Dynasty fantasy football is a year-round affair. A sharp manager will be thinking about all aspects of the dynasty season. Those managers keen enough to look ahead will be the ones who can grab themselves an edge over the competition. Industry professionals and content creators will spend most of the dynasty off-season discussing incoming rookies and the related topic, the NFL draft.
We easily fall in love with the next workhorse running back or prototypical alpha wide receiver. But a manager in tune with the entire draft class will find themselves ahead of the game. Whether it is the next road-paving interior offensive lineman or genetic freak edge rusher, we can see ourselves at quite the advantage come April by building an entire picture of how the 2023 class will play out. Those who prepare ahead will not be often surprised at the outcomes
2023 Season Recap
Tampa Bay exceeded everyone’s expectations, falling just short of reaching the NFC Championship game following a loss to the Detroit Lions. Quarterback Baker Mayfield had a lot to do with that success, coming off a career-best 4,044 passing yards and 28 touchdowns. Both Wide Receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin continued their success, putting up over 1,000 receiving yards each.
Evans’ 1,000-yard season marks his tenth straight season, but what is more impressive is his 1,255 receiving yards. That was his most since his 2018 season. It proves that age is just a number, with Evans turning 31 this year.
Even after re-signing Evans, Mayfield, Lavonte David, and franchise-tagging Antoine Winfield, Tampa Bay does have its share of areas needing to be addressed with possible key free agents,. Three are LB Devin White and OL Nick Leverett, as well as a cornerback with the trading of Carlton Davis. Tampa Bay does have the cap to bring some of these players back, which gives them some flexibility in this draft.
1.26 Darius Robinson, DE Missouri
Darius Robinson from a two point stance bulldozes the OT with a bull rush sack pic.twitter.com/gLT1A2fJYB
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) March 16, 2024
Tampa Bay’s defensive line desperately needs an upgrade to help bolster a pass rush. Shaquil Barret has already become a cap casualty. Joe Tyron-Shoyinka has not shown enough for the Buccaneers to pick up his fifth-year option. Robinson, at 6’5″ and 285 lbs., would be the perfect complement to Yaya Diaby to help bolster the Tampa Bay pass rush. While Robinson did not have the best Combine performance, he showed defensive line versatility. He can also line up inside on Nascar-type defensive packages.
2.58 Javon Bullard, S, Georgia
The Bucs’ play at strong safety has taken a step back since losing Jordan Whitehead and Mike Edwards to free agency. Tampa tried to address the position by adding Ryan Neal through free agency, but he was not the answer. Bullard has a good football IQ and excellent ball skills. He can play both the run and the pass, allowing fellow safety Antoine Winfield Jr. to play more in the box.
3.89 Beaux Limmer, G, Arkansas
Tampa has their bookend tackles set with All-Pro Tristan Wirfs and Lude Goedeke. The interior part of the line does need to be addressed. Rookie Cody Mauch showed promise, but the NFL game is slightly different than at North Dakota State. Limmer is a 6’4″, 301 lb. guard who was a three-and-a-half-year starter before transitioning to center. That gives Tampa some options with the retirement of Ryan Jensen and the poor play of Ryan Hainsey. He was second at the center position in penalties and eighth in sacks allowed.
3.92 Mike Sainristil, DB, Michigan
CB Mike Sainristil (#0)
— Dylan Chappine (@dylanchappine) March 14, 2024
Certainly doesn’t hit like a former wide receiver.
Instincts ✅
Ball skills ✅
Versatility ✅
Toughness ✅ pic.twitter.com/s1vsZcSJQx
Tampa uses this pick from the Carlton Davis trade to select defensive back Mike Sainristil. Sainristil will not step into Davis’ role as an outside corner but is set up well to serve as Tampa’s nickel corner. A smaller-sized corner at 5’9″and 182 lbs., he has shown top-notch ball skills with six interceptions (two for scores) in 2023 and is an above-average run defender.
4.127 Jared Wiley, TE, TCU
Tampa lacks depth behind second-year breakout player Cade Otton. Wiley is a 6’7 “, 260 lb., big target in the red zone with good hands. Wiley struggles in run blocking, which will keep him from being a team’s TE1. He received all of the Big 12 accolades first team and caught 15 touchdowns during his collegiate career.
6.220 Cody Schrader, RB, Missouri
The Buccaneer’s backfield lacks depth behind Rachaad White. Schrader is a physical runner who gives me Mark Ingram vibes. Schrader always pushes the pile forward but will fall late in the draft due to his age and heavy workload, with nearly 1,000 carries already on his legs. He would be a perfect compliment to White and a perfect fit in Tampa with his work ethic.
7.244 Jarius Monroe, CB Tulane
One thing you can never have in the NFL is enough corners. In this scenario, Tampa dives back into the draft to take cornerback Jarius Monroe out of Tulane. The 6’2″ and 205 lb. senior corner finished his college career with seven interceptions and was the defensive MVP of the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl.
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