The stress of wondering how the Bucs will address their flimsy wide receiving corps this evening is weighing on Joe. So Joe’s thinking cornerbacks now to relieve the tension, as Rachel Watson is not here to help with that.

Five cornerbacks went in the first round. No position was more popular in the league on Day 1 of the draft. 

The Bucs need a replacment for Ronde Barber, and ideally that guy — assuming he’s not a free agent since Team Glazer doesn’t believe in that path anymore — will be on the roster in 2010.

Joe’s surely not going to wager on the Bucs using one of their second round picks on a cornerback. But one guy is out there who might be an ideal replacement for Barber, so says NFL Draft guru Justin Pawlowski.

In Pawlowski’s in-depth look at cornerbacks, part of the JoeBucsFan.com subscription draft coverage, Pawlowski is all good with the Bucs using a second-round pick on Chris Cook, out of the University of Virginia.

Pawlowski had him rated higher than Florida State’s Patrick Robinson, who was taken by the Saints with the final pick of the first round.

 5. Chris Cook – CB – Virginia
6’2’’ – 212 lbs – 4.46
1st – 2nd Round

Why I’m taking him: The combination of size and speed is what sets Cook apart from the rest.  He is an excellent athlete with soft hands and very good ball skills.  Cook is also a very good tackler and will support the run.  He has outstanding range and a short memory, playing play-to-play and not harping on mistakes.

Why I’m staying away: Durability is one major concern.  Cook dealt with injuries in 2005, 2007, and in 2009.  He was academically ineligible to play in 2008.  As for his skills, for Cook’s size, he really lacks ideal strength and needs to get stronger.  With that strength, he’ll need to play more aggressive and physical. 

Impact on the Bucs: Because of Cook’s blend of size and speed, I think he has to be considered for one of the Bucs’ 2nd round picks.  A duo of Talib and Cook would probably give the Bucs the biggest pair of corners in the NFL.

NFL Comparison:   Nnamdi Asomugha – Oakland Raiders

Joe suspects that if the Bucs don’t grab a cornerback in the second round, that they might be content to wait until next year.

Perhaps Raheem The Dream wants to see what he has in E.J. Biggers, a Bucs seventh-rounder last year who missed the season with a shoulder injury.

Joe just doesn’t want to watch yet another NFL Network highlight from 2009, featuring Derrick Roberson getting beat against the Eagles and Falcons.