Defensive Draft

[leeroybuc93]

I agree with anyone with eyes that our defense is old and in need of some younger talent.  A lot of people think we should draft all D in this year's draft.  However, we are going to be way under the cap and I feel we will fill most of our gaps on D in free agency.  So much so that I feel we can take the best player available in Round 1.  There are no linebackers so far worth taking with a top 10 pick, but there are very good linebackers in FA.  There is maybe one corner worth taking that high, but there are some good corners in free agency.  There is one safety worth taking in the top 10, but there are also some very good safeties throughout the first 2 to 3 rounds.  This draft is very deep with safeties. 

Let's say for the sake of argument that we address many of our defensive needs in free agency.  Is it so ridiculous to think that if a stud player on offense is there we won't take him? 

[Lord Freesus]

Ask the Saints...

[shall555]

I don't think GruAllen will go on a wild defensive spending spree in Free Agency. We're finally coming out of having a lopsided defensive heavy salary cap nightmare, as it is. I think it will be balanced in Free Agency. We sign 2 high priced FAs on offense like Tony Gonzalez, WR or OL, and 2 high priced FAs on defense like Nate Clements and a SS. Use the draft to fill out the defensive front 7 and offensive needs, like a Center or Fullback. I would rather have a balanced salary cap, than an offensive or defensive heavy cap. When you have either of those, you end up like Indy or us. LOL.

Balancing our Free Agency spending will give us the freedom to draft the best available impact player on either side of the ball.

[Itchalot]

I think they will put some good money into defensive free agents. Gruden is going to expect his young offense to start clicking, and he isn't going to want the defense to be in a state of flux. They will try to bring in a couple big time free agents on the defensive side.  But as always its easier said than done.

[Boid Fink]

I would love to see one of our two second rounders being used to groom Leonard from Rutgers.  The other two picks, use them on the D-line, and O-line (center). 

It appears that the Bucs are ready to go with Grads next year, and McCown, and whoever else they happen to pick up to pull splinters.  So I doubt Gruden goes QB in the first three rounds.

The third pick, I would like to see a safety, and with the fourth, a linebacker.  The rest of the needs can be filled in with a few FA signings here and there.  Ah hem, Lance Briggs.  (cough cough) Nate Clements.

[dbtb135]

If we get a guy like Briggs in FA and a decent safety, I wouldn't be completely against going O in the draft. That being said, we need to look D first. If there's a D player worth taking there at a position that we need (DE, DT, S), you take him no questions asked. I will say as someone who doesn't personally like Landry and know it's a deep safety draft that: Landry>>>Griffin>>>>>>rest of class.

[alldaway]

I still believe it will be a defense heavy draft.  The offense does not need that many piecies.  If you think about it if the Bucs pick up Gonzalez (not a big fan of that idea) and Steinbach what is the glaring need on offense?  A speed WR that is also a KR/PR specialist you can pick up in the 4th/5th round?

Defensively if you pick up Clements, Briggs, and Adalius  (and re-sign Dewayne White) you still need a safety or two, another defensive end and a defensive tackle.

Now what are the chances the Bucs can pick up all of these players via free agency ( Gonzalez, Steinbach, Clements, Briggs, and Adalius) and re sign Dewayne White?  Even with the new found cap space it is unrealistic and all teams will have cap space to use so scratch off about half these players from that list.

Basically if the Bucs are able to make at least one addition on each side of the ball with Steinbach and Clements the defense is left with a lot of holes while the offense is lacking one hole which the Bucs can live with for now.

To be honest I am not down on Clayton, Stovall, and Smith like some people are and I am not about to throw them under the bus.  Maybe that is what is driving my feelings against the Bucs drafting WR in the first/second round or targeting Gonzalez in free agency.

Edit: I know people will say QB is a need so lets assume that (even though I do not believe that to be the case).  Bucs can turn to McCown, re-sign Simms, sign Ramsey, give up a draft pick for Schaub ( but to a division rival), or possibly pursure Leftwich if he is let go.