Bucs Go Cornerback In The First Round?
March 17th, 2017
A play in the Pac-12?
One of the most level-headed, reasoned and seasoned draft analysts has the Bucs going cornerback in the first round next month.
Is it really that far-fetched?
On the surface, it appears ludicrous for a Bucs team making all kinds of win-now moves. Adding a corner this year wouldn’t fall into that category.
However, it’s easy to forget general manager Jason Licht has a defense loaded with veterans, and a defensive backfield led by a cornerback who turns 34 this summer.
The Bucs are also rather thin at corner with the high-flying Saints and Falcons lurking in the division.
Former Eagles, Browns and Ravens scout Daniel Jeremiah, an ex-college QB, is a 24/7 draft guru at NFL Network. He’s highly respected in league circles and his latest mock draft has the Bucs taking University of Colorado corner Chidobe Awuzie.
Chidobe Awuzie – CB, Colorado: I’m a big fan of Awuzie’s game; he is another player with the versatility to play cornerback or safety.
Joe would be uncomfortable with Awuzie coming to the Bucs and getting transformed into a safety. Last year, the Bucs drafted college cornerback Ryan Smith and tried to turn him into a safety and made him their No. 1 kick returner.
The result was the Bucs finished with the worst kickoff return unit in NFL history, and they announced Smith will switch to corner in 2017.
Joe gets the concept of drafting a cornerback, and maybe Awuzie’s elite quickness is ideal for nickel corner until Grimes moves on, but Joe just can’t see this move in the first round. Joe would put the chances of the Bucs drafting a corner with the 19th overall pick at 5 percent.
March 17th, 2017 at 10:06 am
You always need another corner back. Like you said Joe, we have to deal with Julio Jones, Taylor Gabriel, Mohammed Sanu all in one night. Having 3 legit corners would help immeasurable in beating the FailClowns, which we must do if we want any shot at winning the Division.
I’d prefer Adoree Jackson to Awuzie however.
March 17th, 2017 at 10:07 am
Has anyone improved their position more then Solomon Thomas? At one point he wasn’t a first day lock and this guy has him going #2.
March 17th, 2017 at 10:08 am
I wouldn’t mind if we went CB at #19. I just don’t think Awuzie is the right guy. DJ is higher on him than most other draft experts.
Honestly what would get me more excited is if we were able to land Sidney Jones in the 3rd round. I know he just tore his achilles but he is arguably the best CB in this class and we wouldn’t need him to play right away so I would be ok with him essentially red-shirtting his rookie year.
March 17th, 2017 at 10:12 am
Corner is a huge need over the next few years. I’d much rather have USC CB Adoree Jackson though. Definite returner and super versatile. Even played a lot of snaps on offense.
March 17th, 2017 at 10:13 am
If Bucs need a CB they should get Sidney Rice in rd 2 by trading up after grabbing Curtis Samuel ;). Yes he’s injured but he’s still the top CB. I tore an Achilles’ tendon it repaired very well
March 17th, 2017 at 10:17 am
This was like 3 days ago….
March 17th, 2017 at 10:26 am
I’m one of those that says you draft a CB in every draft.
March 17th, 2017 at 10:28 am
Please fire everyone in scouting and the GM if this is our 1st round pick.
March 17th, 2017 at 10:35 am
Seahawks are looking to trade Sherman
March 17th, 2017 at 10:39 am
I would have a huge problem with Licht drafting a CB in the one of the first two rounds. With Grimes here, one isn’t needed this year, not when we have other more immediate needs.
March 17th, 2017 at 10:42 am
Mort Says
“Corner is a huge need over the next few years. I’d much rather have USC CB Adoree Jackson…”
THIS.
If the Bucs manage to draft him, I would be super, super happy (just not in the first round).
He’s not a great CB yet (will need developmental time on that) but he IS probably the best kick returner in the draft.
March 17th, 2017 at 10:43 am
Tabascco Says
“Seahawks are looking to trade Sherman”
I hate that guy. Total punk.
Wonder why they want to trade him…
March 17th, 2017 at 10:47 am
After they signed Grimes/Robinson last year with Verner and the young kids, I thought no way they went corner first, but they certainly did – so who the heck knows -Grimes cant play forever and its a pass happy league, would rather see another playmaker on Offense first, but they great thing is we can really go any direction and it will help….
March 17th, 2017 at 10:48 am
Joe, no story on Eric Grande?
Remember him? Schiano coached him in college, he was paralyzed and Schiano ‘signed’ him as a Buccaneer to honor him. Great story that just got better.
Each year, the WWE Hall of Fame awards what is called the Ultimate Warrior Award to one person that makes a difference.
This year, the award is going to Eric Grande!
Seems he never stopped doing what he said he would do. He speaks publicly about his plight, encourages player safety and more.
