Bucs Senior Bowl Targets: Offense

As the top prospects gather in Mobile, Ala., for the Senior Bowl this week, the key decision-makers for the Bucs will evaluate the offensive side of the ball on nearly every level.

While the Bucs wait for quarterback Tom Brady to decide whether to play another season, they could look at taking another developmental guy in the middle to late rounds, if not sooner. It never hurts throwing darts at the most important position on the field, as the San Francisco 49ers just made it to the NFC Championship Game relying on Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy.

Running back is another direction the Bucs may steer toward. There are a talented group 0f backs participating in the Senior Bowl this week. From workhorses to versatile receiving threats out of the backfield, one could complement Rachaad White if Tampa Bay decides to move on from Leonard Fournette.

At both wide receiver and tight end, scouting the selection of weapons on display could help buoy an offense that lacked a high-end playmaker outside of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, who had their own struggles creating big plays at times as well.

Along the line, there could be big changes if the Bucs shift Tristan Wirfs to the blindside at left tackle. One could climb high up their draft board depending on how comfortable they are with the tackles they are evaluating.

With all this as context, here are some Senior Bowl targets for the Bucs on offense:

Quarterback

BYU QB Jaren Hall – 6-1, 205

Hall is an intriguing, toolsy quarterback who sat behind Zach Wilson at BYU before getting the starting job in 2021. Seen by some evaluators as someone who could climb into the first round with a strong campaign, Hall did not gain as much hype as Wilson did despite having a solid season (3,171 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, six interceptions).

What the Bucs will see from Hall is a signal-caller who can go through his progressions and utilize the play action to move the ball downfield. He can layer his passes well and keep plays alive by improvising. The Bucs lacked this element when the pocket collapsed, as an age-45 quarterback can only escape opposing pass rushers so much.

Houston QB Clayton Tune – 6-3, 215

A college teammate of Logan Hall, the Bucs’ top draft pick last April, Tune is another interesting flier to take a chance on. Tune wrapped up his college career with just under 12,000 passing yards (11,994) and threw for 40 touchdowns in 2022.

He has a strong arm with great pocket movement and can sense the pressure around him. He is seen as a Day 3 pick, so any investment in him would be minimal.

Shepherd QB Tyson Bagent – 6-3, 215

A late invite to the Senior Bowl, Bagent has the size and numbers to raise eyebrows this week. Over the past two seasons at D-II Shepherd, Bagent lit it up, and playing with a more advanced set of weapons could showcase his abilities further.

Bagent has a live arm and could sneak late into the draft. He has upside but would be eased in as a third-string quarterback.

Running Back

Georgia RB Kenny McIntosh – 6-1, 210

McIntosh comes from a long lineage of Georgia running backs that have made it known as “RBU” over the past decade. He could be the latest drafted and have immediate success while possibly playing under his college offensive coordinator.

He has an elusive burst off the line and another gear on the second level. He was a gadget guy in Todd Monken’s offense and had 43 receptions in 2022.

His quickness out of the backfield makes him an intriguing option. The only potential deterrent for the Bucs is that they may seek a little thunder instead of more lightning if Fournette is a cap causality and White takes the starting reins. That is where the next two backs come into play.

Texas RB Roschon Johnson 6-2, 223

One look at Roschon Johnson and you can tell he is a hard guy to bring down. College defenders had that problem throughout last season, as he averaged six yards per carry. What held him back from more shine was that his backfield mate, Bijan Robinson, is the type of back that only comes around every couple of years. This relegated Johnson to a backup role, which makes him a potential steal on Day 2 for the Bucs.

What catches the eye when watching him is his quick vision and athleticism. There were a couple of clips of him jumping over defenders and having the instinct to turn minimal gains into breakaways.

He also has a reputation for having high character and originally enrolled at Texas as a quarterback. Besides bringing the ground-and-pound element to Tampa Bay, he could also be a young leader in the locker room.

Illinois RB Chase Brown – 5-11, 200 

The play of Chase Brown and his brother Sydney at Illinois has an interesting parallel to some twin brothers that starred in the NFL in the 2000s as playmakers in two different backfields. One half of that tandem is a Bucs legend and Hall of Fame finalist.

That is not to say Chase and Sydney will be the next Ronde and Tiki Barber of the NFL. Still, they were two of the team’s best players at Illinois. In particular, Chase Brown was an absolute workhorse.

In 2022, Brown had 328 carries, 1,643 yards, and ten touchdowns. In his highlights, he showed an impressive ability as a young back to be patient while waiting for holes to develop and then making quick cuts to get yards. This would be valuable if the Bucs followed the philosophy of controlling the ball and balancing the run-and-pass game in 2023.

