Just like he did the last two years, Tampa Bay Buccaneers GM Jason Licht pulled a fast one and surprised everyone with the team's first-round pick. Rather than taking one of the best remaining defensive players to fill one of the many needs on that side of the ball, the Bucs drafted Ohio State star receiver Emeka Egbuka, a move that felt totally out of left field.
It's not a bad pick, just a surprising one.
Licht took time after the pick was made to explain the logic behind the decision, and it's pretty sound once you hear him out. Essentially, the loss of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to injuries last season illuminated the need to give the offense as many weapons as possible, something Egbuka certainly helps provide.
What he doesn't do, however, is play defense which is where the Bucs need to look after spending their first-round pick on a luxury.
Buccaneers need to take care of the defense after drafting Emeka Egbuka
Coming into the draft the Bucs were expected to address one of three needs: Edge rusher, cornerback, or linebacker. Egbuka didn't help with any of those, although perhaps his presence means less of an emphasis on needing to smother teams defensively when the Bucs can win in a shootout.
Finding ways to fortify Todd Bowles' defense is still important, and it should be a priority on Day 2 of the draft. Given the way the board fell, the Bucs have a number of top prospects still available who could help fill those needs, specifically Donovan Ezeiruaku out of Boston College who Tampa Bay was mocked to land in the first round.
Will Johnson, a cornerback out of Michigan, seemed like a lock to be the selection at No. 19 as well but remains undrafted as we enter the second day. Mike Green and Carson Schwesinger are both on the board as well and could be targets who fill a need on the outside of the defense.
No matter who ends up being taken, Tampa Bay is armed with No. 53 and No. 84 overall picks on Friday and it's painfully obvious how they need to be spent.
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