With The 17th Pick In The 2016 NFL Draft …
December 7th, 2015
It’s never too early for draft talk. But it’s always nice when it’s not an important conversation in December, or in October, as it was the last two Bucs seasons.
NFL.com is keeping track of all things draft and the associated mathematics. Per the official league site, the Bucs own the 17th pick the first round, if the season ended today.
Longtime personnel guru and film junkie Lance Zierlein thinks the Bucs need offensive line help in a hurry.
Analysis: There are needs galore for this team, but it starts at offensive tackle in my mind. Tampa needs to look for a young, athletic replacement for Gosder Cherilus and finding a replacement for veteran Logan Mankins at guard could be in the offing, as well. Lovie Smith’s defense is based on upfield pressure, but he has only one defensive end in place and needs to find a true edge man for the right side. Cornerback and safety are both big concerns and Tampa might need to make cornerback an early priority.
Joe likes much of Zierlein’s thinking.
The Bucs should not be afraid to draft the future at right tackle — sorry, 30-year-old Demar Dotson is not the future — or an eventual replacement for Logan Mankins, who likely has one more good year left in his body.
America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, deserves a hearty offensive line in front of him at all costs. It’s very hard to go wrong with a stout line and a franchise QB.
December 7th, 2015 at 4:43 pm
I’m strangely hoping that Jalen Ramsey goes out and steals crab legs, or does something else (that’s harmless) to cause him to drop to us.
December 7th, 2015 at 4:43 pm
They should draft a LT and slide Smith who is struggling at LT to RT.
December 7th, 2015 at 4:44 pm
Just think….we were able to land Josh Freeman with the 17th pick!!!
I think we should pick the best player available at the following positions..
CB, S, OG, OT, DE (not in priority order)
December 7th, 2015 at 4:44 pm
This team needs to go all-defense in this draft. Need to load up on corners and defensive ends. I’m not sold on our safeties either. A developmental player at tackle might be worth a late round pick.
December 7th, 2015 at 5:11 pm
Looks like zierlein has changed his tune regarding donovan smith. That blurb about then bucs always had something about his doubts regarding smith at lt.
December 7th, 2015 at 5:15 pm
I agree but they are not in desperate need to replace either OL position right away. I can see OL in the 4-6 rounds and free agency.
They MUST draft DE and CB in 1-2
December 7th, 2015 at 5:17 pm
Personally I want Shaq Lawson at DE. Strong, tall, fast and a motor.
But he will probably gone. So DE or CB in round and 2, whatever order works best
December 7th, 2015 at 5:19 pm
Derrick Brooks 1995 Draft 1st round 28th pick. I’ll settle for a CB, DE or OT as talented as Derrick. You can get a great player at 17, you just got to pick right. Like we did with the first 4 picks this year.
December 7th, 2015 at 5:22 pm
Our Bucs are gonna..probably go heavy on Defense this upcoming draft. Maybe an O lineman. Sure hope a Defensive End is available come our time. But you never know..we could trade down and get 2 D players for the price of one.
December 7th, 2015 at 5:23 pm
2 CBs and 2 DEs in the first 4 rounds!
December 7th, 2015 at 5:25 pm
I wish we could get Hargreaves but we won’t be picking high enough. Hmm…who’d thunk it…
December 7th, 2015 at 5:27 pm
Agree with TampaBayBucFan on the positional needs. I’d also throw in a speedy receiver like Tyler Boyd (2nd red)unless they think Kenny Bell is that guy? Look what the Steelers WRs can do after the catch. It’s the only thing missing from making our offense deadly.
The absolute dream would be to nab Ramsey or Hargreaves in the first, but there’s no way we’ll get them now. Perhaps Mackensie Alexander is still available? I see Emmanuel Ogbah as the best pass rusher after Bosa too, I’m not sure the other DLs are as good off the edge.
If we take a CB/OL first round though, it’ll be a must for a DE in the 2nd. We can’t wait till after that for a decent pass rusher. Would Carl Nassib be available?
I see this as a year where we should look to trade back in the first and try to get another 2nd rounder. Or perhaps trade a player we intend to replace – Banks/Verner.
Still, it feels great not having to worry about the draft as much this year, take the BPA and just enjoy the thrill of a playoff hunt, we’ve already solved the biggest positional problem for a long long time. Thank you Jameis.
December 7th, 2015 at 5:32 pm
I said it in another post, but I really hope we don’t get Hargreaves. Won’t tackle, doesn’t have good ball skills. He’ll be a decent player in the league because he has outstanding instincts/quickness, but he’s not worth a top 20 pick.
