READ-OPTION: NFL DRAFT EDITION

So this is the part of the column where we get to have a little fun. I hope reading the entire column is fun, but there was all kinds of math and new terms, so I understand if your brain is close to being fried.

So let’s relax with a little Read-Option.

I’m about to propose two possible draft hauls for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now, these draft hauls might not be as ideal as you want them to be, but that’s on purpose. They might not be perfect solutions with every pick. You might wish one of the choices was a different position, but I do that on purpose. I’ll give a quick description of each, then it’ll be your job to say which one you would prefer if given the choices come May.

Choice A:

Playmakers are emphasized in this first draft haul. In this one, the Bucs end up with the man we just did our All-Twenty Tuesday on, Corey Davis, who would be an excellent pair with Mike Evans.

Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey – Photo by: Getty Images

The Bucs also pick up former Heisman candidate Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey recorded over 2,000 rushing yards last season, and hasn’t finished a season averaging anything less than six yards per carry. It might take Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht trading up in the second round to draft this versatile runner-receiver-returner, but let’s suppose he does.

Finally, they pick up the long, lanky cornerback who played opposite of Sidney Jones for the Huskies in Kevin King. King has gone a bit under the radar this year due to Jones getting most of the spotlight, and the two of them playing on the West Coast, but King has the length and tenacity to match up with big receivers on the outside.

What this haul doesn’t do is help fortify or upgrade either sides of the trenches. That means the Bucs would be waiting to either find some gems in the final day of the draft or be happy with the big boys they have on the roster already. 

Choice B:

In the second choice, head coach Dirk Koetter and general manager Jason Licht get big by bringing in physically imposing players with all three picks. Barnett, a 6-foot-5 sack master off the edge would bring both size and speed opposite Noah Spence. Barnett has the build and body frame to develop into a full-time defensive end who wouldn’t need to be subbed out on obvious running plays. Some have him as a top 10 pick. Some draft experts have him in the top 20, and it’s possible he could be there at No. 19.

Pocic is a 6-foot-6, agile interior lineman who can play guard, but would be best suited at center. If the Bucs let Joe Hawley walk, drafting Pocic would allow them to keep Ali Marpet at his natural guard position and solidify protection in the middle.

Finally, this haul has the Bucs picking up a workhorse running back. Foreman is a 6-foot-1, 250-pound back who can get through contact, but also shows good balance. He also has straight line speed like a player that is 30 pounds lighter.

There are limited offensive weapons in this haul and no wide receivers are taken in the first three picks by Tampa Bay. Such a draft would mean Licht and head coach Dirk Koetter most would have possibly dipped into a mediocre free agent class to find some new playmakers or mined the later rounds for gems. Do you think that’s the right move if they do?

So which haul did you like best? If given the choice right now, which of these package players would you rather see in training camp come August?