Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Draft Big Board: Position-by-Position Rankings

The Lovie Smith era did not get off to a great start for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2014 but there are pieces in place to think a strong foundation is being built.

The Bucs have one of the top defensive tackles in the league in three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro Gerald McCoy. Beside him is the ultimate professional in Clinton McDonald, who doesn’t mind doing the dirty work to let McCoy shine. Tampa Bay brought in Henry Melton from Dallas and also have young Akeem Spence for depth purposes.

Tampa Bay’s linebacking corp also looks solid with Lavonte David manning the outside. David’s play reminds many in the area of a young Derrick Brooks and he should be even better in the second year in this system. The Bucs also have young Danny Lansanah who popped out of nowhere to provide eye-popping numbers for a second-year player. He returned two of his three interceptions for touchdowns and also had eight pass breakups in 11 starts.

Offensively, the Bucs have a rising star in receiver Mike Evans and an aging vet in receiver Vincent Jackson. Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins should be more comfortable in his second year to give the team another weapon.

But the rest of the offense is a work in progress and the Bucs hope to fill in some holes through the draft.

The Bucs believed if they want to have sustained success, they must do so by drafting well. General Manager Jason Licht did a good job with his first draft in 2014 with an all-offensive draft. He landed two starters (Evans and Seferian-Jenkins) and a third who will challenge for a starting role this year (running back Charles Sims). Offensive lineman Kevin Pamphile and receiver Robert Herron also got some time in their rookie seasons.

Still, the club finished with a 2-14 record and must fill in some spots through the draft in order to add to a good starting foundation.

Here is the direction the team may be heading.

QUARTERBACK

This was a major area of weakness for the Bucs in 2014 as free-agent Josh McCown’s play was nowhere near the level of his 2013 season. His offensive line problems were a factor but too often McCown made ill-advised decisions, especially for a veteran. The Bucs released him after one year. Mike Glennon had another shot at cementing his role as starter but had trouble with his accuracy. Add that to a dysfunctional line play and the non-mobile Glennon struggled for most of his time.

With the first pick in the NFL Draft, the Bucs will pick a quarterback.

Jameis Winston, Florida State

He has the tools to be the starter from Day 1 and a good quarterback for years to come.

Winston has the strong arm and competitive drive a franchise quarterback needs. He can make every throw from the pocket and is the quarterback most ready for the NFL.

He’s not going to outrun many defenses but is mobile and strong enough to buy time in the pocket. He has been compared to Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger.

His past off-the-field behavior has been under great scrutiny but the Bucs believe his immature days are over. If so, they could have their first franchise quarterback in team history.

Marcus Mariota, Oregon

Mariota is an exceptional athlete and did not turn the ball over in college.

He has the ability not only to escape the rush but to make yards afterward. He throws the quick, short passes extremely well and is a good decision-maker.

The knock was he only had to read half the field in the spread offense and there is concern over how long it would take for him to become comfortable in a pro offense or an offense.

Garrett Grayson, Colorado State

Improved every year he was in college and threw for 4,000 yards against just seven interceptions his senior year.

Grayson is another good decision-maker who rarely turned the ball over. He doesn’t have a cannon of an arm but anticipates well on his passes.

He is a solid athlete who can extend plays with his legs and also throw on the run but he needs to learn how to play under center.

Brett Hundley, UCLA

Hundley did not have a good season with the Bruins but has the talent to be a good player. He has a strong arm and can extend plays with his legs. He also has a quick release.

Yet, his poise is sometimes questioned and he often lost in huge games. He also wasn’t consistent in his decision-making.

He needs to be a backup for a few years.

GUARD/TACKLE

John Raoux/Associated Press

The revamped offensive line of 2014 did not work out. Anthony Collins, the 2014 prized free-agent left tackle, was a bust in Tampa and is now gone. Left guard Logan Mankins and center Evan Dietrich-Smith were average at best. Right guard Patrick Omameh was inconsistent in both the run and pass, while right tackle Demar Dotson didn’t play up to his 2013 standard but was still a better option when moved to left tackle in December.

The Bucs need players on the line and will look to get one early in Day 2 and perhaps another one on Day 3 in the fourth or fifth rounds.

Ty Sambrailo, Colorado State

Sambrailo could immediately challenge for the right tackle or guard position.

A two-time All-MWC performer, Sambrailo is athletic and can get to the second level on run plays and is solid in pass protection.

There is room to grow for him. He has to get stronger so not to get pushed around by bigger defensive tackles.

La’el Collins, LSU

Collins started two years at left tackle for the Tigers but has also played guard and could start his career at that position.

Big and strong and durable (started final 38 games of his career), scouts love the way Collins uses his hands.

He was a second-team All-American and had 88 knockdowns his senior year his senior year.  He is good at getting to the second level on run blocks as well as out in the flat on screens.

D.J. Humphries, Florida

Humphries only played 29 games in college but Humphries has a lot of upside.

He runs well and has quick enough feet to play left tackle, yet he needs to get at 307 pounds, Humphries needs to get bigger and stronger.

He has had some injuries that could concern GMs.

Jarvis Harrison, Texas A&M

At 330 pounds, Harrison is huge, which could concern some GMs. Still, the Bucs know about him from scouting Evans prior to the 2014 NFL Draft.

