Now that the Super Bowl has been played and free agency is approaching on Wednesday, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be looking at the top three needs for each team. Today, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the focus. The Buccaneers will use their 9th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft as the catalyst to help them return to football relevancy. The team made numerous splashes in free agency the last three years and faltered, so the Bucs should be wise and rebuild in the draft.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2016 Off-Season: Top 3 Needs
Defensive Back
It’s safe to say that the Buccaneers don’t have anyone like Ronde Barber or John Lynch on the defense. Far from its defensive glory days in the early 2000s, Tampa Bay once again struggled defending opponents, particularly through the air. Although statistically they placed 10th in passing defense, they still forfeited an overwhelming 340.4 yards per contest. The secondary surrendered 31 touchdowns a year ago and allowed quarterbacks to complete 70 percent of passes for a 102.5 passer rating. The unit was also among the league’s worst in interceptions (11). Former Jim Thorpe Award winner Johnthan Banks has shown flashes, but hasn’t been the guy Tampa expected. Likewise, 2013 Pro Bowler Alterraun Verner hasn’t lived up to his free agent payday from 2014. The safety play has also disappointed. Mark Barron (draftee in 2012) and Dashon Goldson (free agent acquisition in 2013) are no longer on the roster.
With a top-10 pick, Florida’s Vernon Hargreaves would be the ideal selection for the team. An in-state prospect, Hargreaves will provide both natural ability and pure spark to a struggling defense.
Pass rusher
Like their division foe the Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay should obtain someone who can disrupt the passer. Michael Johnson signed a huge contract to play for the Buccaneers in 2014, but the former 11-sack Cincinnati Bengal only tallied four sacks in his lone campaign in Florida. The 2015 Bucs did register 38 sacks (14th in the NFL), but 15.5 of those were between two players. Another six takedowns went to linebackers Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander. Posting 8.5 sacks, perennial Pro Bowl tackle Gerald McCoy isn’t going anywhere. Racking up a decent seven sacks, defensive end Jacquies Smith still needs someone to contribute on the opposite side of the line.
As I’ve said in the past, the chances of Tampa Bay excelling in free agency are slim, so finding fresh blood in the draft (i.e. Carl Nassib of Penn State in the middle rounds) is the wiser move.
Offensive Lineman
The running back situation is currently in a state of flux with the uncertain future of Doug Martin. Although wide receiver Vincent Jackson and tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins missed a combined 15 games, having them healthy will quickly upgrade the passing game. Regardless of the state of the skill positions, the Buccaneers need to address the offensive line. Pro Football Focus ranked the Tampa line 20th in both run and pass blocking, placing them 23rd as a unit overall. With the retirement of seven-time Pro Bowler Logan Mankins, there is a blatant hole at the guard position. Only a year remaining on his contract, the Bucs may move on from 31-year-old right tackle Gosder Cherilus in the foreseeable future.
The team’s seven draft picks should give them the opportunity to reestablish the trenches and emulate the New Orleans Saints in finding mid-to-late-round gems.
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