Jimmy Smith is a big, talented corner.

With all the recent issues surrounding the Buccaneers and their secondary, it’s looking more and more like the Bucs will spend one of their top picks on a defensive back, and odds are they will be doing the same again next year as well. In the first round this year, consensus pretty much has the Bucs selecting a defensive end or possibly an outside linebacker to help with the pass-rush. This is a deep class for pass-rushers and the Bucs should have their pick of several at 20th overall.

They could take another tact though, whereas there are a good group of pass-rushing ends and linebackers to pick from, after the first two or three corners the quality of the prospects drops off quite a bit. If the Bucs are really serious about improving their secondary at corner, they may need to do it in round one. Chances are they can still find a solid pass-rusher in round two.

The Bucs will not have a chance at Patrick Peterson, that’s a foregone conclusion. Barring something unforeseen, Prince Amukamara will not be available either, though if he is there at 20 the Bucs should take him without question. The player whose name keeps coming up with regard to Tampa is Jimmy Smith of Colorado. Smith is a big, athletic corner that comes with plenty of upside but a few recurring questions about his character as well. On paper, he would actually fit into the Buccaneers defensive scheme extremely well but after the off-the-field issues with the last corner the Bucs took out of the Big 12, you can understand the hesitation.

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