NFL Mock Draft 2014: The Buccaneers don't have many good options By Sander Philipse?@Sanderrp Mar 31 2014, 8:14pm
Joe Robbins The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have filled many holes in free agency, but that leaves them with precious few good options in most mock drafts.Matthew Fairburn and Dan Kadar's latest mock draft has the Tampa Bay Buccaneers taking offensive tackle Jake Matthews with the seventh overall pick. A move that makes little sense, really. If the draft falls this way, the Buccaneers will be in a good spot to address the offensive line. Even after signing Anthony Collins, the Buccaneers still have a need at right tackle. Jake Matthews has experience at both tackle spots and is the most technically sound tackle in the draft. The Buccaneers do not, in fact, have a need at right tackle. In fact, Demar Dotson was seen as one of the best right tackles in the NFL last year by Pro Football Focus' grades, and he simply played very well -- moreso as a pass protector than a run blocker. No, the Bucs have a need at guard, with Carl Nicks' health in doubt and Jamon Meredith and Oniel Cousins competing for the opposite spot. There's no guard to be drafted that high, though, unless his name is Greg Robinson -- an elite talent at tackle who can probably dominate at offensive guard. Passing on Eric Ebron, Johnny Manziel and even Mike Evans to draft Jake Matthews makes very little sense for the Bucs. A trade down would make the most sense at this spot, but that would take someone willing to trade up and meet the team's price. Overall, the Bucs just don't have ideal options, here: either they take a player that should be available later, or they take Jake Matthews -- which doesn't fill any need. The second-round option for the Bucs makes a lot more sense: Kelvin Benjamin. The Florida State receiver is a very, very gifted athlete, with size and explosion. He's not quite at the level of Mike Evans or Sammy Watkins, but he'd be an outstanding consolation prize for a team that lacks reliable pass-catchers. Should the Buccaneers miss on Watkins or pass on Evans in the first round, Benjamin is nice consolation. While he's fairly similar in style to Vincent Jackson, that seems to work fine for the Bears with Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall. The fact that a player with his talent would be available early in the second round is a testament to the depth at the wide receiver position. Benjamin would be a top 15 player in some drafts, but not one that features Watkins, Evans, Davante Adems, Odell Beckham Jr. and others. http://www.bucsnation.com/2014/3/31/5565990/nfl-mock-draft-2014-the-buccaneers-dont-have-many-good-options
