With the NFL Draft right around the corner, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are starting to lock in their plan of attack. It's one that we still have absolutely no idea about, thanks in large part to the fact that Jason Licht has managed to keep his cards to close to the chest over the last handful of years.
Lest we forget how every expert thought the Bucs would draft a quarterback in 2023, only to watch the team select edge rusher Calijah Kancey with the 19th pick. Ditto last year, when the Bucs were expected to trade up for Jared Verse, only to stand pat at No. 26 overall and land Graham Barton to anchor the offensive line.
Nobody knows what the Bucs will do better than the man who will be making the final decision, but those close to the team are starting to read the tea leaves for how things might go.
Buccaneers predicted to double-dip on cornerback help in NFL Draft
ESPN's Buccaneers insider Jenna Laine recently discussed why she thinks the team will not only take a cornerback in the draft this year but will likely double down on the position.
"The Bucs don't want to be caught flat-footed again like they were last season with injuries, and not only do they need a starting-caliber player, but depth is also a concern," Laine wrote. "Keep in mind that they doubled up on the position in the draft in 2019, selecting Sean Murphy-Bunting in the second round and Jamel Dean in the third."
This feels pretty close to what the Bucs should do, for reasons Laine lays out but based on what we've heard folks inside the building say. Laine cites a quote from head coach Todd Bowles that pretty much showed the team's hand as far as its interest in padding the cornerback room, which is a smart route to take.
It's not just last season the cornerback depth was severely tested; the Bucs are coming off back-to-back seasons where they needed to dig deep into the bag to find help. Two years ago a Monday Night against the Eagles saw Tampa Bay need to rely on Derrek Pitts in a big game, which was less than ideal.
Everything about the defense was a letdown last year, and cornerback was a big part of that. Adding some young talent is a strategy that has worked in the past for Licht, as he helped create a Super Bowl-winning roster with guys like Jamel Dean, Carlton Davis III and others.
If the name of the game is to re-tool, then the Bucs have established in the past they know how to do that and having that approach this year feels like the right one to take.
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