As a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan, I’m thrilled to hear that the team is reportedly targeting star Georgia cornerback, Kelee Ringo, in the upcoming NFL Draft. Ringo is a highly sought-after prospect, known for his impressive combination of speed, agility, and size. With the Buccaneers in need of reinforcements in their secondary, Ringo would be a valuable addition to the team. As a fan, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Tampa Bay, and I certainly hope Ringo ends up donning the red and pewter next season.
Tampa Bay Bucs NFL Draft Target: Georgia Cornerback Kelee Ringo
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made history in 2021 when they became the first team to win a Super Bowl on their home field. The team’s success was due in large part to their dominant defense, which ranked as one of the best in the league. However, with several key members of that defense set to hit free agency this offseason, the Bucs will need to reload and rebuild their defense through the draft.
One player that could help the Bucs do just that is Georgia cornerback Kelee Ringo. Ringo is one of the top cornerback prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft and could be a perfect fit for the Bucs’ defense.
Ringo’s College Career
Ringo was one of the top recruits in the country when he committed to play for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2020. He was ranked as the No. 2 cornerback and No. 8 overall player in the 2020 recruiting class, according to 247Sports.
Ringo did not see much playing time during his freshman season at Georgia, as he battled injuries and a loaded secondary that featured future NFL players such as Eric Stokes and Tyson Campbell. However, he showed flashes of his potential in limited action, recording three tackles and one pass breakup in four games.
Ringo’s sophomore season was cut short by another injury, as he played in just two games before being sidelined for the rest of the year. However, he made the most of his limited opportunities, recording two tackles, one interception, and one pass breakup.
Despite his limited playing time, Ringo has already shown that he has the physical tools and skill set needed to succeed as a cornerback in the NFL. He has excellent size (6’2″, 205 pounds) and speed (reported 4.3 40-yard dash), as well as the agility and ball skills to excel in man coverage.
Ringo’s Skills and Fit with the Bucs
Ringo’s combination of size, speed, and athleticism make him an ideal fit for the Bucs’ defensive scheme. Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Todd Bowles likes to play aggressive man coverage, and Ringo has the skill set to succeed in that system.
Ringo excels in press coverage, as he has the strength and size to be physical at the line of scrimmage and disrupt the timing of receivers’ routes. He also has the speed and agility to stay with them downfield, as well as the ball skills to break up passes or intercept them.
Ringo also has the versatility to play both outside and inside cornerback positions, which will be critical for the Bucs as they look to replace some of their free agent departures. He has the quickness and footwork needed to cover slot receivers, as well as the size and strength to match up with bigger receivers on the outside.
Risk Factors to Consider
While Ringo’s potential is through the roof, there are also some concerns that NFL teams will have to consider when evaluating him as a draft prospect.
First and foremost is his injury history. Ringo has already missed significant time due to injuries in his brief college career, and there will be questions about his durability at the next level.
There are also some concerns about Ringo’s technique, particularly in his backpedal and hip turn. While he has the raw athleticism to recover if he gets beaten initially, he may struggle against more polished route runners in the NFL.
Finally, Ringo will have to continue to work on his consistency and mental approach. There were times in college when he seemed to lose focus or make mental mistakes, which could be costly in the NFL.
Predicted Draft Position
Despite some concerns, Ringo is still one of the top cornerback prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft and is likely to be a first-round pick. His combination of size, speed, and athleticism is rare, and his potential is too high for teams to pass up.
The Bucs currently hold the 27th overall pick in the first round, which could be a realistic landing spot for Ringo. While the Bucs have other needs to address, cornerback is a position of need and Ringo could be the best player available when they are on the clock.
Conclusion
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will need to reload their defense this offseason if they want to defend their Super Bowl title in 2022. One player that could help them do just that is Georgia cornerback Kelee Ringo.
Ringo has the size, speed, and athleticism to be a dominant cornerback at the next level, and his skill set is a perfect match for the Bucs’ aggressive defensive scheme. While there are some concerns about his injury history and technique, his potential is simply too high to pass up.
If the Bucs are able to draft Ringo with the 27th overall pick, they could be getting a difference-maker in the secondary for years to come.
