Are These Realistic Expectations for Each Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rookie?

Setting Realistic Expectations for Each Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rookie By Luke Easterling Jul 1, 2015 Chris O'Meara/Associated Press Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans know all too well how dangerous it can be to set unrealistic expectations heading into a new NFL season.After being a popular pick to make a quick turnaround last year, the Bucs sputtered to a league-worst 2-14 record in head coach Lovie Smith's first year at the helm, failing to deliver on the high hopes that fans were sold during the offseason.Heading into the 2015, hopes are again running high for Bucs fans, especially with regard to the incoming draft class. No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston has energized the fanbase as the new franchise quarterback the team has been lacking, while rebuilding the offensive line and adding more playmakers on offense were also priorities.Some expect big things from rookies every year, but few can ever deliver right away. Other fans are more pessimistic and will take a wait-and-see approach with a team's group of first-year players.Here's my take on the ceiling, floor and realistic projection for each of the Bucs' seven draft picks for the 2015 season.RB Joey IosefaWilfredo Lee/Associated Press Seventh-round picks normally face tall odds to make any team's final roster, but Joey Iosefa has a decent chance to stick in Tampa Bay this season.The Bucs got serviceable play out of their fullbacks last year, but Jorvorskie Lane is coming off a season-ending broken leg and Luke Stocker—who filled in admirably in Lane's absence—is better suited at his natural tight end position. The team could also use a bruising runner who can move the chains in short-yardage situations, and Iosefa could be just the man for the job.CeilingIosefa carves out a role similar to Bucs legend Mike Alstott, contributing on all three downs, getting the tough yards between the tackles and making plays out of the backfield as a receiver.FloorThe rookie late-rounder flames out during training camp and fails to beat out Lane for the fullback job or Mike James for the short-yardage running back spot.Realistic ProjectionIosefa's versatility and athleticism score him the fullback job over Lane, but it takes time for him to become a significant contributor in the box score. Some goal-line touches could result in a few touchdowns.WR Kaelin ClayKim Klement-USA TODAY Sports The Bucs cycled through a laundry list of return specialists last season, with none of them making a good enough impression to have a hold on the job heading into training camp this year.That prompted the Bucs to spend yet another Day 3 pick on a player who could potentially contribute from the slot but will be much more highly valued in the return game. Kaelin Clay was a productive return man at Utah and should be the front-runner for the job when training camp kicks off. He's also a quick receiver with soft hands who could do some damage in the slot.CeilingClay locks down the return duties on both kickoffs and punts, scoring a touchdown or two and helping keep the Bucs in advantageous field position. He also logs some quality snaps in the slot, flashing his playmaking ability after the catch.FloorThe rookie struggles in training camp, while another potential return man makes a good impression. With improved depth across the board at receiver, he's unable to get many snaps with the offense.Realistic ProjectionClay is a natural-born playmaker on special teams who will do damage when he gets the ball in space. He should win the return job and provide a marked improvement for the Bucs in that area while hauling in a handful of catches on offense.WR Kenny BellChris O'Meara/Associated Press The Bucs needed to get deeper at receiver while also thinking about the future and finding a player with the potential to take over for Vincent Jackson at some point down the line.They may have found that in the fifth round of this year's draft with Nebraska's Kenny Bell, a pass-catcher with the size (6'1", 197 lbs) and skills to line up on the outside and make an instant impact in what could be an exciting passing attack for Tampa Bay this year.CeilingBell wins the third receiver job, lining up outside and giving the Bucs the flexibility to move Jackson or Mike Evans into the slot, which creates serious matchup problems for opposing defenses. Bell gets his share of looks from rookie quarterback Jameis Winston, finishing as the team's fourth-leading receiving behind Evans, Jackson and Austin Seferian-Jenkins and adding a few scores along the way.FloorThe rookie is unable to challenge for quality playing time ahead of veterans like Louis Murphy and Russell Shepard, getting few snaps on offense and playing mostly on special teams.Realistic ProjectionBell has already flashed his explosiveness and athleticism during offseason workouts, and he was Winston's roommate during rookie minicamp. As he builds a strong chemistry with his new quarterback, Bell gets plenty of snaps and sees more looks than most rookie fifth-rounders could normally hope for.LB Kwon AlexanderDavid J. Phillip/Associated Press Desperately needing to get deeper and more athletic at linebacker, the Bucs moved up in the fourth round to snag LSU's Kwon Alexander, an undersized (6'1", 227 