Buccaneers: Post draft power rankings

After having the fewest picks in the draft the Patriots still walk away with the top team in the league. Trading picks for proven players like Brandin Cooks, Kony Ealy, and Mike Gillislee makes teams with not many needs even scarier. They are Super Bowl favorites and teams should bring their best whenever they are on their schedule. See you week five.. . Previous: 1st. New England Patriots. 1. team. 47

28. The Oakland Raiders have a chance to do something special. That is all thanks to one recently acquired man, Beast Mode. Marshawn Lynch. Giving them a top running back coming off an extended vacation with an added passion makes them very scary. Jack Del Rio has an opportunity to dethrone Bill Belichick this season with his high powered offense and potent defense. They made some interesting moves in the draft taking high risk high reward corner Gareon Conley in the first round. Corner was a big need and if his charges are dismissed he can take over from day one. In the second round athletic freak Obi Melifonwu fell to them and playing along side Karl Joseph gives them a pick and pop combo. Can they give Oakland what they want and deliver a Super Bowl before they are gone forever. It’s not improbable.. . Previous: 4th. Oakland Raiders. 2. team

. Previous: 2nd. Pittsburgh Steelers. 3. team. 55. The Pittsburgh Steelers fell one spot and it’s not really their fault. They have done nothing wrong since Free Agency, Oakland just got Marshawn Lynch. The Steelers drafted well too, they just didn’t add a player of Beast Modes ability. The Steelers always seem to draft for luxury rather than need. This year they took TJ Watt and JuJu Smith-Schuster. A linebacker and wide receiver. The selection of Watt is thinking for the future because James Harrison isn’t going to be around forever. Smith-Schuster is potentially the fifth or second receiver on the Steelers because they have so many weapons. The Steelers have had more success than any other team drafting receivers over the past decade so JuJu shouldn’t have an issue adjusting to the league. Ben Roethlisberger has to have a healthy season and they can be as good as any one.

Atlanta Falcons. 4. team. 44. The Atlanta Falcons drafted a player that’s post draft speech got me almost as hyped as when the Bucs drafted. Takk McKinley was on fire after he was selected by the Falcons. Bringing his grandmothers picture on stage and using profanity on live TV makes great television. I’m very upset that the Falcons were the team to select them because that’s an attitude you want on your team. They still lost Kyle Shanahan but they didn’t lose any key offensive weapons. If their defense can play like they did at the end of last season they can be right back in the Super Bowl Race.. . Previous: 5th

The New York Giants were slightly over rated in my last power rankings but they are still a top team in the league. With one of the scariest receiving groups the NFL has ever seen the Giant are going to put up points this season. The drafting of Evan Engram gives the Giants a pass caching tight end the likes of a Jimmy Graham. The major issue the Giants have is at offensive line and at running back. Last years leading rusher, Rashad Jennings is no longer with the team and they have to rely on inexperienced backs for the upcoming season. Paul Perkins, Shaun Draughn, Shane Vereen, and Orleans Darkwa will split the load but none of them are Pro-Bowl caliber right now. The defense came on last season and with another year together they can continue the success. If Eli Manning doesn’t make a big drop off they will be in the playoffs with Super Bowl on their mind.. . Previous: 3rd. New York Giants. 5. team. 31

Green Bay Packers. 6. team. 49. The Green Bay Packers are always going to be a top ten team as long as Aaron Rogers is their quarterback. With their draft this year they addressed their biggest needs early and added offensive depth late. Kevin King was a first round talent and the with the Packers trading back to day two they still got their guy. He’s a bigger corner which is exactly what the Packers were missing against the Falcons in the playoffs. Vince Biegel was a good pick up in the 4th round at outside line backer. The main area of concern for the Packers coming into the season was who is going to tote the rock. After Eddie Lacy and James Starks weren’t brought back that leaves Ty Montgomery as their top back. They drafted three running backs in this draft in Jamaal Williams, Aaron Jones, and Devante Mays. One of them will have a big role this season and Williams looks like that guy. He can be a sleeper in fantasy drafts this year.. . Previous: 6th

