jowon Briggs – Redshirt Senior – 6-1, 313, 5.00
Briggs performed two seasons and Virginia after which transferred to Cincinnati for the following three years. He was first-team All-AAC with the Bearcats in 2022, getting an honorable point out nomination in 2023. Briggs was a crew captain that yr as properly, recording a career-best in tackles for loss with six. Briggs had 12 sacks in his profession, together with two in his final season. He’s bought some pass-rushing abilities to work along with his size, however doesn’t get off the ball fast sufficient.
Bucs Greatest Bets: Defensive Deal with
Bucs Greatest Wager – Rounds 1-3: Clemson DT Ruke Orhorhoro
The Bucs look like fairly excited by Orhorhoro after formally interviewing him on the NFL Scouting Mix and having the Clemson product in for a High 30 go to in April. It’s straightforward to see why resulting from Orhorhoro’s athleticism. He ran a 4.89 within the 40-yard sprint on the Mix at 6-foot-4, 294 kilos, which was spectacular. The Nigerian native is a hard-working, hustling defender who’s stout towards the run and rising as a move rusher. Orhorhoro is robust with nice grip energy in his fingers.
He’s had eight tackles for loss in every of his final three seasons, however his sack manufacturing has been on the rise. Orhorhoro had 2.5 sacks in 2021, 4 sacks in 2022 and 5 sacks final yr. His 9 profession move deflections is noteworthy as a result of he’s affected the move rush in different methods apart from sacks and pressures. Orhorhoro could possibly be drafted to exchange Logan Corridor, who has underwhelmed in his first two seasons in Tampa Bay after being chosen on the prime of the second spherical with the Bucs’ first choose in 2022. Orhorhoro could possibly be drafted late within the second spherical, however received’t final previous the third spherical.
Bucs Greatest Wager – Rounds 4-7: Auburn DT Marcus Harris
Bucs basic supervisor Jason Licht is not any stranger to drafting Auburn defenders. He’s drafted cornerbacks Carlton Davis III (2018) and Jamel Dean (2019), along with center linebacker Okay.J. Britt (2021) from the Tigers protection. Harris is one other Bucs match resulting from his energy and quickness. He has heavy fingers that may punch and shed an offensive lineman rapidly so he can penetrate the backfield and make performs. Harris had a breakout yr at Auburn with 11 tackles for loss and 7 sacks as a senior. That led to his look within the Senior Bowl the place he had an ideal week and shined. Among the many QBs that Harris sacked final yr have been LSU’s Jayden Daniels and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe.
Harris is a Day 3 choice as a result of he’s undersized at 6-foot-2, 286 kilos. That’s the identical weight as Bucs defensive deal with Calijah Kancey and Harris is only one inch taller. However Harris ran a 5.06 within the 40-yard sprint whereas Kancey blazed a 4.57 time a yr in the past on the NFL Scouting Mix. But along with his enjoying energy and fast first step, Harris has some Kancey-like traits and could be an ideal slot in Tampa Bay. Equally adept at dashing the passer and stuffing the run, Harris could be a really perfect choose within the sixth spherical if he lasts that lengthy. The Bucs had an off-the-cuff interview with Harris on the NFL Scouting Mix.
