Kiper believes the Bucs may have had the league's best draft class

[michael89156]

Kiper high on Bucs' draft class
 
 
By Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com

 
If you listen to Mel Kiper Jr., who knows a thing or two about the NFL draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might have had the league’s best rookie class.
 
In this Insider post , Kiper lists his All-Rookie team and the Bucs have three representatives. That shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. Safety Mark Barron, running back Doug Martin and linebacker Lavonte David all were starters from the beginning of the season.
 
Martin got better as the season went on and showed he’s an all-purpose back. David started a little faster than Martin, but also improved. Kiper compares David to Derrick Brooks and he’s not the first person to say that. David’s off to a great start, but he isn’t Brooks just yet.
 
Barron was Tampa Bay’s top draft pick. He didn’t have as many splash plays as Martin and David, but that probably is due to the nature of his position and the fact the Tampa Bay secondary struggled so much. But you can see that Barron has all sorts of potential and he could make a larger impact once the Bucs get their cornerback situation resolved.
 
Carolina middle linebacker Luke Kuechly was the only other NFC South rookie to make Kiper’s team. You know how I feel about Kuechly. I think he was the best defensive rookie in the NFC South and maybe in the NFL.

[GrimmReaper]

Harrison Smith is a baller. I watched him play for the first time the other day, and he is clearly the best S from this draft class. Barron should look better if we get an NFL level scheme next year....but this year, Smith is hands down better.

[JavaRay]

Kuechly or Harrison Smith both would have been better picks than Barron.

[jhop88]

Harrison Smith is a baller. I watched him play for the first time the other day, and he is clearly the best S from this draft class. Barron should look better if we get an NFL level scheme next year....but this year, Smith is hands down better.

Smith had a much better season, but I was encouraged by what I saw from Barron the final 3 games. Hopefully w/an entire offseason and new/better CBs, he has a much better season.

[bucinnj]

Hopefully, the best is yet to come for these first three picks.
If so, then WOW!

[Bayfisher]

Barron, Martin and David will be one of the best drafts in recent history for any team. Hear me now and believe me later. Having another successful draft this season is just as crucial as those picks were. 

[The Anti-Java]

A really good defensive draft in April, and the team will be very much improved.

[BucBalla85]

A really good defensive draft in April, and the team will be very much improved.

Also could use another free agent or two.

[bucinnj]

A really good defensive draft in April, and the team will be very much improved.

Agreed.  Hope that the team brings in a key FA or two as well.

[The Anti-Java]

A really good defensive draft in April, and the team will be very much improved.

Also could use another free agent or two.

Absolutely, and looks like they are going to be looking,  with the contract restructures and all.



Tony Carter.....Greg Toler....Chris Houston......Are a few CB's that will be free agents.

[JavaRay]

Barron, Martin and David will be one of the best drafts in recent history for any team. Hear me now and believe me later.

Martin and David were great picks.   If the Bucs had taken Kuechly or Harrison Smith instead of Barron, that would have gone down as one of the great all time drafts.

[Law-Buc]

Tony Carter is a little small for the press cover style.  We should target FA corners such as Sean Smith or Mike Jenkins.  In the draft we should target physical corner like Xavier Rhodes and/or Ryan Logan.    Any combination will improve our secondary.

[JavaRay]

The Bucs could pick up just about anyone and it would improve the secondary.

[chace1986]

Definitely not as good as Seattle's class, but to get 2 players in Martin and David who came in with immediate playmaking ability and should be long term playmakers, that's exciting.

[lyronmewis]

It's the best one we've had since 95, but it still depends heavily on Barron improving.