Anleitungen » starting 11 games at cornerback and being selected

TAMPA Benny Snell Jr. Jersey , Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are counting on Devin White to help them become relevant again.The powerful and speedy LSU linebacker was the fifth pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night, joining a porous defense making the transition to a 3-4 scheme after allowing the second-most points in the NFL last season.Coach Bruce Arians and general manager Jason Licht selected the 6-foot, 237-pound White over edge pass rusher Josh Allen and tackle Ed Oliver and plan use him, along with veteran Lavonte David, at inside linebacker in the system being installed by defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.“Coach Todd told me getting you will be like getting a new shiny, pretty car and I’m going to use you and I’m going to drive you to the fullest,” White said. “I’m ready for it. I’ve been put in this situation for a reason. I’m ready to show everybody that I’m the guy for the middle of that defense.”The Bucs are coming off a 5-11 finish that cost former coach Dirk Koetter his job and haven’t made the playoffs since 2007— the second-longest drought in the league.White was the first linebacker selected Thursday night and the first Tampa Bay has taken in the first round since Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks was the 28th pick in 1995.Improving the pass rush is a priority, which would have been one reason to opt for Allen, who had 17 sacks at Kentucky last season.Licht said White, who converted to linebacker after being recruited to LSU as a running back, is an ideal fit for the Bucs, who lost another former LSU linebacker, Kwon Alexander, to the San Francisco 49ers in free agency this offseason.“We talked about these guys over and over. We watched every play they’ve ever played in college. and we felt very comfortable that we made the right decision Zach Gentry Jersey ,” Licht said. “Devin’s a linebacker, but he’s also an attacking player, he’s a pressure-type linebacker. He can get to the quarterback as well.”The GM also raved about White’s leadership qualities and versatility.“You have linebackers that cover and don’t play the run that great. You have guys who can play the run who can’t cover that great,” Licht said. “He can do both exceptionally well, in addition to blitzing, which is an art itself.”Licht is also banking on White having an immediate impact on a unit that finished 24th in total defense and allowed 29 points per game last season.At best, Tampa Bay’s success in the draft has been spotty under Licht, who’s in his sixth year with the team.Mike Evans (first-round, No. 6 overall in 2014) has developed into one of the NFL’s top receivers, Jameis Winston (No. 1 overall, 2015) still has a chance to prove he’s the team’s long-term solution at quarterback and tight end O.J. Howard (20th, 2017) is coming off a productive — albeit injured-shortened — first two seasons in an offense that ranked among the league’s best in 2018.But the defense has continued to struggle under Licht’s watch, with Vernon Hargreaves III (cornerback, 11th overall 2016) Nick Bosa Jersey , Noah Spence (edge rusher, second round 2016) and M.J. Stewart and Carlton Davis (cornerbacks, second round 2018) among the young players who’ve yet to contribute significantly.And that’s not to mention, Roberto Aguayo, the kicker the Bucs traded up to select in the second round three years ago. He was a major disappointment as a rookie and was released after just one season.The selection of White comes a year after Tampa Bay invested heavily in free agency to revamp the defensive line, bolstered the pass rush by trading for Jason Pierre-Paul and drafted defensive tackle Vita Vea in the first round, No. 12 overall.Arians and Licht still faces a decision on the future of six-time Pro Bowl tackle Gerald McCoy, who’s due to earn $13 million in 2019.The 10th-year pro did not participate in this week’s voluntary mini-camp and unless he’s traded, released or agrees to a significant pay cut, his hefty salary will make it difficult to free enough money to sign the club’s draft picks. FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Mike Maccagnan and the Jets began the final day of the NFL draft by wheeling and dealing.New York traded down twice in the fourth round Saturday before taking West Virginia tight end Trevon Wesco with the 121st pick.The Jets entered the day with the third pick of the round at No. 105, but dealt that to New Orleans for Nos. 116 and 168. They then traded the picks they got from the Saints to Tennessee for pick Nos. 121 and 157.With the fifth-round selection, New York took Minnesota linebacker Blake Cashman. The Jets picked Rutgers cornerback Blessuan Austin in the sixth round at No. 196 overall to complete their three-day haul.The Jets drafted Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams with the third overall pick Thursday night, and took Florida edge rusher Jachai Polite and USC offensive tackle Chuma Edoga in the third round Friday night.The 6-foot-3 L.J. Collier Jersey , 267-pound Wesco was used primarily as a blocking tight end in college and also profiled as a fullback and/or H-back in the NFL. He caught 26 passes for 366 yards and one touchdown last season for the Mountaineers.The Jets also currently have Chris Herndon, the team’s third-rounder last year, Eric Tomlinson, also primarily a blocking tight end, and Daniel Brown, Jordan Leggett and Neal Sterling at the position.“In college, I played tight end, I played fullback,” Wesco said during a conference call. “I would say my versatility is my strength.”Wesco began his college career at Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he played two seasons — and had a redshirt year as a sophomore — before going to West Virginia. Statistically, Wesco didn’t put up big numbers his first two seasons with the Mountaineers but had a breakout campaign as a senior and was named to the All-Big 12 first team.“I feel good as a pass catcher,” Wesco said, adding that he dropped only two passes last season. “I’ve always caught the ball. Since I was younger Marquise Blair Jersey , I’ve always had the ball in my hand — playing quarterback, and I played receiver when I was younger in high school. I’m really comfortable with that. I mean, I don’t feel like I have a problem with that.”Cashman adds depth to the Jets’ linebacker corps, which already includes C.J. Mosley, Avery Williamson, Darron Lee, Jordan Jenkins, Brandon Copeland, Neville Hewitt and Frankie Luvu. The 6-1, 237-pound Cashman projects as a core special teams contributor who could potentially serve as a rotational player at linebacker.He was a walk-on at Minnesota and eventually became a starter and team captain for the Gophers. Cashman had 15 tackles for losses last season, and drew the attention of the Jets.“They were a team that reached out to me a few times between the combine and draft,” Cashman said during a conference call. “I met with them at the combine twice and then again at pro day. … I felt like it was a great fit and I couldn’t be more pumped up and ready to go.”Cashman has had three shoulder procedures since 2016, but said he’s healthy and has no issues with them.“My shoulders feel great,” he said. “Over the past year D.K. Metcalf Jersey , I’ve worked with a specialist and designed my training around it to make sure that my shoulders are very stable and healthy.”Austin comes to the Jets after some injury concerns in college. He had 14 pass breakups as a sophomore in 2016 while starting 11 games at cornerback and being selected as an All-Big Ten honorable mention. But he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the fourth game of his junior year, then re-injured the knee in the season opener last year.“Going through the knee injuries and having some success and being so close to the pinnacle of my career and to be constantly knocked down, it was just hard to deal with,” an emotional Austin said during a conference call. “I’ve been blessed with perseverance and having the ability to go through adversity, and that’s what got me here today.”It wasn’t immediately clear if he’ll be healthy enough to participate fully in workouts and minicamp, but Austin considers himself a “freakish athlete” and is excited to get an opportunity despite his medical hardships.The Queens, New York, native acknowledged he grew up a Giants fan — but, that was then, of course.“The switchover won’t be hard,” Austin said. “At all.”