NFL Draft 2011: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Must Get Defensive in the 1st Round

The Buccaneers need to go into the draft tonight with just one thing on their mind.

Defense. Tampa Bay can use a number of strategies for this primetime draft, but they all need to be for the same purpose, which is to bolster their defense.

There are holes in the pass rush, gaps left in the secondary and spots to fill at both inside and outside linebacker.

Option 1: Staying at No. 20

The Bucs can choose to remain at pick 20 and opt for the most talented individual that comes there way.

The first round is ripe with defensive ends to choose from, so one would think that they grab one here to improve their pass rush. However, Tampa Bay is in the awkward position where they may be forced to watch all of their potential picks fall of the board in front of them.

Robert Quinn, Da'Quan Bowers and Cameron Jordan will all be gone, but if some of the latest projections are correct, there is a chance that Ryan Kerrigan or J.J. Watt could still be up for grabs.

Say, however, that all favorable defensive ends are off the board. Drafting cornerback Jimmy Smith may not be entirely out of the question. In the past few months cornerback has become more and more of a priority.

While they can still get a potential starter in a later round, the Buccaneers can be confident that they are getting a strong and proven corner whose skills could translate right away. Staying still at spot 20 in the first round of the NFL Draft carries a little risk, but it can be done. As long as it is dedicated to defending the pass.

Option 2: Trading Up for Talent

If more reports come out today about NFL teams preference for players, and Tampa Bay isn't confident that they sill be able to secure a top defensive end, they can opt to trade up in the draft.

By trading up to spot 15 they will be in the heart of defensive end country. Kerrigan and Watt will surely be available at this time and star cornerback Prince Amukamara could be alive.

By going even higher to No. 10, they could have the option of drafting a player with guaranteed impact and immediate presence in the pass rush. Robert Quinn, Da'Quan Bowers and Cameron Jordan could still be available and greatly improve the Bucs' defensive stats in 2011.

Option 3: Sliding Down the Draft Board

Trading down presents a pretty unique set of options for the Buccaneers.

They can still receive a quality defensive end or even a proven outside linebacker while gaining perhaps an additional later selection they can use to boost the Offensive Line or provide depth and competition at another defensive spot.

Linebacker Akeem Ayers was very promsing in his college career but suffered from a poor combine causing him to fall. His skills could fill the practically empty outside linebacker position.

Two defensive ends would make great additions to the Tampa defense, as well. Cameron Heyward and Adrian Clayborn aren't as highly recognized as the previously mentioned defensive ends, but they are still late first round projections that could put much needed pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

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So, whether the Tampa Bay Bucs choose to stay put or trade up or down in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, there are options available that will greatly boost their chaces of success this season.

As long as their minds stay focused on the task at hand: making the best move necessary to improve a crumbling defense.