The Bucs Select Dee Milliner
March 27th, 2013
Joe doesn’t hold many draft gurus in high esteem like he does Mike Mayock and Justin “The Commish” Pawlowski. But Russ Lande is a guy Joe likes to keep an eye on.
Lande actually worked in scouting for the Rams and Browns. He’s now in the media and pumps out lots of draft stuff for NationalFootballPost.com.
Lande’s latest first-round mock draft out today has the Bucs taking the first cornerback off the board.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama, Junior: Things did not go as well as planned when the Bucs signed CB Eric Wright a season ago, so now they make the move to upgrade at cornerback. Milliner is a strong, physical corner with the athleticism and speed to excel in man and zone coverage.
Interestingly, Lande has two defensive ends and two defensive tackles — potential Bucs targets in the first round — coming off the board before the Tampa Bay steps up for the 13th overall pick — Bjoern Werner (Jaguars, No. 2), Star Lotulelei (Eagles, No. 4), Ziggy Ansah (Lions, No. 5), Sharrif Floyd (Titans, No. 10).
Joe’s hardly sold that the Bucs draft Milliner, but Joe would hardly moan about that pick. Joe will only moan if the Bucs pick Milliner and Eric Wright is starting opposite him at the other cornerback position.
March 27th, 2013 at 11:12 am
Joe if Eric Wright signs a lesser contract would you still be opposed to him being on the team? I think second chances apply for everyone from Bowers to Wright.
Not saying he would sign a lower contract just thinking of alternatives to just cutting him.
March 27th, 2013 at 11:12 am
Wright is a more than capable number two if healthy.
That being said, that would only signify our refusal to address the position this offseason.
March 27th, 2013 at 11:14 am
Without a trade up this move is impossible. No way No How Millner makes it past Miami.
March 27th, 2013 at 11:15 am
Yes, the Bucs can do better than Wright on the field, and they surely don’t need to rely on a guy who’s one pill away from a massive suspension. Joe really was no fan of Wright Tweeting about his beloved spa weekend while the Bucs were playing that same weekend.
March 27th, 2013 at 11:18 am
Miami is pick #14
March 27th, 2013 at 11:20 am
There’s a better chance of Eric Wright being a fan favorite than Millner still being available at 13
March 27th, 2013 at 11:21 am
Whoops just kidding
March 27th, 2013 at 11:24 am
There is no chance Milliner is there at #13. Granted, I would absolutely love that pick if he somehow was. But come on, really. And, Werner going #2?? Not happening. I’m thinking either Star, Jarvis Jones, or Trufant will be our pick at #13.
The only way we get Milliner is to trade up to get him. I would honestly rather keep those picks and draft Trufant at #13 if I was the GM.
March 27th, 2013 at 11:26 am
This would be a great pick, although I agree extremely unlikely to happen unless Bucs move up.
I used to think that cutting Wright was a necessity, but I’m beginning to think that if he takes a pay cut to $4 mil a year or less, it may not be such a bad idea to keep him. If we get Revis, and still have Wright, then there’s no longer that need to draft a CB at #13, we can draft a couple CBs later, and start the year with Revis and Wright, then have two rookies, Johnson, Gaitor and Gorrer fight for the last 3 or 4 spots, with likely the Rookie drafted in the top 3 rounds getting the Nickle CB spot. Then, should something happen to Wright, then the Rook would move to starting, opposite Revis, with Goldson or Barron over top for support, not a horrible prospect.
March 27th, 2013 at 11:26 am
No doubt that Alabama players are well coached and have been prepared to play in the NFL better than most other teams.
March 27th, 2013 at 11:27 am
Not happening….Jets will take him if he is stll there.
March 27th, 2013 at 11:27 am
@ The Benn’d Around
Miami is the #12 pick in the first round, Carolina is #14.
March 27th, 2013 at 11:28 am
I’d be shocked if Milliner made it to #13
March 27th, 2013 at 11:33 am
I am hopeful that they move up in the draft by trading Blount and swapping picks with someone in the top 10 to grab Millner. I think he is more for sure in 2013 than Revis…who just started running this week.
I also like taking any opportunity to stick it to J-E-T-S fan. 🙂
March 27th, 2013 at 11:34 am
Milliner would be a great pick, even if we get Revis. I don’t see how he’s there at 13 though. I’m not even sure we’ll be able to get Rhodes at 13, much less Milliner.
