2011 NFL Draft: Should the Bucs Draft Help for LeGarrette Blount?

LeGarrette Blount ran wild last year, but he can't do it all himself.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got lucky last year. Blount went from undrafted to more than 1,000 yards.  And, as Raheem Morris declared and acted on last year, the Buccaneers want to have a 1-2 punch at the running back position.

Blount was a fine rusher and is a solid starter who can control first and second down, but he falters in pass protection and catching out of the backfield. The Bucs need to somehow attain a third down back, someone flashy who will step up to make a key block or can get out of the backfield, make the catch and get the first.

Tampa Bay will likely re-sign Cadillac Williams, but he didn't have a gem of a season last year. And Kareem Hudgens raises a large question mark after missing most of last season with a knee injury. The Buccaneers' back ups are weak, to say the least.

With the labor dispute likely going into the summer, free agency is a gamble. There are options out the for the Bucs, but whether or not they can act on them is the issue. DeAngelo Williams and Ahmad Bradshaw would be nice additions. Joseph Addai, Darren Sproles and Kevin Smith are also available, but didn't have much effect last season.

So we look at the draft. Should the Bucs consider getting a running back? Definitely. Will they? Probably. So the remaining question is where. There is talent all over the board at running back. You can take a more proven player in round one or hold out and draft a project in a later round.

At pick No. 20 in the first round, there is a slim chance that the Buccaneers will be able to choose from the entire class of running backs in the 2011 NFL Draft. If the Miami Dolphins (wisely) pass on Mark Ingram, and the New York Giants choose to bolster their Offensive Line rather than go after him, he will fall to Tampa Bay.

So imagine if you will, Mark Ingram in a Tampa Bay Buccaneers jersey. He has the ability; we all know that. Some scouts have compared him to Emmitt Smith. He played his entire college career in a split back system, and I should probably mention the Heisman Trophy. But the Bucs have other needs. Needs that need to be addressed above running back. Ingram would be a luxury, not a blatant necessity like defensive end or linebacker.

By round number two, Ingram is long gone. So are Mikel Leshoure, Ryan Williams and Daniel Thomas. Tampa Bay can take a long look at Kendall Hunter and Johnny White.

Kendall Hunter is small and shifty. He can provide the burst of speed necessary and is fantastic in open space, making him ideal to catch the ball out of the backfield. But at 5'7", 199, he can not provide the protection the Bucs are looking for. Pass.

Johnny White didn't have a ton of touches in college, but showed promise catching the ball and can stand his ground blocking. But he does lack in size and definitely experience. In a few years, he is just what the Buccaneers need, but the defense still needs it more. Tampa passes on a running back in round two.

Round three rolls around, with many speedy running backs to look at. Jacquizz, super productive in college, lacks the size the Bucs are looking for. Jordan Todman is fast and can catch the ball, but isn't impressive in open space and showed nothing protecting the quarterback. So the Bucs wait, again strengthening their defense.

And here we are in round four. Tampa has done plenty to improve their defense. They are stocked with a fine linebacker, pass rushing defensive end and strong cornerback. The Bucs once again look at their list of running backs and see Derrick Locke. At 5'8", 188 he is one of the smallest backs on the board. But then you look at his tape.

Locke was built to be a third down back. He can even add something to the special teams game. He's not strong enough to hold his own as a feature back, but that isn't what Tampa Bay is looking for.

He has great awareness, speed and most importantly, hands. 34 catches for 318 yards. A 9.4 average isn't too shabby in the SEC, especially when you account for the four games he missed. Locke proves that he can catch even the bad throws and will not leave any yards on the field.

In addition to his third down receiving abilities, you can see his surprising skill as a blocker. Locke continuously stands in, showing technical skill and toughness for his size, holding his own against incoming rushers. The Buccaneers pull the trigger.

And in round four, with the 116th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select running back, Derrick Locke.

To check out where and when the Buccaneers choose a cornerback, read my article: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/678054-2011-nfl-draft-should-the-tampa-bay-buccaneers-take-a-cornerback