NFL Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Day 2 Preview
By Nick John
Dec 31, 2013; El Paso, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Xavier Su
With day one in the books, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers added a big, strong, and fast weapon on the offensive side of the ball in Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans.
Look for more offense to be added today.
The Buccaneers have the 38th overall pick in the second round, and 69th overall pick in the third.
There is a strong possibility that the Bucs could trade down at one of these spots to acquire more picks, since they only have five more picks in total.
Here are some positions, and five players of interest at each one, that the Buccaneers might have their eye on today.
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GUARD
- Xavier Su’a-Filo – UCLA
Projected to go in the first round in many mock drafts, Su’a-Filo is the best guard on the board. The Buccaneers would have to get lucky for him to fall down to 38th overall, but it is possible that he could be there. - Joel Bitonio – Nevada
Projected by most as a second round pick, Bitonio is a fiery competitor that never gives up on a play. Has great power and athleticism. - Gabe Jackson – Mississippi State
Strong and light on his feet, Jackson is projected to go somewhere in the late second or early third round. At 6’3″, 336 pounds, Jackson must work on technique to keep that girth in control. - Trai Turner – LSU
Turner decided to turn pro after his sophomore season at LSU, which surprised many. He has the size and strength of a starting NFL guard, but needs to have more lateral agility at the next level. - Dakota Dozier – Furman
This is my sleeper at guard in this entire draft. At 6’4″, 313 pounds, Dozier is freakish athlete that is light on his feet. While his movements and techniques are phenomenal at times, he lacked consistency, and has to correct that if he wants to succeed in the NFL.
Sep 14, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver Marquise Lee (9) scores on an 80-yard touchdown reception as coach Lane Kiffin shouts encouragement in the second quarter against the Boston College Eagles at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
WIDE RECEIVER
- Marquise Lee – USC
I’m shocked Lee didn’t go in the first round. If his fall continues into the second, this would be a wise choice for the Buccaneers. Lee provides speed in space (ran a 4.43 40-yard dash), and will get plenty of yards after the catch. He would be the perfect complement to our two big guys on the sidelines in Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans. - Cody Latimer – Indiana
Latimer clocked a 40 time of 4.44 at his pro day, and will again provide my theme of the day for wide receivers: speed in space. A strong and athletic route runner, the former Hoosier has the ability to separate from defenders and make plays once the ball is in his hand. - Donte Moncrief – Ole Miss
Moncrief was on my wish list before we drafted Mike Evans, and I still would not mind him becoming a Buccaneer. The former Rebel has 4.34 speed that can change the game in an instant, great hands, and is a tough blocker for the running attack. In my opinion, he is everything you could ever want out of a slot receiver. - Bruce Ellington – South Carolina
A short, but athletic guy, Ellington is quick and agile enough, and possesses the route-running abilities to consistently beat corners. However, the routes he ran were not as complex as he’ll see in the NFL. He has raw speed in space, but it needs to be tamed. - Dri Archer – Kent State
Archer is nothing short of a speed demon. At 5’8″, 173 pounds, his small frame is a concern at the next level, but there is no concern about this guy’s blazing quickness. Archer can be used as an offensive weapon, as he played a variety of positions in college.
Dec 21, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws a pass against the Southern California Trojans in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
QUARTERBACK
- Derek Carr – Fresno State
It’s hard to ignore the connection between Derek Carr and Bucs’ offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford. They know each other well, and if Carr were to fall to 38th overall, the Buccaneers might have a decision to make. Carr is quick-witted, mobile, gutsy, and has a great arm. - Jimmy Garoppolo – Eastern Illinois
Garoppolo was one of the guys that visited with the Buccaneers at One Buc Place, and possesses the quick release that Jeff Tedford’s offense requires. He is mobile, but he’s a green prospect in terms of footwork techniques. - AJ McCarron – Alabama
The former leader of the Crimson Tide offense won’t wow you with any part of his game, but he will provide a team with a leadership and a knowledge of how to win. He plays smart, but his average physical attributes and skills will likely be his downfall at the next level. - Aaron Murray – Georgia
Murray is a local kid out of Plant City, and I can remember the buzz around town when he first committed to Georgia. Fast forward to today, and Murray is facing a little adversity. Team’s have questions about his size and decision making, as well as the health of his knee. Still, when healthy, Murray is accurate. His experience in the Bulldog’s pro-style offense also doesn’t hurt. - Tom Savage – Pittsburgh
I’m not buying into the Savage hype, but some experts are projecting him as early as round two, so my hand was forced to add him to this list. He’s 24, has the prototypical size and strength, but lacks mobility. His physical toughness is unquestioned, but how mentally stable is he? He transferred from both Rutgers and Arizona after he failed to win their starting jobs.
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While Tampa Bay may have drafted receiver last night, and told the media that Mike Glennon is their future at quarterback, that does not mean that they won’t add players to those positions today, which is why I still regard them as positions of need.
The guard spot is unquestioned.
Now that the Buccaneers have two outside threats at the wideout position, I think they will target a guy that can line up in the slot, and that possesses blazing speed. They have toyed with Jeff Demps in this spot during voluntary minicamp, but I don’t think anyone is sold on his ability to catch the football over the middle.
At quarterback, the situation becomes a little dicey.
While Lovie Smith did declare Mike Glennon as the future of the position for Tampa Bay, that may have been a public ploy to keep his trade value in tact. Glennon’s immobility will be his achilles heel in Jeff Tedford’s offense, and the Bucs would be smart to try and unload him today for a second or third round pick. I’m still convinced that the team wants another quarterback, and will be until Mr. Irrelevant’s name is called on Saturday.
What positions would you like to see the Bucs target in day 2 of the 2014 NFL Draft? Take our poll below, and let us know who you want Tampa Bay to draft in the comments below! Also, you can follow all of the draft action on Twitter, @ThePewterPlank!