Best Players Available For Day 3 Of Draft

April 27th, 2024

Bucs GM Jason Licht.

So we are a couple of hours away from the start of the 2024 NFL Draft Day 3. Joe isn’t sure the Bucs have addressed all the holes but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any decent players left.

Here are a few:

Running backs
Audric Estime, Notre Dame

This guy is the opposite of Rachaad White in that Audric Estime is a throwback bruiser of a runner who can separate from a would-be tackler and house the ball. Estime’s strength is running between the tackles and running over linebackers.

Ray Davis, Kentucky

Not a home-run hitter but a chains-mover. Elusive but can run in traffic, too. Inside, outside, it doesn’t matter.

Guard
Christian Mahogany, G, Boston College

Road-grader in the run game. Just so-so in pass blocking. Boston College has a good history of pumping out decent if not good offensive linemen.

Tight ends
AJ Barner, Michigan

Good blocker which is what the Bucs need from a tight end since the Bucs have a solid pass-catcher in Cade Otton at tight end as well. Plays past the whistle. Has solid hands.

Jared Wiley, TCU

Excellent blocker and is a good athlete. Has a chance to be an every-down tight end. He’s Gronk-like at 6-6, 249.

Linebacker
Cedric Gray, North Carolina

Raw. He has natural ability but needs to be coached up. Gray has size, speed, athleticism and he tackles.

Cornerback
T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State

Joe can’t believe this guy is still on the board. He hustles and has a nose for the ball in the sense that he can read plays and react. To get Tampa in the fourth round would be such a steal.

50 Responses to “Best Players Available For Day 3 Of Draft”

  1. WillieG Says:

    I’d like a bruiser running back to go with our new center.

  2. Colin in Canada Says:

    The RB from Wisconsin Braelon Allen is the player I want today.

    Bucs fans like big running backs that run guys over. Let’s get Allen today.

  3. Scott Says:

    No 5th round pick sucks. Really have to nail these few picks left. Wish they figured out how to get more comp picks.

  4. Jeebs the Honey Bear Says:

    We should have nabbed TJ Tampa instead of Tykee. Tykee would have been there in the 4th.

    Tampa will be gone, hopefully Estime is there to be our RB1a!

  5. Scott Says:

    Yeah I thought we had picked up a nickel in FA already. Gonna be a rough year if Zyon doesn’t improve but Hall will compete I’m sure. It seems to me that a lot of guys we looked at were taken before us in round 3 and we had to reach a bit.

  6. Tbbucs3 Says:

    The Bucs need another bruiser at RB like LeGarrette Blount and Alstott

    But knowing Jason Lichts type at RB he’s gonna look for another tap dancer

  7. Bucben61 Says:

    I couldn’t stand another year of 1 yard runs up the middle… running back or bust !!!!!!

  8. Salary Cap Hell Says:

    At this point take the best player available

  9. Tony Says:

    This is why they need to hang onto their draft picks & at least consider trading down some, too! Build the team some more & address more needs because now you’re gonna be sitting around for a couple of hours while everybody else is picking & building their team. Some bash late round picks saying that they won’t make it & they’ll either be a backup or they might just get cut but there have been plenty of late round picks that have gone on to do well in the NFL.

  10. Tony Says:

    If you can’t do much in FA the only way to build the team really in through the draft. That’s why they need to stop trading their picks away like they do alot of times.

  11. Mac Says:

    Bucs need a rb desperately. No depth whatsoever. Banking on White staying healthy after the pounding he took last season isn’t the best idea imho!

  12. Trey Says:

    Jeremiah Trotter?

  13. Letsbucinggo Says:

    Licht ought to explore trading Tyron to Seattle for one of there 4th rounders maybe he can revive his career at home.

  14. Scott Says:

    I think Trotter is the guy. It’s a position of need and thin at backup

  15. Tbbucs3 Says:

    If Licht doesnt take a RB with one of his 1st 2 picks today then might as well bring Keyshawn Vaughn back

  16. D-Rok Says:

    Joe says, “He’s Gronk-like at 6-6, 249.” Ummm, maybe back when Gronk was in 9th grade? Gronk was more like 265, yes?

    Great job with these listings each day, Joes – it makes it easier for a fan like me who works a lot and doesn’t have time to do all that research. Thanks!

    Go Bucs ! ! !

  17. Ugotrobbed Says:

    No one is mentioning Will Shipley, a do it all, tuff little runner (although not all that little)! Reminds me a little of C. McCaffery. Might he fall into the bottom of 6th round!?

  18. Defense Rules Says:

    Bucs still need a bruising RB & a thumper MLB. Braelon Allen (6’1″ & 235 lbs – 4.56 sec 40) or Audric Estime (5’11” & 227 lbs – 4.71 sec 40) are my 2 favorites as beastly RBs. Cedric Gray (6’1″ & 232 lbs – 4.64 sec 40) or Marist Liufau (6’2″ & 239 lbs – 4.64 sec 40) are my 2 favorites now for MLB.

  19. MelvinJunior Says:

    As a ‘lifetime’ Kentucky Football (and basketball) ticket holder, who hasn’t attended a game in person in prob 20-years lol… Ray Davis always, has his head on a swivel, hits the hole hard with authority and a purpose, then has excellent vision and cutting ability when running through traffic and seems to really ‘hide’ well, he’s hard to see… Doesn’t need a lot of space and is sneaky fast in pads. I have really been impressed by this Wiley kid at TCU too, every time I’ve seen him… Is a nice lookin’ athlete who always seems to makes plays.

