Brooks: Bucs Have A- Draft
May 15th, 2014
The Bucs have won another springtime division title!
As 2014 NFL Draft grades pour in from various NFL analysts, the Bucs continue to get high marks — this time from an NFL Network draft guru.
Bucky Brooks, one of three full-time NFL Network draft analysts, says the Bucs did best among the beasts of the NFC South, Atlanta, New Orleans and Carolina
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Buccaneers newbies Jason Licht and Lovie Smith were expected to focus on building a defensive juggernaut in Tampa — based largely on Smith’s reputation as one of the game’s top defensive minds — but the Bucs are quietly constructing an offensive powerhouse. The team added some basketball-type athletes on the perimeter, using their first two picks on receiver Mike Evans and tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Both guys are red-zone weapons with the size, strength and ball skills to overwhelm undersized defenders near the end zone. Throw in Sims’ diverse skill set, and it’s not hard to envision Tedford creating matchup problems all over the field. After finishing at the bottom of the league in total offense last year, the Bucs now have the potential to make a major turnaround in 2014. For that, Tampa’s draft effort deserves top honors from evaluators. GRADE: A-
Brooks’ best point is the “matchup problems” the Bucs will create for defenses. That’s undeniable. If the Bucs can pass block, there’s going to be some pain inflicted on the NFC South. You can read the full division breakdown by clicking above.
As is Joe, Brooks was impressed by the Saints adding speedy receiver Brandin Cooks in the first round on the heels of coughing up speed-in-space legend Darren Sproles to the Eagles for a fifth-round draft pick.
May 15th, 2014 at 6:33 pm
I was rooting to get cooks if we had traded down but I can see where they re going on offense. Saint are still the scariest opponent in the division
May 15th, 2014 at 6:38 pm
Saints are for sure the ones to beat in the south. I think the Falcons wanted Evans but could not warrant taking him with so much invested in Julio Jones. I don’t see him having a long career. Atlanta does not scare me any more with our coaching and Carolina really committed suicide by releasing all of they’re receivers. Cam is going to be running for his life. This division is ours for the taking and I believe McCown is going to work so hard with the other guys on this offense to hit the ground running. As long as this defense can perform close to Lovies D’s of the past then we have a real shot at making the playoffs. Even more of a shot next year. Either way this will be fun football to watch.
May 15th, 2014 at 6:52 pm
Grading a draft in May is ludicrous. Grading a draft in November is even ludicrous. It takes at least two years to grade a draft with any accuracy whatsoever.
May 15th, 2014 at 6:57 pm
We all know it’s meaningless, but what else do we have to talk about in May? Besides, every crown we are bestowed is worthwhile!
May 15th, 2014 at 7:21 pm
@Hawaiian Buc
More like 4yrs, but I feel you
May 15th, 2014 at 7:27 pm
Excited about Jenkins now
May 15th, 2014 at 7:56 pm
Concerning the Draft:
Mike Evans helped make JF’s completion percentage as good as it was. Very glad to have him on board.
Lovie came out on Day 2 and heaped praise on MG8. My guess is that is because JF and TB didn’t fall to round 2, otherwise we would be looking at a whole different scenario.
May 15th, 2014 at 8:35 pm
Love it!!!
May 15th, 2014 at 8:59 pm
55 should worry more about the TB Storm. 3-5 this year. Another head coach…come on DB, get that turned around. He has hired a couple coaches already, heck that got The Dom fired too.
May 15th, 2014 at 9:48 pm
Cooks is a traditional speed slot and very small and fragile. No doubt Payton will use him but he doesn’t scare me by any stretch.
May 15th, 2014 at 10:54 pm
@jon Bucky Brooks is not the same person as 55 Brooks. Sorry to spoil your dreams.
May 15th, 2014 at 11:02 pm
55, what a dumbass,
it’s Bucky not derrick
May 15th, 2014 at 11:03 pm
does anyone notice the dumb fans are the ones who hate the most.bunch of dumbasses.tampaaaaaaa
May 16th, 2014 at 12:24 am
Our offense this year can only be better than the last two years… Shiano years… Why don’t we give this regime a little latitude and have faith in a proven coach like Lovie Smith. L&L might not be the best at what they do but what if they are… I am willing to put 1000 dollars we get 10 wins this year. You???
May 16th, 2014 at 12:52 am
Unfortunately, much like Dominik, there is a reason why Bucky Brooks is writing articles for NFL.com and it has to do with him not being good enough at his original job to keep it.
Dominik and Bucky Brooks praising the bucs draft picks is like the fry cook at McDonald’s telling you what makes a 4-star restaurant great because of his “experience as a cook”
May 16th, 2014 at 1:05 am
Bucstud? Really?…you call yourself Buc Stud? Are you really the BigDog, slumming it?
Ok. So our offense was putrid last year and the last half of the year before. There was nearly half a season of great offensive football in the first half of Schiano’s rookie year.
So you want to lay 1large on bucs winning ten games this year? If you aren’t the BigDog then I’m sure he would gladly entertain your bad bet.
Go Bucs!
May 16th, 2014 at 6:08 am
Bucs will be doing well if this draft is half as good as Coach Schiano’s previous two.
May 16th, 2014 at 8:14 am
^^^
ToesOnTheLine approves of this post, you are a wise man runtodaylight 🙂
May 16th, 2014 at 8:55 am
Bucstudmuffin… I wouldn’t take that bet, unless it’s an over-under & I’d take the over! We are going to be unstoppable this year.
May 16th, 2014 at 12:49 pm
Hawaiian Buc Says:
May 15th, 2014 at 6:52 pm
Grading a draft in May is ludicrous. Grading a draft in November is even ludicrous. It takes at least two years to grade a draft with any accuracy whatsoever.
Unless Your Mike Glennon right?
May 16th, 2014 at 3:16 pm
Architek: Lazy and uneducated homer statement about B. Cooks; I am no New Orleans fan, but I do have to say, this pick scares me the most, out of all the picks of our divisional opponents this year. Based on what Brees and that passing offense of S. Peyton can do, it concerns me they were the team to get such an offensive weapon. Cooks is an excellent route runner, has exceptional footwork and body control, blazing sub 4.4 speed, and oh yeah, great hands. Kid was a baller and had plenty of production in college to back it up. Smaller in stature yes, fragile, no, unless you have proof otherwise. He was also impressive enough for an excellent New Orleans scouting department, especially when it comes to drafting wide receivers, to recommend that New Orleans trade up higher into the 1st round to go and get him; not cheap to do. Makes me go hmmm, not the norm for a team that usually waits for receivers they like to fall to them in the draft and who normally find great value with their later round receiver picks. This kid reminds me of Desean Jackson running routes on crack!