December 7th, 2015 at 5:38 pm
I said it in another post, but the great thing this year is with the Buc’s having a better than expected record beating up on tomato cans, that we get to see if they can actually draft with other teams in front of them!!!!
December 7th, 2015 at 5:40 pm
I’m totally in tune with those thoughts on our needs. I would add a speed WR to the list. Watching guys like Martavis Bryant and ODB smoke defenses makes me think that we’ll need a replacement for VJax sooner rather than later.
December 7th, 2015 at 5:42 pm
BPA in round 1 imo. Other than QB we could use an upgrade at any place really. I haven’t researched this years draft but we need as much talent as we can get so I wouldn’t mind trading back to get more picks even as well.
In terms of positional needs if all things are equal I’d go DE every time. Most valuable positions in the game are 1) QB 2) LT or DE.
In general O-lines > skill position and D-lines > secondary for the overall value they provide a team. A great defensive front can mask bad coverage with pressure while still containing the run game. A great secondary with no good front will get run on and passed on all game.
Smith is our LT. He’s a rookie and has done fine. No reason to think you should move him around and give up on him playing LT. Guy has kept a lot of premier pass rushers from doing damage to us. I don’t get the criticism of him really at all considering he is a rookie 2nd rounder. Eric Fisher was the #1 overall pick and has been WAY worse as a LT even today. O-line / D-line typically take longer to develop.
December 7th, 2015 at 5:43 pm
I think the only thing we need on offense is speed at WR.
We are fortunate to have $52 mil in cap space…..a couple of trade-able players and all of our draft picks.
If I were forced to a priority order it would be…
DE
CB
S
Oline
CB
LB
CB
But, the FA market could change that and what pick we get for Glennon.
December 7th, 2015 at 5:46 pm
No mention of a speed wide receiver to get behind corners & safeties.
December 7th, 2015 at 5:47 pm
Again I agree with Joe. It’s all situational in the end. I hope we’ll pick the best player available, regardless of position. I’d hate to see a reach or a forced move just because the defense could certainly use some help.
December 7th, 2015 at 5:49 pm
LC. I’m with you. Start drafting BPA in first round, especially if its on either line.. at any position. Once you have the QB you can do this. This is the formula. The drafts that have gotten us in deepest trouble is drafting for need over value. Lets make this a 10+ year run. Build in the draft, fill holes via free agency. Its amazing how deep drafts look when you draft like this.
December 7th, 2015 at 6:01 pm
V jack ain’t a spring chicken either
December 7th, 2015 at 6:15 pm
I our picks will greatly depend on the FA market….I’d like to see us pick up a proven WR with speed….there aren’t many available in FA…so we may need to trade to get one.
December 7th, 2015 at 6:17 pm
Offensive tackle??????????
It better be a Defensive End or the defense is screwed.
We need at least three new starters on defense. The offensive line is doing fine now. Mankins can last one more year too.
Go defense. Toss in a late round promising WR who is hungry to prove himself. Or sign a free agent WR. Teams have more luck with those in free agency.
I want to see DE, Safety and CB in the first 3 picks.
December 7th, 2015 at 6:19 pm
no clemson DEs please
December 7th, 2015 at 6:21 pm
If only there was a shot at Bosa.
I would settle for a playmaker in the secondary like Jeremy Cash or Jourdan Lewis.
Sterling Shepherd in 2nd would make for the perfect slot compliment and maximized an under utilized part of the field for Koetter: the seam and short middle.
December 7th, 2015 at 6:35 pm
Sweet baby Jesus we need a pass rush. Must remind everyone that the best CB’s in this teams history have come in lower early rounds. Donnie Abraham and Ronde Barber. Especially in this system. The Bucs is desperately in need of fire from the edges. I would love for them to get Baylor’s Shawn Oakman. And throw the bank at Panthers Josh Norman.
December 7th, 2015 at 6:44 pm
I’m all for DE Shilique Calhoun if hes still there for us. One of the fastest DE’s in next years draft. Undersized for a 3-4 but would be a perfect fit for our style of defense. Its gonna be nice to draft depth for a change
December 7th, 2015 at 7:12 pm
Alexanders guards kept him injury-free through the campaigns. No easy task since Alexander rode at the front of the cavalry.
I’ll let the historians tell it:
A Persian commander, noticed the attack and raised his sword at Alexander, cracking his helmet. Alexander quickly ran him through. Another Persian commander, raised his own weapon to attack Alexander but Cleitus the Black attacked him first, severing his arm, saving Alexander’s life.
Lol. Gotta protect the leader.
