SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Damontae Kazee #23 and Kameron Kelly #7 of the San Diego State Aztecs react to intercepting a pass during the fourth quarter of a game against the California Golden Bears at Qualcomm Stadium on September 10, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers don’t pursue the secondary with their first two picks, here is a guy they may look to take come day three.

San Diego State safety Kameron Kelly could be an option for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers come day three if cornerback and running back are the first two picks, addressing the top two needs. With safety still in question, the Bucs have to look to upgrade the position. With Justin Evans, Chris Conte, and Keith Tandy on the roster, the Bucs are at the least serviceable for the 2018 season.

If they take safety on day three, they are drafting for the future not the upcoming season. Kelly shows flashes of athleticism and raw talent that can be groomed into an eventual starter.

Kameron Kelly’s Collegiate Career

Kelly began his career with SDSU as a receiver before switching over to defensive back in his final three seasons. Kelly has played both safety and corner while with San Diego State, displaying his versatility. Kelly finished with 164 tackles, two sacks, nine interceptions, fifteen passes defensed, and two forced fumbles.

Kelly spent his career bouncing around as a utility defensive back but, given his size, NFL teams may want to have him stay at corner. Kelly measured in at 6’2″, 200 lbs. Although his combine numbers weren’t head turners – Kelly ran a 4.66 40-yard dash, nine reps on the bench – his tape is far more impressive than the combine measurables.

Pros

Again, Kelly’s versatility can’t be understated. His ability to cover as well as come up in the box and make plays – had five tackles for loss, three in his senior year – makes him an intriguing prospect. His time as a receiver in high school as well as his freshman year means when he can make a play on the ball, he’s likely going to come down with it. And although he may be better suited to start his NFL career as a safety, he can transition to corner with enough work.



Cons

Some of the knocks on Kelly is what you’d expect from a day three prospect. He struggles getting his head turned if his back is to the quarterback, slow on his backpedal, has trouble breaking away from big receivers when they’re run blocking. Nothing that isn’t a fixable issue, but enough of them to warrant why he’s a day three prospect. The other issue is the Buccaneers’ usage of defensive backs. They seem to have no idea as to what they want to accomplish from their corners and safeties, which led to a lot of confusion on the field and a lot of opponent points on the board. With a raw talent like Kelly, there needs to be a true plan in place to maximize his athleticism while developing him for the long term.

How Kameron Kelly can help the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Versatility. I’m going to beat that dead horse until I’m blue in the face. The Buccaneers have shown they like players that can play multiple positions – Evan Smith, Caleb Benenoch, Kevin Pamphile, Ryan Smith. Although most of these are along the offensive line, Smith is the prime example of a player that can play corner, safety, and contribute on special teams. All things Kelly can and has done. Once you get into day three, you’re looking to add depth and potentially hitting the lottery with an impact starter (see Kwon Alexander).

Kelly may not start right out of the gate, but he would see playing time in some fashion as he develops his skill set. He’s got the talent to become a starter in this league and given how often he moved around – on both sides of the ball – his work ethic and drive to improve is not to be overlooked.

Will It Happen?

It’s so hard to project these picks, especially when it comes to day three. When you hit day three you are no longer trying to fill needs. You’re trying to add depth, add talent. Kameron Kelly provides both of these things. I would not be the least bit surprised if the Buccaneers have their eye on Kameron Kelly. Someone who could play at both corner and safety as well as contribute on special teams could be of great value to the Buccaneers moving forward.

Be sure to keep it locked right here for more draft profiles from now up until the NFL draft as we try to bring you some insight on the next players to put on the pewter and red of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.