Drafting Buccaneers: 5 Players to Watch Sunday at the NFL Combine
Ryan Anderson – OLB, Alabama
The Alabama Crimson Tide have a pretty good track record for churning out defensive talent, and Ryan Anderson could be a second round talent the Bucs are looking for.
As an outside linebacker he looks well suited to play the strong-side linebacker position being left vacant with the departure of free-agent Daryl Smith.
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He also has the athletic versatility to play spells in other linebacker positions when needed and add critical depth to a fairly shallow position group on the Bucs’ roster.
A strong combine would all but cement Anderson’s status as an early day two selection which likely would take him out of the running for Tampa considering the cost of trading up when there’s so much other talent to be had later.
A weaker combine or just average would keep him in the day two conversations, just more closely to where the Bucs will be drafting.
Sure, the team has bigger single position needs at the moment, but a prospect like this one with the athleticism and ability to play multiple positions in the defense isn’t to be taken lightly.
These attributes alone could make him so valuable the team chooses to address bigger relative needs later and nab themselves a solid all-around player earlier.