lbs) but explosive player who should fit perfectly into the Tampa 2 defense.Tampa Bay looks to have a solid group of starters at linebacker with Lavonte David, Bruce Carter and Danny Lansanah, but Alexander could easily challenge for playing time depending on how he performs in training camp. He's versatile and already getting reps in the middle and on the strong side during offseason workouts, according to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.CeilingAlexander beats out Lansanah for the starting job on the strong side, and his speed, instincts and explosiveness allow him to stay on the field for plenty of action in nickel situations as well.FloorAlexander takes a backseat to the veterans in the starting lineup but provides quality depth and makes a big impact on special teams.Realistic ProjectionAlexander has plenty of talent and natural tools, but he needs some time to refine his skills. Lansanah should keep his starting job, but Alexander will be nipping at his heels while providing upgraded depth on both the strong side and up the middle.OL Ali MarpetKim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Despite spending their early second-round pick on an offensive lineman, the Bucs traded back into the latter part of the same round to continue to restock the cupboard up front, selecting a small-school standout in Ali Marpet who wowed NFL scouts throughout the predraft process.Marpet played left tackle at Hobart College but will slide inside for the Bucs, who desperately need help at guard. He impressed at the Senior Bowl and showed impressive athleticism at the combine. He should have a good shot at winning the starting gig at right guard across from veteran Logan Mankins.CeilingMarpet keeps his strong offseason going, winning a starting job in training camp and helping to improve a unit that struggled in 2014. He helps to protect the team's valuable investment in quarterback Jameis Winston.FloorStill a raw player, Marpet has trouble adjusting to the speed of the NFL game and is unable to beat out the likes of Patrick Omameh and Kadeem Edwards for a starting job right away.Realistic ProjectionHobart is a hardworking player with plenty of natural talent, but expecting him to make such a jump given the level of competition he's facing will be a tall order. The Bucs take it slow with him this year, not handing him a starting job right away, but he ends up earning one before the halfway mark of the regular season.OT Donovan SmithKim Klement-USA TODAY Sports What was the first thing the Bucs did after spending the first overall pick on a new franchise quarterback? They found a massive mover to protect his blind side.Smith is still a fairly raw player, but the team is going to give him a shot to start at left tackle, moving Demar Dotson back to his natural spot on the right side. It's always a gamble to start a rookie at that position, but the Bucs seem to be confident in Smith's ability.CeilingSmith earns and keeps the starting job on the left side, beating out Kevin Pamphile, who started the offseason ahead of him on the depth chart. He keeps Jameis Winston off his back for the most part and excels in the running game, where he's at his best.FloorThe Bucs don't see enough progress during training camp to hand him the left tackle job, giving it to Pamphile instead. If Smith does end up starting, he struggles with speedy edge-rushers and shows his rawness as a player.Realistic ProjectionThe Bucs drafted Smith to start, and fans should expect him to win the job at left tackle, scary as that proposition may be. He takes his lumps as a rookie, struggling to adjust to the speed of the NFL game, but still gives Tampa Bay a huge improvement over the failed Anthony Collins experiment of 2014.QB Jameis WinstonKim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Tampa Bay owned the first overall draft pick for the fifth time in franchise history this year, and for the second time, they spent it on a Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback, hoping to turn the team's fortunes and get back into playoff contention.After an exhaustive search into his character—both on and off the field—the Bucs felt comfortable making Winston the new face of the franchise, despite the off-field issues that have plagued the former national champion during his time at Florida State.CeilingWinston's gunslinging ways are a perfect fit for Tampa Bay's scheme and personnel, as he takes advantage of a vertical passing game featuring the likes of Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson and Austin Seferian-Jenkins. His leadership helps further galvanize the team, and the Bucs take a big step back toward NFL relevancy.FloorWinston's penchant for trusting his arm too much gets him into plenty of trouble, leading to too many forced throws and subsequent turnovers. There are flashes of brilliance, but Winston has a difficult time getting used to the speed of NFL defenses, and it shows in the stat sheet and record.Realistic ProjectionMuch like Winston's college career, Bucs fans should expect plenty of highs and lows from their rookie quarterback this year. He'll take plenty of chances down the field, which will lead to some big plays and touchdown passes, but he'll throw his share of picks too. Over 3,000 yards passing and 25 touchdowns shouldn't be out of the question, but 20 or more interceptions are equally possible.link