NFL Draft 2011: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Those Wonderful Seventh Rounders

The 2011 NFL draft is a mere 16 days away. Funny how these things sneak up on us.

While you dream of free agency and what might be for your 2011 Buccaneers, pay close attention—newly-extended GM Mark Dominik has once again pointed at "the plan."

"I think we're going to stay with the plan we started two years ago, and that's trying to build this thing really, through the draft," is how he put it the other afternoon on WDAE 620, your Sports Animal.

And why not? Looking at how the shelves have been stocked, things are looking pretty nifty over there at One Buccaneer Palace.

Here's a quick look at what Dominik will have to work with during the Draft:

Round 1:    20th pick (overall 20th).

Round 2:    19th pick (overall 51st).

Round 3:    20th pick (overall 84th).

Round 4:    19th pick (overall 116th).

Round 5:    20th pick (overall 151st).

Round 6:    22nd pick (overall 187th).

Round 7:    20th pick (overall 222nd).

Round 7:    37th pick (overall 238th).

Now, pay close attention to those seventh rounders. Seventh rounders in the Gruden-Allen days had no prayer. Heck, they had problems with every pick.

Dominik has made his reputation with seventh rounders, however. That's where GM superstars are made, where scouting departments earn their reputations—good or bad.

In 2009, the Bucs got defensive back E.J. Biggers (217th) and receiver Sammie Stroughter (233rd). You know them and their contributions to this team.

In 2010, the seventh-round harvest yielded Cody Grimm (210th), Dekoda Watson (217th) and Erik Lorig (253rd).

There you have, between those two drafts, five guys who have made major contributions to the team.

Which begs the question: can Dominik find more unpolished diamonds in this year's seventh round?

Even more important, how good can this team do in rounds three through six?

Is there another Mike Williams out there?

That may be an extremely pertinent question with the ongoing rehabilitation of Arrelious Benn. There are no guarantees that Benn will be ready when the 2011 season—if there is one—starts.

So while the "defensive end versus linebacker" debate continues over that 20th pick, it is the later rounds where the Bucs tend to stand out.

Hopefully, that will create some excitement long after we know who that new defensive end or linebacker will be.