Buccaneers Mock Draft: Instant Contributors Tampa Bay Can Find in Every Round By Luke Easterling , Featured Columnist Mar 30, 2015 
Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press When you finish with the worst record in the NFL, it's obvious that your roster needs an influx of new talent, including starters at multiple positions. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are no exception, as they head into the 2015 NFL draft looking for upgrades at multiple positions.The Bucs need new starters at the game's most important positions—quarterback, defensive end and offensive tackle—but they're in an advantageous position to do just that. They're likely to take a quarterback with the top overall pick and should be able to take advantage of deep draft classes at the other two positions and find starters on Day 2.Beyond that, the Bucs have other key roles in need of immediate contributors on both sides of the ball, as well as special teams.Let's take a look at the instant-impact players the Bucs could grab with each of their eight picks in the upcoming draft.
1st RoundJameis Winston, QB, Florida StateAs the draft draws closer, this pick seems like more of a sure thing. The Bucs' decision-makers have made it clear in various interviews they're comfortable making Winston the face of their franchise, and they wasted no time bringing him to One Buccaneer Place for a private visit.Winston would likely be handed the starting job from Day 1, making him the most instant contributor the Bucs could possibly draft. Tampa Bay has a solid young backup in 25-year-old Mike Glennon, and Winston would give the team the dynamic presence under center it's been desperate for.
2nd RoundJake Fisher, OT, OregonDemar Dotson will start at one of the tackle spots, but the other one is a huge question mark for the Bucs. They didn't address the need in free agency, possibly because this year's draft class is extremely deep at the position.Fisher has the tools and athleticism to be an instant starter on either side, and the depth of this year's class could push him out of the first round. If he's available at the 34th overall pick, the Bucs should snatch him up and plug him into the starting lineup from Day 1, where he would be an instant upgrade.
3rd RoundLorenzo Mauldin, DE, LouisvilleTampa Bay needed pass-rushing help even before cutting Michael Johnson after just one season, but now it's a dire need. Thankfully for the Bucs, this year's class of edge players is extremely deep, which should allow them to grab an instant starter as late as the third round.Some view Mauldin as a better fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker, but he has the frame (6'4", 259 lbs) and skill set to excel with his hand in the dirt. Mauldin has gone through plenty of adversity—he entered the foster system at just two years old—and has developed into a high-motor defender with great character.His athleticism impressed at the Senior Bowl, and he'd be an instant improvement over what the Bucs currently have opposite Jacquies Smith.
4th RoundJamil Douglas, OL, Arizona StateIt's not often you can find instant starters this late in the draft, but the Bucs could do just that this year, taking advantage of a deep offensive line class to fill their need at right guard.Douglas was primarily a tackle for the Sun Devils, but he projects better as a guard at the next level. He lined up inside at the Senior Bowl and looked impressive during practice all week long. He has a great combination of power, balance and athleticism and would be an upgrade over what the Bucs currently have on the roster.
5th RoundMario Alford, WR/KR, West VirginiaThe Bucs are starving for a playmaker in the return game, having cycled through multiple options last season with no success. Winning the field-position battle is a key component of any NFL game, and Tampa Bay's return specialists did it no real favors in that regard.Alford turned plenty of heads with a blazing 4.25 40-yard dash at his pro day, and while he may not be starting material as a receiver, he's got the skills to be the electrifying return man the Bucs need. Jalston Fowler, FB, AlabamaThis may seem strange considering the Bucs' depth in the backfield, but Fowler is a Swiss army knife player who could contribute immediately in multiple ways.Both Luke Stocker and Jorvorskie Lane re-signed with Tampa Bay this offseason, but that shouldn't preclude the Bucs from snatching up Fowler, who is a violent lead blocker who also excels as a receiver out of the backfield. Mid-round picks are about value, and Fowler is the type of talent the Bucs need more of if they want to return to relevance in the NFC South.
6th RoundBobby McCain, CB, MemphisFree-agent addition Sterling Moore looks like the favorite to take over the starting nickel corner role for the Bucs, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be on the lookout for a young talent in the draft to provide depth at such a key position.McCain (5'9", 195 lbs) doesn't have the size to play on the outside at the NFL level, but his skill set is a perfect fit for the slot corner spot, where he could use his quickness (4.51 40-yard dash), instincts and toughness as a run defender to make an immediate impact.
7th RoundKyle Loomis, P, Portland StateIt's not the sexiest pick in the world, but finding a younger, cheaper and more effective replacement for Michael Koenen could very well be the best way for the Bucs to spend their final pick of the 2015 draft.Koenen had an up-and-down season in 2014 and is scheduled to make $3.25 million this year, according to Spotrac—only nine Buccaneers have a higher 2015 cap number—so grabbing one of this year's top punters would make plenty of sense and could save Tampa Bay a decent amount of cash.link
