Potential First-Round Draft Selections for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Defense
As described in my previous article, Potential First Round Draft Selections for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Offense, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to prioritize the trenches early on in this year's draft.
I stand by that prediction, but which side of the ball the team will address first isn't as clear.
Just like the Bucs need to address the offensive tackle position, the team also needs to add at least one talented pass-rushing prospect in the draft, which is most likely to come in the form of an edge rusher. Although the more glaring need may be at offensive tackle, depending on how the first round shakes out, there's a very real possibility that when the Bucs are on the clock, the highest-rated player on their board is a defensive player.
So let's dive into some of the defensive prospects that I think are in play to be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first selection of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Nolan Smith | Edge | Georgia
Smith is one of my favorite prospects in the draft. Although he is undersized compared to the prototypical standards of an NFL edge rushing prospect, his explosive athleticism, versatility, and relentless motor make him a unique defensive weapon. Listed at 6'3", 235 pounds, Smith is more of a Lamborghini than he is a Mack truck. Although he missed some time at Georgia due to injury, his explosive athleticism jumps out on tape. His absurd 4.39 forty-yard dash at the NFL combine tells you all you need to know about his speed. Smith has all the intangibles too, with a high football IQ, and experience operating as the leader of the Georgia Bulldogs' dominant defense.
It's unlikely that Smith would fall all the way to 19, but the Buccaneers have done their due diligence, having brought Smith in for one of their top 30 visits. Whether they would have to move up to get him, or he were to fall into their lap, stranger things have happened... and Nolan Smith is clearly on the Bucs' radar. I can assure you that Todd Bowles would unleash his creativity, and find a way to get Smith on the field early and often during his rookie season, attempting to utilize Smith as the swiss army knife he has the potential to become.
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Lukas Van Ness | Edge | Iowa
Similar to Smith, there's a high probability that Lukas Van Ness will be gone by the time the Buccaneers make their first pick. But they did bring him in for a top 30 visit, and if he's there, he'll be under serious consideration by Jason Licht and his staff. Due to Kirk Ferentz's unwavering commitment to starting Senior players at Iowa, Van Ness wasn't actually a starter on the Hawkeyes' juggernaut defense. Still, Van Ness found a way to be incredibly productive over the past two seasons (13.5 sacks, 19.5 TFL), while at the same time, displaying an assortment of physical traits that are expected to translate seamlessly to the next level. Van Ness has an impressive get-off, he's naturally powerful, has great length, and experience rushing from the edge and the interior.
The selection of Van Ness would compliment to the Bucs' edge rushing tandem of Shaquil Barrett, who's still working his way back from a torn achilles, and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, a player whose production hasn't yet lived up to expectations. Van Ness' ability to kick inside in sub-packages would also provide the team with a more diverse arsenal to work with along their defensive line.
Myles Murphy | Edge | Clemson
Myles Murphy is an interesting player. Once talked about as a potential top 5 pick — amidst the likes of Will Anderson and Bryce Young — we've seen his [perceived] stock decrease since the early stages of the draft prediction process. The former Clemson star, and once a five-star recruit, has an array of enticing NFL-ready traits that are appealing. At 6'5", 271 pounds, Murphy ran an impressive 4.53 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. He also has great length to pair with his burst, speed, and balance. He's very dependable, having played in all 38 games during his career (with the exception of his bowl game opt-out last year). He's an excellent tackler, who defends the run and finishes plays with aggression and ferocity.
Like Van Ness, Murphy could also be utilized from the interior for the Buccaneers, making him a potential contributor from various alignments within Todd Bowles' scheme. If all of the top offensive tackles, and both Nolan Smith and Lukas Van Ness are off the board, I could see Murphy being the player the Buccaneers select with their first pick in the draft, should he still be available.
Will McDonald IV | Edge | Iowa State
Will McDonald IV is more comparable to Nolan Smith than he is to either Murphy or Van Ness. He's a leaner build, listed at 245 pounds, but is a quick-twitch athlete with a bendy, flexible approach to pursuing the quarterback. He has a knack for getting a great jump off the snap of the ball, and he uses his length with great effectiveness when it comes to finishing tackles in the backfield. McDonald was extremely productive at Iowa State, where in just two years as a starter, he became the school's all-time leader in sacks (34) — which is also tied for the most in the history of the Big 12 conference.
Will McDonald IV is a fringe first-round prospect. Chances are, he will be available when Roger Goodell takes the podium with the Buccaneers' pick in his hand. I do question whether or not Jason Licht would be eager to invest in another 'speed rusher' type of player, especially with Shaquil Barrett and JTS already on the roster. But if the Buccaneers' decision-makers believe McDonald has what it takes to become a star, then they shouldn't think twice.
Brian Branch | S | Alabama
The one player who doesn't regularly line up along the line of scrimmage that I could see the Buccaneers considering with their first pick is safety, Brian Branch, of Alabama. His size and athleticism won't blow anyone away, but his steady production, discipline, versatility, and high football IQ will. Branch was the undisputed leader of Alabama's secondary, and they looked like a different football team when he wasn't in the lineup. His ability to excel at the nickel corner position should make him very appealing to the Buccaneers, who will need competent play at that spot if they plan to assemble a complete secondary for next season. Branch's ability to man-up with different types of receivers, control his areas when in zone, support the run, and blitz, make him the best safety prospect in this class by a significant margin.
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I would be shocked if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers don't look to draft a corner or safety prospect with the vision of him being developed as a nickel corner. Should the Bucs find themselves in a position where they aren't satisfied with the tackles, pass rushers, or tight ends on the board, I could see a scenario where they go ahead and select the one player they're confident can start at the nickel corner position in week 1 of 2023, and that player is Brian Branch.
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