Johnston is a long-strider who can eat up a cushion and consistently make plays downfield. He reminds us a little of Mike Evans in that regard, but like the Packers above, the biggest question is whether Tom Brady will call it a career after the season.
Speaking of big corners, find me someone who loves long cornerbacks more than Todd Bowles and Jason Licht. I dare you. And Joey Porter Jr. might just be the longest corner I've ever set eyes on.
Carlton Davis, Antoine Winfield Jr., and Zyon McCollum are currently the ONLY Tampa Bay secondary players under contract beyond 2022. Porter Jr. was electric in his debut for 2022 against Purdue, breaking up six passes and logging eight tackles in a thrilling win. Helping the cause on those PBUs? You guessed it: his length. I'm just saying...
Kyle Trask doesn't feel like the true successor to Tom Brady, at least not yet. Van Dyke has the arm, athleticism and accuracy assets to make a Kenny Pickett like rise into the higher first round to challenge Stroud and Young, but for now, he's worthy of joining them and Levis in the first round.
Two of Tampa Bay's top three cornerbacks in terms of snaps played—Jamel Dean (823) and Sean Murphy Bunting (524)—will be impending free agents after this season. The son of the former Steelers outside linebacker, Porter is a big and long corner who plays a physical brand of football in both a good way and bad (penalties).
The Bucs continued to revamp their defensive line with their first selection in each of the past two drafts: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (2021) and Logan Hall (2022). Wooden is more like Hall in that he's a versatile defensive player who can move where needed, depending on the situation. If it's not an edge here, the Buccaneers could add to their defensive backs room or start looking at linebacker life beyond Lavonte David. But they're in an enviable position, as far as roster outlooks go. (Just pretend that Tom Brady will play forever.)
The number of injuries Tampa Bay's offensive line suffered this preseason is insane. Their depth will surely be tested and perhaps their backups play well this season and prove to be long-term starters. In the event they don't, it's wise they add more beef upfront.
Andrew Vorhees is a mauler inside at guard and brings that physical temperament to the game that the Buccaneers love.
Tom Brady is leaving soon, whether it's for the Dolphins, FOX, a golfing career, or to focus on his overpriced clothing brand. Either way, his departure will deflate the Buccaneers' odds of success. So they'd be wise to target his heir apparent in the 2023 NFL Draft. Tyler Van Dyke could be one such target, as the redshirt sophomore flashed as a first-year starter in 2021.
Across the Hurricanes' final six contests, Van Dyke notched 300+ passing yards and led his squad to a 5-1 record. He is only scratching the surface of his abilities, which should send shivers down the spines of ACC defenses.
It certainly has been an interesting offseason for Ricks. First, he made the surprise move from LSU to Alabama, then he was arrested on charges of speeding, driving without insurance and possession of marijuana. The marijuana charge was later dropped, and Ricks pleaded guilty to speeding. But on the field, Ricks is a turnover-creating machine. At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, he has similar qualities to Trevon Diggs as a playmaker, but you will also have to live with some inconsistent play. He has some Jekyll and Hyde to his game as a man-to-man corner. With Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting both scheduled to become free agents, Ricks would be a welcome addition opposite Carlton Davis III in Tampa Bay.