clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

2011 NFL Draft Recap: A Strong Defensive Haul For The Bucs

In the final round of the 2011 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers added some tight end depth and high-upside cornerback. With their two 7th round picks, the Bucs selected FIU defensive back Anthony Gaitor and Idaho TE Greg Hardy.

The Bucs Nation community has largely graded the Bucs draft with a B score, impressed especially with the high-quality defenders taken early. For a Bucs team on the rise, the 2011 Draft does nothing to slow their momentum.

Sander from Bucs Nation has compiled a list of the Bucs picks from days 1, 2, and 3, including some grades and thoughts:

Round Pick Overall Player Grade and analysis
1 20 20 DE Adrian Clayborn, Iowa Grade: B+. A physical, violent defensive end he adds some attitude to the Bucs defense, but pass rush is questionable.
2 19 51 DE Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson Grade: A. Bowers dropped because of injury concerns, but the Bucs should still get at least 5 years of top-5 play out of him
3 20 84 LB Mason Foster, Washington Grade: A. Foster is a powerful, downhill linebacker who can play all 3 positions
4 7 104 TE Luke Stocker, Tennessee Grade: C. Stocker will add versatility to the Bucs offense, but they gave up two fourth-rounders to draft him.
5 20 151 S Ahmad Black, Florida Grade: C. Black is small and slow but a natural football player who could develop into a good slot defender. I think he was selected too high.
6 22 187 RB Allen Bradford, USC Grade: D. Bradford is a huge, hard runner who will do good work in short-yardage situations, but I don't see what else he brings to the offense.
7 19 222 CB Anthony Gaitor, Florida International Grade: B A small, feisty cornerback who could come in and play as a dime back. Won't play outside, but could be good as a slot defender
7 35 238 TE Greg Hardy, Idaho Grade: D. A receiving tight end who will be a backup third-down TE at best.

Photographs by cstreet.us, thelastminute, turtlemom nancy , fesek, kthypryn, justinwright, sue_elias, pointnshoot, and scrapstothefuture used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.