Buccaneers: 8 Senior Bowl players to watch for in the draft

Pass rushers for the Buccaneers

5. Quincy Roche, Edge, Temple/Miami

The Buccaneers likely have to extend Shaquil Barrett at the end of this season, but looking towards the draft to add depth wouldn’t hurt too. The Buccaneers dominate with Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul on the field, but keeping both long-term doesn’t seem likely with the salary cap projected to change.

The Bucs need to start building depth in the event of an injury or departure by either, and Quincy Roche is the perfect combination of fit and availability.

Roche looked light on his feet in the Senior Bowl and should be able to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 easily. A bit more weight wouldn’t hurt, but adding a speed rusher to the defense should keep the Buccaneers relevant on that side of the ball for the next few years, especially if Tampa can land him in one of the mid to late rounds.

6. Cam Sample, DL, Tulane

Outside linebacker should be a focus for the Buccaneers given their 3-4 scheme, but the amount of nickel that they run could be the perfect opportunity to use a player like Cam Sample. Sample may not have the size or speed to play on the outside in a 3-4, but he would wreak havoc with the rest of the line in a 4-man front.

If the Buccaneers intend to hold true to the idea of drafting the best player available, they could take the quickly-rising Sample after a great Senior Bowl that showcased a wide range of talent.

In addition to his potential in nickel, the Bucs could also use Sample as a full-time starter on the interior of their defensive line if he bulks up around ten pounds and Ndamukong Suh proves too expensive to keep.