NFL Wishlist: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
By Josh Carter
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers find themselves in a very good position this year with a stacked offense. They’ve got Vincent Jackson at WR, Doug Martin at RB, Mike Williams at WR and are one of the few teams with a solid offensive line. Quarterback Josh Freeman isn’t too shabby himself and still shows flashes of elite potential. On top of this, they just signed Dashon Goldson to step in with Mark Barron, giving the Bucs one of the most solid safety duos in the NFL for years to come. With a few more holes to fill on defense (namely the CB and LB positions), the Bucs will be ready to be a real threat for not only the super though NFC South title, but the Lombardi.
November 17, 2012; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jarvis Jones (29) shown on the sidelines during the game against the Georgia Southern Eagles during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Georgia Southern 45-14. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Round 1 – Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia – He will be the most talented player on the board (assuming the Jets don’t grab him). Jarvis Jones was one of the most productive linebackers in college football last year. If it wasn’t for Notre Dame’s imaginary cancer patient, Lennay Kekua, Jarvis would have probably taken home a handful of defensive awards. The Bucs can take the risk with his “health concerns,” which at this point are starting to sound like a misdiagnosis from USC’s medical staff. Tampa could use a good linebacker on the outside, if Jarvis comes out ready to play he’ll be a great one. This pick is basically 2013’s Von Miller with a bit more liability. Worth the gamble at pick #13 for the Bucs if you ask me.
November 24, 2012; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins cornerback Sheldon Price (22) looks on as Stanford Cardinal tight end Zach Ertz (86) catches a pass in the fourth quarter of the game at the Rose Bowl. Stanford won 35-17. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Round 2 – Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford – This is not the Bucs biggest need, but may be the most solid 1st round caliber player to slip this far into the 2nd round. Dallas Clark is getting a little old to be the main guy at tight end, the Bucs need to take this opportunity to replace Kellen Winslow by taking an all American who’s used to being the #1 offensive weapon. He may not be the main weapon on the Bucs with Vincent Jackson and Doug Martin on the offense, but it’s a new, upgraded weapon for Josh Freeman that will solidfy the Bucs’ tight end position for years to come.
Nov 12, 2011; Fort Collins, CO, USA; San Diego State Aztecs cornerback Leon McFadden (2) breaks up a pass intended for Colorado State Rams wide receiver Thomas Coffman (2) during the fourth quarter at Hughes Stadium. The Aztecs beat the Rams 18-15. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Sleeper Pick – Leon McFadden, CB, San Diego State – This may be their greatest need, but the Bucs can’t really depend on any CB who will be around at pick #13 to be their #1. After Dee Milliner is off the board, there isn’t much separating the rest of the round 1 CBs (maybe outside Johnthan Banks – who just needs to get faster) from the CBs in rounds 2-3. Leon McFadden is a small school guy with lots of athleticism in his blood (father was a major league baseball player). He started at CB since his (true) freshman year and dominated the conference earning 1st team Mountain West honors his sophomore, junior and senior years. He has the same potential as big school round one guys like Desmond Trufant or Xavier Rhodes but hasn’t quite played the same competition yet. If he was available to the Bucs in the 3rd, it would be a huge steal for them. Like all the CBs that go off the board after Milliner, he can definitely be a solid #2 and possibly a good #1 his rookie year but has the potential to become their #1 guy in the future. It would be the perfect situation if Tampa can lock down a #1 like Brent Grimes, Keenan Lewis or the suddenly cheap Nnamdi Asomugha in free agency. As a Jets fan, I just hope they stay away from Revis.