December 7th, 2015 at 7:34 pm
I would find as many sure handed receivers and tight ends as I could cause Winston is the real deal y’all!!!
Sign proven DBs and DEs in free agency…
We could also use another gaurd… Mankins is faring dust…
December 7th, 2015 at 7:43 pm
Joe
You’ll get a kick out of this one.
TRADE DOWN!!
December 7th, 2015 at 7:51 pm
(1st Mock)
• Shilique Calhoun DE Michigan State 6-5 252
• Spencer Drango OG Baylor 6-6 320
• Carl Nassib DE Penn State 6-6 270
• Hunter Henry TE Arkansas 6-5 253
• Maliek Collins DT Nebraska 6-2 300
• Deion Jones OLB LSU 6-1 228
• Kareem Hunt RB Toledo 5-11 225
• Theiren Cockran DE Minnesota 6-5 257
December 7th, 2015 at 8:03 pm
I think Nassib will be gone by the time we pick in round 3.
December 7th, 2015 at 8:04 pm
I swear Carl Nassib reminds me of Bryce Paup
December 7th, 2015 at 8:07 pm
BuccaneEric75
Yeah, Might have to snag him in the 2nd- with Glennon trade. Hopefully we can make a trade with St. Louis. Since they’ve got that extra 2nd round pick from Philly.
December 7th, 2015 at 8:14 pm
Zerleins analysis is always just him talking about drafting eventual replacements for players who arnt that bad. We need to replace our bad players before we worry about replacing guys like Mankins and Dotson are not our issue right now.
I would like to see the bucs go after a pass rusher in free agency and just draft guys who make plays. DBs and Offensive weapons. DEs are frequently projections that dont pan out.
December 7th, 2015 at 8:16 pm
I just saw the WalterFootball mock. It had Henry and Calhoun in round 2. I think Calhoun will go in round 1. Not sure about Henry.
December 7th, 2015 at 8:21 pm
Henry – between Late 2nd – Late 3rd.
December 7th, 2015 at 8:46 pm
LordC has made an important point. The most valuable positions are…
1) QB 2) LT or DE.
We have our QB and we have a promising LT. We have no DE who is dominant.
And no DE capable of bull rushing a tackle into the backfield.
This is the reason that while I like Revis never considered him worth !6 million.
Nor Sherman or Peterson for that matter.
Again a shutdown corner takes ONE receiver off the field…not bad. A dominant DE can take out ALL the receivers by putting the QB on his butt.
All draft choices are a gamble. BPA doesn’t really insure we’ll be that much more successful. This is why some GM’s like to trade down for multiple picks to get more chances…better odds of success…which remember are only 50-50.
And so I want to draft two DE’s right off the bat unless some BPA is just to certain to pass up…I don’t think that’ll happen at 17.
What about MG8. Let me start a real firestorm. If we can’t get at least a 2nd rounder for him or package him a deal to move up substantially for a player we believe in I say keep him. Who cares if he walks after next year…we’ll get a perfect backup in case #3 goes down for some games next year and we’ll get him at $675,000 an incredible bargain. I’d give up a 3rd pick to keep MG8 so we need more or else.
December 7th, 2015 at 8:52 pm
What’s up with Walter Football???
They are talking about the Bucs taking a LB in round one because LVD and Kwon are disappointing and they say the Bucs want Keon on the field only for Two downs.
That is ridiculous. LB is something for late round special teams and depth.
DE and CB are the picks
December 7th, 2015 at 9:00 pm
St. Pete
They certainly aren’t planning on keeping Glennon….that is why we are using a much needed roster spot on Ryan Griffin…. he will be the backup…even if we don’t get but a 4th or 5th for Glennon….the only other option that makes sense is to spend extra bucks and sign Glennon (if he would take it) to be the permanent backup to Winston.
December 7th, 2015 at 9:31 pm
@TBBF
I certainly take your point and I do not watch practice. IF the coaches are CERTAIN that Ryan Griffin is the real deal I might go for your plan. Otherwise I demand a 2nd and let Ryan Griffin go for a draft pick.
I was never a member of the MGM…but he did play well at times and under Koetter’s guidance he could definitely be a solid backup.
87 was against keeping him because we are not close to a playoff team…but surprisingly we are close this year…although Kwon’s suspension and GMC’s injury may be too much…but next year we will certainly be a contender.
I love #3’s aggression and what a freaking run…but he’s putting his body in danger with all of these plays. I’d like to have the best possible backup just in case. I do not see anybody close to MG8 for that position but again I’m not watching Griffin in practice.
December 7th, 2015 at 9:32 pm
I would definitely love for a Von Miller type edge rusher.
