Options Will be There For The Bucs

Everyone is trying to find out what the Bucs are going to do in the NFL Draft as each have their own opinions. One thing is for certain, the Bucs will have plenty of options to choose from as far as a direction goes. They will likely get a very good player at 19 which makes staying pat favorable. They could also look at trading up perhaps for a OJ Howard or Corey Davis if they are within reasonable reach. Another option would be to trade down and acquire more picks like the Bucs did last year with the selection of Vernon Hargreaves.

The Bucs are in a great position to add a impact player at 19th overall. They can go offense by adding a RB, WR, or TE or if they decide to go defense a S or DE makes sense. In my opinion, the Bucs will be looking to add the best offensive option available as they need to add more weapons to help Jameis and company. Offensive players that could be available include RB Dalvin Cook, RB Christian McCaffrey, WR John Ross, and TE David Njoku. As for defensive options that make sense include DE Charles Harris, DE Carl Lawson, S Budda Baker, S Obi Melifonwu, and S Jabrill Peppers.

Any of those players would be solid picks for the Bucs in round 1, and could make a impact right away. Now let's say a OJ Howard or Corey Davis makes it to pick 15, and the Bucs feel they can move up to get one of those guys. I would say make it happen as either one of those players would be instant impact playmakers for this offense. I would say a 3rd or 4th round pick would be fair compensation to move up four spots. With that being said, I don't see either one sliding past pick 13 and I don't see the Bucs moving up that far. Now let's look at another option that the Bucs could explore and that is trading down.

Trading down and getting more picks is usually a very popular move by fans and it is something the Bucs have done a few times. The Bucs did this in last year's draft in which they traded down from 9th overall to 11th overall in exchange for extra 4th round pick. For this year's draft, it is a possible option as the depth in this class is very good. If the Bucs do decide to trade down, they could still get one of the options mentioned above, or they could look at some risers that are flirting with late first/early second projection. Guys that fit that bill could be RB Alvin Kamara, WR Zay Jones, TE Evan Engram, DE Jordan Willis, CB Teez Tabor, or S Marcus Williams.

Plenty of options to choose from, and I think we can all agree that the Bucs are in good hands with Gm Jason Licht who will likely make the right choice. As I have been saying all off-season, I still think they will end up with Christian McCaffrey if he is available. McCaffrey just makes too much sense as he is every down back and can line up as receiver as well. The guy is the ultimate playmaker and would be an instant impact player that could take the offense to the next level. Bucs fans, what option should the Bucs choose?

Prospect Watch: WR Taywan Taylor

It's pretty obvious that the Bucs this off-season need to add more speed and playmaking to the offense in order to take that next step forward as a team. Last week, I talked about WR John Ross who is very explosive and could provide the juice that the Bucs are looking to add to their offense. Ross is likely a first round pick and definitely could be in consideration at 19 for the Bucs. However, there is good news for the Bucs as there are plenty of speed/playmaking receivers in this years draft class. One that is a favorite here at realbucstalk is Western Kentucky's Taywan Taylor as he is someone the Bucs could target on day two of the draft. Taylor is starting to gain recognition around the league as he hasn't been discussed a lot due to coming from a small school. Taylor made a big impression at the senior bowl and one AFC scout was mad that his sleeper is no longer a secret per NFL.com

"He can do it all," said an AFC scout. "He is a natural pass-catcher who can run all of the routes. He can make plays on vertical throws or make it happen on catch-and-run tosses. Plus, he can play inside or outside in a pro-style scheme. I loved him on tape and like him even more after watching him down here. ... I'm just mad that the secret is out on my sleeper." 

It looks like Taylor was already a favorite of the Bucs as they were very excited to meet with him during the senior bowl week per Turron Davenport.

Western Kentucky WR Taywan Taylor barely made it off the escalator before Bucs and Raiders grabbed him for meetings.

— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) January 23, 2017

Let's now go over Taylor's strengths and weaknesses as he could be a viable option for the Bucs in the 2nd or 3rd round of the draft.

Taywan Taylor- 6'1 195lbs  98 rec, 1730 yds, 17 Tds, 17.7 ypc

Strengths: Taylor has speed and size which makes him dynamic and is always a threat for a big play when he is on the field. He has the ability to change speeds very quickly which allows him to create separation. Has the ability to play outside or inside as he is a very smooth route runner and can run all the routes. He can get yards after the catch as he is very dynamic in the open field, has ability to make people miss. His hands are solid with the ability to make tough contested catches if necessary.

Weaknesses: Taylor needs to become more consistent with his route running as he would usually get away with some free lancing, he must become more discipline in the NFL. He needs to work on catching with his hands more as he tends to body catch a little too often. He got a lot of production from bubble screens, jet sweeps, and catch and run plays. Weekly competition was not the best as he usually was the best player on the field.

Overall, Taylor has all the physical tools you look for in a WR as he has explosive speed and size to be a threat anywhere on the field. Taylor still needs to refine some parts of his game i.e. route running, catching with hands, and adjustment to better competition. With that being said, Taylor should be able to make an immediate impact as number two or slot receiver. Unless the Bucs can get Corey Davis or Mike Williams in round 1, I could see the team targeting a guy like Taylor as he can bring the playmaking ability and speed that they are looking for. With the recent news of John Ross needing shoulder surgery that could push the Bucs away from taking him as it looks like his body is very fragile(2 knee surgeries) and lean towards a player like Taylor who has four years of production and should be available in the later rounds.

