2016 NFL Mock Draft: Update: Buckner to the Buccaneers says Pete Prisco
Pete Prisco has released his most recent mock draft, with Noah Spence headed to the Buccaneers.
With the Combine thoroughly in our rearview mirror, we delve into hardcore draft coverage. It’s mock draft season, and the version are coming out fast and furious. Who are the teams, including our Buccaneers, going to choose? How will it shake out? Everybody wants to speculate.
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Pete Prisco has been covering the NFL for a long time, from his days as a beat reporter, to the current as an NFL expert for CBS Sports. On Leap Day, he released his newest version of his mock draft. To the Bucs, he sends Noah Spence.
"They need pass rush help in a big way. This kid has a chance to be a dominant edge rusher. There are off-field concerns."
Take a look at the entire mock by clicking here.
We know that the Bucs need help in the pass rush. Bucs Nation knows it, everybody knows it. They had difficulty against the pass, and despite the performance of Gerald McCoy, they couldn’t consistently get to the passer. They need help in the secondary, but a strong pass rush can cure a lot of evils on the back-end.
The two that are widely accepted as the best pass rush prospects in the draft are Noah Spence and Joey Bosa. In Pete’s scenario, Bosa is gone in the top five. Now, Spence has documented off the field issues. He was kicked out of Ohio State, so Spence is no saint. The Bucs will have to be fully convinced after interviewing this young man, that he is ready to step up the next level.
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But, Spence has talent that is undeniable. His ability is not in dispute, and if the Bucs get the chance to select him, Jason Licht would be adding an instant performer to their defensive line.
UPDATE
On March 1st, Prisco updated his mock draft to select DeForest Bucker for the Bucs:
"They need help up front in a big way and this is a kid scouts say could end up being the best of this group. He would likely play inside in their scheme next to Gerald McCoy, which would be a nice 1-2 punch."