Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bucs 2015 NFL Offseason Draft Scouting Guide
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered through one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history this year, managing just a 2-14 record despite high offseason expectations.
The biggest—if perhaps only—silver lining for Bucs fans? The team has secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft.
Tampa Bay's first year under the Jason Licht/Lovie Smith regime may have ended in frustration and disappointment, but they're in prime position to potentially grab their future franchise quarterback at the top of the draft, while using the rest of their high picks in the following rounds to rebuild the offensive line yet again and continue building depth across the rest of the roster.
The Bucs were in line to coach at this year's Senior Bowl but have reportedly turned down the opportunity, according to ProFootballTalk.com.
The draft is still months away, but it's never too early to take an in-depth look at Tampa Bay's game plan for this year's crop of selections.
Bucs' Current 2015 Draft Selections
1 of 8Here are the picks currently owned by the Bucs in the 2015 NFL draft:
- 1st Round (1st overall)
- 2nd Round
- 3rd Round
- 4th Round (from St. Louis)
- 5th Round (from Baltimore)
- 6th Round
- 6th Round (from St. Louis)
- 7th Round
The Bucs have secured the No. 1 overall selection, but the exact pick numbers for the following rounds have yet to be officially announced.
Tampa Bay traded its original pick in the fourth round to the Patriots, along with tight end Tim Wright, in return for guard Logan Mankins. They now own the Rams' picks in the fourth and sixth rounds, which they received in return for safety Mark Barron at the trade deadline.
The Bucs traded their fifth-round pick to the Bills when they traded up from their sixth-round pick to draft Purdue offensive tackle Kevin Pamphile. They currently own the Ravens' pick in the fifth round, which they received in a trade for center Jeremy Zuttah.
This is the fifth time in franchise history the Bucs have owned the No. 1 overall pick, with the previous four coming in back-to-back years on two different occasions. Their previous picks at the top of the draft? Hall of Fame defensive end Lee Roy Selmon (1976), running back Ricky Bell (1977), running back Bo Jackson (1986)—who never played a snap for the team—and Heisman-winning quarterback Vinny Testaverde (1987).
First Things First: Find a New Offensive Coordinator
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The single greatest factor that contributed to Tampa Bay's dismal 2014 season? The absence of Jeff Tedford, who was handpicked by head coach Lovie Smith to run the Bucs offense this season.
Tedford took a leave of absence prior to the start of the regular season after undergoing a heart procedure, but he was expected to eventually return to his duties. Instead, Tedford would part ways with the Bucs without ever calling a regular-season play, leaving quarterbacks coach Marcus Arroyo to handle the play-calling duties for the entire year.
Tampa Bay's offense was plagued all season by a lack of offensive identity, struggling to establish the running game and showing the inexperience of Arroyo's play-calling to be painfully obvious.
Head coach Lovie Smith made it clear in his postseason press conference that finding a new offensive coordinator is the first and most important order of business on his list of offseason tasks, and that decision will likely have a sizable impact on whom they choose with the No. 1 overall pick.
Team Needs: Quarterback
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Heading into the 2014 season, Tampa Bay's plan was to start veteran free agent Josh McCown and eventually hand the reins over to young backup Mike Glennon.
But after both McCown and Glennon each got their chance to start for healthy stretches this season, it's clear that neither signal-caller is a viable option for the Bucs, whether in the short or long term. McCown made 11 starts, managing just 11 touchdown passes for 14 interceptions, with a quarterback rating just over 70. Glennon fared a bit better statistically—10 touchdowns, six interceptions, 83.3 quarterback rating, but didn't "wow" anyone with his ability to move the offense.
The only upside to a 2-14 season is the Bucs having their pick of the litter at the top of the draft, where they'll get their shot at this year's top quarterbacks. This year's class is extremely thin at the game's most important position, with only two prospects worthy of a first-round pick.
This year's top two quarterbacks play with completely different styles, which will make Tampa Bay's choice at offensive coordinator the first domino to fall in determining who the best fit will be.
Top Targets
Marcus Mariota, Oregon (No. 1 overall)
This year's electrifying Heisman winner, Mariota racked up more gaudy statistics in his junior season with 52 total touchdowns—14 rushing—and just two interceptions. But Oregon quarterbacks have been known to put up such numbers without it translating to NFL success.