Denver Broncos. 7. team. 45. The Denver Broncos are on the rise again. They are the highest team on these rankings with their biggest question being at the quarterback position. They did address almost every other hole. Garett Bolles was a top tackle prospect in the draft his year and fell to the Broncos at 20. They also selected DeMarcus Walker, Carlos Henderson, and Jake Butt. Henderson gives them a shifty third string receiver and Butt gives them potentially the best tight end in the draft. Walker gives them another stud on the line. Their best pick-up came after the draft however when they took the top remaining running back available, Jamaal Charles. Charles in his career had nearly 1000 yards against the Broncos now he gets to play for them. If they have an average quarterback this year they’ll be a playoff team.. . Previous: 10th

36. Like the Packers, the Seattle traded back in the draft and didn’t make their first selection until day two. With their two selections in the second round they took top players at their position. Malik McDowell and Ethan Pocic were considered some of the highest graded defensive tackles and centers in the draft. The rest of their draft they really hit the depth that was needed on offense and defense. When they lost Earl Thomas there was a hole in the secondary. They drafted three safeties and a corner with versatility to fill in the depth and if a player does go down. They still have a great defense and a solid offense but they still have question marks at offensive line and running back.. . Previous: 8th. Seattle Seahawks. 8. team

Dallas Cowboys. 9. team. 123. The Dallas Cowboys secondary has been depleted this off season. They didn’t address it in free agency but they took four players in the secondary with their first six picks. Chidobe Awuzie was announced by one of the most amped up draft selectors of all time, Drew Pearson. The fact he riled up the crowd more than they already were made for a jolt of excitement in the later part of round two. Awuzie is an excellent nickel corner and it wouldn’t have been a surprise if he was taken in the first round. Their first round pick, Taco Charlton, has been questioned by a few analysts. With higher ranking corner backs on the board Charlton was considered a reach at the time. Having Awuzie fall made the selection of Taco less of a question mark. They will need Dak to develop but now teams have tape on him so the Cowboys could easily be worst or first in the NFC East.. . Previous: 9th

team. 48. Yes, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have cracked the top ten. The Buccaneers may have gotten lucky in the first round of the NFL Draft with OJ Howard falling all the way to 19. All right that is very lucky. OJ Howard was a top prospect in this years draft because he posses a trait that many tight ends don’t have, he can actually block. The selection of Justin Evans was questioned at the time of the draft but over time he’s becoming more likely to be a starter in week one. Chris Godwin finally gives the Buccaneers a viable third string option that can go up and get it. Kendell Beckwith, Jeremy McNichols, and Stevie Tu’ikolovatu should make the roster but likely won’t make an immediate impact. McNichols has the best chance to make an impact because Doug Martin is suspended and Charles Sims seems replaceable. Running back and corner back will be the weaker spots on the team this season but if Hargreaves develops and Doug Martin plays like 2015 Doug. #BewareTheBay.. . Previous: 11th. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 10

team. 124. Do you trust Alex Smith? That was the question the Chiefs front office asked on draft day. Most of them must’ve said no because they made one of the biggest splashes in the draft trading all the way up from 27 to number ten to draft quarterback Pat Mahomes. Mahomes is a project who can sit behind Alex Smith and develop into the teams next leader. Smith might not be the biggest fan of this move but the franchise appears to be moving to a new direction. The most under-rated team in the league took a risk and if it doesn’t pay off do they have enough around him to maintain playoff success. Jeremy Maclin, Travis Kelce, and Tyreek Hill will be the primary weapons but the running back and depth is a weak spot. One injury could really hurt this team.. . Previous: 7th. Kansas City Chiefs. 11

. Previous: 12th. Detroit Lions. 12. team. 50. The Detroit Lions are another team with a good offense but a questionable rushing attack. In this draft they did not address the running back position but they did improve in other areas of concern like linebacker. The selected the best available with the selection of Florida linebacker Jarrad Davis. They had one of the worst linebacker units last season but Davis will make an immediate impact, if he can stay healthy. Reuben Foster was still on the board but with his off field concerns and injury history Davis was the safer pick. Teez Tabor was taken in the second round who at one point was considered a first rounder. He fell due to poor combine speed but with pads on he was a capable corner. The Lions also added an insurance policy if Stafford goes down with the selection of Brad Kaaya. Lions will have an up hill climb to make the playoffs again, especially if the five straight losses lingers into this season.

