6 NFL Draft Prospects the Buccaneers Should Be Watching at the Combine

The NFL Scouting Combine is an opportunity for this year's draft prospects to level the playing field and distill their physical attributes to a specific set of skills. Like every other NFL team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be watching every player but will also target certain prospects who already caught their eye.

The combine is only a small part of the evaluation process with the various drills, including the 40-yard dash, the three-cone drill and the 225-pound bench press, making up only a portion of that.

Nevertheless, it represents one of the only opportunities to objectively compare each player's physical abilities.

The Bucs have a laundry list of roster needs they must address. Obviously, the quarterback position will bear the greatest scrutiny as the Bucs possess the first overall pick and are likely to take either FSU QB Jameis Winston or Oregon QB Marcus Mariota.

With the weight of that decision bearing down, it's easy to forget the Bucs have another six picks in the draft and more problems to solve. The right side of the offensive line is a gaping hole, and new starters may be needed on defensive line and the secondary.

The players the Bucs need to target at the combine all have questions surrounding their viability in the NFL. In the cases of TCU safety Chris Hackett and Duke wide receiver Jamison Crowder, there are some lingering concerns about certain aspects of their physicality, though their tape looks convincing.

Others such as defensive end Lynden Trail and running back Dee Hart are relying on their combine performances to lure teams into gambling on their upside.

The following players aren't guaranteed to make an impact in the NFL, much less be drafted by the Bucs. However, each possesses a skill set that may be of some use in Tampa Bay.

Here are the six draft prospects the Bucs need to watch at this week's combine.

Chris Hackett, Free Safety, TCU

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TCU free safety Chris Hackett has the instincts and athleticism to be a solid starter in the NFL. He might even be a steal in the second or third round of the draft, but there are some concerns over his size and speed that the combine could address.

At 6'2" and 195 pounds, Hackett is very much on the smaller side, which is the main reason he isn't a first-rounder.

It's unfortunate Hackett is so slight because his instincts and technique are primed for the next level. He takes good angles and wraps up surprisingly well for his frame.

Hackett possesses the coverage skills and fundamentals that Bucs FS Dashon Goldson lacks. With the Bucs possibly cutting Goldson this offseason, per the Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud, Hackett would provide an upgrade to the Bucs' safety rotation.

The biggest thing he needs to do is downplay his weaknesses. Some such as NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah question his speed, and given his size limitations, it's very important for him to show off his range.

If Hackett can run the 40-yard dash in under 4.6 seconds, he should solidify himself in the second round. Even if he manages to fall to the third, the Bucs need to seriously consider taking him.

Jamison Crowder, Wide Receiver, Duke

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The Bucs have size at wide receiver. Now they need a little speed. That's where a player like Duke wide receiver Jamison Crowder comes into focus.

The ACC's all-time leader in receptions has "slot receiver" written all over him. At just 5'8" and 175 pounds, Crowder is clearly undersized, but he more than makes up for it in quickness and good hands.

Crowder's speed and athleticism will have to be on full display at the combine. His time in the 40-yard dash will bear monitoring, but his three-cone and shuttle times must set him apart.

Quickness is one element sorely missing from the Bucs offense. There isn't a player on the roster who offers the ability to change direction and create separation over the middle like Crowder.

Crowder's quickness may also prove helpful in punt returns. The Bucs never found an answer in the return game last year and need a nifty guy such as Crowder fielding kicks.

Dee Hart, Running Back, Colorado State

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The Bucs desperately need to add speed on offense, particularly in the backfield. They might find a diamond in the rough with Colorado State running back Dee Hart.

Hart led the Rams in rushing in 2014 with 1,275 yards and 16 touchdowns. Another undersized prospect at 5'8" and 189 pounds, the junior relies on quick feet and agility to eat up yardage.

While Hart shouldn't have any trouble with the cone or shuttle drills, his 40 time will have a significant impact on his stock. Obviously, the faster his overall time the better, but his split times must set him apart from larger backs. Splits tell the story of a player's acceleration, an essential quality in a speed back.

The Bucs have not been successful with small speed backs in recent years. They drafted Utah State RB Michael Smith in the seventh round during the 2012 draft and traded for RB Jeff Demps from the New England Patriots in 2013.

Neither Smith nor Demps did much for the Bucs or in the NFL generally. Hart may end up sharing the same fate, especially after two knee surgeries and only one season of real production at CSU. Regardless of his combine performance, he wouldn't be worth anything more than a seventh-round pick.

Lynden Trail, Defensive End, Norfolk State

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Small-school products lack the strength of competition of their BCS brethren and need the combine to provide a fair comparison. Norfolk State defensive end Lynden Trail has to prove not just that he's on par physically with the rest of the 2015 class but that he may even surpass them.

Trail is the epitome of a projection player. Ideally framed at 6'6" and 262 pounds, the former wide receiver is a smooth athlete with natural quickness that could make him a dangerous pass-rusher in the NFL.

Unfortunately, his lack of experience on defense and marginal competition make him a risky acquisition before the sixth round. He accumulated 19.5 sacks in three years playing for Norfolk State, which is somewhat disappointing given he was playing in the MEAC.

Trail also played mostly in a 3-4 defense, though his size makes him better suited as a 4-3 defensive end.

Though his athleticism is his hallmark, Trail needs the combine to distinguish himself from the rest of the field. Teams will only take a chance on him if his measurable attributes compensate for his lack of quality tape.

The Bucs need more pass-rushers but may not find great value or good fits in the second or third round. Trail is a risk, but a strong combine performance might make the gamble worthwhile.

Donovan Smith, Offensive Tackle, Penn State

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At first glance, Penn State left tackle Donovan Smith looks the part of an NFL offensive lineman. Watching him play, however, it becomes apparent he is a raw prospect and will need a strong combine to keep his draft stock afloat.

The junior lineman has prototypical size at 6'6" and 340 pounds. For such a large man, he moves smoothly and with good balance.

Smith's technique is questionable, and despite his athleticism, he appears to play in slow motion. He doesn't react quickly to misdirection and doesn't show the ability to recover when he's beaten.

The three-cone drill will be crucial for Smith to prove he can keep up with NFL defensive linemen. If he can demonstrate quickness comparable to other offensive linemen, scouts may be able to attribute his lethargy to poor technique or recognition, which is coachable, rather than foot speed, which isn't.

The Bucs have a giant, gaping hole on the right side of the offensive line. While it's likely it'll be addressed to some degree in free agency, they need to invest in a long-term solution. Smith is a project, but at his size, he is worth keeping an eye on.

Kevin White, Cornerback, TCU

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Lovie Smith considers nickel corners as starters in his defense. TCU cornerback Kevin White could be the perfect player to fill that role for Tampa Bay.

White looks a lot like a certain Bucs cornerback who was also undersized when he entered the league more than 20 years ago. Like former Buccaneer Ronde Barber, White has a nose for the football and possesses underrated coverage skills.

At 5'10", White is a little short to play an outside corner full time in the NFL, but he didn't show consistent quickness in responding to the more agile wide receivers he faced to be a truly convincing nickel corner.

While 40 times are always crucial for defensive backs, White's biggest challenge of the combine will be his shuttle times. To defend passes inside, he will have to be able to change directions quickly and fluidly.

The Bucs aren't the only team looking for a nickel corner, and White's services may be in great demand. It may only be fitting that the Bucs spend a third-round pick on a player who may be the next Ronde Barber.