Mariota isn't your typical single-read spread quarterback, showing adequate pocket presence and accuracy to go along with his ability to make big plays with his legs. Even so, it's hard to ignore the lack of success spread quarterbacks have had in the NFL, and it would likely take just the right offensive system to allow Mariota to be successful if starting from day one.
Jameis Winston, Florida State (No. 1 overall)
Winston's off-field issues have been well documented, and while he has on-field concerns as well, he's the more pro-ready prospect of this year's top two quarterbacks. Winston's experience in a pro-style offense, natural arm talent and fiery brand of leadership are all extremely attractive qualities when it comes to projecting success at the next level.
The interview circuit during the predraft process will be vital for Winston, who will need to convince NFL front offices that his headline-grabbing antics are behind him. Teams need to know that the potential face of their franchise will stay in the playbook and out of trouble, and if Winston can win the room, he'll have a solid chance at going No. 1 overall.
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Team Needs: Offensive Line
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The Bucs overhauled the entire offensive line last offseason, replacing four of five starters from the previous year. But the additions of Anthony Collins, Evan Dietrich-Smith and Logan Mankins did very little, if anything, to improve the unit's play in 2014.
Collins was a healthy scratch for the last few games of the season, Dietrich-Smith committed far too many mental mistakes for a veteran with his experience and Mankins proved to be a shell of his former self.
Tampa Bay focused on retooling this unit through free agency and trade this past year, waiting to address the line until the fifth round of the 2014 draft. The on-field results suggest they might want to switch up their strategy this year, so don't be shocked if they spend multiple picks up front early on in the 2015 draft.
Top Targets
T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh (Day 2)
Tampa Bay moved Demar Dotson from right to left tackle for the last few games of the season, and his play was good enough to warrant the team keeping him there as they move forward. That would allow them to look for a new starter on the right side early in this draft, and Clemmings could be the perfect fit at the top of the second round.
Clemmings has the natural ability that could translate to being a successful left tackle, but all of his experience up to this point has been on the right side. He has the ideal frame for the position, using his impressive wingspan to stymie pass-rushers, while also possessing the power and drive to be an effective run-blocker.
Laken Tomlinson, G, Duke (Day 2-3)
Mankins may have been a great addition to the locker room as a veteran leader, but his performance at left guard in 2014 proved he's not the same player that went to six Pro Bowls in New England. The Bucs had a revolving door at right guard, where the likes of Patrick Omameh and Garrett Gilkey proved they're nowhere near NFL starting material.
Tomlinson isn't the most agile or athletic interior blocker in the world, but he's a massive mauler who uses his size and power to be especially effective in the ground game. A four-year starter for the Blue Devils, Tomlinson is the kind of high-character player Lovie Smith covets in his locker room.
B.J. Finney, C, Kansas State (Day 3)
Dietrich-Smith was one of many free-agent misses this year for the Bucs, but with basically no depth behind him, the team was forced to use the likes of Gilkey and rookie undrafted free agent Josh Allen to fill in for the veteran when needed.
Tampa Bay should strongly consider spending a Day 3 pick on a solid backup who could possibly take over if Dietrich-Smith's play doesn't improve. Finney isn't going to "wow" scouts with his natural athletic ability, but he's a sound technician at the position who won't make the costly mistakes the Bucs experienced there this season.
Team Needs: Defensive End
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Upgrading their pass rush was high on Tampa Bay's to-do list for last offseason, but injuries and underachievement held back their front four yet again this year.
Despite signing a lucrative free-agent deal, Michael Johnson managed just four sacks all season after being billed as the prized pass-rusher of this year's free-agent class. Adrian Clayborn missed most of the season with an injury, and the Bucs' most effective edge-rusher ended up being waiver-wire wonder Jacquies Smith, who tallied 6.5 sacks over the last eight games of the season.
If they're able to grab their quarterback and address the offensive line with their first two picks, filling this need should be next on Tampa Bay's list in this year's draft.
Top Targets
Markus Golden, Missouri (Day 2)
Teammate Shane Ray gets more attention, but Golden could easily end up being the better value if he's available at the top of the third round.
Golden has the size needed to put his hand in the dirt full-time in a 4-3, and he posted career highs this season with 68 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks for the Tigers. He might lack the lightning-quick first step of this year's top edge-rushers, but Golden seems to always find his way into the opposing backfield, which is exactly what Tampa Bay needs more of off the edge.