. Previous: 19th. Houston Texans. 13. team. 10. This top defense in the NFL is getting the best defensive player in the league back next season. Let that sink in for a minute. JJ Watt didn’t play for the Texans last year and they not only made the playoffs with Brock Osweiler but won a playoff game. Now with the burden of having one of the worst quarterbacks in the league on their roster they can actually focus on winning more games. Tom Savage is the “starter” right now but we all expect rookie sensation Deshaun Watson to take over sooner than later. They also drafted one of my favorite player in the draft in D’Onta Foreman, from Texas. They can start Watson slow if they want but have the offensive weapons he needs and the defense to be legit contenders.

Tennessee Titans. 14. team. 35. The Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be connected at the hip for as long as they have Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota. Right now the Buccaneers are a better team because Winston has played almost every snap and has better weapons around him. The Titans did have a decent draft because having two picks in the top 20 gives them two really good players. They drafted Corey Davis and Adoree Jackson in the first giving Mariota a new number one and potentially another weapon depending on what they do with Jackson. Taywan Taylor and Jonnu Smith will give the offense depth but they still aren’t the Buccaneers offense. They were a potential playoff team last season and with improvements they should be right back in the same position this season.. . Previous: 13th

59. I keep forgetting that the Miami Dolphins were a playoff team last season. Ryan Tannehill and Matt Moore were capable of taking a team to a playoff game. The surrounding pieces were crucial in the team success and they have a defense that teams shouldn’t sleep on. With the draft that’s where they focused as well. They selected, Charles Harris, Raekwon McMillan, and Cordrea Tankersley with their first three picks. Harris is Cameron Wake lite which is good because Wake isn’t getting any younger. Pairing McMillan with Kiko Alonso gives the Dolphins extremely athletic linebackers who can play three downs. Adam Gase made the offense strong last season but can they repeat the success of last season.. . Previous: 14th. Miami Dolphins. 15. team

Previous: 15th. Arizona Cardinals. 16. team. 32. The Cardinals were a couple plays away from making the playoffs this year and if it weren’t for two missed kicks they would’ve been there. With the kicker situation addressed by signing uber veteran Phil Dawson the Cardinals now could address the other areas of need. In the first round the Cardinals picked up the fastest riser in this years draft in Haason Reddick. They now have a linebacker core of Reddick, Chandler Jones, and Deonne Bucannon. Versatility on the Cardinals defense gives them some great options to attack opposing offenses. In the second round they traded up to take one of the most interesting prospects in Budda Baker. Easily can fit right into Tony Jefferson’s empty spot. He’s another guy with versatility playing either corner or safety. With the rest of their draft they addressed depth but the team rests on the old shoulders of Carson Palmer. Palmer looked great two years ago but fell off last season. A repeat season and we might not see Carson in the league in 2018..

87. I’ve seen the Carolina Panther rated very highly or very lowly and it really depends on your opinion of Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey wasn’t the biggest need for the Panthers but he instantly gives them a weapon they have never had in the backfield. One of the more confusing picks they had was taking Christian McCaffrey lite in Curtis Samuel in the second round. Samuel can fill that void left by Ted Ginn but he is smaller. They also added depth on defense at Daeshon Hall and Corn Elder. They also drafted kicker Harrison Butker to compete with Graham Gano, who missed a few important kicks this season. It all rests on Cam Newton though, and if he can’t improve his accuracy the Panthers will be right back towards the bottom of the division.. . Previous: 18th. Carolina Panthers. 17. team

The Ravens went all defense in the first three rounds of this draft. Two picks from Alabama, the Ravens are building a vaunted defense again. The issue is they needed offensive weapons more than they needed defense. With OJ Howard on the board at 16 they went Marlon Humphrey instead. Corner was a need but OJ would’ve given them a weapon they really needed. The only offense they drafted was a guard and a tackle on day three. Non impact offensive players on day three won’t help them score points. If the Ravens want to compete in today’s NFL they need play makers something they are still missing.. . Previous: 16th. Baltimore Ravens. 18. team. 26

Previous: 25th. New Orleans Saints. 19. team. 15. The New Orleans Saints are one of the bigger risers coming off of draft weekend. With four picks in the firsts 70 selections they managed to acquire some quality players all around. I hate to say it but the Saints look scary. They upgraded their secondary with the selections of Marshon Lattimore and Marcus Williams. They also picked up Ryan Ramczyk to block for newly acquired running back Alvin Kamara. Not only did they take a top back in the draft they also picked up future hall of famer Adrian Peterson. Mark Ingram must be questioning the moves but Sean Payton has to be drooling over the offensive weapons he now has. If their defense can get it together they can threaten for the NFC South crown..

