Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmet against the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. The Buccaneers defeated the Vikings 36-17. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers possess the seventh pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, and they could go in just about any direction with that choice. Based on the fact that they could use some more overall depth on the roster, it would make sense for the Buccaneers to trade down and try to parlay an extra first-round pick out of a team aggressively looking to trade up for a QB in this year’s draft. Mike Glennon will most likely get another year to start, but the chances of the Buccaneers drafting a quarterback can’t be ruled out.
Honestly, don’t rule anything out with the Buccaneers involved, because the Pewter Report reports that new Bucs GM Jason Licht is “open to anything” with the team’s first-round pick. Although this is specifically a quote stating that the Buccaneers are more than willing to trade their pick for the right price, it can also be interpreted as the Bucs going into the draft process with an open mind. This is a team that is in a prime position to take the best player available.
It’s going to be interesting to see who the Bucs pick, and nobody really stands out on paper in mock drafts. Sammy Watkins and Khalil Mack are commonly mocked to the Bucs, and Mack would make sense as a 4-3 DE if he can indeed make a successful transition there. Watkins is a phenomenal player, but I don’t think the Bucs should use their top pick on a wide receiver when they already have Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams. If I were the Buccaneers, then I would wait until later on in the draft to get a receiver, because this draft is deep at the position; the Bucs should be focusing on getting a No. 3 slot guy anyway.
All the talk centers on the Buccaneers trading down, but I wonder how much of a chance there is of the Buccaneers trading up and drafting Jadeveon Clowney, who would fill their big need at DE. Clowney is an incredible prospect and arguably the most talented player in the draft, but I doubt the Bucs would trade up for him.
Still, nothing can be ruled out, and this is a message that comes from Licht, who helped lead the Arizona Cardinals to a successful draft class last year. The Buccaneers could trade down or even up, they could pull a QB, they could go with Watkins, they could take a guy like Mack or another pass rusher they like, or they could go with a lineman. There are so many scenarios out there, and it’s because the Buccaneers don’t have some glaring need; their main goal is to get talented playmakers at positions where they could use playmakers. That’s why I think the Buccaneers need to trade down; they need to grab as many players who would be upgrades as possible.