NFL Draft 2011: Final Analysis of Tampa Bay Buccaneers Draft Needs
There are holes to fill, upgrades to make and lot of position depth to cover in the 2011 NFL Draft. This is a look at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Draft Needs.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers shocked the nation last season, going from dreadful to 10-6, nearly making the playoffs. At this point, no one can argue that the Bucs aren’t a good team. But there is a lot of work to be done to make the jump to elite.
The high points in Tampa’s game stood out last year: a seemingly true leader in Josh Freeman, explosive performances from skill position rookies LeGarrette Blount and Mike Williams, a solid interior defensive line. But their soft schedule and performances against competitive teams displayed their weaknesses: essentially every other position.
With no signs of free agency to lean on, the Buccaneers and the rest of the NFL are going into the draft assuming that it is the only talent pool to select from. No team really has the luxury of drafting gambles and projects since their future is so uncertain.
So, let’s address the Bucs most pressing needs. What positions are top priorities, who fits the bill, and where and when they can snag them.
Defensive End: Bringing the Pass Rush in the 1st or 2nd Round
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This is undoubtedly the biggest hole on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ roster. Tampa finished last season starting Stylez G. White and Tim Crowder at the position. This resulted in practically no pressure, and a sub-par run defense. White is not returning, Crowder is a free agent, and Kyle Moore is their best bet right now. Not a good way to start the season.
If Tampa hopes to improve, this position should receive a lot of respect, and be addressed more than once. The Bucs have a chance to get lucky with their first round pick and hope to see one of the top 6 defensive ends drop to them.
It is safe to say that Da’Quan Bowers, Cameron Jordan and Robert Quinn will be long gone. J.J. Watt would make a nice fit, but will likely be off the board as well. Aldon Smith doesn’t seem like a good fit in the Bucs’ system, but Morris could find a way to utilize him. That is of course if he is on the board.
The best fit who has a chance to be available by the 20th pick is Ryan Kerrigan, who led the nation last season in tackles for a loss. He is a superior pass rusher and will provide a much needed boost at the position. If he falls prior to the Buccaneers’ selection, Tampa may opt to trade down in hopes of getting Cameron Heyward or Adrian Clayborn. Both players would be too much of a reach to consider taking at pick 20.
I wouldn’t be surprised for Tampa Bay to look for another defensive end in round two or three, or pick up a project late in the final rounds.
Linebacker: Tampa Bay Needs to Address Inside and Outside LB
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Linebacker is high on the list because their starting middle man, Barrett Ruud is a free agent along with the underrated Quincy Black. Both inside and outside linebacker should be addressed here. Providing assistance to the rush defense and instilling even more pressure on the quarterback are once again the highest priorities.
Second round prospects include: Martez Wilson, a run-smashing inside linebacker; Akeem Ayers, outside linebacker once very high on draft boards but fell due to a poor Combine showing; Bruce Carter, a tremendously athletic outside linebacker whose stock fell after a torn ACL; and Justin Houston, a defensive end/linebacker Hybrid who could drastically improve the pass rush.
If one of them falls to the Bucs, it would be the smart move to take them with their second pick. They could also opt to wait for the third round and consider the small yet speedy and monstrously athletic Dontay Moch.
Cornerback: Accounting for Increasing Age and Increasing Arrests
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Trouble is definitely brewing on the corners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneer defense. Aqib Talib, an incredible upcoming talent for the Bucs is facing criminal charges and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him let go. And there comes a point when the seemingly ageless Ronde Barber will not be able to keep up as he has in recent year. He was just resigned for a season, but it’s anyone’s guess as to how long he will be in a Tampa uniform after that. Not many impressive backups exist on Tampa Bay’s roster, so it’s time to draw attention to the cornerback position.
If the Buccaneers find this issue to be greater than I imagine it, they could opt for Jimmy Smith in the first round, or even trade up to snatch Patrick Peterson or Prince Amukamara, who should both fall out of the top 7. But this is unlikely.
The second round will go to a defensive end or linebacker as only Aaron Williams looks promising. Brandon Burton should fall in their laps at pick 84 in round three. He is a shutdown cornerback whose skills could translate immediately into the league. He is aggressive and disruptive at the line and is just as impressive reading the quarterback in zone coverage. Expect pick number three to improve the cornerback position.
Further options present themselves in later rounds, but might prove to be too inexperienced or too much of a project to be started early in their NFL career. To see an in-depth analysis of why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should draft a cornerback, click here.
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Running Back: Hands and Speed to Help LeGarrette Blount Shoulder the Load
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LeGarrette Blount went from undrafted to more than 1,000 yards last season, but Tampa should consider searching for his counterpart for an effective 1-2 punch. Cadillac Williams and Kareem Hudgens should both be back next year, but Williams didn’t shine, and Hudgens is coming off a knee injury.
Blount was very physical and Tampa should look to secure a 3rd down back with both the ability to catch out of the backfield and make the key block, something that none of the Bucs’ running backs were able to do last season.
Mark Ingram may fall to Tampa Bay in the draft and it would be a great scenario for them, however this might not be the best plan of action since running back isn’t as pressing as the previously mentioned defensive elements.
The second and third rounds offer tremendous blocker and small speedy runners who can make plays catching the ball, but none of them offer a solid combination of the two qualities which the Bucs’ need. In Round 4 however, they are presented with their first great opportunity to capitalize on the position.
Derrick Locke is a lot of talent in a very small package. He has great hands and the ability to escape in the backfield. He accumulated 318 yards on 34 catches, averaging 9.4 per catch, despite missing four games. While he lacks the size to be an every-down back, he will provide the perfect support for Blount and Company with his speed and agility. His tape also proves that he is not afraid to stand in there and hold his own against oncoming defenders.
Any later in the draft and Tampa Bay will not find a more valuable player than Locke. To read further analysis of Tampa Bay’s choices at running back in the 2011 NFL Draft, click here.
Offensive Guard: Protecting Josh Freeman and the Buccaneer Offense
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In a perfect world, the Bucs would have at least one more pick in the first four rounds to get a quality offensive lineman. There are a handful of scenarios where the Buccaneers will be short at this position, but needs on defense have overtaken them.
Guard Davin Joseph will likely try the free agency market, Jeremy Trueblood is a free agent as well, a true starting left guard might be necessary as well to strengthen the interior offensive line.
The closer we get to the draft, the more Mike Pouncey is jumping up on teams’ wish lists. He likely will not be around by pick 20 in the first round. More pressing issues arise in rounds 2 and 3, so Tampa passes on James Carpenter and Rodney Hudson.
Marcus Cannon is an interesting option who is all over the board. Tampa Bay would be very lucky to have him fall all the way to their Round 5 selection but it is possible. He is a very raw talent, but could work at both guard and right tackle, both positions that need to be addressed in the Draft.
The fifth round is logically the best position to draft a Guard, and the 6’4” 314-pound John Moffitt will still be up for grabs. Stephen Shilling from Michigan showed great promise in 2010, but dropped to the 5th round or lower due to his 2011 campaign.
But the best option this late in the game might be Bryant Browning from Ohio State. At 6’4”, 319, he is the ideal size for the inside and has proven to be a very physical player with great strength. He has shown that he can get to the second level and excels in run blocking. He is the best bet in the draft for the Bucs at Offensive Guard.
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