Buccaneers Biggest Draft Need
By James Yarcho
Everyone has their opinion on where the Buccaneers need to go in the draft. According to Jenna Laine, safety should be the number one focus.
It’s hard to argue that the safety position is still a glaring need on this team. Even with the signing of J.J. Wilcox and the return of Chris Conte, the Buccaneers are in desperate need of an upgrade to solidify the back end of their secondary.
Jenna Laine of ESPN wrote that safety is in fact the Bucs’ biggest need come draft night;
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"” This 2017 draft class is loaded with talent in Jabrill Peppers, Budda Baker, Malik Hooker, Jamal Adams and Obi Melifonwu — and that’s just the short list. They’d be wise to draft one.”"
Outside of Malik Hooker and Jamal Adams, I’m personally of the belief safety could end up a day two pick. Many are high on Budda Baker and Obi Melifonwu, however Obi seems like more of a day two pick. Baker, on the other hand, could make sense for the Bucs but I believe there will be better value there at nineteen when the Bucs make their selection.
Drafting a Marcus Maye, Desmond King, or Marcus Williams on day two and pouncing on a running back, game changing receiver, or game changing tight end in the first may be the smarter route to go. We know this draft is deep at safety and running back so the first pick by the Bucs will dictate where they go on days two and three.
The draft game is all about value. You take the best player available, yes – but you take the best player available at a position of need. If there is an offensive player at nineteen that the Bucs have ranked six, seven spots ahead of the best safety on the board, the Bucs will take that offensive player whether it’s the number two receiver of the future, the running back they desperately need, or a tight end to pair with Cameron Brate.
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I agree with Jenna that safety is a huge need that needs to – and will – be addressed in Philadelphia on draft weekend. That doesn’t mean it’s going to be in the first round.
Which position do you feel is most important for the Bucs?