Anthony Nelson In Big-Athlete, Big-Project Mold

April 27th, 2019

Your 4th round pick

At 6-7, 271 pounds, the Buccaneers’ fourth-round pick is a manbeast athlete known for plenty of power, quickness and a gameday hunger.

But he’s raw, which is why Iowa defensive end Anthony Nelson lasted until Round 4 in a league that values pass rushers in a big way (well, at least most teams).

His 17 sacks over the past two seasons in the Big 10 are nothing to sneeze at, though, and Joe finds it a little funny that scouting guru Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compared him to Carl Nassib.

Hey, early in Round 4 is where good teams sometimes find pass-rusher gems that just need time to develop. With Nassib in a contract year, Nelson could be a growth piece the Bucs arriving at the right time.

Joe’s curious to learn more about Nelson’s special teams abilities. Often the really big DEs aren’t versatile on special teams.

13 Responses to “Anthony Nelson In Big-Athlete, Big-Project Mold”

  1. Bird Says:

    He is raw cause he came out early too

    Good flyer by bucs

    He is true Dlineman 3 -4 end. Not rushing linebacker.
    Big dude that will get bigger and stronger

    Will ghoston probably expendable now but not huge cap savings

  2. SKBucsFan Says:

    Good depth pick. I like the long arm guys on the defensive line.

  3. SteveK Says:

    I like this pick! Hopefully s good rotational guy with a chance to develop.

  4. Jason Says:

    I like this pick. He had 9.5 sacks last year. He could become a viable contributor on our D-Line. Now we need to grab an OL in the 5th and I will be happy.

  5. Adrian Says:

    Gholston gone. I’m pumped up. Noah and Barret jpp. Nassib pressuring qb. McCoy vea inside. White. David chasing rb /te and a bunch of young guys in the back end holding to Julio , Thomas and other wr. And offense barber and Rojo bulldozing defenses !

  6. AlabamaBucsFan Says:

    At 6-7 ran a 4.82 in the forty. More impressive is ran 6.95 in the 3 cone drill showing good lateral movement for a big guy.

  7. Adrian Says:

    Gholston , Ryan smith gone. Will save about $6m after looking at over the cap

  8. Shane247 Says:

    Looks big, slow and lumbering. I don’t see quickness, let alone elite quickness. He does seem to be able to disengage with blockers quite well.

  9. SteveK Says:

    I love the idea of this guy playing on third down and getting a hand up for a tipped pass. Useful. He could become more.

  10. MadMax Says:

    Yep I like it…

    DAYLON MACK NEXT PLEASE!

  11. rrsrq Says:

    ST, c’mon Joe, at 6’7” I am pretty sure he can block FGs and block on the edge

  12. Bird Says:

    Anthony Nelson, DE/DT, Iowa A Grade
    No, I’m not just in a good mood. These picks are awesome! The teams here are taking better prospects than those chosen in Round 3. Anthony Nelson could have snuck into Round 2 without much criticism. He was announced as a linebacker, but he looks to be a 3-4 defensive end in Tampa’s new scheme.

  13. WhatTheBuc Says:

    Shane, Please scroll up to what Alabama said. Nelson was exceptionally fast and quick in testing. His 3 cone was as fast as some receivers.