Like his twin brother, he has a late Day 2-early Day 3 draft grade but could impress with a strong Senior Bowl week.

Wide Receiver

SMU WR Rashee Rice – 6-3, 206

Standing at 6-foot-3, Rice has the size to go up and get it. Watching his highlights, he can get easy separation on his routes and would be a big target for whoever the quarterback is in 2023 to throw to.

While he is projected to be a second-round pick, there are some concerns with Rice. He had a big 2022 season (76-1355-10), but this was against weaker competition. As well as this, he may not have the breakaway speed to get past NFL defensive backs as easily as he did in college. These concerns can be alleviated with a big week in Mobile, and he could give the Bucs another option if they go elsewhere in the first round.

Ole Miss WR Jonathan Mingo – 6-2, 225

Even more than Rice, what pops out with Mingo is how he uses his catch radius. He can fully extend to make tough grabs and has no problem jumping to snag an errant throw in the air.

Mingo is a threat on all levels in the passing game, and what could appeal to the Bucs is being utilized in the screen game. Whether they choose to make it as big of a staple in the offense with offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich fired is another question, but Mingo proved at Ole Miss he can beat defenders in multiple ways.

Nebraska WR Trey Palmer – 6-1, 190

Palmer was part of one of the best receiving rooms in college football history at LSU. In 2019, he only had one catch for six yards as he sat behind Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase. After a quiet 2021 season, Palmer transferred to Nebraska and put himself on the map.

He demonstrated the ability to release quickly into his routes and make guys miss. His game against Purdue (7-237-2) in October was the best example of what he can bring as a deep-ball threat. As of now, he is a candidate to be taken in the mid-rounds.

Tight End

Oregon State TE Luke Musgrave – 6-6, 250

Before the Senior Bowl, many top prospects have an exclusive sit-down with The Draft Network to discuss some of their favorite players and what they hope to prove. Musgrave has a lot to prove after only playing in two games in 2022.

But perhaps the most interesting tidbit is one tight end he mentioned that he watched a lot of – a tight end who is currently on the Bucs.

Musgrave enters the draft process as one of the top tight end prospects, but also one with durability concerns. Besides the two games in 2022, he only hit the 10-game threshold in college once. Will his body hold up through the rigors of the NFL season?

One cannot miss his 6-foot-6 frame running when on the field. He keeps his body controlled, makes tough contested catches and has a high football IQ. This comes from having NFL bloodlines. His uncle, Bill, was a former player and has been an offensive coordinator for multiple teams.

If he slips in the draft, he is an option for the Bucs, which would make it easier for him to swap jerseys with Cade Otton.

In his Draft Network interview, Musgrave mentioned that he “[looks] up to Cade Otton a bunch too. I watched a lot of his film as I was coming up in college.”

He may have the chance to watch him up close if the Bucs target Musgrave as a second tight end or for two tight end sets.

Miami TE Will Mallory 6-5, 245

Mallory is another tight end to watch this week. He was a versatile option for the Hurricanes in 2022, as he lined up as a wide receiver at times in their offense.

When in space, Mallory can make guys miss and has the ability to be a receiving threat in the proper scheme. A big week could boost his stock as one of the top prospects in his position group.

Offensive Line

North Dakota State OT Cody Mauch – 6-6, 303

What is not to like about Mauch? Hailing out of North Dakota State, he is the definition of a tough midwest guy. He also brings a fun personality.

He uses his lean 6-foot-6 frame to fight through every play and knock guys to the ground. He is athletic enough to move in and play the guard position, although he may stay as a tackle when drafted.

Be on the lookout for him this week, as he may rise from a small-school player into being firmly in the first-round discussion.

Florida OG O’Cyrus Torrence – 6-5, 347

Torrence is regarded as the top guard prospect in the draft and is a mammoth in the run game. He is powerful, but if he does not keep his matchup in front of him, quicker defenders can blow right by him. To have a successful week, he must prove athletic enough to hold his own and not just plug a hole in the middle.

With three guards likely competing at left guard for the Bucs next season (Robert Hainsey, Nick Leverett and Luke Goedeke) and Shaq Mason holding down right guard, Torrence might only be a target if he slips in the draft.

Ohio State OT Dawand Jones – 6-8, 360

Talk about a BIG guy. Jones measured in with the longest wingspan measured at the Senior Bowl. He would make for a bookend tackle for the Bucs at either left or right tackle, but his home might be staying at right tackle.

He still needs to develop, but has the rare physical tools to be molded into a long-term starter if he reaches the Bucs in the second round.

 

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