Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2015 Draft: Aggregating Report Card Grades from the Web

You know how we thought the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did in the 2015 NFL draft.

But what did the rest of the nation think? Did the Bucs make the right quarterback choice? Did they reach for players? 

The question on most people's minds is whether quarterback Jameis Winston can overcome the controversies of his college days to become a solid professional.

Let's take a look around the Web to see what the rest of the nation thought of the Bucs' picks.

Sports Illustrated

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Grade: B

Sports Illustrated said top pick Jameis Winston could either be a home run or a bases-loaded strikeout for the Bucs.

They like the majority of the remaining picks, however.

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The top pick in the 2015 NFL draft, Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, will either be a franchise-defining stroke of genius or a franchise-defining disaster, depending entirely on whether Winston can channel his estimable talent and keep his head straight. The Bucs did give Winston some important on-field protection with second-round tackle Donovan Smith (a 6'6", 328-pound mauler from Penn State) and Hobart's Ali Marpet (a former tackle who looks like a really good guard in the NFL). Also, adding to big targets Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans, Tampa Bay took Nebraska burner Kenny Bell in the fifth round and slot man Kaelin Clay from Utah, an underrated player with gliding speed.

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Rick's Take: I have less concern for Winston than I have with the offensive linemen. Smith seems legit, but can Marpet adjust from D-III to the NFL?

Those guys will go a long way in determining the success of this draft for the Bucs.

CBS Sports

Grade: B+

CBS Sports mentions Winston but also likes the late picks of receivers Kenny Bell and Kaelin Clay to give the rookie hurler more weapons.

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If Jameis Winston can keep himself out of trouble, he's going to be a star. His awareness, pocket mobility and accuracy to all levels of the field fit in beautifully with the massive pass-catchers already has on the roster. And the Bucs added a couple of speedy deep threats to watch in Kenny Bell and Kaelin Clay late in the draft.

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Rick's Take: Bell will have a chance to crack the rotation and get some heavy playing time. He is the all-time leader in catches with Nebraska, but many look at him as just a deep threat. He must become more versatile.

Clay was brought in for his return skills. He had four return touchdowns (three on punts) while at Utah. While he is a more polished receiver than Solomon Patton, it will be hard to get any significant time at receiver.

Sporting News

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Grade: C-

Sporting News liked the pick of guard Ali Marpet but said the Bucs will be graded by one person and one person alone: quarterback Jameis Winston.

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Winston was the no-brainer and necessary pick at No. 1, but of course despite all his physical and mental talents, that carries significant risk right off the bat. They balanced taking (Donovan) Smith too early by taking Marpet at just the right time. Because so much is dependent on Winston here and the volume was small, it had to be below average.

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Rick's Take: The Bucs didn't reach when they selected Smith. He was the highest-rated tackle on their board.

If there is a concern, it should be how the Bucs will fare if they start two rookies on the offensive line, along with a rookie quarterback.

That usually is not a recipe for success.

Yahoo Sports

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

Grade: B

Yahoo Sports was highly complimentary of the Bucs' first five picks, although it gave a warning for left tackle Donovan Smith. It was not impressed by the picks of sixth-round pick receiver/returner Kaelin Clay or seventh-round pick fullback Joey Iosefa.

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Smith and (Ali) Marpet were obvious need picks. I think the Bucs will be disappointed if they indeed play Smith on the left as opposed to the right side, but expect him to become a solid starter nonetheless. Despite his small-college background, Marpet is a high-ceiling guard with a nasty streak. (Kwon) Alexander is a classic Lovie Smith linebacker. (Kenny) Bell was a fifth-round steal and could become the Bucs' No. 2 receiver as soon as 2016, when Vincent Jackson likely won't be around. Clay and Iosefa were uninspiring picks. I've been fooled by the Jason Licht/Lovie regime before. I thought they would be a .500 team last year. So I'm cautious when evaluating them, but on paper I like their draft.

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Rick's Take: The Bucs are going to start Smith at left tackle and move Demar Dotson back to his natural spot at right tackle. Smith is experienced there and will have veteran guard Logan Mankins to help guide him. Clay could be a game-changer in the likes of Devin Hester, whom Lovie Smith coached while in Chicago. It was also a need position for the Bucs.

College Football 24/7

Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

Grade: B+

CFB 24/7 really likes the Bucs taking Kwon Alexander in the fourth round. Coach Lovie Smith likes speedy, linebackers who flow to the ball and Alexander can do that.

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 Alexander is very athletic and a player Lovie Smith can turn into a star. (Kenny) Bell is a great field-stretching option out of the slot for (Jameis) Winston to find.

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Rick's Take: Alexander adds depth to an already above-average linebacker corps. Lavonte David is one of the top 4-3 linebackers in the league. Danny Lansanah returned two interceptions for touchdowns last year and played all three positions. Tampa Bay brought in Bruce Carter to play the middle.

I don't see Alexander cracking the lineup, at least not right away. He needs to bulk up. But he can make a mark on special teams to start.

Final Grades

Outlet: Grade

Sports Illustrated: B

CBS Sports: B+

Sporting News: C-

Yahoo! Sports: B

College Football 24/7: B+

Bleacher Report: B-

Final Take: It looks like most of the country thinks Tampa Bay had an above-average draft. The Bucs filled a a few of their major needs and added depth in a couple of other positions.

The question is, did the Bucs get the right people?

Everyone believes Jameis Winston has the talent, but will he have the temperament? Is Donovan Smith the answer at left tackle? Can Ali Marpet make the leap from Division III to the NFL?

Most believe receiver Kenny Bell is a steal in the fifth round, and Kaelin Clay can make an immediate impact on kick and punt returns.

Not sure about fullback Joey Iosefa in the seventh round and the Bucs not picking up any edge-rushers.

Still, the team addressed its needs. We'll have to wait to see how it turns out.