Bucs’ Best Bet – Rounds 1-3: UCF CB Mike Hughes

The Bucs have a pressing need at cornerback and have brought in several late first-round and early second-day prospects on pre-draft visits, including Iowa’s Josh Jackson, Louisville’s Jaire Alexander, LSU’s Donte Jackson and Hughes from nearly UCF in Orlando. Although Hughes really only played two years at the FBS level – with his main production coming last year as a junior at UCF – he has top-notch athleticism and competitiveness that make him worthy of a second-round pick. Hughes transferred to UCF from Garden City Community College where he was the conference’s defensive player of the year. He made an immediate impact for the Knights on defense with four interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown, and on special teams where he returned two kicks and one punt for scores. Hughes has the talent to come in and start as a rookie opposite veteran Brent Grimes and finding an outside cornerback with that capability is a pressing need for Tampa Bay in this draft.

Bucs’ Best Bet – Rounds 4-7: Dubuque CB Michael Joseph

Tampa Bay will likely draft a cornerback in the first three rounds but don’t be surprised if the team comes back on Day 3 and grabs another cornerback. Why? Grimes is 35 years old and likely won’t play past this year. If the two cornerbacks taken in the 2016 draft – Hargreaves and Ryan Smith – don’t pan out the Bucs will need to restock the position sooner rather than later. Joseph had some eye-opening statistics at Dubuque where he recorded 15 career interceptions, including eight last year. At 6-foot-1, 181 pounds, Joseph has great length and 4.49 speed. While he showed he could hang with FBS talent at the Senior Bowl, Joseph will likely need some time to transition from playing at the FCS level, but could immediately help out on special teams as a rookie. Taking a late-round gamble on a ballhawk like Joseph would be a worthy investment for the Bucs.