5 Prospects the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Should Target in 2015 NFL Draft

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished the season with the worst record in the NFL, assuring them the top pick in the 2015 NFL draft. However, one pick doesn't turn a team around, so the Bucs need a robust board of players to cover every contingency during the draft.

Owning the first overall pick is as limiting as it is extensive. To maximize the value of the pick, the Bucs have to take a game-changing player, like quarterbacks Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston.

The Bucs could also try to trade down to acquire more picks and fill more holes on the roster. While this would be an extremely difficult and risky maneuver, the Bucs could address their problems on both the offensive and defensive lines.

There should be additional pressure on the Bucs to make successful picks on the second day of the draft. Given their recent history in the second and third rounds, the Bucs need to get the most out of those picks to bolster depth and potentially add new starters.

Though the Bucs offense will receive considerable attention due to its dreadful performance this season, the team cannot ignore the needs it has on defense—particularly at middle linebacker and cornerback.

Here are five prospects the Bucs should target in the upcoming NFL draft.

Oregon Quarterback Marcus Mariota

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

Let's start with the obvious pick, shall we? The Buccaneers need a quarterback and Mariota is the best of the available class.

Much will be made of Mariota's pro-readiness or lack thereof. Working out of a spread offense at Oregon doesn't directly translate to a complete NFL offense.

Mariota was as productive a passer as there can be in college football. The junior Oregon quarterback built off a spectacular 2013 campaign to win this year's Heisman Trophy.

Marcus Mariota's Oregon Career Stats

	Pass Yards	Completion Percentage	Pass TD	INT	Rush Attempts	Rush Yards	Rush TD
2014	4121	68.6	40	3	125	731	15
2013	3665	63.5	31	4	96	715	9
2012	2677	68.5	32	6	106	752	5

Despite his gaudy stats, Mariota faces a long road of intense scrutiny. It's no secret that the Oregon offense runs like a machine, and it may only be a matter of time to tell how much of Mariota's success relies on his fit in the Oregon offensive machine.

With that said, Mariota's athleticism and record shouldn't be ignored.

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller warns that scouts and personnel evaluators shouldn't overlook his accomplishments simply because there is more to be learned about Mariota's capabilities:

"

Key with Mariota (and others): don't count what they aren't asked to do as something they can't do, but unknown is always scary.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 6, 2015"

The Bucs are no doubt considering Mariota for the first overall pick. His athleticism and work habits are everything they could want in a quarterback.

The real key to Mariota's success in Tampa Bay would be whom the Bucs hire as offensive coordinator. Having played mostly in a spread offense, Mariota will need an offensive mind capable and willing to devise a system best suited to his strengths while also acclimating him to a pro-style offense.

LSU Offensive Tackle La'el Collins

Jonathan Bachman/Associated Press

If there is one thing the Bucs need, other than a quarterback, it's offensive line help. They could find an upgrade in LSU offensive tackle La'el Collins.

Though Collins isn't worthy of the first overall pick, the Bucs may be looking to trade down in an effort to strengthen the entire roster. Should that happen, the offensive line would have to take priority in draft needs.

The senior tackle was selected a second-team All-American, and The Advocate's Ross Dellenger also reports that Collins projects as high as a top-15 pick in the draft.

Collins brings a nastiness that the Bucs' offensive line has not possessed in a long time. Miller saw what Collins had in store during LSU's loss to Notre Dame at the Music City Bowl:

"

Re-watching La'el Collins cut ups from last night vs. Notre Dame. He kicked some serious ass in the run game.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) December 31, 2014"

Collins' greatest strength is his run-blocking, an attribute sorely needed by the Bucs offense. Though he played tackle in college, Collins could make the switch to guard to help shore up the center of the line.

Arkansas Defensive End Trey Flowers

Danny Johnston/Associated Press

Defensive end should be the Bucs' main concern on defense this offseason. To remedy their chronically meager pass rush, the Bucs need to look at drafting Arkansas DE Trey Flowers.

The 6'3", 270-pound senior terrorized quarterbacks and offensive lines for Arkansas. In four seasons, Flowers tallied 18 sacks and three forced fumbles. Before the 2014 season, Flowers already racked up 32 tackles for a loss.

Pro Football Focus' Steve Palazzolo believes Flowers has a real future in the NFL and highlights his well-rounded game:

"

Arkansas DE Trey Flowers (No. 86) has the makings of a productive NFL player. Can play the run, solid pass rusher

— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) December 30, 2014"

The 2015 draft is full of pass-rushers, but a large number of the top prospects project better as a 3-4 outside linebackers. Flowers is not only a fit as a 4-3 defensive end, he could be available in the second or third round.

Though the Bucs defense started to turn the corner late in the season, the pass rush was problematic all year.

Adding a complete defensive end like Flowers would not only give the Bucs another body in the rotation, it would push vets like Michael Johnson and rising players like Jacquies Smith to make the most of their time on the field.

Miami Linebacker Denzel Perryman

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Lovie Smith's Tampa 2 defense requires a playmaker at the middle linebacker position. There is no better fit for Tampa Bay's defensive centerpiece than Miami LB Denzel Perryman.

Whoever drafts Perryman is getting a human highlight reel. The senior middle linebacker cultivated a reputation for laying gruesome hits that he might need to dial back in the NFL just to avoid the personal foul flags.

At 5'11" and 242 pounds, Perryman is a little undersized, but he doesn't play like it. His instincts balance out his fearlessness, making him an asset both in coverage and in the run game.

Matt Miller gave Perryman "a solid Round 2 grade" last week. That should make him available if Smith decides to move on from Mason Foster and draft his own guy.

Stanford Cornerback Alex Carter

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

In the pass-heavy NFL, every team needs three starting-caliber cornerbacks. The Bucs could look to add one with Stanford CB Alex Carter.

Running a Tampa 2 defense, the Bucs don't need a man-press corner with burning speed. They need a cover corner with instincts and fluidity.

Carter is another player admired by Miller. Aside from his only average speed, Miller believes the Stanford junior has first-round potential:

"

Really like Stanford CB Alex Carter. Think he has RD1 tools, coverage skills. May not run super fast, though.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) December 31, 2014"

The Bucs have two viable starting cornerbacks in Johnthan Banks and Alterraun Verner, but lack of depth created serious problems in coverage this season. The Bucs need an upgrade at the nickel corner, where Leonard Johnson posed a liability at times.