The Colts came into the draft knowing what they needed to do, get defensive players. In the first round they selected a ball hawk projected top ten pick in Malik Hooker. In the second and third round they went corner and defensive end with Quincy Wilson and Tarell Basham. Both were projected to be taken higher then where they were so they filled a need and got quality without moving up to do so. The biggest offensive needs were addressed but they are not of starting quality. Tackle Zach Banner, USC, and running back Marlon Mack, USF, are solid players but they are likely not to start for the Colts but they could upgrade at both positions on offense. Rome wasn’t built in a day and the Colts offense will get better over time. They need Andrew Luck to stay healthy and are a playoff team if he does, but based on the past he can’t.. . Previous: 21st. Indianapolis Colts. 20. team. 46

54. After having a strong free agency the Eagles had a questionable draft. With high quality corners and Malik Hooker on the board they went Derek Barnett, who is a great player but not the biggest need or best player available. Barnett broke Reggie White’s sack record at Tennessee and has elite pass rush traits but they needed corner back help. With their second round pick they did grab one of the best corners in the draft but who may be six weeks or the full season. Sidney Jones would’ve been a great 14th overall pick if healthy but he might not play at all this season. The defense improved but the offense is still missing a starting quality running back. They did take Donnel Pumphrey in the fourth round but not every late round running back turns into David Johnson or even Jordan Howard. On many people’s boards the Eagles made some questionable moves because they didn’t draft for this season but have potential for playoffs in 2018.. . Previous: 17th. Philadelphia Eagles. 21. team

Previous: 22nd. Cincinnati Bengals. 23. team. 56. The Bengals did the most Bengals thing in this draft. They decided to take the most controversial player in the draft in the second round with Joe Mixon. The Mixon selection isn’t a bad one but for a team with so many issues off the field it was not the smartest move PR-wise. One slip up and the Bengals organization will be the embarrassment of the league. They also selected John Ross with the ninth overall pick in this draft. An excellent player but with an injury history making him a bit of a reach. If they can stay healthy and out of trouble they can have a potent offense. They are in a tough division with the exception of the Browns but facing the Ravens and Steelers twice a year is never an easy task. Andy Dalton has to perform at a higher level in the Bengals want to win their first playoff game since 1991..

24. team. 60. The Minnesota Vikings did not have a first round pick in the draft because they decided to take on Sam Bradford instead. The Viking believed that Sam Bradford was any thing more than an injury prone average game manager. Well that’s exactly what they got from the Eagles. The Vikings looked ready at the beginning of last season but fell of at the end of he season. They did address their one of their offensive needs by signing Latavius Murray and drafting Dalvin Cook in the second round. Cook in the second was a steal for the Vikings to create a two headed monster but they have no wide receivers. The Vikings have a strong defense but passing is the main way to score points in the league these days and they have one of the worst in the NFL.. . Previous: 23rd. Minnesota Vikings

13. Another year, another iffy chargers team with little to no chance of finishing above 4th place in their division. There are worse quarterbacks than Philip Rivers but he is league average at best in his later years. A full year of defensive dynamo Joey Bosa and new draft pick Mike Williams will help charger fans glimpse into their future in LA. Rivers will put up his numbers, they will win some games against better teams that nobody expected, but they will once again finish in the basement of the AFC West.. . Previous: 26th. Los Angeles Chargers. 25. team