December 7th, 2015 at 9:50 pm
We need pass rush period. Take de then another de then corner and another corner. Once that is done draft best avaliable saftey, wr, or ol.
December 7th, 2015 at 9:51 pm
DE, CB, WR. Those are our needs as I see them today
December 7th, 2015 at 10:00 pm
A dominate DE does not mean much if your CB’s can’t cover. Any good QB will dink and dunk you to death in this league. Licht should use our fifth through seventh round picks to leverage and move up to get four players who can have an early impact. Get a WR and OT in FA.
1) CB Tre’Davious White LSU 5-11 191
2) DE Shilique Calhoun Michigan State 6-5 252
3) CB KeiVarae Russell Notre Dame 5-11
4) FS Jalen Mills LSU 6-0 196
December 7th, 2015 at 10:10 pm
So, you’re telling me that if an o-lineman is clearly the BPA at our spot, you’d rather draft a less talented player because we have other pressing needs? Sorry, but I don’t agree in the slightest. You can never go wrong with that kind of drafting strategy. In fact, in the past we’ve often drafted for need and look where it got us. More than having a franchise QB, the key now is keep drafting and drafting well, even if that means strengthening an unit of the team that isn’t struggling this season, such as the offensive line. Besides, you can never have enough good o-linemen.
December 7th, 2015 at 10:23 pm
Doesn’t matter what anyone thinks, nobody had last year draft correct lol
December 7th, 2015 at 10:44 pm
BPA nothing less
December 7th, 2015 at 11:35 pm
I seen mock drafts having us take Jalen Rasmey, an another mock draft having us take Speedy WR Corey Coleman.
December 7th, 2015 at 11:37 pm
As we have already seen this season. Depth on the o line is a necessity. If this team is going anywhere it on the back of Winston. But if Winston is on his back then we aren’t going anywhere. We can win games without a pass rush, we can’t win without #3. That is why o line is important.
Sure our o line is pretty good right now. But imagine if we made it better. Gave Winston more time, gave Martin more room to run… That to me is exciting. Not to mention you want Mankins to mentor as many guys as possible. You want Mankins to groom his replacement. Teach the young guy the right way to do things, on and off the field.
With that said, it has to be BPA. We have more than enough needs that any position upgrade is welcome. D line, secondary, o line, WR. It doesn’t matter, take the best player and go with it. Or do as they did last year, and trade up to get “their” guy. The scouting department did an amazing job last year, find the guys that fit and go get them.
December 8th, 2015 at 1:14 am
Taylor Decker OT for Ohio. If he’s still there at the mid teens, we better grab him. Then move back up for a DE.
December 8th, 2015 at 8:09 am
Best case scenario.. DE Floyd round 1 from UGA then round 2.. CB Kyle Fuller from Vtech.
December 8th, 2015 at 9:42 am
we have to draft cb or de first round…I would like to see Hargreaves or mackensie alexander…im not really sold on any de that is worth a 1st or 2nd round pick other than bosa…some say shaq Lawson but im scared of dlineman from clemson…after the third round I say draft a o and/or dlineman…continue to draft at least one olineman to develop for protecting jameis…GO BUCS!!!
December 8th, 2015 at 10:57 am
Look, I know we have some bad luck with Clemson DE’s, but trust me, you’ll see Shaq Lawson’s name a lot whoever he goes to. Sacks dont tell the whole story. Its disruptions and tackles for loss that matter more to me. He leads college football in those categories.
3rd times a charm….look at it that way if we do get the chance to draft him.
December 8th, 2015 at 5:49 pm
1) cb/s
2) de
3) cb/s
Rest) bpa
Fa:
Ol
De
Cb
Wr
Resign: Hawley, Martin, Vjax, lansanah, moore
December 8th, 2015 at 8:00 pm
The line on both sides of the ball is first priority. Edge rush is important but keeping Winston protected comes above all….ironic though how the qb playing behind the best line in the league only played in like 3 games though
December 8th, 2015 at 8:19 pm
I know it’s not necessary but I would love to bag Treadwell to back up Mike Evans. I know we don’t need him but it sure would be nice.
December 9th, 2015 at 12:50 am
Well I’ll be, he’s even been mocked to us
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2596163-2015-nfl-mock-draft-matt-millers-updated-projections/page/17
December 9th, 2015 at 12:58 am
According to this guys mock, if Taylor Decker really fell that far, then draft Shaq, and move back in the bottom of the first or top of the second for Taylor.
That would be TWO HUGE HAULS for us! Holy crap I’d be wigging out!!