Buccaneers 2011 Draft Picks: Tampa Bay Takes Allen Bradford in the Sixth Round

With the 187th overall pick of the 2011 draft the Buccaneers have selected Allen Bradford, Running Back out of USC. Bradford is a really big RB at 5'11", 242 lbs. It seems the Buccaneers have taken a liking to huge runners as they already have Legarrette Blount and Kregg Lumpkin on the roster. Bradford is a thumping downhill running back who will do a great job in short yardage situations, which was a problem area for the Bucs last season. He doesn't have top-end speed and is not an elusive runner in the open field, not a good pass-catcher and not a good pass-blocker, though he certainly has the frame to be one. There's also a chance that the Bucs move him to fullback, as he played some at that position at USC.

This is a pick I really don't like, though. This guy seems identical to Kregg Lumpkin, and the Bucs needed a third-down back - which Bradford isn't. He'll be valuable as a short-yardage back and maybe as a guy who can get some consistent yardage on early downs, but I really don't see him adding much to the offense.

Interestingly, he's the first player drafted by the Bucs this year who isn't a team captain.