Bucs Pick Illinois D-Tackle Akeem Spence

April 27th, 2013

So the Bucs finally got their defensive tackle, Akeem Spence from Illinois.

Spence is a big dude with good hands and has a quick first step, which usually gives him a quick advantage over offensive linemen.

Spence also has good movement along the line and rarely gets worn out.

Seems to Joe this is guy will be a backup right away. Not sure how much pass rushing ability he provides the Bucs.

37 Responses to “Bucs Pick Illinois D-Tackle Akeem Spence”

  1. bucrightoff Says:

    Defintely needed this one. Take a LB or TE in the 5th.

  2. rrsrq Says:

    Thanks – let’s go

  3. Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:

    Sorry Apple, no cutting and pasting like that. That’s what Joe’s links are for. — Joe

  4. AtrainWd40 Says:

    Bucrightoff we have another 4th TE I think

  5. Bucs Fan #238 Says:

    What? BSPN and all my internet mock drafts rated higher Jesse Williams! Are you kidding me???

    🙂

    LMAO

  6. andres Says:

    @bucrightoff Bucs have another pick in the 4th whooooohoooo!

  7. Jared Says:

    What did they use in the trade?

  8. Oldguy Says:

    Looks like a solid pick. Filled an immediate need. Less worry about the rush now. Good one!

  9. FLBoyInDallas Says:

    From a Patriots scout:

    “Initially thought of as a potential first round pick at the start of the season, Spence didn’t have the season that many NFL Draft writers and Illinois fans were expecting. I was a little surprised to hear that he chose to declare, but it only takes one NFL team to fall in love with your potential.

    Spence improved a lot from when I scouted Illinois in person against Northwestern, where he struggled against double teams and lost energy as the game went on.

    When I scouted him against Arizona State this year, Spence was in better shape, had a better anchor and played with better pad discipline.

    At 6’1″ and 305 pounds, Spence wouldn’t really fit as a 5-technique defensive end, but he would be a natural fit as a disruptive player inside at either the 1-technique or 3-technique. He excels at shooting gaps, shedding single blocks and using his natural strength to get to the ball carrier.

    He totaled 72 tackles on the year, which is a fantastic figure for a defensive tackle, but a single sack during his junior season (3.5 career) shows some issues with his pass rush.

    If the Patriots, or another team is looking for an interior linemen with room to improve in the 3rd-5th round area, Spence is a player that could certainly develop into a quality NFL starter.”

  10. Sneedy16 Says:

    They can still get another DT, DE or LB with the 2nd 4th pick

  11. lurker Says:

    a 6th in the trade

  12. Sneedy16 Says:

    I like the picks. All I heard was complains about depth and now they are getting it.

  13. FLBoyInDallas Says:

    I would absolutely LOVE to see them draft William Gholston with their next 4th round pick. Built like a larger Jason Taylor and has explosive movement and change of direction. Would seriously upgrade our depth at DE.

  14. Kansasbuc Says:

    Looked at his game against Ohio State and the video on this post. THIS GUY SUCKS.

    He has not power moves and is usually get THROWN back or to the ground by offensive linemen

    . Not that great of a pick IMO

  15. Nate Says:

    This guy is Strong! is Mccoy can mentor him he could be very good..

  16. Macabee Says:

    Sorry guys, I understand the pick not the trade up. Nick Williams/Samford has more upside and probably a 5th round pick.

  17. Huey Freeman Says:

    Passrush? No. But he does replace Roy Miller.

  18. rhenry Says:

    He is just a fat boy to eat up blockers. LOL

  19. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    The rest of this draft is all about depth. If they wanted a starting OLB in this draft, they would have picked one with this pick.

    In 2-3 years this kid might be okay, but he’ll be benched the first 8 games and will spot play after that.

  20. Jacko101 Says:

    He is not fat he is all muscle and I love this pick True Buccaneer man. I’m actually excited going into the season TE, WR DE LB patch something up

  21. lurker Says:

    he is a run stuffer

  22. Jacko101 Says:

    Ok he has a little fat lol

  23. Richard Says:

    Why is it you say nothing but positive things about him, then completely write him off in the last paragraph?

  24. k_bassuka Says:

    This draft sucks, I really hope this guys become usable for us…

  25. 4everBucsFan Says:

    I’m with Mac, the pick was ok but the trade up baffles me. I don’t think there was any danger to wait another 10 picks. We unneccsesarily gave up a 6th rd. pick for no reason.

  26. kh Says:

    give it a rest armchair GMs

  27. Andrew 1 Says:

    @ 4everBucsFan

    we always do that. the bucs make it clear they arent going to wait around for a guy they want. they would rather lose a later pick than to miss out on a guy they want. it shows conviction on their part.

  28. Andrew 1 Says:

    and there goes Kasheem Greene…

  29. k_bassuka Says:

    @Andrew1

    They allegedly wanted Banks and didn’t traded up to get him…

  30. SensibleBuc Says:

    Anybody like Michael Williams from Alabama in this offense?

  31. Andrew 1 Says:

    @ k bassuka

    I know and I dont have an answer for that. they dont move up for every player but my guess is they where feeling the heat to get a DT and didnt want to take the chance of losing the one they wanted.

  32. Andrew 1 Says:

    maybe they had Banks ranked alot lower on their draft board then where they got him and conversely they Spence ranked alot higher on their draft board then where they get him so they decided to move up to get him.

  33. Oahubuc Says:

    A more agile version of Roy- which is a good thing.

  34. RemyBuc Says:

    If the goal is to put him at Nose Tackle, then his job is to eat up blocks and then clean up the run with lateral movement. If that’s the goal, then this is a great pick. Spence is strong and moves very well sideline to sideline. I like the pick.

  35. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Kevin Reddick 6’1″ 243 North Carolina?

  36. Daffy Buc Says:

    He will help keep the run d outstanding. Definitely faster than Miller, will be in the DT rotation with the veteran DT’s. He will make more tackles sideline to sideline than had we taken Williams. Good depth.

  37. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    YES we got William Gholston 6’6″ 281 Michigan St….Luv how this kid knocks down passes