By trading down five spots in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday, the Buccaneers picked up two valuable second-round picks on Friday night, which were both used to shore up a perceived weakness - the secondary.
The team selected North Carolina CB M.J. Stewart with the 53rd overall pick. The 1st Team All-ACC performer in 2017 is the Tarheels' all-time leader in pass breakups and could fight for a starting spot, with his main competition coming from 2016 first-round pick Vernon Hargreaves.
Considered more quick than fast (4.54 seconds in the 40), Stewart should provide more physicality in the secondary.
Initially the Buccaneers were slated to pick 56th overall as well, but a trade with the Patriots allowed the Bucs to move down just seven spots to 63rd overall while adding to their draft pick cache with the 117th overall pick in the fourth round.
In what could be considered a mild surprise, the Buccaneers again selected a cornerback, this time Carlton Davis from Auburn. The Miami native earned 1st Team All-American honors from SI.com and was a 1st Team All-SEC performer in 2017.
He finished his Auburn career with 138 tackles and three interceptions and much like Stewart is considered a physical corner who plays well in press coverage.
Both cornerbacks come with some off-field baggage though. Stewart was suspended by North Carolina (along with former UCF CB Mike Hughes) in 2015 for a violation of team rules, while Davis was arrested along with three Auburn teammates in July of 2016 on misdemeanor marijuana charges.
BUCS 2018 NFL DRAFT PICKS
- Round 1 (12): Vita Vea, DT (Washington)
- Round 2 (38): Ronald Jones II, RB (USC)
- Round 2 (53): M.J. Stewart, CB (North Carolina)
- Round 2 (63): Carlton Davis, CB (Auburn)
- Round 3 (94): Alex Cappa, OL (Humboldt State)
- Round 4 (117): Jordan Whitehead, S (Pittsburgh)
- Round 5 (144): Justin Watson, WR (Pennsylvania)
- Round 6 (202): Jack Cichy, LB (Wisconsin)