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There are not many more respected voices in the entire NFL Draft world than Mel Kiper Jr. He has given fans so many great moments and analysis over the years and has helped the draft become the spectacle it has become. Some 40 years later, Kiper Jr. is getting ready to wrap up this draft cycle after publishing his final mock draft.
Now, Mel Kiper Jr. does not do trades in his mocks, but he did at least go two rounds for everyone. For the Bucs, he seemed to focus on the defense, as he had the team taking two playmakers at key positions of need for Todd Bowles's defense. In round one, it was safety Nick Emmanwori, and then edge rusher Nic Scourton in round two.
He explains the Emmanwori pick writing, "Good luck throwing downfield on Tampa Bay with Emmanwori and Antoine Winfield Jr. locking down the third level. Emmanwori is a baller. He has the traits to make plays, picking off four passes last season. He has the speed and explosiveness to drive on the ball, running a 4.38-second 40-yard dash and jumping a ridiculous 43 inches in the vertical at the combine. . ."
The combination of Emmanwori and Winfield Jr. would be not just a headache for opposing offenses but a full-blown migraine. Having two rangy safeties with their size would be something that not many other teams can trot onto the field in 2025.
As for Nic Scourton, Kiper Jr. writes, "Tampa Bay tied for sixth in sacks last season (46), but Logan Hall was the only edge rusher with more than five ... with 5.5. Scourton didn't have as much sack production in 2024 (five) as he did at Purdue in 2023 (10), but the traits are there for him to bull-rush off the corner. And he's very good at setting the edge against the run."
The Purdue Boilermaker-turned-Texas A&M Aggie had a down year in the SEC from his Big Ten days. Scourton seemed to be held back, though, at times in 2024. If he lands with the Bucs, look for him to be unleashed alongside the likes of Haason Reddick, Yaya Diaby, and Calijah Kancey.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Who did the Bucs land in Mel Kiper's final 2025 NFL Mock Draft?
Continue reading...
Now, Mel Kiper Jr. does not do trades in his mocks, but he did at least go two rounds for everyone. For the Bucs, he seemed to focus on the defense, as he had the team taking two playmakers at key positions of need for Todd Bowles's defense. In round one, it was safety Nick Emmanwori, and then edge rusher Nic Scourton in round two.
He explains the Emmanwori pick writing, "Good luck throwing downfield on Tampa Bay with Emmanwori and Antoine Winfield Jr. locking down the third level. Emmanwori is a baller. He has the traits to make plays, picking off four passes last season. He has the speed and explosiveness to drive on the ball, running a 4.38-second 40-yard dash and jumping a ridiculous 43 inches in the vertical at the combine. . ."
The combination of Emmanwori and Winfield Jr. would be not just a headache for opposing offenses but a full-blown migraine. Having two rangy safeties with their size would be something that not many other teams can trot onto the field in 2025.
As for Nic Scourton, Kiper Jr. writes, "Tampa Bay tied for sixth in sacks last season (46), but Logan Hall was the only edge rusher with more than five ... with 5.5. Scourton didn't have as much sack production in 2024 (five) as he did at Purdue in 2023 (10), but the traits are there for him to bull-rush off the corner. And he's very good at setting the edge against the run."
The Purdue Boilermaker-turned-Texas A&M Aggie had a down year in the SEC from his Big Ten days. Scourton seemed to be held back, though, at times in 2024. If he lands with the Bucs, look for him to be unleashed alongside the likes of Haason Reddick, Yaya Diaby, and Calijah Kancey.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Who did the Bucs land in Mel Kiper's final 2025 NFL Mock Draft?
Continue reading...
