Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mock Draft: 7-Round Predictions, Post Combine
With the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine wrapping up on Monday, this year's draft picture continues to take shape.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the bittersweet distinction of sitting atop this year's selection meeting, following a disappointing 2-14 season in their first year under new head coach Lovie Smith.
The Bucs' plans led many discussions regarding the top storylines at the combine this year, with most of the conversations centering around which top quarterback—Florida State's Jameis Winston or Oregon's Marcus Mariota—the Bucs will end up choosing with the No. 1 overall pick.
April 30th is still quite a ways away, but it's time to take a close look at how this year's draft could shake out for the Bucs, who have plenty of other pressing needs outside of the quarterback position.
Here are my latest projections for each of the eight picks Tampa Bay currently holds in the 2015 NFL draft.
1st Round: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
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Before the combine even began, Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht was already making remarks that sounded like the Bucs were ready to make Jameis Winston the top overall pick.
Head coach Lovie Smith made similar comments, even going so far as to say he was impressed with how Winston has handled the public scrutiny, per Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com:
"To me, I think he's told us an awful lot with how he's handled it. It's not like he's getting ready to go into the NFL and scrutiny is coming his way. He's gone through it a couple years now and he's answered the bell. That's what you have to do. You have to have tunnel vision and do your job. Looking from the outside, that's what he's been able to do.
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The Bucs started the process of trying to change a losing culture last year in their first year under the guidance of Smith and Licht, but the biggest thing missing from that effort is a quarterback who can be the face of the franchise. Winston has his mechanical flaws on the field, but he has the tools to do the job at the next level, and he has the personality and leadership to command an NFL locker room.
Marcus Mariota is a fine prospect in his own right and has the potential to be a great success in the NFL. But for where the Bucs are right now, Winston is the best fit.
2nd Round: Stephone Anthony, LB, Clemson
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Many might project an offensive lineman to the Bucs here, but I'm not so sure. It's obviously their biggest need after addressing their quarterback situation, but the depth of this year's class at both guard and tackle should allow them to wait until the third round and beyond.
At this pick, I expect the Bucs to take the best player available on the defensive side of the ball, particularly at either middle linebacker or defensive end. In this scenario, they go with the former.
I was high on Stephone Anthony prior to the combine, and his impressive performance in Indy further reinforced what I saw on film. Anthony has great instincts and the athleticism to flip his hips and get back to the deep middle in coverage, which he'll be asked to do often in the Tampa 2 defense.
Originally projected in the third-round range, Anthony's performance at the combine means Tampa Bay will likely have to grab him at this pick if it wants him.
3rd Round: Tre' Jackson, G, Florida State
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This is where I expect the Bucs to start addressing their needs along the offensive line, and they should start by grabbing the best overall talent who can potentially start from Day 1 at either guard or tackle on the right side.
Tre' Jackson is one of multiple top offensive line prospects coming out of Florida State this year, and he seems to have already attracted the Bucs' attention, reportedly meeting with the team multiple times, per Justin Pawlowski of BucsBlitz.com.
Jackson is a powerful blocker who is just as comfortable in pass protection as he is paving the way in the running game. He needs to improve his footwork and work on managing his weight and conditioning, but he has all the tools to become a quality starter early in his NFL career.
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4th Round (from Rams): Rob Havenstein, OT, Wisconsin
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This year's crop of offensive lineman is so deep that Tampa Bay could easily find itself grabbing a potential Week 1 starter as late as the fourth round.
In this scenario, the Bucs find that player in Rob Havenstein, the latest in a long line of massive movers to come out of Madison. Though he struggled at the combine, all it takes is a look back to an impressive week during Senior Bowl practices to see that Havenstein has what it takes to compete with the best players in the nation.
The Bucs feel comfortable with Demar Dotson at left tackle after he made the switch from the right side late last season. Havenstein has the size, strength and experience to be an effective starter at right tackle early in his career.
Don't let his disappointing workout numbers fool you; Havenstein should have a long, successful NFL career, like many other Badger linemen who have come before him.
5th Round (from Ravens): Eric Rowe, DB, Utah
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The Bucs could need cornerback depth, but that wouldn't be my reasoning for this pick.
Though he's listed at corner—and would prefer to remain there—I project Rowe to be much more effective at the next level if he were to move to free safety. He's still a bit raw and stiff in coverage, but he has the size, range, ball skills and tackling ability that would make him a perfect fit as the last line of defense.
The Bucs are paying an awful lot of money for Dashon Goldson, who doesn't look like he fits well in the Tampa 2. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Bucs move on from Goldson this offseason, leaving them looking for his eventual replacement.
Rowe needs time to develop and refine his natural skills, but if he embraces the position change, he could eventually become a playmaker for the Bucs. Personally, I have a higher projection for Rowe, but most analysts seem to have him in the fifth-round range, which I would consider quite a steal.
5th Round (from Patriots): Shaquille Mason, OL, Georgia Tech
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Tampa Bay's offensive line struggled mightily in 2014, so don't be surprised if the Bucs use three of their eight picks to improve that unit across the board in this year's draft.
After grabbing a guard and a tackle earlier in this mock, the Bucs turn their attention to the center position with this pick. Veteran Evan Dietrich-Smith struggled after signing with Tampa Bay in free agency last year, and there's absolutely no depth behind him heading into next season.
A surprising combine snub, Mason has the potential to play either guard or center at the next level. Mason started 39 consecutive games for the Yellow Jackets—all at the guard position—but is projected by many to fit best as a center in the NFL.
Mason is a powerful blocker who can maul in the run game and be effective in pass protection as well. He'd be a solid addition to bring some young depth to a position that needs it in Tampa Bay.
6th Round (from Rams): Bobby McCain, CB, Memphis
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They aren't likely to find an immediate starter at the nickel corner spot this late in the draft, but the Bucs could still find a good fit who could develop into a solid player down the road.
Neither Leonard Johnson or Isaiah Frey looked particularly comfortable at nickelback last season, a vital position in the Tampa 2 defense. They could add a veteran starter in free agency, but depth is also an issue that needs to be addressed.
McCain might not be a household name, but he's the type of instinctive defender who could thrive in that role. Scott Reynolds of PewterReport.com was impressed with McCain's performance at the East-West Shrine game earlier this year:
"McCain is a tough, hardworking cornerback with tremendous leadership ability and better athleticism than you might think. McCain was a big-time playmaker at Memphis, recording 136 tackles, 15 pass breakups, 12 interceptions, including three he returned for touchdowns, 6.5 tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble. He had a great week at the East-West Shrine Game, leading the West with four tackles, and met with the Buccaneers.
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An experienced return specialist, McCain could also be an immediate contributor on special teams while he develops as a defender. He'd be a perfect value this late in the draft.
7th Round: Andre Davis, WR, South Florida
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The Bucs have their starting receivers set in stone, but they're still searching for a slot receiver who can also contribute in the return game. Even if they wait until the draft's final round, they may not have to look far to find a good fit.
A Tampa native, Andre Davis played his high school football for the Jefferson High Dragons before spending his collegiate career at South Florida, playing his home games in Raymond James Stadium. Despite missing four games due to injury, Davis was still named Team MVP after tallying 36 receptions for 594 yards, tying a school record with seven touchdown catches.
A great natural athlete with big-play ability, Davis was held back by consistently poor quarterback play at USF. His route-running skills are impressive as well, as pointed out by Rookie Scouting Portfolio author Matt Waldman.
Davis has the skill set to develop into a solid slot target and could be an effective return man in the meantime.
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