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Buccaneers: 2018 NFL Draft Needs

By Zach Sauers

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 18: A Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan dressed as the Grinch watches from the stands during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on December 18, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 18: A Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan dressed as the Grinch watches from the stands during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on December 18, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 26: Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons talks to Brent Grimes #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 26: Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons talks to Brent Grimes #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Cornerback

My oh my. Good luck to General Manager Jason Licht and good luck to the new defensive coordinator, the corner-back position is about to become the biggest issue on the Bucs roster next season.

The expectation now is that veteran Brent Grimes will retire this off-season, leaving the Bucs without a true number one corner.

If he would be given a fat one year contract and would return, he would be still 35 years old. Either way the Bucs have an issue.

Returners such as Vernon Hargreaves and Ryan Smith still have a lot to learn in the NFL.

Hargreaves after struggling this season due to the inabilities of his coaches putting him in the position to succeed,  looks to have a bounce back year with a new coach. This team should not and will not give up on the young corner who still shows plenty of promise.

As for Smith, he was drafted to be a safety in Mike Smith’s defense. After a rookie season where he did not touch the field on defense, he was thrown into the starting lineup this season. Trial by fire.

Smith, who never had any true competition when he played corner in college, was given a pat on the back and a “good luck” when thrown into duty this season.

Mike Smith’s idea of having Smith cover Julio Jones one on one was despicable and made you question his coaching credibility.

Smith essentially just played out his rookie season on defense after a red-shirt special teams year.

Buc fans, get off his a**.

Next: Buccaneers: Key Plays from Week 15 against the Falcons

Both players need to grow and with a new defensive coordinator they will be given a fresh start.

With all of this being said though, there needs to be depth and competition.

Competition brings out the best in everyone and that is exactly what needs to happen.  It does not need to be first round, but it needs to happen regardless.

Players to keep an eye on: Jaire Alexander, Joshua Jackson, Donte Jackson

"Like Zach’s writing? Check out his predictions for the coming week on the Walking the Plank Podcast!"

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