10 2015 NFL Draft Picks Who Could Be Opening-Game Starters for the Buccaneers
With a little over two weeks until the 2015 NFL draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are staring at a starting lineup that still looks too much like Swiss cheese for anyone at One Buc Place to feel comfortable.
Tampa Bay's need for a franchise quarterback has been well-documented, but the team has plenty of other needs across the board, which it's not likely to fill with the leftovers still available on the free-agent market.
The Bucs need multiple starters on the offensive line, a new pass-rusher and an upgrade at slot receiver.
The good news for Bucs fans? All three of those positions are extremely deep this year, which should allow Tampa Bay to find starting-caliber players even into the middle rounds.
Here are 10 names the Bucs should target to improve their group of starters heading into the 2015 season.
Oregon OT Jake Fisher
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At the top of the second round, the Bucs should have multiple options if they want to find a plug-and-play starter at offensive tackle.
Demar Dotson can play either tackle spot, but he's more comfortable and experienced on the right side, which should put Jake Fisher—a better fit at left tackle—at the top of the Bucs' target list at No. 34 overall.
One of the most athletic tackles in the draft, Fisher was an extremely valuable piece for the Ducks this past season. He missed Oregon's first game against Arizona in 2014 with an injury, and his absence was obvious, as quarterback Marcus Mariota was battered early and often by the Wildcats, who handed the Ducks their first loss of the season.
Fisher's athleticism was on display at both the combine and his pro-day workout, and he's talented enough to go in the first round, but the depth of this year's tackle class could easily push him down to the Bucs in Round 2.
If that happens, Tampa Bay would be wise to snatch him up and insert him into the starting lineup immediately.
Mississippi State DE Preston Smith
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The Bucs are in desperate need for a starter at defensive end after cutting Michael Johnson.
Thankfully, this year's class of pass-rushers is extremely deep, which should allow them to find great value at the position on Day 2. If they choose to address that need at the beginning of Round 2, Smith should be one of their top targets.
At 6'5", 271 pounds, Smith has the perfect frame for a 4-3 end, with the bulk and length to anchor against the run, as well as enough quickness and balance to bend the edge better than many give him credit for. He converts speed to power effectively and uses his hands well at the point of attack.
Smith could creep into the end of the first round, but if he falls to the Bucs at No. 34 overall, he would make plenty of sense and would immediately find himself in the starting lineup.
Kansas State WR Tyler Lockett
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The Bucs are set on the outside at receiver, but they have a huge need for a playmaker in the slot who can move the chains, make the tough catches over the middle and create yards after the catch.
Lockett's blazing speed is well-documented, but he doesn't get enough credit for his well-rounded skill set as a receiver. Similar to the Saints' 2014 first-round pick Brandin Cooks, Lockett's quality technique and ball skills allow him to play bigger than he's listed, making him more than just another undersized receiver who can't win on the outside.
Lockett checks all the boxes when it comes to what the Bucs need from a slot receiver, including the ability to make an instant impact in the return game. Don't be shocked if they spend their third-round pick on him, depending on how the board falls at other positions.
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Florida State G Tre' Jackson
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Tampa Bay could use an upgrade at right guard, and this year's draft class should give it some solid options in the middle rounds. Early in the third round, Florida State's Tre' Jackson should command the team's attention.
One of multiple Seminole linemen who should hear their names called early in this year's draft, Jackson is a massive mover who plows the road in the run game and is effective enough at pass protection to become a productive starter at the next level. He's not the most athletic guy in the world, but he gets the job done with strength and power.
According to Scout.com, the Bucs scheduled a visit with Jackson for some time before the draft.
The Bucs are high on last year's fifth-round pick Kadeem Edwards, but he might not be ready to start this season. If Jackson is still on the board when the Bucs pick at the top of Round 3, he would be a wise selection.
Pittsburgh OT T.J. Clemmings
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If the Bucs are comfortable keeping Demar Dotson at left tackle after spending most of his career on the right side, they could look to spend an early pick on a tackle who fits better at that spot.
T.J. Clemmings is one of the more raw tackle prospects in this draft, but similar to last year's No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson, he possesses rare physical traits that would make any offensive line coach salivate. His athleticism is impressive for his size at 6'5", 309 pounds, and he puts his power to good use as a devastating run-blocker.