Really, J0E, please tell me a story on this is coming!
http://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2017/03/13/eric-legrand-receive-wwe-warrior-award
March 17th, 2017 at 10:52 am
Did anyone hear about ASJ? What a waste of talent.
March 17th, 2017 at 10:57 am
I want the best player available even if it isn’t a sexy RB or WR. Draft the best player that has dropped.
March 17th, 2017 at 10:58 am
I’m with Wausa. If we go CB with our 1st pick? I say fire some Buc personnel.
There are quality CB’s to be had in the 3rd and 4th rds. You guys seem to forget how good our secondary started to look after we got some pass rushing during the 2nd half of last season. I’d luv to see us go DE with the 1st pick. However if we are not keeping Martin, I say go RB or TE with that pick. My guess is though..Martin returns and has a great season..despite many of you wanting him gone.
March 17th, 2017 at 11:01 am
This will need to be addressed but at #19, I’m not so sure. This is supposed to be a good CB and S draft, supposedly!
March 17th, 2017 at 11:06 am
The problem I have with this pick is more about the prospects DJ has available while making this pick. If I remember correctly Dalvin Cook and Mike Williams was still on the board.
March 17th, 2017 at 11:06 am
Sidney Jones would be awesome in the third round!!!
March 17th, 2017 at 11:08 am
Man it’s a deep draft in positions we could actually use. I say make a list of “can’t pass up” guys and if none of them are there, trade back and pick up more 2nd and/or 3rd round picks. (Plus some later picks as well)Obviously I would like a mike Williams, Corey Davis or John Ross, Howard or Njoku. If one are there (obviously other people would be on the list too) but shit. Trade back And get multiple picks. I’d be good with curtis Samuel and joe mixon in the 2nd round and go from there. That’s just me. I’m just some f-ing guy.
March 17th, 2017 at 11:10 am
By far the worst mock pick for the Bucs bypassing way better talent and needs. Come on DJ you’re better then that man. smh
March 17th, 2017 at 11:12 am
No to a CB in the 1st Rd…just don’t expect value or need to match at #19. I wouldn’t mind Adoree Jackson if he was available in Rd 2. Maybe CB Jalen Myrick in the later rds 5-6 if there. Joe any word on the Bucs interest in either??
March 17th, 2017 at 11:24 am
IF we go corner at number 19 we should be putting Quincy Wilson and Vernon Hargreaves on the same field again
March 17th, 2017 at 11:24 am
NO! not in the first round.
March 17th, 2017 at 11:25 am
Matt Miller says bucs like corner from Lsu in first-round
March 17th, 2017 at 11:33 am
“SCBucsFan Says:
March 17th, 2017 at 10:57 am
I want the best player available even if it isn’t a sexy RB or WR. Draft the best player that has dropped.”
This. The only positions I will be mad about drafting in R1 would be QB/K/P/LB
Maybe OT/DT because I don’t see guys I like there worth it.
Caleb Brantley is like the highest rated DT and seems like a R2 pick
The premium tackles both have major question marks
Bolles – only 1 year playing FBS football and will turn 25 in May. Old for a project that needs work
Ramcyk – hip injury to end the year requiring surgery. If medically OK i like him best probably but that’s still concerning
March 17th, 2017 at 11:33 am
Fabian moreau-ucla-6’0/194-4.35…..second or 3rd round
Cordrea Tankersley- 6’0/195-4.4….second 3rd round
Cameron Sutton-5’11/185-4.4…mid round
rather draft oline/dline with the first pick…..GO BUCS!!!!
March 17th, 2017 at 11:36 am
Agree with Cobraboy, Bucs should draft a CB every year. But when we have so many higher priority needs in 2017, drafting a CB should come in rnds 4-7. Bucs will almost certainly carry 6 CBs on the roster this year. Right now we have 6 (Grimes, VHIII, Robinson, R. Smith, Elliott & Riggs) plus Jude is a ERFA who’ll surely be with us. Not at all far-fetched that Bucs will draft another CB this year, but higher priority needs (RB, TE, Safety, DE/DT, WR, Center) will hopefully prevail.
March 17th, 2017 at 11:37 am
wouldn’t mind trading down to say #25 grabbing Jarrad Davis…that would give us the best linebacking crew in the nfl….GO BUCS!!!!!
March 17th, 2017 at 11:49 am
Depends all on who’s on the board and if we have trade partners. Impossible to say never draft a …,,,,,
March 17th, 2017 at 11:59 am
Just did some mock draft game… I hate these because it makes me feel like we can have an unrealistically amazing draft. Ignoring O-line; this is probably as good as it gets since all these guys would be insane value here:
R1, 19: OJ Howard – TE
R2, 50: Zay Jones – WR
R3, 84: Sidney Jones – CB
R4, 126: Tanho Kpassagnon – DE
R5, 162: Brian Hill – RB
R6, 204: Jordan Sterns – S
R7, 237: Freddie Stevenson – FB
You have Tanoh and Sidney to groom as eventual studs at DE/CB to pair with Spence & VHIII.