52. The Jacksonville Jaguars have drafted in the top five for six consecutive seasons. Not a record you want to have. They have had some busts, Justin Blackmon, great picks. Jalen Ramsey, and still question marks, Blake Bortles. This year they selected All-American running back out of LSU, Leonard Fournette. Fournette will give the Jaguars a weapon they haven’t had since Maurice Jones Drew. The defense is finally fully stacked with the signing of Calais Campbell their offense just has to put it all together. They even were able to snag a top offensive line prospect in the second round in Cam Robinson. They just need Blake Bortles to finally put it together for a full season. If he can limit his turnovers he can bring the Jaguars to playoffs for the first time since 2008.. . Previous: 27th. Jacksonville Jaguars. 26. team

16. The Bills had one of the most Bills drafts of all time. They have an opportunity to make a splash with the tenth pick in the draft but traded it to the Chiefs, who had the 27th pick in the draft. The trade netted them the Chiefs first, third, and next years first round pick. This is quite a haul but the players on the board could’ve made an impact on the team that has the longest current playoff drought. Is Tyrod Taylor the future, many people question it. Sean McDermott is a new head coach so he has time to create the team under his vision but how long will Bills Mafia let it last. Tre’Davious White is no slouch and will step right in for Stephon Gilmore but would an impact offensive player been a better pick. Zay Jones in the second round is a great pick for them as they needed a number two guy behind Sammy Watkins. Nathan Peterman out of Pittsburgh was taken in the fifth but he’s not much more than a project. Oh yeah, they fired their general manager a day after the draft ended. Can the Bills be any more confusing.. . Previous: 24th. Buffalo Bills. 27. team

42. The 49ers and John Lynch have to be patting themselves on the back after this draft. They managed to get the player they wanted while picking up three extra picks. With the fourth rounder they picked up they moved back up into the end of the first to take top ten prospect Reuben Foster. CJ Beathard was probably the worst pick they made reaching for a late day three player in the third round. He’s basically a Brian Hoyer clone where he does not throw down field. He’s not a difference maker that the 49ers need to make a big push in the NFC. Again they have a great core where they can develop around a top quarterback in next years draft.. . Previous: 30th. San Francisco 49ers. 28. team

51. The LA Rams didn’t really have much to work with coming into the draft after last years trade for Jared Goff. What they did with their picks helped but they aren’t going to make the Rams Super Bowl contenders anytime soon. Gerald Everett was a bit of a reach especially when there were other tight ends on the board and even better wide receivers. Cooper Kupp is a wide receiver I really liked before the combine but he didn’t really perform up to NFL athlete levels. If Kupp is anything like he was at Eastern Washington they have a key offensive contributor. The Rams must’ve forgot that they had a putrid offensive line last year however because it was not addressed. Todd Gurley needs blockers and Goff needs protection. This defense can carry this team to a few wins but another year out of the playoffs seems likely for LA.. . Previous: 29th. Los Angeles Rams. 29. team

57. The Bears had a good thing going until John Lynch came along. They were fleeced into taking Mitch Trubisky and likely weren’t bidding against other teams. John Lynch got two thirds and fourth to move down one spot. Not only were the Bears in a position to address more pressing needs they took a quarterback when they just paid one $45 million. Mike Glennon was the back up for the Buccaneers and has shown what he can do on the field. The Bears draft wasn’t bad overall but the entire draft rests on the shoulders of a player who might not make an immediate impact like other players would have.. . Previous: 28th. Chicago Bears. 30. team

30. I actually really like what the Jets did in the draft but they really didn’t help themselves for the short term. Jamal Adams was one of my favorite prospects coming out of the draft and like with Leonard Williams, he fell right to them. Marcus Maye is another safety that I really liked but this is a confusing pick because they already have Calvin Pryor and Marcus Gilchrist. They finally got a starting tight end, Jordan Leggett, and added depth to wide receiver and running back but they still have no quarterback. They have a great opportunity to tank this season and have a strong foundation for the future.. . Previous: 31st. New York Jets. 31. team

team. 53. The Browns clearly have a plan. They just have to put it all together on the field before they can climb these power rankings. I love what they did in the draft, waiting on a quarterback and taking talented super athletes to bolster the roster. Myles Garrett was the clear number one and I bet they are glad they didn’t take Mitch Trubisky. Bears fans were clearly not thrilled when the pick came in but there probably would’ve been riots in Cleveland. They took Deshone Kizer in the second round so if he doesn’t pan out they can take a top quarterback next year in a loaded class.. . Previous: 32nd. Cleveland Browns. 32