Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Complete 2015 NFL Draft Wrap-Up and Analysis

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the 2015 NFL draft with a lot of holes to fill. When you are coming off a 2-14 season, that can only be expected.

The Bucs needed help at quarterback, offensive line, receiver and special teams. The team also needed an edge-rusher, linebacker and secondary help.

Thanks to having eight picks entering the draft, the Bucs were able to get seven players. At least four of those players will be expected to help the team immediately and could land in the starting lineup.

The centerpiece of the Bucs' weekend was the drafting of quarterback Jameis Winston from Florida State. He is expected to start immediately and give Tampa Bay its first franchise quarterback in years, if ever.

Tampa Bay also picked up a couple of offensive linemen and a couple of wide receivers/returners who could make an immediate impact for the squad.

The Bucs also drafted their first defensive player in the two-year history of the Jason Licht-Lovie Smith era. The Bucs moved up four spots to ensure they could grab speedy LSU linebacker Kwon Alexander. He's a little undersized, but he's a playmaker, as his 90 tackles in 2014 show.

Tampa Bay still didn't get an edge-rusher, and the Bucs didn't get any help in the secondary.

But the primary needs were taken care of by the team.

Let's take more of an in-depth look at the Bucs' draft.

The Selections

Tampa Bay got their man in quarterback Jameis Winston. Speaking of his performance on the field, it's hard to argue this pick. He's a former Heisman Trophy winner, won a BCS National Championship and led Florida State to a 26-1 record in his two years there. Has he put the off-the-field issues in the rearview mirror?

Only time will tell, but since the Bucs were in need of a quarterback who was as ready for professional football as a rookie can be, Winston was the right pick.

The Bucs also filled a need on the offensive line, inking Donovan Smith from Penn State with the second pick and trading back into the second round to get Ali Marpet out of Division III Hobart.

Tampa Bay has been searching for a left tackle since it released Donald Penn in the offseason prior to the 2014 season. Free agent Anthony Collins was a bust and was released this offseason.

Smith will be expected to come in and start from the start of training camp. He is experienced and has the skill set to be a good one for a long time.

Marpet had a strong Senior Bowl to become the highest Division III player ever drafted. He is smart, fast and tenacious. The lone concern is will he be able to hold his own against NFL defenses in a new position (guard)?

Tampa Bay added depth in the linebacking corp by moving up to select Kwon Alexander from LSU. Weak-side linebacker is his natural position, but that is currently manned by former All-Pro Lavonte David. Thus, the speedy but smallish Alexander will try to beat out Danny Lansanah on the strong side for the starting position. At worse, Alexander will start on special teams and be ready to step in when needed.

Former Nebraska wide receiver Kenny Bell also can add depth to the receiving corp and challenge for playing time. The all-time record holder in receptions and receiving yards for the Huskers, Bell has speed and solid hands. Can he do it on the pro level? His willingness to play special teams will be a plus for him.

Speaking of special teams, Tampa Bay expects sixth-round pick Kaelin Clay to run with both the kickoff and punt-return duties. The former Utah Utes player returned four kicks (three punts) for touchdowns in 2014.

Fullback Joey Iosefa was the Bucs' final pick in the seventh round. The big back will have a chance to challenge Jorvorskie Lane for the starting spot, since Lane is coming back off injury.

Best Pick: Jameis Winston

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

He is a winner and a leader on the field. More importantly for the Bucs, Jameis Winston has the talent to play the position of quarterback and play it well.

He can make any throw from the pocket. He can escape pressure and allow himself time to make a play down the field.

Florida State ran a pro-style offense, which should help ease the on-the-field transition for Winston. Now, he has to get the playbook down.

Coach Lovie Smith did not say Winston would be starting when the season starts, but he didn't say he would be on the bench either.

"He’s won a national championship," Smith said to the Tampa Bay media Friday during Winston's first press conference in Tampa. "He played in the first (college) playoff series. And then, he's been in numerous big games; big games where he was behind; big rivalry games. So he’s been in a lot of big games (and) tough, pressure-packed situations. We’re going to ask him to be in more."

[All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.] 

Worst Pick: Joey Iosefa

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

It's hard to call a seventh-rounder a bad pick, especially one whom the general manager said he expects to compete for a starting position.

Can Joey Iosefa come in and get the job done, or should Tampa Bay taking another position?

Iosefa has the body of a fullback. As a former high school quarterback, you know the Hawaii fullback is athletic. Plus, he had 60 catches in his career, which is an excellent weapon to have.

But can he take the job from incumbent Jorvorskie Lane, who should be healthy following breaking a bone in his leg last year?

This will be a battle to watch in training camp. 

What the Experts Are Saying?

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Todd McShay, ESPN

In a Lincoln Journal Star's story on Tampa Bay drafting former Nebraska receiver Kenny Bell, the article had a quote from ESPN recruiting analyst Todd McShay.

McShay was quoted as saying of Bell: "This guy is just a football player," McShay said. "I really like this pick, and I'm shocked that he's still available."

Rick's Take: There's a reason a receiver is still on the board in the fifth round with Bell's credentials. Usually, it's because he's a one-trick pony. If Bell can prove otherwise, he has a chance to be a steal.

Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com

In his draft analysis, Prisco liked the Bucs taking quarterback Jameis Winston with the first overall pick.

"I don't think Winston is in the Andrew Luck class, but he is the best quarterback in this draft, and Tampa Bay had to take him. It is the right move for the Bucs at No. 1 overall."

Rick's Take: I agree. The Bucs took the best quarterback in the draft, a position they needed.

Elliot Harrison, NFL.com

In an NFL.com article, Harrison showed his love for Tampa Bay moving back up to the second round to select guard Ali Marpet from Hobart.

"How do you not like the selection of Marpet, the first player taken out of Hobart since 1948? NFL.com draft guru Daniel Jeremiah mentioned that this Division III stud acquitted himself just fine when playing with the big boys at the Senior Bowl."

Rick's Take: I like the selection of a guard, but I'm not sure about Marpet. He dominated Division III players, but there's a reason why not many D-III players are drafted. Doing it one week at the Senior Bowl is one thing. Doing it every day in the NFL is another. He will be interesting to watch.

What's Left to Address?

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

The Bucs still could use one or two more players at linebacker. The top five are already set with Lavonte David, Bruce Carter, Danny Lansanah, rookie Kwon Alexander and Orie Lemon. An undrafted rookie could get a chance to turn some heads during the team's upcoming minicamp.

Tampa Bay could also use some depth at safety. The top three players are set with Chris Conte, Major Wright and Bradley McDougald. Keith Tandy also got a lot of playing time last year, but Tampa Bay wants players to cause turnovers; its safeties didn't do that last year.

The team didn't bring in any defensive linemen, but another edge-rusher may also be in line for the squad. The team did trade for George Johnson and has Jacquies Smith on the other side. William Gholston can play both inside and out. The team needs one more end who can flat out cause havoc in order to have a strong rotation.

Final Grade

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Jameis Winston and Donovan Smith were solid picks. We're not sure the Bucs had to move up to get Ali Marpet. While we like Marpet's position, the question will be whether he can make the jump from Division III to the NFL.

Kwon Alexander gives the linebacker corp more depth as does Kenny Bell at receiver. Kaelin Clay has been given the kick-return duties, so a lot will be on his plate. We'll see if fullback Joey Iosefa makes the squad.

The Bucs filled a lot of needs and got deeper in other positions. In a few years, this class could be rated an "A."

For now, the Tampa Bay Bucs' 2015 draft earns a "B-."