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Buccaneers’ Combine Preview – Day 3

By David Harrison

Feb 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht speaks at a press conference during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht speaks at a press conference during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 26, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Joey Bosa (97) lines up versus the Western Michigan Broncos at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 38-12. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Joey Bosa (97) lines up versus the Western Michigan Broncos at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 38-12. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

Joey Bosa – DE – Ohio State

The Bucs are moving to a 4-3 scheme under new defensive coordinator Mike Smith, and are in need of a new pass rushing defensive end.  Joey Bosa from Ohio State is the best defensive end coming out in this year’s draft, and should be a target of any team looking for help on the edge.

Most mock drafts have Bosa going well before the Bucs pick at #9 overall, but take this trip with me for a minute.

The Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds recently outlined a scenario in which the draft’s best defensive lineman is still on the board when Tampa Bay goes on the clock.  In it, he writes,

"…what if Spence tears up the Combine – or his pro day – with a blazing fast 40-yard dash time? What if Spence runs a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash and Bosa runs a 4.8 on Sunday?"

“…what if Spence tears up the Combine – or his pro day – with a blazing fast 40-yard dash time? What if Spence runs a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash and Bosa runs a 4.8 on Sunday?” – Scott Reynolds

Reynolds added,

"“What if Spence really grew on Jacksonville head coach Gus Bradley, who coached the South in the Senior Bowl, and the Jaguars selected him with the fifth overall pick over Bosa? And what if San Diego, which uses a 3-4 scheme on defense, opted for defensive end DeForest Buckner, who played in a 3-4 at Oregon, instead of Bosa with the third overall pick?”"

The argument is sound, and the “what ifs” are not so far-fetched they couldn’t happen.

We’ve all see players drop further than ever expected, and while Bosa falling to #9 wouldn’t quite match the fall of Aaron Rodgers in 2005, the drama accompanying this scenario could be the ultimate windfall for the Bucs.

Next: DE - Shaq Lawson

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