Different ways to view the Bucs’ 2023 draft

by Gary Shelton on April 30, 2023

in general

Sunday, 2 a.m.

They are younger. They are faster. They have fewer teeth.

But are the Tampa Bay Bucs better?

The Bucs finished off their draft Saturday afternoon. bringing in players who will attempt to provide answers and answer questions at the same time.



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It was also a draft that put several players on notice.

By now, you have heard what the television announcers said about these prospects.

But what about other views?

If you are Todd Bowles, you have seen your team draft five new faces. It’s a start.

If you are Logan Hall, someone is shouting for you to get into the weight room after your invisible rookie season. The Bucs picked defensive tackle Calijay Kansey, who immediately went ahead of Hall on the depth chart, Unless he wants to be his generation's Brian Price, he needs to get to work.

If you are Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, well, ditto. The Bucs' pick of YaYa Diaby was an evaluation of his lack of impact over two years.

If you are Shaq Barrett, you have insurance in case you can't come back from your injury as fast as you want. Still, a little healing would be nice.

If you are Dennis Allen, there is no reason to believe your Saints don't have the best roster in the NFC South.

If You are Donovan Smith, you're waiting for the phone to ring. Yeah, the Bucs cut you. But they didn't get the tackle they wanted in the draft. Might they keep you on speed dial? Sure, the Bucs are talking about how tackle is the natural position of Luke Goedeke, but Goedeke has his own issues after last year.

If you are Leon Spinks, you are making fun of Cody Mauch's smile.

If you are Lavonte David, you have a new student following you around in fifth-round pick SirVocea Dennis, who will be following you like a puppy during training camp. Dennis is undersized, but he was productive. If mouthing else, he'll be a decent special teamer.

If you are Frank Reich, you can believe that your Carolina team will compete for the NFC South just as soon as Bryce Young grows up.

If you are Baker Mayfield/Kyle Trask, you're going to like the possibilities of fifth-rounder Payne Durham, who will join a young tight end class.

If you are Josh Hayes, you hope you can make a roster on special teams and work your way into some play at the nickel.

If you are Keith Armstrong, you like the clay that is Trey Palmer, a fast receiver who can return kicks and get into rotational play as a receiver. In other words, after Jalen Darden, the hope is that this time, the Bucs got it right.

If you are Atlanta coach Arthur Smith, you are allowed to believe that your team can contend in the NFC South by running the ball. But not many teams who rely on running the ball get very far these days.

If you are Jose Ramirez, your future is on special teams.

If you are the Bucs, you can believe you can still compete if your quarterback holds up. But does anyone else believe that?

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