Buccaneers draft picks 2015: fullback Dan Vitale goes in the sixth round

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have picked Northwestern fullback Dan Vitale with the 22nd pick in the sixth round, their second sixth-round pick of the day.

The Bucs had been talking about wanting to add a fullback the entire offseason, with none on the roster currently. The 6'1", 239 lbs. Vitale played a "superback" position at Northwestern, a sort of hybrid slot receiver, H-back, fullback spot. He's not just a blocker: Vitale has 135 catches for 1,427 yards with 11 touchdowns in his career. Northwestern would regularly split him out and line him up in the slot. Curiously, he almost never ran the ball.

Vitale should give the Bucs a bit of a boost in the running game, and some versatility in the passing game as well -- he could turn into an interesting schematic weapon, as he'd function equally well in pass-heavy and run-heavy formations.

Earlier today, the Bucs selected North Carolina Central cornerback Ryan Smith in the fourth round, both as a special teams specialist and to upgrade their secondary. He might be converted to safety -- we'll have to wait and see what the team says later today. They also added UCLA tackle Caleb Benenoch as a backup lineman, and Oklahoma linebacker Devante Bond, a special teamer and possibly an eventual strongside starter.

That's it for the 2016 Buccaneers draft class. They'll move on to putting together a group of undrafted free agents

Buccaneers 2016 draft picks

Round 1: pick 9 (9th overall): Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida

Round 2: pick 8 (39th overall): Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky

Round 2: pick 28 (59th overall): Roberto Aguayo, K, Florida State

Round 4: pick 10 (108th overall): Ryan Smith, CB, North Carolina Central

Round 5: pick 9 (148th overall): Caleb Benenoch, T, UCLA

Round 6: pick 8 (183rd overall): Devante Bond, LB, Oklahoma

Round 6: pick 22 (197th overall, from Washington): Dan Vitale, FB, Northwestern