Preston Smith, Mississippi State (Day 2-3)
Lovie Smith loves defensive ends with big frames and long arms, and Smith fits the bill in both of those categories. At 6'5", 270 pounds, Smith was an effective rusher and run defender in the nation's top conference, tallying 11.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks this season.
Like Golden, Smith won't jump off the tape with an explosive first step nor beat NFL offensive tackles with his quickness, but he uses his size, power and technique to make plays on a consistent basis. If he's still hanging around at the top of the fourth round, he'd be a perfect fit for the Bucs if they've yet to address the position.
Team Needs: Nickel Corner
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Tampa Bay fans will never forget the playmaking ways of Ronde Barber, who embodied the perfect example of what a Tampa 2 nickel corner should look like. Adept at creating turnovers, reading and reacting in run support and using superior instincts to excel in zone coverage, Barber proved how vital the right fit at that position can be in the defensive scheme that has returned to Raymond James Stadium.
Inheriting a roster that wasn't built for his scheme, Lovie Smith struggled through 2014 without a player who fit what he's looking for out of the slot corner. Leonard Johnson and Isaiah Frey handled the duties for most of the year, but neither looked particularly comfortable in the role.
It's not the highest of priorities, but it's a spot that could warrant attention in the middle rounds.
Top Targets
Senquez Golson, Mississippi (Day 2)
Golson led the SEC with nine interceptions this season, showing the big-play ability the Bucs will want out of this position. Even more so, Golson's lack of ideal size means he won't be the best fit on the outside, which could cause him to slide down the draft board.
His lack of size won't scare off teams who are looking for an instinctive slot corner who has a knack for making plays, and it's likely he'll be off the board before the Bucs can focus on addressing this need. Still, he's a name to keep an eye on, especially depending on what holes Tampa Bay fills in free agency.
Kevin White, TCU (Day 3)
Another undersized prospect who likely won't be able to survive on the outside against the NFL's bigger, more physical receivers, White has the perfect skill set to carve out a successful career as a nickel corner.
White showed his coverage skills by playing extremely well against one of this year's top receiver prospects—West Virginia's Kevin White, strangely enough—but his greatest value at the next level will be using his instincts from the slot.
Team Needs: Wide Receiver
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The Bucs look like they've git a home run with Mike Evans, but Vincent Jackson will be 32 years old next year and there's very little depth beyond those two.
Louis Murphy provided some decent production from the slot when healthy, but he's a role player without much of a ceiling beyond his current output. Evans has already snatched the torch away from Jackson as the team's No. 1 receiver, but the Bucs should be looking for a receiver in this draft who can make plays from the slot, possibly develop into a No. 2 target and provide immediate value as a return specialist.
Top Targets
Stefon Diggs, Maryland (Day 3)
Diggs' injury history will be of significant concern, but when healthy, he's an explosive receiver who can make big plays after the catch, as well as in the return game.
His on-field talent would likely warrant a late-Day 2 selection, but his red flags in the durability department could cause him to drop to Day 3. If that happens, Tampa Bay would be wise to consider snatching him up.
Dezmin Lewis, Central Arkansas (Day 3)
He doesn't have the experience as a return man, but Lewis is an intriguing name to keep an eye on in the later rounds.
At 6'4", 212 pounds, Lewis has the size NFL teams are looking for in a receiver, with the frame to bulk up a bit and become more physical. He might be a bit more of a project coming from a smaller program, but Lewis has the natural talent to develop into a special player under the right circumstances.
Team Needs: Middle Linebacker
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Mason Foster's contract is up, and injuries slowed him considerably this season. Even when healthy, many doubted whether or not Foster possessed the level of athleticism required to survive in coverage as a middle linebacker in the Tampa 2.
Even if Foster returns, it's possible he's usurped by Danny Lansanah, who performed well in the role earlier this season. No matter what, depth is an issue at this spot, as injuries left the position extremely thin. Even if they wait until Day 3, the Bucs need to find a player who can fit their scheme and give the team some quality snaps and contribute on special teams.
Top Target
Hayes Pullard, USC (Day 3)
He's not the level of player that could step in and start Week 1, but Pullard has the size and skills to be a solid depth piece and special teams contributor immediately.
A vital aspect of playing the middle in the Tampa 2 is the ability to get to the deep middle and guard the seam between the two safeties. This requires speed, instincts and hip fluidity, all of which Pullard has enough of to be an intriguing developmental prospect for Tampa Bay, and he'd be worth a late-round pick.
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