You are basically done with weapons for Winston. Line Zay & ME on the outside with Djax in the slot and OJ in-line to block for the run or stretch the middle… like wtf would defenses even do?
Then in 2018; add a young DT; whatever we may need at O-line; and another S to develop with Sterns and we are set baby. 10 super bowls in a row
March 17th, 2017 at 12:01 pm
bucs need OL and there will be several available draft OL if no cook
March 17th, 2017 at 12:11 pm
Awuzie is a pretty good cb. I watched his tapes however I don’t know if he will be the best cb in the draft at 19. The cb class is pretty good this year. Nickel Roby is a free agent we should bring him to tampa as a nickel cb
March 17th, 2017 at 12:27 pm
Old wisdom used to say,that you can never go wrong drafting a linemen.
Either offensive or defensive.
I think that the modern game requires that you add Defensive back to that list.
The problem is that we desperately need Offensive weapons this year.
That said, I hope we somehow come away with a Cb,De,And OL.
Think we still need to address some needs in Free agency.
Hopefully we sign some offensive weapons between now, and second wave of Free agents.
Then we could take advantage of a deep defensive draft!
March 17th, 2017 at 12:34 pm
at 19 my dream targets
offense: OJ Howard / Dalvin Cook
defense: Taco Chalrton / Derek Barnett
I hope one of those 4 makes it to us
March 17th, 2017 at 12:44 pm
I’m not sure the Bucs consider themselves thin at corner…
I put CB at about need #6 going into the draft… behind WR, RB, S, DE, TE, C.
March 17th, 2017 at 1:09 pm
I don’t mind the idea, but Awuzie is not worth a first rounder.
March 17th, 2017 at 1:59 pm
McCaffery all day please and thank you
March 17th, 2017 at 2:07 pm
If they want to go corner why not trade down and acquire another pick. Snatch budda baker to play safety. Pick up kazee later in rounds with thaf extra pick. 2 for 1.
March 17th, 2017 at 2:15 pm
This won’t happen
March 17th, 2017 at 4:32 pm
Very unlikely we draft a CB in the 1st round. Possible if there is a guy sitting there that they love and Cook, Williams, Davis, Howard, McCaffrey are all off the board – but still unlikely IMO. I think in that case they would go Njoku or the best DE left if there’s one they like or maybe a Safety if they think Peppers or Melifonwu or Budda Baker rates high enough to be decent value. Or perhaps trade down in the 1st but that’s always tricky and takes 2 to tango…
March 17th, 2017 at 4:57 pm
I’m sure we are looking to get another kicker. Might trade up to get a good one
March 17th, 2017 at 6:39 pm
Lord Corn – that’s not a bad draft sim, I would have gone safety in the fourth though. I agree with the sentiment that we should and probably have a few guys that we want in round 1 and if they aren’t there we trade back.
March 17th, 2017 at 9:58 pm
I really see no reason why we wouldnt or shouldnt go CB in the first round. we do need to eventually obtain grimes replacement. We could also use an upgrade at nickelback. This would make a lot more sense than Joe is letting on. WR in the first round? The need there is about the same as a CB. We have a solid starting duo but need depth and an eventual replacement for an aging veteran. Same exact situation.
RB is a need only if the bucs ditch Martin. They haven’t, so it is not a need at the moment. Joe always want to remind us fans that what we (the fans) want the bucs to do is not always what the bucs think they should do. Joe, Ira, and most fans think the bucs will ditch Martin. If they were going to, why didnt they already? If he was as close to out the door as everyone keeps saying, then the bucs would have just cut him before the free agency bell rang. Why would the bucs hang on to dead weight, while also screwing martin from finding a new team? It isnt beneficial to either party. That is why i think the Bucs do hang on to Martin. They give him 1 more shot, with a short leash. They’ll also be well prepared for plan B, but i doubt plan B is a first round rookie, more like a third rounder. Everytime i hear someone say “martin will be cut”. I just can’t help to think, “Well then why haven’t done it already?”
March 18th, 2017 at 2:04 am
No way the Bucs pick Awuzie at 19. It would make more sense to move up or down with the pick rather than pick a CB there. Hell if you’re not going to go RB or TE, hell move up a couple of spots and Jabrill Peppers. He’s converting to safety and could be a dynamic piece in a Mike Smith defense. No?
March 18th, 2017 at 6:47 am
DJ was pounding way too many when he dreamt up this mock. I respect the guy too but not many picks in the whole round make a ton of sense. No way no way dj. N if the saints take 2 offensive players in first round someones getting fired. Go bucs