2 Potential Bucs Targets Who Could Boost Their Stock At The Combine

Let’s take a look at two potential Bucs targets who could really boost their stock in Indianapolis next week. Tampa Bay desperately needs a new starter at left guard. And with former second-round pick Logan Hall struggling to ascend as he enters his third season in Tampa, don’t rule out the Bucs drafting another defensive tackle, especially with 32-year old Will Gholston likely not returning.

K-State G Cooper Beebe Needs To Show Improved Athleticism At The Combine

The Bucs need a starting-caliber guard to replace the often ineffective duo of Matt Feiler and Aaron Stinnie from a year ago. Kansas State guard Cooper Beebe is a Day 2 prospect who could help. Beebe is a quality interior offensive lineman who is built with a very sturdy, thick frame. He has great play strength and a strong core that gives him an incredible anchor.

But there are questions about his ability to operate in space across two-planes. Here is what Keith Sanchez of the Draft Network had to say about Beebe in his writeup:

“The concern around Beebe’s skill set is lateral quickness and reactionary athleticism. In the run game, quicker defenders may be able to slip his blocks if they use speed and Beebe’s eagerness to get hands-on against him, which causes a balance issue for Beebe. In pass pro, Beebe appears to struggle with defenders who attack the gaps on either side of him. This forces Beebe to lunge at defenders and he loses his technique to properly block defenders. This can result in Beebe holding defenders or failing to make contact.”

Beebe played 734 snaps at left tackle as a sophomore before transitioning to his more natural position at guard as a junior where he logged 919 snaps at left guard and saw just 21 snaps at left tackle in a pinch.

As a senior, the 6-foot-4, 335-pound Beebe manned the left guard spot for 819 snaps, saw 19 snaps at left tackle and played 103 snaps at right tackle. His 83.9 Pro Football Focus grade made him the fourth-best guard in the nation. He has not graded below an 80 in any of the last three seasons, according to PFF.

Beebe opted out of the Senior Bowl to continue to work on his Combine training. K-State tight end and teammate Ben Sinnott said that Beebe has lost weight and has gotten in better shape. All eyes will be on Beebe’s agility testing at the Combine. If the unanimous first-team All-American can produce even decent 3-cone and short shuttle results he could solidify himself as a second-round pick.

Texas DT T’Vondre Sweat Needs A Good Weigh-In At The Combine

Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat is a mammoth human being who might make Vita Vea seem a little light in the pants. Displaying incredible power and a better than you might think pass rush arsenal. There is talk that he might join fellow Longhorn Byron Murphy as a first-round selection. The thing that’s currently holding him back? His weight.

Despite having a good week at the Senior Bowl, Sweat declined to weigh-in when they took body measurements.

He won’t be able to avoid it in Indianapolis, and there are rumors the 6-foot-4 behemoth has previously tipped the scales at over 400 pounds. If that happens at the Combine all talk of Sweat in the first round will go out the window and he may not even be considered in the second round. But if Sweat comes in at say 360-370 pounds with strong showings in the 40-yard dash and agility testing then his unique blend of size, strength and pass rush abilities may be too much for a team to pass up on day one of the Draft.

Despite logging just 45 tackles, eight tackles for loss and two sacks, Sweat was the Big XII Defensive Player of the Year. Why? Because he was so disruptive in the B gap that he teamed with Murphy to shut down any interior running game and he also logged 26 QB pressures and six batted balls at the line of scrimmage, including a game-winning pass breakup against K-State. Sweat earned a 91.7 PFF grade last year and was the No. 1-rated defensive tackle in college football as a result.

In the absence of actual football to watch, those who love the sport turn to any semblance of the game to fill their needs. The NFL Scouting Combine has become an annual spectator event that generates huge buzz. And inevitably you will see huge risers and fallers from the testing performed during the week-long event.

But behind that flash is a real, tangible utility that the process provides. And for some players one of the few opportunities once the college football season ends to prove to teams they are worthy of having a chance taken on them.