March 27th, 2013 at 12:09 pm
I am blinded by optimism,
To me it doesn’t seem too risky to start Eric Wright and Leonard Johnson, with Ronde and a drafted CB coming in and out.
With our epic safety duo, Leonard Johnson in his second year preparing this offseason to actually be a starter, not just trying to make the team, and Eric Wright, un-suspended and unhurt, I think we could have a very serviceable secondary.
So, even if the bucs make minimal moves this offseason to upgrade their cornerbacks, I will still be predicting a playoff run for the Bucs.
March 27th, 2013 at 12:19 pm
Serious talk: The Bucs should trade UP to draft Sharrif Floyd. Hands down that guy is a beast and I would LOVE to see him next to McCoy.
March 27th, 2013 at 12:21 pm
This guy has many weird picks and players going in the 1st. For example, the only other CB to be taken in the 1st is Jamar Taylor, ahead of Trufant and Rhodes. While it MAY happen during the real draft, all indications point towards Rhodes and Trufant being much better than guys like Taylor.
March 27th, 2013 at 12:24 pm
Milner is going to go to Detroit
Wright is a talentless cornerback, at any price. Starting him will cost you games. Get your heads out of the sand. If you are going to argue- watch him last years games first. You’ll change your mind.
March 27th, 2013 at 12:24 pm
Yeah but what did he score on the wonderlic?
March 27th, 2013 at 1:10 pm
I really think that we can draft milliner if we trade up with Buffalo, I actually expect him to fall out of the top 5 due to those teams having greater needs, so if he’s there when Buffalo picks we should trade one or both of our 4th round picks and get Milliner, if not stay at 13 and draft Lotuleilei.
March 27th, 2013 at 1:22 pm
You see this is the great thing about the draft. Players are always over/under drafted. It happens every year. All it takes is a Manti Teo or a Tavon Austin being taken in the top five and it changes the entire draft and everybody’s prediction. It does seem unlikely BUT not impossible.
As far as Wright is concerned, I would not be surprised in the least if he is in Tampa on his original contract this season. The only reason he hasn’t been cut or restructured is because either the Bucs still believe he can be the player they wanted last year or he is refusing a pay cut.
The Bucs are in such an obvious need of a corner that they are very unlikely to cut the best one they have. Wright knows this and he can simply refuse a pay cut. The Bucs need him even if we pick up Revis and draft one. Also, the Bucs are not in need of cap space. They can afford to over pay him this year and cut ties next year. He would be over paid for sure but it doesn’t matter as long as his contract doesn’t keep us from pursuing other players.
March 27th, 2013 at 1:33 pm
Dream On! Milner will be long long gone by the time Tampa picks
March 27th, 2013 at 1:54 pm
Just think, Milner in the first, and let’s say someone like Blidi Wreh-Wilson in the second round and they both turn out better than Wright. Would make Wright expendable.
March 27th, 2013 at 1:56 pm
I wish, but there’s no way Millner drops out the top 10
March 27th, 2013 at 2:25 pm
IF DEE is there, they HAVE to take him. He is a stud.
If not get a CB in round 2-3
March 27th, 2013 at 2:35 pm
I think Dominick wants another D lineman and may move up to get one if needed. They are premium players which usually go high for the best ones. I believe he has his player picked already and why he doesn’t want to give up his 2013′ 1st pick for Revis. I can see the Bucs first CB coming in round 2 or jumping back into late 1 like they did last year. It will be a good day to move Blount as well. I’ll be happy with the Bucs’ 1st pick regardless. No way we screw this one up.
March 27th, 2013 at 2:39 pm
Of all the mock drafts I’ve seen, this is by far the most ridiculous of them all. Give me a freaking break!!!!!
March 27th, 2013 at 3:34 pm
Only thing you can count on in the draft? Someone after 100 names are thrown out there will get to say ” I told you so. I knew it all along”. Besides their one story a day this was a stupid thing Pewter Report always claimed. Undisputed draft kings. Yes if you predict 500 names you might hit on one every few years. Anyone that use to go there (or still does) you know what I mean.
March 27th, 2013 at 3:34 pm
@ Bucs Fan 238…..That would be unreal, Floyd beside GMC. Doubt they move up, but those 2 would be a wrecking crew.
March 27th, 2013 at 3:59 pm
I watched a lot of Florida’s games over the past season and Floyd made some good plays but he had a lot of bad ones too, IMO. I like the guy and he’s huge but I wasn’t overly impressed by him. It may just be me and I love the Gators, but I think he has a hard road ahead with NFL O linemen.