Free Agency or Draft: How Should the Buccaneers Fill Their Biggest Holes?

Free Agency or Draft: How Should the Buccaneers Fill Their Biggest Holes?By Jason Kanno  March 4, 2015David J. Phillip/Associated PressIt's official: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in full-blown rebuilding mode. With so many holes on their roster, the Bucs are in a full-court press to improve their talent level.Head coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jason Licht might want to build through the draft, but they have to take another big stab at free agency.The Bucs' biggest hole at quarterback should be filled with the first pick of the draft. They already met with Florida State QB Jameis Winston this week, per The Tampa Tribune's Roy Cummings, much earlier than most teams host draft prospects.Addressing the rest of the roster isn't so simple. In addition to hitting on draft picks, the Bucs have to trust that they will be more successful in free agency than they were last year.The right side of the offensive line is a void. The Bucs are long past due to draft an offensive lineman as more than just a project, but as they need two new starters, they will have to look at signing a tackle in free agency.New starters may be needed at every level of the defense. The Bucs made a huge mistake signing DE Michael Johnson last season and now have to return to the free-agency pool as well as look to the draft to at least challenge him for a starting spot, if not replace him altogether.The Bucs did not re-sign middle linebacker Mason Foster this offseason, and it doesn't look like they will before next week. If Smith wants his prototypical Tampa 2 middle linebacker, the draft is his best option.At safety, the Bucs have another bad free-agent signing to dump in safety Dashon Goldson. This year's draft class is thin at safety, so the Bucs will simply need to replace one big contract for another via free agency.Finally, the nickel cornerback position is due for an upgrade. As more teams cut their veteran players, the market for inexpensive but effective defensive backs expands.Here are the Buccaneers' biggest roster holes and possible solutions to fix them through free agency and the draft.Defensive EndJeff Haynes/Associated PressThe question whether the Bucs should look to the draft or free agency to improve the defensive end position has just one answer: yes.The Bucs whiffed hard by signing former Bengals DE Michael Johnson last year. Johnson rewarded the Bucs' $9 million investment with just four sacks and a strong dose of buyer's remorse.The Johnson fiasco leaves the Bucs not only looking for depth but possibly another starter.Neither the draft nor free agency offers a wide array of remedies for the Bucs' edge-rush needs. A combined strategy is their only option.Carolina DE Greg Hardy is the big fish in the defensive end pond, recording 26 sacks during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Despite his production, Hardy is unlikely to be a Buccaneer. Per Over the Cap, $7 million of Johnson's 2015 salary is guaranteed, which will likely keep him around next season. Since Hardy could make as much if not more, the Bucs simply cannot afford him.Less expensive options include Cleveland's Jabaal Sheard and Philadelphia's Brandon Graham.Sheard looks like a complete package at defensive end, but the Browns' constant scheme upheaval makes his fit in Tampa Bay's defense unclear. Graham poses a similar dilemma, playing as a 3-4 linebacker for the Eagles though he's a more natural fit as a 4-3 end.According to Pro Football Focus, Sheard and Graham had a respective 24 and 39 quarterback pressures in 2014, whereas Johnson had only 15. Their pass-rush acumen would likely improve the Bucs defensive line.Draft-wise, the Bucs aren't likely to spend their first overall pick on a pass-rusher. This year's class isn't deep at 4-3 defensive end, but there are players in the middle rounds worth taking.Mississippi St. DE Preston Smith is a strong third-round candidate, notching 16 sacks in his collegiate career. Smith also brings some versatility when asked to rotate inside, according to Bleacher Report's Ryan McCrystal:Ryan McCrystal @Ryan_McCrystalPreston Smith is more productive as a pass-rusher on the inside where his quickness can be too much for interior o-linemen..11:49 AM - 28 Feb 2015Smith's main issue is his lack of elite explosion. He's often a step slow off the snap and might not have the quickness to turn the corner on NFL tackles.Stanford's Henry Anderson projects more as a five-technique defensive end but possesses the quickness to play in a 4-3 scheme. Anderson recorded a 7.2-second three-cone drill and a 4.19-second 20-yard shuttle at the combine, demonstrating his quickness and athleticism, as noted by NFL.com's Ian Wharton:Ian Wharton @NFLFilmStudyStanford DT Henry Anderson shows strong hands and good quickness as he engages and gets by the blocker https://vine.co/v/O0MAX03VlrT 1:36 PM - 2 Mar 2015There are no sure answers for the Bucs' defensive end issues this offseason. The best they can do is diversify their efforts and hope they get it right this year.Right GuardBrynn Anderson/Associated PressThere's no doubting the Bucs' need for a new right guard. It may be time for a new approach via opting to draft their next starter rather than signing a free agent.The free-agent market isn't bereft of guards, but none are long-term solutions for Tampa Bay. The only viable long-term options are the San Francisco 49ers' Mike Iupati and the Cincinnati Bengals' Clint Boling.Iupati is a beastly run-blocker, but the graders at Pro Football Focus never saw much value in pass protection:Steve Palazzolo @PFF_SteveFree agent guard Mike Iupati will be interesting case. One of best run blockers in lg, but never posted positive pass block grade in career6:52 PM - 1 Mar 2015Boling is more balanced and could be a good addition. However, his services are likely to be in great demand as one of the top guards on the market.The rest of the guard market is over-the-hill or only marginally of starting quality. Guys like John Jerry or Adam Snyder might make decent depth but should not be signed as starters.The Bucs haven't drafted a guard before the fifth round since taking Jeremy Zuttah in the third in 2008. Their lack of commitment to the interior offensive line is apparent in its consistently poor performance over the past few years.This year's draft is the perfect chance to right the wrongs of previous years, with options available throughout the middle rounds.Duke's Laken Tomlinson is another beast who could make an early impact at right guard, according to 620 WDAE's Tom Krasniqi:Tom Krasniqi @TKrasI'm liking G Laken Tomlinson for the #Bucs in round 2. He's a 323 pound mauler.  