From insiderBucs-Roster needsBiggest need: Quarterback -- Seeking a "hot take" that goes against all evidence and logic solely for the purpose of being counterintuitive? Try somewhere else. The Bucs need a QB, and will take one at No. 1 overall.Quiet need: Offensive line -- A quiet need in comparison to the need for a quarterback, in much the same way that the annoying guy who's talking your ear off on an airplane is "quiet" in comparison to a crying baby in the row behind you. The Bucs were dead last a year ago in adjusted line yards, a Football Outsiders metric that measures run blocking early in runs, and 29th in adjusted sack rate. They also led the league with 58 penalties (including declined/offsetting) from offensive linemen.Not a need: Running back --Tampa Bay's running backs didn't have good stats in 2014. Doug Martin, Charles Sims, Mike James and Bobby Rainey all finished below average in Football Outsiders' DVOA ratings. But all four have good track records, and the offensive line is to blame for much of last year's problem. The Bucs have too many holes elsewhere to worry about this position.--Aaron Schatz, Football OutsidersProspect targetsJameis Winston, QB, Florida State (Day 1): Assuming Tampa Bay feels comfortable with Winston's accountability and that his off-the-field issues are behind him, the only thing left is to turn in the card. From an evaluation standpoint, Winston has excellent physical tools and is one of the most advanced quarterback prospects we've studied on tape coming out of college.Owa Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA (Day 2): The Buccaneers need help on the edge of their front line. Odighizuwa has average instincts but plays with great leverage as a run defender, flashes explosive power as a pass-rusher and plays with a nonstop motor. He may need a year of development but would provide the immediate depth Tampa Bay desperately needs.Laken Tomlinson, G, Duke (Day 2): The offensive line was a mess last season, so infusing size and toughness up front wouldn't be a bad idea. At 323 pounds, Tomlinson has an excellent inline power base as an interior run-blocker and shows quality lateral agility and awareness in pass protection. He would have a chance to have an immediate impact while helping to improve a line that ranked near the bottom of the league in 2014.--Kevin Weidl, Scouts Inc.PredictionsThey're all in on Jameis Winston: Barring an off-field incident before the draft, the Bucs will take the Florida State quarterback at No. 1. After last year, the Bucs realize it's a quarterback-driven league and it's way past the time for them to get a franchise QB. Ownership has signed off on Winston, and the coaching staff is infatuated with him. He'll be the starter from day one.They'll draft a defensive end early: The pass rush is strong on the interior with Gerald McCoy, Clinton McDonald and Henry Melton. But it was weak on the outside last year. The Bucs released defensive end Michael Johnson, who had only four sacks last season. They want someone who can bring a more consistent rush from the outside.One player they like a lot is Florida State guard Josue Matias: The offensive line might have been the worst in the league last year, allowing 52 sacks and not being very good in the running game. Patrick Omameh isn't the long-term answer at right guard. Matias would be an instant upgrade and could be available in the third round.--Pat Yasinskas, NFL Nation Buccaneers reporterThoughts on anything other than Winston?
ForumVisual Realm2023-04-26T12:12:17-04:00
Notifications
Clear all
The Red Board
1
Posts
1
Users
0
Reactions
359
Views
Topic starter
Posted : Apr. 19, 2015 6:38 pm