Draft time is here! It’s the time of year that lots of smart people are studying tape and creating mock drafts. I wanted to look at a few players the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should have their eyes on at the combine. The 2019 draft is a deep one when it comes to defensive players. Here are a few names to watch out for during the combine.

Quinnen Williams

Williams has been called the best interior defensive linemen in this year’s draft. At six-foot three inches and 285lbs he was a disruptive player at the University of Alabama. In two seasons with the Crimson Tide, Williams racked up 91 tackles, 26 for loss and 10 sacks. Gap penetration has become his best skill. His first step quickness allows for wedging down and slanting across a blockers face. As a pass rusher, Williams knows how to attack blocks and can string together moves with excellent timing and control. Williams may not have elite length but checks all the boxes in size and athleticism. Even with Gerald Mccoy staying, the Bucs could plan for the future with a guy like Williams

Amani Oruwayire

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to shore up the secondary and Amani Oruwariye would fit into a more aggressive defense scheme well. Oruwariye has flown under the radar but has had a productive career at Penn State University. Oruwariye finished his career with 106 tackles, eight interceptions and 20 passes defended. At six-foot one inches, he plays up to his stature in coverage. Amani does an excellent job of trusting his technique and landmarks in coverage. He’s a strong asset vs. the run and shows pretty good head up tacking skills. Amani shows great traits in his back pedal and when able to get his hands on a receiver, he does well to re-route them. He has the upside to start early in his career and emerge as a playmaker.

Tytus Howard

One of the biggest unknown talents in this year’s draft, Howard is a six-foot five-inches and 311 lbs. Howard played his college ball at Alabama State University. Coming out of high school Howard was recruited as a tight end, but once he got to college, was converted to offensive tackle where he started all four years. Perhaps his biggest strength is his ability to adapt and learn on the fly as he battles defenders. In a game this past season Howard put his talents on display versus the Auburn Tigers, giving him a taste of the speed that the game will be played on at the next level. During that game, Howard struggled early, but quickly adjusted to the speed and power of a SEC defense. After a great week at the Senior Bowl, Howard is expected to be one of the first non-FBS player taken in this year’s draft.

This is just a few of the players, in my opinion, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should take a closer look at while at the combine this year. The players on this list would fit into any scheme and I think, will all have long careers in the National Football League. I am looking forward to watching each of the players go to the combine and chase their dreams, perhaps even, in pewter and red.