Fansided 2013 NFL Mock Draft Review: Will the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Reach for a Corner?

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Every week at fansided.com, the team posts a new NFL mock draft based on the latest news and a good dose of personal opinion. The crew at the Fansided main page do a great job considering the needs of every team in the NFL, but followed the common thread most mockers do when it comes to the Buccaneers.

"13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, CB"

As I mentioned earlier, it’s certainly not a sure thing that the Buccaneers will select a corner with the 13th pick. My strong stance against taking a corner not named Milliner still stands, as I believe both Xavier Rhodes, who Josh Sanchez has the Buccaneers taking in the Fansided mock, and Johnthan Banks aren’t worthy of a top 15 pick as it stands. Milliner might be worth trading up for, but with the number 13 pick being well after the Alabama corner will be off the board, the Buccaneers would be better served selecting the best player at another position of need.

As the board stands at pick 13 in the mock linked above, the Buccaneers have options. Ezekiel Ansah, who I profiled this past weekend, is available, and could be an elite defensive player if he reaches his potential. He’s an athletic freak and a very smart player who is still learning the game. Jarvis Jones (linebacker from Georgia) is also available, and is a highly talented player who could help fill the hole left by the likely departure of Quincy Black (due to injury). It’s also possible that safety Kenny Vaccaro will be available, as Josh Hill projected in his last mock draft.

Most mock drafts avoid the use of trades, because they are much tougher to predict. But I would venture to say that the Buccaneers would be a likely trade candidate if they were sitting at the 13 pick and were not interested in Vaccaro, Ansah, or Jones. Moving down in the first round and picking up more mid round picks would give the Buccaneers some extra chances in the draft lottery. They could also select the same level of cornerback in the late first round as the ones being projected to them at the 13th pick.

The Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik has been solid in his drafting over the past couple of years, and I am confident that he will make the right moves on draft day. Being at the 13th position means the Buccaneers could move up or down the draft board easily, either to grab a top-10 talent or allow other teams to compete for mid-round players who might have slid further than expected. What do you think the Buccaneers will do? Is it wise to take a cornerback, regardless of who is taken in the first 12 selections? Comment below and let us know what you’d like to see Dominik and Co. do on draft day.

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