ESPN's top two draft analysts are holding a live mock draft right now, and they just finished the top ten with one surprising result: Jack Conklin goes ahead of Ronnie Stanley, but behind Laremy Tunsil. That's an uncommon shuffling of the tackles, where Tunsil and Stanley have been the top two picks for nearly the entire offseason. They have the Bucs pick Stanley at number nine, because people don't have a clue what else to do with the Bucs -- and maybe they're just bored of mocking Vernon Hargreaves to them.
10 picks in.
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 21, 2016
Ravens - Ramsey
49ers - Conklin
Browns - Buckner
Buccaneers - Stanley
Giants - Elliott#MelToddMock pic.twitter.com/ZM16Pci1Un
Contrast that with Louis Riddick's mock, who also has Conklin as the second tackle of the board. He flipped Tunsil and Stanley, though, which means there's a lot of uncertainty about these players this close to the draft. Riddick's always fascinating. He's a former NFL scout, and his evaluations tend to diverge from most of the draftnik consensus.
Here it is. #MockDraft1.Only pic.twitter.com/VnidikNa3e
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) April 21, 2016
Riddick has the Bucs taking Leonard Floyd instead, which is actually a very interesting pick. Floyd is such a weird prospect, with a body frame that is nearly unprecedented, and no real standout play at any one position. His big selling point is versatility, but in Tampa he'd likely be a pass-rush specialist. Floyd shows special burst and speed up the field at times, but he struggles to redirect toward the cornerback after running past a tackle, has no counter moves, shows no power and struggles to set the edge against the run.
In that sense, he's a little reminiscent of a less-polished of the late Gaines Adams. Yes: less-polished than a player who ultimately busted because of a lack of polish. That's not necessarily what you want at number nine, but there's one thing you can say for Floyd: if he can develop counters, hand use and power, he does have a very high ceiling. That's a big if -- which is why Stephen White doesn't really see how he's going to be a high first-round pick, either.
At least he's not a tackle, though.