The former Panther revealed in his own draft diary for USA Today that he's already worked out for the Bucs.
He'll need plenty of refining, but that doesn't mean Clemmings won't be able to be an immediate starter at the next level. He'll be able to survive on his natural ability while he learns the finer points of the position, and he would be an instant upgrade for the Bucs at right tackle.
If he's still on the board for the Bucs' 34th overall selection, don't be surprised if he's the pick.
UCLA DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa
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Another prospect who is barely scratching the surface of his potential, the Bucs could be targeting Owamagbe Odighizuwa with their high second-round pick to fill their need for a new pass-rusher.
A more effective edge-rusher than his stat line may tell you, Diggy is one of the best in this year's draft class at converting speed to power against opposing offensive tackles.
He's a bit stiff at times and needs to develop a larger array of pass-rushing moves, but he's got the frame and the length to hold his own as a 4-3 end, both as a run-stopper and when it comes to getting after the quarterback.
His biggest red flag is his injury history, which includes multiple hip surgeries, so the medical evaluations from the Bucs doctors will likely play a vital role in the team's evaluation of him.
But if he checks out medically and falls to their second-round pick, the Bucs could make life more fun for copy editors across the Tampa Bay area by making them spell-check the draft's most interesting name for years to come.
Duke WR Jamison Crowder
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If the Bucs wait until Day 3 to find a new starting slot receiver, they should still have plenty of attractive options. Atop that list should be Jamison Crowder, who has all the qualities the team should be looking for at the position.
At 5'8", 185 pounds, Crowder may lack the size to make it as an outside receiver in the NFL, but that doesn't mean he won't make an immediate impact as a starter in the slot.
He has the quickness and burst off the line of scrimmage to create instant separation from defensive backs, and his fluidity as a route-runner will make him tough for opposing nickel corners to keep a handle on.
Jenna Laine of Sports Talk Florida reported that the Bucs worked out Crowder and a few of his Duke teammates earlier this month.
Multiple defensive backs at the Senior Bowl said Crowder was the toughest receiver they had to cover all week, despite his lack of ideal size. He has experience as a return man as well, which will be valuable to a Bucs team that struggled in that area last year.
Oklahoma OT Daryl Williams
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If they wait until the third round to find a tackle who fits best on the right side, the Bucs could very well target Daryl Williams, who was named first-team All-Big 12 in 2014 after starting every game at right tackle for the Sooners.
What Williams lacks in agility and athleticism, he makes up for with power and a nasty mean streak, firing off the ball and driving defenders with great leverage. A blue-collar player with great on-field intelligence, Williams reacts well to changes in defensive fronts and uses his massive frame to engulf opponents.
Williams' lack of overall athleticism could drop him down the board a bit, but teams will still covet a durable right tackle with his experience. If the Bucs haven't addressed their need at tackle until Round 3, Williams could be their best bet.
Arizona State OL Jamil Douglas
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If the Bucs wait until Day 3 to address their need at right guard, they could still find a potential starter in Jamil Douglas, who would bring useful versatility to Tampa Bay's offensive line.
A tackle for the Sun Devils, Douglas moved to guard during Senior Bowl week, impressing with his ability to handle interior pass-rushers, as well as getting leverage and winning in the run game.
Similar to Joel Bitonio and Zack Martin in last year's draft, Douglas could end up turning his change of positions into an immediate impact in the NFL.
Injuries revealed the Bucs' severe lack of depth up front last season, making a player like Douglas—who has the ability to play inside or out—that much more enticing.
Penn State OT Donovan Smith
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Another college tackle who could project better as a guard in the NFL, Donovan Smith could be a target for the Bucs early on Day 3.
Somewhat of a surprising early entry into this year's draft, Smith made 31 starts at left tackle during his career with the Nittany Lions. Though he has plenty of experience at that spot, his lack of athleticism and ability to handle speedy edge-rushers could force him inside, where his shortcomings wouldn't be quite as noticeable.
According to Justin Pawlowski of BucsBlitz.com, the Bucs met with Smith at the combine, so there's clearly some interest there already. At the very least, Smith could potentially start at right guard for the Bucs, with the potential to possibly end up back at his left tackle spot.
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