NFL mock draft, needs: Bucs
Evan Silva (@EvanSilva) is the Senior Football Editor for Rotoworld's NFL Page, and Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) leads Rotoworld's college football and NFL draft coverage. Together, they're breaking down every team's biggest needs and offering potential draft-day solutions.
For a breakdown on every team, check out the team-by-team draft preview schedule.
No. 1 Team Need: Quarterback
Silva's Analysis
Josh McCown was jettisoned from Tampa after one year, leaving Mike Glennon and someone named Seth Lobato as the only quarterbacks on the 90-man offseason roster. New OC Dirk Koetter most recently spent time with pocket passer Matt Ryan in Atlanta, but also had some success with more-mobile David Garrard in Jacksonville. The entirety of Koetter's track record suggests he prefers to throw the football with volume and test defenses vertically.
No. 2 Team Need: Offensive line
Silva's Analysis
Logan Mankins and Evan Dietrich-Smith are passable starters at left guard and center, while Demar Dotson is talented enough to make a smooth transition to the blind side. Right guard and right tackle are wastelands in Tampa Bay. Koetter's pass-first philosophy suggests GM Jason Licht should target strong pass protectors at these positions.
No. 3 Team Need: Defensive end
Silva's Analysis
The Bucs also have question marks at running back, safety and cornerback, and could use an infusion of depth at linebacker. But the defensive end position stands out as the biggest hole with Jacquies Smith, William Gholston and Larry English as Tampa Bay's top-three options at the position. Fundamentally, Bucs coach Lovie Smith's Cover 2-style defense is predicated on generating pressure from the front four. Tampa has an impressive interior trio in Gerald McCoy, Clinton McDonald and Henry Melton, but remains in dire need of edge pass rushers.
Norris’ Mock Draft
Round 1 (1): QB Jameis Winston, FSU - Teams are rarely in a position to have their choice of every quarterback in the draft. The Bucs will take advantage. I think Winston and Marcus Mariota will be quality starters in the NFL. On a snap to snap basis, it is much easier to see how Winston’s game translates to the NFL. Some was negative, most was positive, but the “easy” projection compared to others absolutely matters to the NFL. They like what they think they know. Everyone does. I’d still give Mariota a chance to be No. 1.
Round 2 (34): T Ereck Flowers, Miami - I know he has been frequently mocked in the first round, but I could absolutely see Flowers making it to this pick. Many cite Flowers’ strength, and it is there in the form of a large frame. He often has poor aiming points, however, and hugs his opponents instead of controlling and extending. If flipping sides is an easy transition for him, Flowers could move to right tackle.
Round 3 (65): EDGE Anthony Chickillo, Miami - One of this year’s “misused” candidates. At the very least teams will get a player with nice upfield speed and footwork to change direction. If drafted by the Bucs, Chickillo would be asked to contribute immediately.
Round 4 (109): EDGE Za’Darius Smith, Kentucky - With Chickillo filling the movement/speed role, Smith is all power. He is not an athlete at the position, instead understanding hand use, counters and strength. Smith’s floor is a solid run defending end.
Round 5 (162): G Mark Glowinski, West Virginia - Both of West Virginia’s interior offensive linemen deserve more attention. Whereas college teammate Quinton Spain offers a bulk of power, Glowinski has more movement and could be used to pull or get to the second level. In fact, I would not be surprised if Glowinski is selected earlier than many expect.
Round 6 (183): LB Hayes Pullard, USC - Depth at linebacker and perhaps eventual starter, since Bruce Carter’s contract has very few guarantees after the 2015 season.
Round 7 (218): S Jermaine Whitehead, Auburn - Auburn’s defensive backfield was much more successful and effective with Whitehead in the game. He dealt with conflicts with the coaching staff and worked his way back on to the field after missing multiple games.
Buccaneers Current Offensive Depth Chart
QB: Mike Glennon
RB: Doug Martin
WR: Mike Evans
WR: Vincent Jackson
WR: Louis Murphy
TE: Austin Seferian-Jenkins
LT: Demar Dotson
LG: Logan Mankins
C: Evan Dietrich-Smith
RG: Garrett Gilkey
RT: Kevin Pamphile
Buccaneers Current Defensive Depth Chart
LE: William Gholston
RE: Jacquies Smith
DT: Gerald McCoy
DT: Clinton McDonald
MLB: Bruce Carter
WLB: Lavonte David
SLB: Danny Lansanah
CB: Alterraun Verner
CB: Johnthan Banks
FS: Chris Conte
SS: Bradley McDougald