Bucs Will Have Options in The Draft

Plenty of options is what I see in this upcoming draft as there is tons of talent on both sides of the ball. While most fans agree that the Bucs need to go offense in the early rounds, it doesn't mean they can't go defense again in round 1 as there is great talent on that side of the ball this year. I believe in getting the best player available but at the same time that player filling a team need. Bucs Gm Jason Licht has done this in his three drafts so far as he usually attacks the teams biggest need in the early rounds along with going for the safe pick.

Heading into this draft, I would identify RB, WR, TE, C, DL, S as team needs going into the off-season. The Bucs could address any of these areas in round 1 as there will be plenty of prospects that will be worthy which allows the Bucs to be selective in free agency as well as in the draft. It is going to depend on what happens in front of the Bucs selection but they should have a good group to choose from. The best news for the Bucs is that this draft is very deep at positions of need according to draft expert Daniel Jeremiah.

This draft has the deepest/most talented group of CBs I've seen in several years. Also, loaded with edge rushers, safeties, RBs and TEs.

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 11, 2017

With that being said, The Bucs could have their choice of guys like Corey Davis, John Ross, OJ Howard, Derek Barnett, and Charles Harris. I see teams reaching for Qbs and O-line along with corners and safeties going top 15 which should push elite talent down the board. Perhaps there is a Caleb Brantley or Solomon Thomas to upgrade the interior defensive line or even better one of the top RBs in Fournette or Cook are there, either way the Bucs are in a good position. So Bucs fans don't get locked into one position because if Gm Jason Licht does that then a reach will occur and that will be a bad choice. Instead it's about adding the best player possible that makes sense for the team and right now this team could use more talent in most areas.

Bucs Need to Add Multiple Receivers

So far the discussion among Bucs fans has been what is this team going to do as far as adding more weapons for Winston and this offense. I am of the mindset that Bucs Gm Jason Licht is going to add multiple receivers this off-season just like he did with the corner position in 2016. There are many ways he could address it as there are options in free agency or the draft to choose from. I think Licht dips into both pools as he will sign a free agent Wr and draft one early to help Jameis and Mike Evans on offense.

Here at realbucstalk, we have already identified one free agent target and that would be Cordarrelle Patterson whom would bring much needed speed and big play ability. As for the draft, main targets will be Corey Davis who could be the Bucs pick at 19th overall. Other options would be Taywan Taylor, Dede Westbrook, Juju Smith Schuster and Isaiah Ford just to name a few. Taking a look at the Bucs current receiver group, we got Evans and  Humphries, while Shepard and Huff I would bring back.

Now If Licht can add a Patterson and Davis to the mix, that is a major upgrade to the receiving corps. Davis could instantly jump into the number 2 position while Patterson could rotate in as the slot/4th Wr to add more speed on the field. This would open things up for Mike Evans and Cam Brate and provide Jameis with more options to work with. Much like the corner position, look for Licht to add multiple receivers this off-season in efforts to bring more explosiveness to the offense. Hopefully the receiver position can become a strength much like the corner position did in 2016.

Prospect Watch: WR Corey Davis

It's never to early to look ahead to the next NFL draft, and for the Bucs they will likely target a receiver or a safety in the early rounds based on the current roster. Back in May we took a look at USC Wr JuJu Smith-Schuster who is probably the top receiving prospect for the 2017 draft and would be a big addition to the Bucs offense. Today let's take a look at a small school receiver who relies on speed and quickness in addition to great hands and that would be Western Michgan's Corey Davis. Davis could be one of the top receivers taken in the 2017 draft as he has been sensational during his college career. Davis has over 3700 receiving yards along with 33 tds in just three seasons and should have another big year as he gets ready for the next level.

Davis at 6'2 215lbs has the size and speed combo that teams look for in a NFL wideout today, and has the right mindset as he puts in the work everyday according to his head coach P.J Fleck who was the Bucs receivers coach back in 2012.

“Corey Davises don’t come along very often,” Fleck says. “If they have one talent, then they really lack something else. Corey's really the complete package.”  “He’s quicker, more explosive,” Fleck says. “He has spent a ton of time just working on his craft, to get him better. He’s our best player but also our hardest worker.”

Davis would be a great partner for Mike Evans as they would compliment each other well and would present matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. Davis can really do it all as he can stretch the field, go over the middle, and can make contested catches as well. Since Davis's coach is PJ Fleck who knows Bucs Wr Vincent Jackson, Fleck put Davis in contact with Jackson so he could learn from one of the best pros in the game. Fleck sees similar traits in Corey Davis when comparing to Vjacks.

“Corey’s got a little more quickness to him, but Vincent’s 6' 5 1/2". He’s got that rare, elite length. Corey’s got length but he doesn’t have that length,” Fleck says. “Vincent was huge and he could run like Corey. Vincent worked on his game to become more of a medium-range to vertical passing game threat. Corey's got even more of the underneath stuff very well.”

Bucs Gm Jason Licht will have his eye on Corey Davis this fall for sure as he fits the mold and type of player Licht looks for in his drafts. Licht has a insider in Vincent Jackson who has been in contact with Davis, so keep a eye out for Corey Davis in next year's draft Bucs fans.