2018 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting every first round selection

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ranked dead last in passing yards allowed last season. They’ve spent two top-50 picks over the past two drafts to select Vernon Hargreaves and Justin Evans, but there is more work to do. This year’s draft has plenty of depth at quarterback and in the trenches making it entirely possible that the Bucs will have their pick from every defensive player when their spot comes up in the first round.

Alabama do-everything defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick should be the easy, obvious choice. The All-American, two-time national champion has played everywhere in the defensive backfield and could fill multiple roles at the next level. Someone like Fitzpatrick would give defensive coordinator Mike Smith plenty of flexibility in the coming seasons.

Fitzpatrick dazzled in the final game of his career, stiffing Jake Fromm and the Georgia passing attack. Fitzpatrick played 33 coverage snaps against the Bulldogs and allowed three catches and 10 receiving yards. He’s the kind of player that the Bucs can plug in wherever they need him and see instant results. Most of his action in 2017 came in the slot, which was a big gap for the Bucs in 2017.