The Buccaneers spent most of the NFL draft improving their defense. Was their new crop of players one of the best?
After improving the offense over the last couple of years, the Buccaneers concentrated on the defensive side of the football in 2016, using all but two of their selections on defense. Selecting players up front and in the secondary, Jason Licht made moves to take his Tampa defense to the next level, in support of his new head coach Dirk Koetter.
How good did the Bucs do? Well, if you ask Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, they did quite good. He noted our team from Tampa as one of the six defenses most improved via the draft. The Bucs are noted along with the Steelers, Jets, Jaguars, Saints, and Titans. Here is what Zierlein had to say about the men in Pewter:
"Vernon Hargreaves should step into playing time immediately at one cornerback spot, and he could be a big upgrade at the position. Noah Spence offers pass-rush potential at the defensive end spot, which is something the Bucs came into the draft hoping to address. Smooth-moving cornerback Ryan Smith has excellent mirror-and-match footwork that should get him noticed in camp."
For anyone that reads my articles, you know that I agree in part, but with some concerns.
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Noah Spence has the potential to be a major player right from the jump. His value as a second round pick was even larger. Even with the character concerns, they can more easily move away from a second round pick than a first round pick. If he plays all the way to his potential, the pick is a steal on day two.
Hargreaves is a major talent, and one the Bucs have had their eyes on for a long time. But you all know my concerns about his size. Both he and Brent Grimes are going to have to defend wide receivers that tower over them. A veteran like Grimes has had trouble there. Hargreaves ability to play up to tall receivers will be a key to determining the value of this draft.
Ryan Smith is a guy with potential, but I could see, and have written about, being the odd man out of this cornerback depth chart. Hopefully, I am wrong.
Next: Remaining Free Agents who would Fit the Bucs
Zierlein is showing great optimism with his assessment of these new Bucs. Time will tell if he is correct.