  20. Kalind Says:

    Agree. Tampa for sure. Also, Theo Johnson is a good option as well. Mo Kamara to double up on pass rush, or even Jeremiah Trotter Jr, (rather have him than Gray)

  21. 74 Bucs Fan Says:

    I’ll take the ND RB please! We need that bruiser badly. Come on Licht – pull the trigger and let’s get this done. It is a glaring need that all can see!

  22. RBUC Says:

    Absolute last in rushing 2 years in a row and we have a GM that doesn’t value the RB position!!

  23. unbelievable Says:

    Would love either of those RBs or TJ Tampa

  24. Marine Buc Says:

    I would be fine with Estime, Davis or Wiley at #125.

    All three can help the Bucs next season…

  25. MelvinJunior Says:

    No, it’s been more like 15 years. Cause, I think it was in ‘08 when I took some friends to the Alabama Game in our suite/box & then had like my 33rd Birthday up there in like ‘09 against Arkansas I think, when they surprised me with an awesome birthday cake that was soooo good lol. Wow. It’s been awhile ago. Wow. It’s crazy.

  26. Durango 95 Says:

    Thought they were about to finally get a legit RB until Green Bay snagged Marshawn Lloyd one pick before the Bucs were on the clock. Gotta admit I blew gasket after that one.

  27. Scotty in Fat Antonio Says:

    I think the Bucs will be players in the 5th round. They will give up some 2025 draft capital though.

  28. OrlandoBucFAn Says:

    Bucs need Braylon Allen. The man is a beast! You can’t go wrong drafting a running back from Wisconsin.

  29. Pepsi Says:

    Ray Davis – forgot to mention he has fantastic hands as well. catches like a receiver

  30. Bucs Guy Says:

    Need a power RB, LB and G with one pick. After that, the Bucs have to wait until the end of the 6th round.

    I think the Bucs believe they are OK at G and will pick Milton from UGA at RB in the 6th. So I expect them to go LB in the 4th. If only we hadn’t burned that 3rd round pick on a depth S. Love all the other picks so far,

  31. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Durango

    Exactly….he was sitting right there & then was gone

  32. Admiral Redbeard Says:

    A running back who runs a 4.71 40 (that would be A. Estime)? No thank you

  33. Zman Says:

    I would really like Rice, Wilson or Stover. Stover is a dog and a complete TE, just underutilized at OSU. Wilson at 6 6, you can’t coach that. ME and CG won’t be productive for ever. Wilson is value at this point. Rice was productive with good size and you know who will coach him up.

  34. Addb Says:

    Need a RB badly. White can’t keep carrying the whole room

  35. Idroolpewter&red Says:

    Draft Estime and we’ll have Thunder and Lightning Part Deux.

  36. Saskbucs Says:

    Estime, Davis or Allen would be nice. Trotter or Gray or a TE or TJ Tampa would also be fine. Pick up one of those guys and imo its been another good to great draft. Of course time will tell.

  37. Admiral Redbeard Says:

    Isaac Guerendo from Louisville is going to be somebodies Isaih Pacheco this year.

  38. Joe Caruso Says:

    We need a bruising RB… Please take Estime or Allen!!!!

  39. MelvinJunior Says:

    Yes, Ray Davis does have excellent hands and can bust one, too… Also, can return kicks. VERY Solid all around. His ONLY ‘thing’ is his age… He old asF.

  40. MelvinJunior Says:

    And, yeah… That ‘Nickle/S’ pick was quite puzzling to me. I assumed that Bowels must’ve really seen something in the kid and really wanted him… Surely, there is a plan there!? Guess, we’ll get to see how good of an ‘eye’ and instincts he has with evaluating talent. Cause, this was DEFINITELY💯, a “Bowels Pick” all the way… So, the pressure is now officially, ON.

  41. Tbbucs3 Says:

    I dont care if a running back runs a 6.4 40….if he can break a tackle, take him

  42. MadMax Says:

    uhg im so hung over….lets see what happened….

  43. MadMax Says:

    Estime is still there? RU Kiddin me?

    Well duh…Come on Jason!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  44. MadMax Says:

    nick cb/safety was a need….i was hoping for Bullard but he went before we could get him….

  45. MadMax Says:

    4.59 at his pro day redbeard…he’s a power runner which is what we need…not gonna be a 4.3 at 230 bro….but go watch his tape then get back to me

  46. Hopein1hand… Says:

    There are still hog mollies to be had to boost the travesty of a run game the Bucs have been irrationally content to roll with for the past two seasons. Mason McCormick and Christian Mahogany will likely be gone by the Bucs’ pick but one of my favorite massive 3 position-starters Hunter Nourzad should be available after the fourth but before the Bucs pick in the sixth. As for RBs, I hope Ray Davis, Audrick Estime or Braelen Allen fall to the back end of the fourth but I’m not optimistic. Frank Gore Jr, Will Shipley, Dylan Laube and the fella from Georgia could all be contributors available in the sixth and seventh. Jeremiah Trotter Jr and Cedric Grey are both LBs I would love to see the Bucs address that need with in the fourth. I am excited by Sean Tucker still but would love to see the Bucs pick a pair of new RBs with their last two picks if they don’t score one in the fourth. Ronald Jones can probably be brought back as well. I’d put the team needs in order as RB, LB, G then a bowling ball of butcher knives type DT. I wish the Bucs had more picks and am not against trading a bit of 2025 capital to score one or two of these players.

  47. MadMax Says:

    We got Bucky instead of Estime….all good, i was calling for him too

  48. MadMax Says:

    Our scouts did their homework….GJ Spytek

  49. MadMax Says:

    Trotter jr still there? wth?

    Lets get him Jason

  50. Ken Says:

    Joe Milton we need qb depth