© Matt Stone/The Courier Journal / USA
PFF Picks Best Fits For Buccaneers Day 2 and Day 3 Draft Picks
Could the Bucs target these two players after the first round of the NFL Draft?
The first round of the NFL Draft is always the big one to watch — it involves the best prospects in the nation, after all, and most players picked there will hop right into a starting role their rookie year. But teams aren't just built from there, and the later rounds of the draft can be just as important.
Pro Football Focus recently released a series of articles on the best Day 2 and Day 3 fits for each NFL team. Natrually, that includes the Buccaneers, and the publication had fits for two positions of need in Tampa Bay. Their Day 2 fit was Kentucky running back Ray Davis, while their Day 3 fit was UCLA edge rusher Grayson Murphy.
Here is what writer Dalton Wasserman had to say about Davis' match with the Bucs:
"Rachaad White has played reasonably well during his first two years in Tampa Bay, but he profiles as more of a committee option. New offensive coordinator Liam Coen could lobby for the team to draft Kentucky’s Ray Davis, whom Coen coached during his time there. Davis was one of the best backs in the country despite running behind a subpar offensive line. The contrast between White and Davis would be a nice pairing in the Buccaneers’ backfield."
The relationship with Coen is indeed a big one for Davis, who could reunite with his old offensive coordinator at the highest level. Davis has certainly impressed at Kentucky, rushing for 1,129 yards and 14 touchdowns during his 2023 campaign.
Meanwhile, writer Gordon McGuiness thought that UCLA's Grayson Murphy could bring some athleticism to Tampa Bay's defensive line.
"While he is a little on the small side, Murphy showed he is a good athlete in pre-draft workouts this offseason. Coupled with a solid college career that saw him win 14.8% of his pass-rush reps last season, that athleticism is enough to give him a shot at developing in the NFL."
Tampa Bay could also definitely use some help on the defensive line, and edge rusher will be a big need. Last year, Murphy netted five sacks and two forced fumbles for the Bruins.
It's hard to tell just what general manager Jason Licht is thinking, but we'll be able to know what he's thinking after Round 1 of the NFL Draft when Day 2 begins on April 26 and the Day 3 begins on April 27.
Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the offseason.
