Following free agency, NFL.com's Elliot Harrison unveiled an updated set of power rankings that listed the Buccaneers as the No. 10 team in the league. Now that the NFL Draft has come to an end, Harrison has the Bucs moving up the ladder. In his most recent power rankings, Harrison has the Buccaneers at No. 9.
"Better start paying attention to what the Bucs have been doing," Harrison wrote. "Everyone, including (myself), is singing the praises of the O.J. Howard pick (even if Tampa simply was enjoying the wonderful luck of having the tight end fall to 19). Second-round pick Justin Evans should help immediately at safety."
Take a look at all of the Buccaneers 2017 draft picks.
1-19 TE O.J. Howard, Alabama
1-19 TE O.J. Howard, Alabama
1-19 TE O.J. Howard, Alabama
2-50 DB Justin Evans, Texas A&M
2-50 DB Justin Evans, Texas A&M
2-50 DB Justin Evans, Texas A&M
3-84 WR Chris Godwin, Penn State
3-84 WR Chris Godwin, Penn State
3-84 WR Chris Godwin, Penn State
3-107 LB Kendell Beckwith, LSU
3-107 LB Kendell Beckwith, LSU
3-107 LB Kendell Beckwith, LSU
5-162 RB Jeremy McNichols, Boise State
5-162 RB Jeremy McNichols, Boise State
5-162 RB Jeremy McNichols, Boise State
7-223 DT Stevie Tu'ikolovatu, USC
7-223 DT Stevie Tu'ikolovatu, USC
7-223 DT Stevie Tu'ikolovatu, USC
It shouldn't come as a surprise that the Buccaneers are trending upwards after the draft. Harrison's colleague at NFL.com, Lance Zierlein, ranks the Bucs' draft class as the sixth-best in the league.
The Buccaneers are the highest-ranked team that missed the playoffs a year ago. Tampa Bay is ranked ahead of several teams that made the postseason, including Miami (No. 11), Detroit (13) and Texans (16).
Both of last year's Super Bowl teams, New England and Atlanta, are No. 1 and 2, respectively. The Raiders, Steelers and Packers round out the top five in that order. Tampa Bay's division rivals, Carolina and New Orleans, came in at No. 19 and 23, respectively. For Harrison's complete power rankings, click **HERE**.