Would start right away at RG.2:46 PM - 20 Feb 2015Later in the draft, the Bucs have numerous options, such as Alabama's Arie Kouandjio, Louisville's John Miller and Hobart's Ali Marpet.Marpet, a D-III prospect certainly has the look of an NFL guard and flashed his athleticism at the NFL combine, clocking a 4.98-second 40-yard dash, a 7.33-second three-cone drill and a 4.47-second 20-yard shuttle.Marpet is more of a project but could be a prodigious offensive lineman if developed correctly. The Bucs will need someone like that to build an actual offensive line.SafetyDavid Zalubowski/Associated PressBucs free safety Dashon Goldson needs to be replaced. If the Bucs want to upgrade at safety, their only avenue is free agency.This year's draft lacks surefire starters, particularly at free safety. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller has only two safeties ranked in the top 50 players of his latest big board: Alabama strong safety Landon Collins and Louisville free safety Gerod Holliman.As a likely mid-first-round pick, Collins is not likely to be a Buccaneer. Holliman led the nation with 13 interceptions in 2014, but it was the only year in which the junior produced anything meaningful on the field.Though the draft is thin at safety, the free-agent market is well-stocked with starting talent.At the top of the heap is the Patriots' Devin McCourty. The converted cornerback is one of the best coverage safeties in the league, earning All-Pro nods in 2010 and 2013. McCourty will be a tough target given his obvious talent. His foot might just graze the street before another team scoops him up with a massive contract.The Bucs may end up targeting Denver safety Rahim Moore. In 2014, Moore notched a career-high four interceptions and forced two fumbles. Moore isn't a huge playmaker, but he's a significant upgrade from Goldson in terms of pass coverage.At this point, the Bucs just need to find any alternative to the $8 million-a-year liability Goldson has become.Middle LinebackerDavid Zalubowski/Associated PressBucs middle linebacker Mason Foster will likely walk in free agency. Lovie Smith may prioritize finding his replacement in the draft to better fit his defense.The Bucs do have options in free agency at middle linebacker. The Jets' David Harris and the Cowboys' Rolando McClain are both viable options if the Bucs want a veteran.However, Harris is 31 years old and isn't an ideal long-term solution. McClain is in his physical prime but has only one year of play with no off-field problems.The best long-term options for the Bucs lie in the draft, and likely in the second round.The Bucs' Tampa 2 defense often requires the middle linebacker to drop back deep into zone coverage and play center fielder. If the Bucs need a linebacker with great coverage skills, they need look no further than UCLA's Eric Kendricks.The senior linebacker is the best pass-defender of this year's middle linebacker class. To get a sense of his impact in the pass game, check out his pick-six against Virginia in last year's season opener.If Kendricks is taken before the Bucs' second-round pick, Miami's Denzel Perryman would likely be available in his stead. Though he doesn't have Kendricks' coverage skills, Perryman is a born playmaker and could intimidate over the middle.Right TackleJack Dempsey/Associated PressThough building through the draft is preferable, the Bucs are in the unenviable position of needing free agents. With so many other needs looming, the Bucs need to find a veteran right tackle this year.The Bucs main target, not just at right tackle but in free agency generally, must be Denver tackle Orlando Franklin. Not only is Franklin a strong pass- and run-blocker, but he's versatile, capable of playing tackle and guard as he did in 2014.As good as Franklin is, the Bucs can't pin their hopes on one free agent. Fortunately they have several options.Green Bay's Bryan Bulaga is great in pass protection but not so great at staying healthy. Bulaga has never played a full season and missed the 2013 season with a torn ACL.Dallas' Doug Free was solid for the Cowboys over the past two years. As good as he was the last two seasons, he was equally bad the two years before that. There's no telling which Doug Free the Bucs would get if they signed him.The Bucs can draft a right tackle, but given their other needs, they may need to wait for a late pick. Penn State's Donovan Smith may be their best option in the fourth round.Nickel CornerbackTony Gutierrez/Associated PressNickel corner doesn't seem like a major need, but Lovie Smith considers it a starting role. With so many cornerbacks falling victim to cap cuts, the Bucs may find a temporary solution in free agency.The Philadelphia Eagles are set to lose both of their starting corners this offseason. Both are candidates for the Bucs' slot corner position. Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher weren't great starters for the Eagles but could thrive in more limited roles.The Falcons' Robert McClain played nickel corner for Atlanta. He had a down year in 2014, but the entire defense was pretty lousy. He might be a cheap stopgap for the Bucs.Injuries forced the Bucs to let Danny Gorrer go last season. When he got to Baltimore, he played the way the Bucs once envisioned. Bringing him back isn't out of the question.Quite simply, there is a plethora of available corners entering the free-agent market, which makes for inexpensive signings.link