NFL Draft 2017: Buccaneers remaining needs and draft picks

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have added four players in the 2017 NFL draft so far, trading up into the end of the third round last night to pick Kendell Beckwith.

That trade cost them their fourth- and sixth-round picks, leaving them with just two draft picks on day three today: the 162nd overall pick in the fifth round, and the 237th overall pick in the seventh.

The Bucs did add a few really useful players. Tight end O.J. Howard should start immediately and give Dirk Koetter a lot of versatility in his scheming, while adding another explosive weapon for Jameis Winston. Chris Godwin should be a really solid second or third receiver, too.

Justin Evans’ immediate impact is a little more doubtful on defense, that depends on how quickly he can learn how to ehm...tackle. And Beckwith’s participation this year is in doubt entirely, as he’s recovering from an ACL injury and we don’t know how quickly he’ll recover.

The Bucs also have a few other needs they still need to address. Jason Licht emphasized that he’s confident in Doug Martin, but the lack of a running back in the first three (likely four) rounds does leave the Bucs with few options if Martin ends up struggling again. The lack of some defensive line depth is also a potential issue, and an edge rusher instead of Godwin would perhaps not have been a bad idea.

The Bucs have two more picks to address those holes, though, and a whole lot of undrafted free agents as well. Stick with us as we cover the rest of the draft today.

Buccaneers draft picks

Round 1: pick 19 (19th overall) - TE O.J. Howard, Alabama

Round 2: pick 18 (50th overall) - S Justin Evans, Texas A&M

Round 3: pick 20 (84th overall) - WR Chris Godwin, Penn State

Round 3: pick 43 (107th overall) - LB Kendell Beckwith, LSU

Round 4: pick 19 (125th overall) Traded to the Jets

Round 5: pick 18 (162nd overall)

Round 6: pick 20 (204th overall) Traded to the Jets

Round 7: pick 19 (237th overall)

2017 NFL Draft dates and times

Thursday, April 27 – 8:00 p.m. ET (Round 1 – 10 Minutes Per Pick)

Friday, April 28 – 7 p.m. ET (Round 2 – 7 Minutes, Round 3 – 5 Minutes Per Pick)

Saturday, April 29 – noon ET (Rounds 4-6 – 5 Minutes Per Pick, Round 7 - 4 Minutes Per Pick)