Tampa Bay Buccaneers Free Agency: 5 Undrafted Stars Who Could Help

If the NFL is really and truly serious about putting the kibosh on this ridiculous lockout by Friday, it will be time for teams to jump right on those undrafted free agents, something the Buccaneers have been most successful with.

On the current roster, Preston Parker, Demar Dotson, Derek Hardman and Kareem Huggins were all undrafted free agents.

When you think about the number of players in Division I football, and some in Division II, and then look at how few players are drafted, there are a lot of diamonds hiding in the rough.

The overachievers who have been overlooked. Those guys with heart and desire and enough skill to make an NFL roster.

At the highest level, yes, it's about talent. But it's also about desire and work ethic, and those are two things they don't measure at the NFL combine.

Most importantly, game film doesn't lie.

Look at the film and see who performed every Saturday, who got the job done on a regular basis.

It's all about scouting and identifying that forgotten player who simply needs a chance.

Here are some players who just might fit the bill for Tampa Bay.

Ian Williams, Defensive Tackle, Notre Dame

With the uncertainty surrounding the recovery of Brian Price, the Buccaneers might want to bring another stout defensive tackle to camp.

Roy Miller will be asked to step up his game, and Notre Dame's Ian Williams just might fit the bill.

Williams slid off draft boards for a number of reasons. He missed the last four games of the season for the Fighting Irish with a knee injury. He has good size to battle inside. He's 6'1" and 320 pounds; not a tall guy but played in a 4-3 set in college.

Defensive line may be the most important facet of the defense for the Bucs. It's where they need to make the most improvement.

One of the knocks on Williams is his lack of production, but that could be a result of him trying to play when he was hurt.

If he's healthy, he's certainly a guy who would be worth bringing to camp.

Willie Smith, Offensive Tackle, East Carolina University

Willie Smith comes from my personal college scouting files.

As an East Carolina alum, I watched Willie perform in no less than five games last season.

He's an impressive guy.

Smith has really good size. He's 6'5", nearly 6'6" and 290 pounds. He played left tackle for the Pirates but will probably play right tackle with an NFL team.

He needs to improve on his strength and agility, just like 80 percent of the players who were drafted.

He started his career for the Pirates as a defensive lineman. Typically guys who have been on both sides of the ball have good overall athletic ability.

The Buccaneers need to improve their depth on the offensive line, and like the defensive line, it's an area that could stand some improvement, as defenses are going to be coming after Josh Freeman this year.

Henry Hynoski, Fullback, Pittsburgh

A lot of experts out there were surprised when Henry Hynoski went undrafted.

If you had a chance to watch the Pitt Panthers last season, you saw a man-beast at fullback. He's 6'2", 260 pounds, he can block like a bulldozer and was a great short-yardage back.

That being said, short-yardage production was a weakness for the Buccaneers, especially on the goal line.

Everyone was confounded by LeGarrette Blount's inability to get into the end zone on third-and-short.

That wouldn't be a problem with Hynoski.

The kid has great work ethic and the ability to catch the football out of the backfield. He can basically flatten any linebacker, lineman or blitzing safety who comes after Josh Freeman with bad intentions.

Hynoski has enough athletic talent to be a solid contributor on special teams.

You want big, you've got big. You want strong, you've got strong. You want a guy who can get you those two yards that Blount can't, then you might want to consider signing Hynoski.

He'll battle for a roster spot, that's for certain.

Derrick Locke, Running Back, Kentucky

Looking for that third-down back? Derrick Locke could be your guy.

This running back from Kentucky has great speed.

He's a big-play guy and will be a third-down back in the league. What held him back from draft charts was his size. He's 5'9" and 190 pounds.

Don't look for him to block anyone.

He was also an effective kickoff-return man for the Wildcats.

He's a terror in the open field and can change directions with ease. He was also a good runner between the tackles at the college level, and he won't go down at first contact.

He's a versatile back, and the Buccaneers need that speed guy.  

Josh Bynes, Linebacker, Auburn

Josh Bynes was one of the team leaders for Auburn, and that's something the Buccaneers typically like when they go after a college player.

Bynes is 6'1", 240 pounds and will flat-out hit someone.

He's a run-stopper, he can plug a gap and he can make a running back go backwards.

The SEC is a speed conference, and that's why a lot of their defensive players are successful in the NFL.

They don't get wide-eyed when they see the speed of the pro game.

The Buccaneers are looking for depth at linebacker, and Bynes could be that guy.

One of his weaknesses is pass coverage. That's something the Buccaneers assign the Mike linebacker.

Bynes might prove a good guy on first and second downs. He'd be a nice special teams guy as well.