With The First Pick
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: In-Depth 2017 NFL Draft Review

By Jon Dove

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Mike Fafaul (12) is pressured by USC Trojans defensive tackle Stevie Tu’ikolovatu (96) in the second quarter of the game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Mike Fafaul (12) is pressured by USC Trojans defensive tackle Stevie Tu’ikolovatu (96) in the second quarter of the game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Sleeper

Over the years the NFL has evolved to a point where everything is about the quarterback. Teams covet that elite signal caller, weapons to help the quarterback and defenders capable of generating pressure. This has lowered the value on space-eaters like Stevie Tu’Ikolovatu.

However, the league still needs players capable of dominating the line of scrimmage and stuffing the run. Tu’Ikolovatu may not generate pressure on the quarterback, but he will make it difficult for offenses to establish a running game.

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Tampa Bay is going to make use of his skill set—even if it’s only for a few snaps a game. However, they will be thankful he’s on the roster when they need a stop in key short-yardage situations. The linebacker corps wouldn’t object to having someone like Tu’Ikolovatu in the trenches.

He’s the type of big-bodied defender who can occupy blockers and allow the linebackers to freely flow to the football. Tampa Bay has smaller linebackers like Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander who would benefit from Tu’Ikolovatu’s presence.

Tu’Ikolovatu will work behind Gerald McCoy, Chris Baker and Clinton McDonald. This isn’t a ton of depth which means Tu’Ikolovatu is just an injury or two away from getting more opportunities.

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