2009 NFL Mock Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Written April 24, 2009 by Black Widow

buccaneers-draft-projections-042409 After a disastrous collapse late last season, the Glazer family decided it was time to make some changes. They fired Jone Gruden and GM Bruce Allen almost three weeks after the season. Raheem Morris, who was named defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin’s replacement on Christmas Day, was promoted to head coach. Pro personnel director Mark Dominik was named GM as well. Tampa heads into the offseason with needs on both sides of the ball. The Bucs were 9-3 at one point last year, but it’s defense unraveled in a four-game losing streak in which they gave up 30.8 points/game. Morris must repair a defense that looked worn down, slow and old at the end of the season. Dominik will be looking for a quarterback and a wide receiver after Jeff Garcia left for Oakland and WR’s Ike Hilliard and Joey Galloway were cut this offseason. Buc ‘Em, a Tampa Bay fan blog, has a list of potential first round draft picks for the Buccaneers this season. Below are the top five positions I think Tampa should address with their draft picks in 2009.

1.) Defensive Left End - In the Bus’ Tampa-2 defense, it is vital to get pressure from the front four because blitzing is a rarity. The Bucs mustered only one sack in each of their last five game and finished with 29 on the year, which ranked 20th in the league. Veteran Kevin Carter could be back, but he doesn’t have the speed to get up field quickly and beat offensive tackles on a consistent basis. Third-down specialist Stylez G. White took a step back last season after a successful ‘07 campaign and cannot be relied upon. Tampa has confidence in DRE Gaines Adams potential to develop into an effective players, but he needs someone opposite him who can disrupt a QB’s rhythm if this defensive line is going to meet the franchise’s high standards. Good Fits in ‘09 Draft Class: DE Tyson Jackson (LSU), DE Robert Ayers (Tennessee), DE Pannel Egboh (Stanford).

2.) Quarterback - Even with Gruden gone, Jeff Garcia decided to take his services elsewhere, joining the Oakland Raiders. Garcia and Gruden had an icy relationship despite the QB having another productive year under center. Brian Griese is no more than a one year stopgap, and backup Josh McCown will be a free agent and Josh Johnson is considered a long-term project. Dominick will have to make up his mind quickly about who he wants under center next season. Signing Byron Leftwich to a two-year contract may be the answer, but this is still uncertain. Good Fits in ‘09 Draft Class: QB Nate Davis (Ball State), QB Nathan Brown (Central Arkansas).

3.) Defensive Tackle - Tampa’s run defense was non-existent, giving up 175 rushing yards or more in three of its final four games. The DT tandem of Jovan Haye and Chris Hovan was a solid one, but Haye used his free-agency to go to Tennessee and Hovan may be slowing down a bit as he approaches his 10th year in the league. An injection of athleticism and fresh legs is a must in this year’s Draft. Good Fits in ‘09 Draft Class: DT Corvey Irvin (Georgia).

4.) Wide Receiver - The Bucs simply don’t have enough weapons in the receiving corps. Antonio Bryant earned the team’s franchise tag, but there’s no certainty he’ll be around after this season. Ike Hilliard and Joey Galloway were cut, clearly the way for a youth movement at this position. Michael Clayton was re-signed, but there are plenty of holes still to be filled here. Good Fits in ‘09 Draft Class: WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (Maryland), WR Demetrius Byrd (LSU).

5.) Strong Safety – Jermaine Phillips was re-signed this offseason after breaking both arms last year, but he may not be the long-term solution here. Sabby Piscitelli may be ready to take the reigns over from Phillips after two years of experience, but either way this team needs to add depth here as there’s clearly uncertainty at the position. Good Fits in ‘09 Draft Class: SS Kevin Ellison (USC).

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One Response to “2009 NFL Mock Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers”

Shawn Murray on April 24th, 2009 5:26 pm

This is a terrible article. The three biggest needs of the Bucs are DE, DT, and, CB. I don’t know where you have been for the last four months but Monte kiffin is coaching the Tennessee Volunteers and we DO NOT run the Tampa 2 Defense anymore. Also, with the addition of leftwich we have 4 quarterbacks. Maybe we could get a QB in the later rounds or even not at all, we need to see what the QBs on our roster can do before we add a 5th to the roster (thats crazy unless we get Sanchez or Stafford). Safety is one of ourstronger positions on the defense. We have Sabby, T-Jackson, and Will Allen (Jermaine Phillips is moving to LB).

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