2016 NFL Mock Draft Version 1.1: Shaking Up the First Round
<p>The Buccaneers made big strides towards returning to being a playoff competitor. A franchise quarterback who threw for more than 4,000 yards, despite missing two of his main targets for most of the year, is a great sign for the future.</p><div class=. DE. Eastern Kentucky. Noah Spence. 9. player. 48
However, where the Bucs fell apart more often than not was on defense. The secondary gave up too many plays, and while the defensive front gave the Buccaneers the league’s second-best yards per carry average, they produced almost no pressure on opposing quarterbacks. This lack of pressure had a hand in the same defense allowing a 102.5 opposing quarterback rating. Second only to the New Orleans Saints for worst in the NFL.
Drafting a cornerback or safety may seem to be the easy answer considering the numbers, but at number nine, there just aren’t any prospects worth the selection, and general manager Jason Licht has already stated he will not reach to fill a need.
Instead, the Buccaneers should take a top-10 prospect who also fills a need, defensive end Noah Spence out of Eastern Kentucky.
The talented edge rusher was a jewel of the Ohio State Buckeyes 2013 roster, but by the time they won the 2014 National Championship game Spence was off the team and banned from the Big Ten. His drug problems did not follow him to Eastern Kentucky however, and two years later, Spence is clean and is one of the most intriguing talents in the draft.
The Buccaneers shouldn’t have any reservations taking the junior, especially with leaders on the team like Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David.
Previously: Noah Spence – DE – Eastern Kentucky
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9
Noah Spence
DE, Eastern Kentucky
The Buccaneers made big strides towards returning to being a playoff competitor. A franchise quarterback who threw for more than 4,000 yards, despite missing two of his main targets for most of the year, is a great sign for the future.
However, where the Bucs fell apart more often than not was on defense. The secondary gave up too many plays, and while the defensive front gave the Buccaneers the league’s second-best yards per carry average, they produced almost no pressure on opposing quarterbacks. This lack of pressure had a hand in the same defense allowing a 102.5 opposing quarterback rating. Second only to the New Orleans Saints for worst in the NFL.
Drafting a cornerback or safety may seem to be the easy answer considering the numbers, but at number nine, there just aren’t any prospects worth the selection, and general manager Jason Licht has already stated he will not reach to fill a need.
Instead, the Buccaneers should take a top-10 prospect who also fills a need, defensive end Noah Spence out of Eastern Kentucky.
The talented edge rusher was a jewel of the Ohio State Buckeyes 2013 roster, but by the time they won the 2014 National Championship game Spence was off the team and banned from the Big Ten. His drug problems did not follow him to Eastern Kentucky however, and two years later, Spence is clean and is one of the most intriguing talents in the draft.
The Buccaneers shouldn’t have any reservations taking the junior, especially with leaders on the team like Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David.
Previously: Noah Spence – DE – Eastern Kentucky
Next: 10. New York Giants