Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Check out the top highlights from Tampa Bay Buccaneers third-round pick Jalen McMillan
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added another weapon for Baker Mayfield and the passing game Friday night, selecting Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan with the No. 92 overall selection in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft.
McMillan joins a wide receiver group that already features two of the NFL’s best in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, as well as last year’s rookie stud, Trey Palmer.
Watch the video above to see some of McMillan’s best plays from his college career.
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have selected Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have added yet another dynamic weapon for their passing game, spending the No. 92 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft on Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan.
A smooth, sharp route-runner who creates consistent separation, McMillan has the size and speed to beat opposing defenders in multiple ways. He can create yards after the catch with his explosiveness, and his strong hands ensure that few passes that go his way will end up on the ground.
The Bucs already have one of the NFL’s best receiver tandems in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and a big-play threat in Trey Palmer, but McMillan will give them even more quality depth in the receiver room, and long-term insurance beyond their veteran starters.
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Check out the top highlights from new Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added a hard-hitting playmaker for their defensive backfield Friday night, spending the No. 89 overall pick in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft on Georgia safety Tykee Smith.
Smith was a big-play machine for the Bulldogs throughout his career, and brings the versatility to line up at multiple spots in the secondary, which makes him a great fit for Todd Bowles’ defense.
Watch the video above to see some of Smith’s best plays from his college career.
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have selected Georgia safety Tykee Smith in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have added some depth to their secondary in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft, selecting Georgia safety Tykee Smith with the No. 89 overall pick.
Smith is a hard-hitting defender with the versatility to line up in the slot, as a deep safety, or down in the box. He’s a big-play machine who can create big plays in coverage, as well as get after the passer as an extra rusher in blitz packages.
The Bucs brought back Jordan Whitehead to pair with All-Pro Antoine Winfield Jr. on the back end of the defense, but they’ve learned that depth in the secondary is a must. Smith will give them that, with tons of playmaking upside.
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Breaking down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selection of Alabama edge defender Chris Braswell in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft
It’s no secret the Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed to upgrade their pass rush in the 2024 NFL draft, and they did just that with their first pick on Day 2, landing Alabama edge defender Chris Braswell with the No. 57 overall pick in the second round.
A five-star recruit coming out of high school, Braswell waited patiently for his time to shine in Tuscaloosa, and made the most of it when he was finally inserted into the starting lineup. He tallied eight sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss for the Crimson Tide last season, showing a knack for making splash plays in every phase of the game.
Braswell is a great overall athlete who can rush the passer with both speed and power, set a strong edge against the run, and even drop into coverage and make plays when the ball comes his way. All of those traits make him a perfect fit for Todd Bowles’ defense.
He should make an instant impact as a rotational player as a rookie, but he’ll have every chance to earn a full-time starting role in the long-term opposite Yaya Diaby. He’ll have competition from Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Anthony Nelson, but he’ll also be able to learn from an experienced veteran in Randy Gregory, whom the Bucs just signed in free agency.
This pick is a perfect match of need and value for the Bucs, with some upside to give them the pass-rushing juice they desperately need more of off the edge.
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Former Alabama defensive end Chris Braswell is now a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.
Former Alabama Crimson Tide football defensive end Chris Braswell has been selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft with the No. 57 pick.
Braswell had a strong 2023 season. Though he didn’t grab much of the spotlight, he put up respectable numbers. He recorded 42 total tackles, eight sacks, three forced fumbles and a defensive touchdown.
Braswell is a former five-star recruit who had to wait his turn in Tuscaloosa with the likes of Will Anderson Jr. and Dallas Turner roaming the edge of the Alabama defense.
Now Braswell will make his mark at the next level with the Bucs!
Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow other former Alabama football players who are looking to begin their professional careers through the 2024 NFL draft.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM.
Check out the top highlights from Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-round pick Chris Braswell
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added some juice to their pass rush Friday night, spending the No. 57 overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft on Alabama edge defender Chris Braswell.
Braswell is a versatile defender who can rush the passer with both speed and power, set a strong edge against the run, and even drop into coverage and make plays when the ball is in the air. Those skills will make him a perfect fit for Todd Bowles’ defense.
Watch the video above to see some of Braswell’s top highlights from last season.
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have selected Alabama edge defender Chris Braswell in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are adding to their pass rush, spending the No. 57 overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft on Alabama edge defender Chris Braswell.
A five-star recruit coming out of high school, Braswell finally got his chance to shine as a full-time starter for the Crimson Tide last season, putting up impressive numbers and making tons of big plays.
The Bucs desperately needed to improve their ability to get after opposing quarterbacks in this year’s draft, and Braswell has the athleticism, upside and versatility to be a perfect fit. He should slot in seamlessly to Todd Bowles’ defense, and make an immediate impact as a rotational player before becoming a full-time starter down the line.
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Tampa Bay gets a “B” grade for drafting Graham Barton.
The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone, and here we are examining how each team that had a first-rounder did.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton with the 26th overall pick, and in many ways, that pick is a perfect blend of need and upside for the Bucs at that spot.
Barton began his Blue Devils career at center in 2020 and then started 34 games at left tackle over the last three seasons of his collegiate career. His positional flexibility was alluring to many teams, but his work at the center appeals most to the Buccaneers.
USA Today handed out grades for every single first-round pick last night, and here’s what they decided for Tampa Bay.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Graham Barton, C, Duke – Grade: B
In an offseason that could have been a disaster for the Buccaneers, Jason Licht found a way to keep everything together. His solid effort extends to the draft, as Tampa Bay addressed its shaky interior with Barton. A left tackle for the last three seasons at Duke, the 6-5, 313-pounder exhibits the strength, smarts and smooth movements to slide back to the pivot, where he started his career with the Blue Devils. He should help lead the charge for improving a run game that averaged a league-worst 3.4 yards per carry in 2023.
Giving Tampa Bay a “B” for their efforts feels reasonable. The Bucs were in a tough spot because if they traded down, there was a chance Barton would not have made it past the Dallas Cowboys, who also coveted Barton’s versatility.
With Barton in the fold, he will likely take over for 2023 starter Robert Hainsey. Barton posted the highest RAS of any center since 1987. His athleticism at center is unprecedented. Quarterback Baker Mayfield, who just signed a three-year, 100 million dollar deal, will be thrilled to have this level of protection and football IQ protecting him up the middle.
One of the Bucs’ division rivals made the most shocking pick of the first round Thursday night
As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers waited to make their top selection in the 2024 NFL draft at No. 26 overall Thursday night, one of their division rivals delivered the biggest surprise of the first round.
The Atlanta Falcons spent the No. 8 overall pick on Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., despite having just signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a massive contract in free agency last month.
Speaking to the media after the Bucs picked Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton, general manager Jason Licht gave his thoughts on the Falcons’ shocking selection.
“I’m sure that they have their reason for it, which I can see,” Licht said. “It’s good long-term planning there. If you hit on him, you’ve got the future with you. I totally understood it. I didn’t think that it was a crazy move whatsoever. I thought somebody was going to probably do that with him.”
Penix was definitely one of the best quarterback prospects in this year’s draft, but he turns 24 years old next month, and has a long history of serious injuries from earlier in his career at Indiana. Drafting an older quarterback who has dealt with injuries in the past as a succession plan for a high-priced, 36-year-old veteran coming off a torn Achilles seemed like an odd decision by Atlanta.
Licht was clearly happy the Bucs got their man in Barton, and he might also be pleased that the Falcons’ top pick isn’t likely to make an immediate impact this season unless Cousins struggles or sustains another serious injury.
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