Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2014 NFL Draft Review

May 12, 2014 - 7:37 PM (SportsNetwork.com) -

1 (7) - Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M; 2 (38) - Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington; 3 (69) - Charles Sims, RB, West Virginia; 5 (143) - Kadeem Edwards, OG, Tennessee State; 5 (149) - Kevin Pamphile, OT, Purdue; 6 (185) - Robert Herron, WR, Wyoming

Top Picks Analysis: Pre-draft hype centering on the Bucs' interest in Johnny Manziel proved to be just that as Tampa Bay stayed home at No. 7 overall and took Manziel's teammate at Texas A&M, lengthy wide receiver Mike Evans.

The 6-foot-5 Evans has elite ball skills but must improve his route running and versatility (he only lined up on the right side in College Station) to become an all-around player.

"He's what today's wide receiver is all about, with the advent of back- shoulder fade, and with big wide receivers playing outside the numbers and in the red zone," NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said when discussing Evans. "The buzz word is catching radius. When paired with Vincent Jackson it's going to be like basketball on grass (in Tampa)."

Evans certainly could team with Jackson to give new Bucs QB Josh McCown a similar set-up to what he had in Chicago last season (Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery).

Tampa Bay got more help for McCown by selecting Washington tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins in the second round, and West Virginia running back Charles Sims in the third.

Best Value Pick: Seferian-Jenkins is a bit of a dinosaur, a true two-way tight end with terrific movement skills and receiving ability for a big man, along with the ability be an effective in-line blocker thanks to his size and strength.

"He has big hands. He's a big target, and can run all the routes you want," NFL Network draft analyst Charles Davis said. "(He) is also a terror in the red zone."

Questionable Calls: Sims projects as a third-down back because he has pretty impressive natural receiving skills but his blocking is a big question mark and that's pretty important if you want to be on the field in obvious passing situations.

Summary: Tampa Bay passed on a chance to upgrade the long-term quarterback position but managed to select the draft's second-best receiver, Evans, as well as the second or third best tight end in Seferian-Jenkins.

FINAL GRADE: B

Undrafted rookie free agent signings: WR Solomon Patton, Florida; QB Brett Smith, Wyoming; CB Keith Lewis, Virginia-Lynchburg; DE Chaz Sutton, South Carolina; WR Aaron Burks, Boise State; WR Tony Hurd Jr., Texas A&M; OL Matt Patchan, Boston College; S Mycal Swaim, Eastern Michigan; OG Chris Burnette, Georgia