NFL Draft 2011: Breaking Down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Needs
In last year's NFL draft, it was clear to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that they need to clog the middle of their defensive line with their first selection. That need was filled with Gerald McCoy.
They also used one of their two second round picks on Brian Price, using their top two picks of 2010 on defensive tackles.
While injuries didn't allow them to pan out in their first season, there's no major concern that either player will be a draft bust.
This year the Bucs enter the draft with a mind-set on shoring up a few defensive positions, including a major concern last year at defensive end.
That looks to be the top position of need in this year's draft for Tampa Bay, and is the favorite to represent the position of their first pick.
Outside linebacker and cornerback are two other positions high on the Bucs list, especially if Aquib Talib is not welcomed back across from Ronde Barber, who is nearing the end of his career.
Here's a further look at the Bucs positional needs, and the players that they could be targeting later in th month.
Defensive End
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When reflecting on the 2010 season, it's clear to see where the bright spots were for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's also clear to see what their weaknesses were.
Their biggest of all was with their ability, or lack there of, to rush the passer. With names such as Tim Crowder and Stylez G. White, there isn't much up-side for the Bucs to get major pressure on opposing QB's.
Meanwhile, Kyle Moore, by both injuries and poor performance, is no longer considered a work in progress. He will never be what the Bucs thought of him when they drafted him out of Southern Cal.
So the Bucs are more likely to turn to a defensive end in the draft than any other position in the first round. Robert Quinn of North Carolina, with his explosiveness off the edge, and Da'Quan Bowers of Clemson, with his excellent pass rush skills, should both be off the board within the first 10 picks.
J.J. Watt has been a target of the Bucs for quite some time, but he also could go way too early for the Bucs, who have the overall 20th pick. Watt is a solid pass rusher for not having the quickest first step, and has a bigger frame (6'5"-290) than most ends.
From watching him play, you can tell he has a great nose for the ball, showing incredible instincts with his great football IQ.
If Watt is off the board, there is still plenty of ends to choose from in a draft deep with them. Aldon Smith may not be the prototypical end to play in the Bucs' system, but Raheem Morris has switched a few things up to apply a little 3-4 defense, which would be up Smith's alley, but I still doubt the Bucs will take him.
Cameron Jordan is someone who could play in many defenses. He's better against the run than versus the pass, but would still more than fill the spot for Tampa Bay. He's an every-down guy, being durable as any other end in the draft. At 290 pounds, he can even bounce inside if need be.
I have a feeling Jordan will be gone before the Bucs' selection, and even if he isn't, the Bucs will most likely go with Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan any way. The nation's leader in tackles for a loss, Kerrigan doesn't quite have the physical prowess as Jordan, but is a stronger pass-rusher, something the Bucs really need.
Kerrigan has been on Tampa Bay's watch list for a long time, and even Mel Kiper has Kerrigan going to the Buccaneers with the 20th overall pick in his latest mock draft. Kerrigan looks like the ideal pick for the Bucs, and could easily be available at the 20th pick, because of all the ends in this year's draft.
If he happens to be picked, the Bucs could turn to an Adrian Clayborn, who has fallen down many draft boards, or Cameron Heyward out of Ohio State. But the Bucs would have to be desperate to make one of those players their pick, unless they trade down.
If the Bucs decide to take a different position in the first round, Allen Bailey out of Miami (FLA) or Jabaal Sheard from Pitt could fit the bill in the second round, but I still see them taking a defensive end in the first round.
Outside Linebacker
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Choosing an outside linebacker, or even a cornerback, would most likely only be the result of the Bucs not getting their hands on Kerrigan. In that case, two OLB's could end up in a Bucs' uniform.
With Von Miller off the boards early, Akeem Ayers would be the next OLB in line. Ayers produced greatly at UCLA, and despite not being as physical as most linebackers, he's tough to take out of a game.
Justin Houston may be too far down on most boards for the Bucs to take a swipe at him, but the way he can diagnose a play is better than most.
Many scouts, however, have said that he struggles in coverage, which I must agree with having watched many of the SEC teams closely. He's more likely to play in a 3-4 defense any way.
The second round is a more ideal place to see the Buccaneers pick up an outside linebacker, and Bruce Carter out of North Carolina may be the choice if they get a crack at him.
The outgoing former Tar Heel recently tore his ACL, which has dropped him down boards, but still is quick and agile, something the Bucs have loved out of their linebackers in the past.
Illinois' Martez Wilson is another potential selection. The 6'4" prospect has good top-end speed, and is also considered a decent tackler. He is not considered very close to Carter on most draft boards though.
If the third round comes along without the Bucs taking an OLB, either Christopher Carter out of Fresno State, or former conference foe Dontay Moch from Nevada, could slide into the pewter for next season.
Cornerback
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It's obvious that Patrick Petersen and Prince Amukamara are the cream of the crop at corner in the 2011 NFL draft, so the Bucs won't get a chance with either one. But that doesn't mean the talent ends right there at the position.
Aaron Williams, the former Longhorn, would be a solid pickup in the first round. He's a bit inconsistent in some spots in coverage, but has a high up-side overall in the skill. Decent height and good speed keeps him as a potential first-rounder, and he can also support against the run.
Brandon Harris would be the other potential draftee for the Bucs in the first round if they were to select a corner. Harris has excellent top-end speed, and also has the brains of a former All-ACC academic to go along with it. He's smart and hardworking, but is a bit short in comparison to today's NFL corners.
If the Bucs were to wait as most expect, and take a corner in the second or third round, there's more to chose from at cornerback, including Ras-I Dowling, the Virginia production, who has a good balance of size and speed.
Dowling's instincts are also top of the line. Johnny Patrick isn't far behind in rankings of corners, having very good ball skills. The big concern with him may be his mental toughness.
Many third round-corners could be in consideration. Curtis Brown, another Texas' grad, Joshua Thomas out of Buffalo, and former Tar Heel Kendric Burney, all would be solid choices in the third round.
It's hard to think the Bucs would use their first three picks on defensive players when they're still trying to build around Josh Freeman, but defensive end looks like a near-lock for the first round, and at least one of the other positions for one of the next two rounds.
We'll just have to see what Raheem Morris and Mark Dominik have in mind later in the month.
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