2011 NFL Draft: How Will Safety Ahmad Black Help the Tampa Bay Bucs' Secondary?

With their 5th round selection, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went back to defense selecting safety Ahmad Black from Florida.

The Buccaneers had their minds set on improving the struggling secondary with the selection of safety Ahmad Black.

After adding two incredible pass rushers in the first two rounds of the 2011 NFL Draft, Tampa Bay shifted their interest to the defensive backfield, adding a ball-hawking player.

Ahmad Black could be considered a fifth round steal by the end to the 2011 NFL season.

Though he is undersized at the position (and put up underwhelming numbers in the NFL Combine), Black's NCAA career spoke for itself.

He ended his senior year as a Florida Gator by leading the team in tackles (102), while also adding two fumble recoveries and three interceptions. His freshman campaign for the team had him leading all of college football with seven interceptions in 14 games.

Black pairs his ball-hawking ability with a knack for the big hit, as evidenced by his extensive highlight reel of laying out incoming receivers.

He has the potential to be a starter on this Buccaneer defense, and could contribute immediately to special teams.

Black can line up against a slot receiver and will have no problems with zone coverage, given his instinctive ability to read the quarterback. If he sees a good amount of playing time, he could compile upwards of 70 tackles and pull down an interception or two.

While Buccaneer critics may argue that cornerback was a more pressing need, they might be silenced by Black's upcoming campaign.

They may not have gotten the speedy coverage they would have had with a corner selection, but Black will contribute to the run defense and might be a future nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.