Bucs reportedly did not have Josh Allen that high on their draft board

When the Buccaneers were set to select a player with the fifth pick of the draft last week, Kentucky edge rusher Josh Allen was still available. However, his name was never called by Tampa Bay.

Many wondered how such a talented pass rusher could not be picked by the Bucs when they have struggled so much in that department.

Well, the answer to that was written on their draft boards. Scott Reynolds of Pewter Report states that not only was LSU linebacker Devin White the selection all along, Allen still may not have been the pick at No. 5 and they would have likely drafted another edge rusher ahead of the Kentucky product.

The Bucs liked Kentucky edge rusher Josh Allen, but I don’t know that he would have necessarily been the pick at No. 5 if White had been drafted by Oakland at No. 4. Tampa Bay had an awfully high grade on Mississippi State defensive end Montez Sweat, who is faster, more athletic and plays the run better than Allen does, in addition to having back-to-back years of double-digit sacks.

Reynolds would add later that there was clear separation on the Bucs’ board between White, Sweat, and Allen. He also stated Sweat was more liked than Allen and Houston defensive lineman Ed Oliver.

The Buccaneers have a potential stud at linebacker with White. The fifth pick was an easy one to make considering what the team wants to do on defense.

Hopefully we can all move on now from the disbelief of passing on Allen.