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2019 NFL Mock Draft: How high will Kyler Murray go in projected first round?

By John Mitchell

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners walks off the field after the game against the Army Black Knights at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Black Knights 28-21 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners walks off the field after the game against the Army Black Knights at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Black Knights 28-21 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images /

48. . CB. LSU. Greedy Williams. 5. player

Tampa Bay finished the regular season with the league’s worst defense according to DVOA, and their leaky secondary was a major reason why. The Bucs ranked 26th in the NFL in pass defense, giving up a league-worst 8.2 yards-per-attempt.

Improvements in the secondary will be a big priority for new head coach Bruce Arians as he looks to end Tampa’s 11-year postseason drought.

LSU’s Greedy Williams is the top corner in this draft class and would provide an immediate upgrade. Williams burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman for the Tigers in 2017 by picking off six passes. His numbers were down in 2018 with just two picks, but that had more to do with quarterbacks ignoring his side of the field more than a regression on his part. Williams is the latest in a long line of elite defensive backs coming out of Baton Rouge.

With Jonah Williams still on the board in this scenario, Arians would likely be given pause when it comes time to make this pick. Greedy has made sense for the longest, but Tampa Bay needs help up front on their offensive line to help Jameis Winston as well as improving a running game that was among the worst in the NFL this season.

Alabama’s Williams will be vetted considerably, but I still lean toward the Bucs grabbing LSU’s Williams with this pick with defensive improvements being the top priority for Arians as he looks to rebuild Tampa Bay.

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