The Bucs are putting a lot of pressure on Gerald McCoy and his fellow rookies this season.

Though Joe has been very excited about the Bucs draft last month (on paper), it’s also a cautionary tale in Joe’s eyes.

The top four and perhaps top five draft picks very well could all be starting before the end of the season. That’s good in that it would mean the rookies are playing well, but bad because they are rookies.

Rarely, for example, do rookie wide receivers shine and often rookie defense tackles struggle the first few games.

Seems as though Peter King thinks the same thing. In knocking out a very, very early preview of each NFL team in his must-read SI.com column, Monday Morning Quarterback, the rookies both impress and scare King.

What I like about the Bucs: that the top five draft picks will get a chance to play right away, and a lot. What I don’t like about the Bucs: that the top five draft picks will get a chance to play right away, and a lot.

This is why Joe isn’t expecting a whole lot this year from the Bucs. For two rookies to have stellar seasons, well, that’s a home run. To expect four and perhaps five rookies to shine, that’s a rare grand slam.