2011 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Draft Needs

Written by Steve Janus

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were one of the surprise teams in the NFL last year. After going just 3-13 in 2009 they went 10-6 in 2010 and just barely missed out on the playoffs. Tampa Bay will be looking to show continued improvement in the third season under head coach Raheem Morris.

The Buccaneers really had a successful draft in 2010. They used their first two picks on defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Brian Price, who figure to be starters for years to come inside. They found two quality receivers in Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn. Cody Grimm helped out at linebacker before going down with an injury. They also signed undrafted running back LaGarrette Blount, who finished with 1,007 yards. Another draft class like 2010 and the Buccaneers might take over the AFC South.

Tampa Bay has the 20th overall pick in the first round. With the offense pretty well set, look for the Buccaneers to really go after some defensive help this year. Here is a look at the five positions the Buccaneers should address. Find out who we have the Buccaneers taking in the first round in our 2011 NFL Mock draft.

Defensive End: The Buccaneers secured the two tackle spots on the defensive line with McCoy and Price, and now its time for them to add some speed on the outside. With so many quality defensive ends in the 2011 draft class, the Buccaneers should have no trouble finding a starter with their first round pick. It’s hard telling who will still be on the board when the Buccaneers are up, but a guy like Missouri’s Aldon Smith and Clemson’s Da’Quan Bowers appear to be nice fits.

Cornerback: With the recent arrest of starting corner Aquib Talib the Buccaneers all of the sudden desperately need to add some help at this position. Ronde Barber is back for another year at the other corner spot, but you can’t count on him playing much longer. Tampa Bay could skip on defensive end in the first and grab Miami’s Brandon Harris, or wait and take the best available in the second.

Safety: Tampa Bay hopes to get Tenard Jackson back in September after he finishes serving his one-year suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, but there isn’t any guarantee he will be reinstated. Unless they have someone targeted in free agency, I think they have to add some help here in the draft. One option could be to use their third round pick on Joseph Lefeged out of Rutgers.

Linebacker: Middle linebacker Barrett Ruud is a free agent. If Tampa Bay doesn’t bring him back, they will have a huge hole in the middle. On the outside Geno Hayes and Quincy Black are both solid starters, but I really think it would help this team if they added a linebacker with a little more athleticism.

Offensive Line: Tampa Bay is set at the offensive skill positions, but could use some more help up front, especially if they end up losing guard Davin Joseph in free agency. With the main focus on defense, don’t expect any picks made on the offensive line until later in the draft.

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