Harrison is a punishing run blocker and is solid in pass protection. And despite his size, he is more than adequate in space.

He has the talent but does he have the desire?

WIDE RECEIVER

Mike McCarn/Associated Press

The Bucs have good starters but if either Evans or Jackson goes down, the unit falls off considerably. Louis Murphy had flashes of being the third receiver but injuries prevented him from solidifying the position. Rookie Robert Herron had troubles catching the ball and didn’t get much field action. Russell Shepard is one of the team’s top special teams players and is a solid fourth or fifth receiver.

If the right guy is there in the second round, the Bucs would consider but more likely this is a third round or third day pick.

Rashad Greene, Florida State

He was Winston’s security blanket in college. Whenever the quarterback needed a play, Greene made it.

He has great hands and can make plays after the catch. Greene can also play outside or in the slot.

The question is can he handle the physical corners in the league? But it may not matter if he’s in the slot.

Sammie Coats, Auburn

Coats averaged 21.4 yards for his three-year career at Auburn. That’s two first downs per catch.

He has good speed and accelerates quickly into his routes.

Coats has to work on the rest of his game other than the deep ball in order to be a consistent professional.

Chris Conley, Georgia

Despite being in a run-oriented offense, Conley averaged 18.3 yards per catch and had eight touchdowns his senior year.

He was good at finding holes in zone defenses and could be counted on to make the tough catches.

Despite his 4.35 speed, he had trouble at times creating separation.

Dezmin Lewis, Central Arkansas

Lewis has the size (6’4”) to one day be a replacement for Vincent Jackson.

Despite going to a smaller school, Lewis proved at the Senior Bowl he can compete with anybody.

He jumps and runs well after the catch but is not the fastest.

RUSH END

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

While solid in the middle, the Bucs’ major issue came from their defensive ends. While Jacquies Smith was a good find, free-agent Michael Johnson suffered through injuries most of the year and did not live up to expectations. He was cut in the offseason.

Former first- and second-round defensive ends Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers wasn’t given a new contract after four less than stellar seasons with the team. William Gholston is a good rotation end, who can also play inside but has yet to blossom into that dominant pass rush.

The Bucs need someone with a motor like Smith to get after a quarterback and take the pressure off of McCoy in the middle. They will likely grab one in the second or third round. The team could also make a run a second one late in the draft.

Markus Golden, Missouri

This is a guy who doesn’t quit, playing to the whistle on every snap.

Despite being undersized (6’2” and 260 pounds), Golden has good strength and power as well as good instincts. He pursues to the ball very well.

He managed 10 sacks opposite Shane Ray last year and would be a great bookend to Smith.

Danielle Hunter, LSU

A true junior who’s best days may be ahead of him.

His time in the combine (4.57 seconds) and potential may skyrocket him up the draft boards. He is long and lean (6’5” and 257 pounds) and doesn’t take any plays off.

His sack production however never has lived up to his potential, with seven career sacks in 38 games. He did have 13.0 tackles for losses last year and has room to develop.

Preston Smith, Mississippi State

He had a breakout season in 2014 with 9.0 sacks and 15.0 tackles for losses. The Bucs will like he played in a power-conference like the SEC.

He is versatile enough to play inside or outside and reacts well to developing plays.

Smith has to be more consistent as he was cited as playing only in spurts, which makes you a special teams player in the NFL.

Martin Infedi, Memphis

Infedi could be the late-round pick the Bucs would take a chance on.

He’s another guy who never gives up on a play and also reacts well.

He showed he could be productive at the small school, getting 22.5 sacks during his career at Memphis. However, his sack totals fell way down his senior season (2.5), which could remind the Bucs of Johnson.

CORNERBACK

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

The Bucs seem to be OK at this position with Johnthan Banks and Alterraun Verner locked in as starters and Mike Jenkins, Sterling Moore and Leonard Johnson fighting for the nickel and dime spots.

But the Bucs struggled at nickel last year. With Jenkins and Moore able to play both inside and outside, expect the Bucs to find a young player to challenge or grow into the nickel role.

This would definitely be a sixth or seventh round pick.

D’Joun Smith, Florida Atlantic

He had a strong Senior Bowl and combine that put him on the radar despite playing at FAU.

His interception total is low (one in 2014) because teams rarely threw his way. He can play press or off coverage, although his football speed is questioned.

He would fit in well with a team like the Bucs that play a lot of zone defense.

Quandre Diggs, Texas

At 5’9” and 196 pounds, Diggs will be a nickel in the NFL. He has good bloodlines as he is the younger brother of NFL cornerback Quentin Jammer.

He has good instincts and reactions as shown by his 73 tackles. He also had three interceptions last season.

He’s not the fastest but will compete every down.

Cody Riggs, Notre Dame

Riggs is a former Florida Gator who transferred to the Irish.

He reacts well to the ball when it is in the air and is very competitive.

He played some safety in college but had some durability issues.

Kevin White, TCU

White started for three years while at TCU and had a career-best 13 pass breakups his senior season.

He is best when playing off coverage and had a good showing in the Senior Bowl.

He’s not the fastest but will compete.