As everyone knows, the 2015 NFL Draft has come to a close, and Last Word On Sports continues its series on the 2015 NFL Draft here. Today, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are under the microscope. Here’s who they selected:
First Round, 1st Overall – QB Jameis Winston (Florida State)
Second Round, 34th Overall – OT Donovan Smith (Penn State)
Second Round, 61st Overall – G Ali Marpet (Hobart & William Smith)
Fourth Round, 124th Overall – LB Kwon Alexander (LSU)
Fifth Round, 162nd Overall – WR Kenny Bell (Nebraska)
Sixth Round, 184th Overall – WR Kaelin Clay (Utah)
Seventh Round, 231st Overall – FB Joey Iosefa (Hawaii)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2015 NFL Draft Review
Best Player: Jameis Winston
Jameis Winston clearly fits this description. He is coming off a sensational collegiate career, winning the Heisman Trophy, a national championship and all but one game. Winston enters training camp as the new face of the franchise. With his existing charisma and skill set, Tampa hopes that Winston will duplicate the stellar rookie campaigns that Matt Ryan and Cam Newton put together previously in the NFC South. In this division, like many others, a team won’t have success without a legitimate signal caller.
The Head-Scratcher: Kaelin Clay
If he is used on special teams, the Kaelin Clay pick makes more sense. Otherwise, this selection should be deemed questionable. As an explosive player in the return game, Clay can make people miss with his 4.46 speed, but grooming him into a bonafide wideout will be a process. He already struggles in route running and he has pass-catching woes at times. His draft mate, Kenny Bell, is the better receiving option right now.
The Surprise: Joey Iosefa
This selection is not a surprise based on player ability, but rather player position. The running backs may be devalued in today’s NFL, but the fullback position is all but deceased. When the Bucs won the Super Bowl in 2002, then-Pro Bowl fullback Mike Alstott was a workhorse in a more run-heavy offense. Current running back Doug Martin had a Pro Bowl season in 2012 without the fullback lined up in front of him for most of his carries. With Dirk Koetter in as the new offensive coordinator, the offense will feature the passing game much more, leaving Joey Iosefa as a liability.
The Steal: Kenny Bell
Kenny Bell is simply a big play waiting to happen. He has the acceleration to blow by cornerbacks and also has the vertical ability to be aggressive in jump-ball situations against any defensive back with his 6’1″ frame. With Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans being 6’5’’ trees on the outside, Bell can use his 4.42 speed to get open in the slot against slower defenders. He was a great value in the fifth round and Jameis Winston should be able to use him immediately.
Most Likely to Turn Heads in Camp: Kwon Alexander
Jameis Winston has Tampa, Florida’s attention by default, but Kwon Alexander will make some noise as well. Although undersized for the linebacker spot at 6’1’’, Alexander has exceptional speed and explosion from sideline to sideline. His block shedding ability will make it difficult for blockers to keep a body on him. He is a tackling machine and he will form a deadly tandem with his new Pro Bowl teammate Lavonte David.
The Rest
Offensive tackle Donovan Smith and guard Ali Marpet were the appropriate choices in terms of team needs. The Buccaneers need to reestablish their offensive line in order for the offense to maintain any level of consistency. Hopefully for Tampa Bay, these two rookies will develop into solid starters as former Pro Bowlers Davin Joseph and Donald Penn grew into.
The Bottom Line
The Buccaneers had a solid draft. They addressed the team needs of quarterback and offensive line appropriately. It would have been ideal if they had examined the defensive side of the ball more, but they shouldn’t be disappointed with their overall approach.
Buccaneers 2015 Draft Grade: 8/10
Check out our other draft reviews here.
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