Re-drafting the 2017 NFL Draft

In the 2017 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers selected tight end O.J. Howard out of Alabama. The pick didn’t come with many warm feelings, but it wasn’t a bad pick at the time necessarily. But was it the pick the right pick?

Howard has played in 38 games since 2017. He has caught 94 passes for 1,456 yards and 12 touchdowns. Coming out of college, he was looked at as a tight end who can give linebackers problems in the passing game due to his route running ability and speed against slower linebackers. He has shown some of that flash, however, he has struggled to hold on to the football and hasn’t had the sure hands he had during his career in Alabama.

Tampa Bay desperately needed a running game, and still do. During the first round of the 2017 draft, many felt the selection of a running back was coming when the 19th pick rolled around. It never happened. So for the sake of re-drafting the 2017 draft, Bucs Nation selects Florida State running back Dalvin Cook with pick No. 19.

Cook has averaged 4.6 yards per carry since coming into the league. After playing only in four games his rookie season due to injury, the former Seminole rushed for 1,750 yards the last two seasons, recording 13 touchdowns in 2019. Cook has also recorded 8.8 yards per catch out of the backfield.

Alvin Kamara was taken a few spots ahead of Bucs Nation during the re-draft of 2017, for those with inquiring minds.

SB Nation will release the full list of the first round. Once they do, we’ll have it posted right here on Bucs Nation.

(Note: James Yarcho would approve the selection of Cook.)