Tampa Bay Buccaneers: One defensive lineman to target per round (Vol. II)
By Rob Leeds
As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to improve their defense through the NFL Draft, a defensive linemen that can make an impact can be found in each round.
On a team that has faced its fair share of defensive problems in the past few years, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will look to right the ship this year in the draft. One of the places that needs the most work for this defense to succeed is the defensive line, and with players like tackle Gerald McCoy likely out before the start of this season, his replacement is a necessity to draft now.
Fortunately for the Bucs, this draft is one of the deepest for defense in some time, and there are talented defensive linemen to take in all seven rounds. Here is one prospect per round for the Buccaneers to take a look at.
Round 1: Ed Oliver, Houston
This is a pick that should surprise no one. Ed Oliver has seen a massive surge on the draft boards since his stellar Combine and pro day and is widely considered a top-10 pick, especially when teams like the Bucs still hold the number five overall pick. For a team that is about to lose a seasoned player like McCoy, Oliver is almost a perfect replacement.
At 6’2’’ 287 pounds, Oliver has the size and speed to line up at one of the defensive end positions in Todd Bowles’ 3-4 defense. This would allow for Oliver to play on the right or left of previous first round pick Vita Vea with end Jason Pierre-Paul on the opposite side. Oliver possesses the lateral quickness of a much smaller man, and will be able to terrorize interior offensive linemen for years to come in perhaps a bigger role than Gerald McCoy ever had.