Prospect Watch: DE Derek Barnett

Last season, the Bucs pass rush was decent as they were 9th in the league with 38 sacks on the season. The Bucs had a decent edge rush with Noah Spence, Robert Ayers, and Will Gholston whom all had their moments during the season. The Bucs were without one of their better edge guys in Jack Smith who missed the entire season with an knee injury and has had trouble staying healthy recently. Point is the Bucs could use another edge rusher that can impact the game and help the Bucs get after the QB more consistently especially in the tough NFC South. This years draft is loaded with edge rushers and wanted to talk about one of the more productive edge guys in this class which is Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett.

Derek Barnett- DE 6'3 259lbs 56 tackles, 19 TFL, 13 sacks

Strengths: Barnett was outstanding during his 3 years with the Tennessee Volunteers in which he produced 198 tackles, 52 for loss, and 33 sacks. Barnett provides a physical presence on the edge and is very good against the run. Opponents would usually run away from his side making him chase the play. Barnett uses his hands well to disengage blocks and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. As a pass rusher he can really bend the edge as he does a great job of using his strength and getting low in his lean around the corner. Barnett has excellent balance and displays good pad level consistently.

Weaknesses:  Barnett needs to focus on adding a second pass rush move as he heavily relied on winning from the outside. He can get away with that in college but it is much harder to do against legit NFL offensive tackles. He uses a decent inside step rip move which allowed him to have some success when rushing inside but it wasn't very consistent. He would be wise to add a inside spin move which could help him set up his outside rush, making him a more efficient pass rusher. If Barnett had great speed and was more athletic he could be just fine with the outside rush but he doesn't process that quick twitch off the edge. Tendency to jumping off-sides due to trying to time the snap count. Struggles to redirect movements, and can at times get pushed out too wide.

Overall: Barnett is one of the solid players in this draft and could go as high as 8th overall to the Panthers. Barnett has tremendous production, has high character, great work ethic, and already has good fundamentals to work with. His game reminds me of Robert Ayers who doesn't win with speed but has good balance and technique to win the edge and is excellent in the run game. If Barnett can hone in on adding more to his pass rush arsenal, he could be something special in this league. I think he would be excellent fit for the Bucs defense, and can line up at right or left end depending on matchups. Teams can never have enough edge rushers, and the Bucs could certainly use one like Barnett. Personally, I like other edge rushers that can bring more speed like Carl Lawson and Charles Harris that would be better fits with the Bucs personnel in place already. With that being said, if Barnett is available at 19, Im sure the Bucs will consider him with the pick.

Prospect Watch: WR Chris Godwin

Even with the signing of Desean Jackson, the Bucs are still expected to draft a WR in the upcoming draft. The Bucs know they still need depth at the position and don't want to find themselves in the situation they were in last year again. This years draft has plenty of intriguing prospects at the receiver position and has pretty good overall depth. The Bucs have spoken with most of them including John Ross, Juju Smith Schuster, Carlos Henderson, Taywan Taylor, Curtis Samuel, and Chris Godwin. Speaking of Godwin, he has gotten a lot of buzz recently so I decided to take a deeper look into what he could bring to this Buccaneers team.

Chris Godwin-WR 6'1 209lbs 59 recs 982 yds 16.6 ypc 72 long 11 tds

Strengths: Godwin plays hard and is all out on every play. He brings a physical attitude to the run game as he is a very capable blocker. He knows how to use his body to create separation and has very good body control. Smooth route runner and can run the full route tree as well as attack all areas of the field. Versatile player as he can play inside or outside and does a good job of beating press or zone coverage. Good release off the line. Best strength is making contested catches as he had the highest contested catch percentage out of all the WR's that tested. He just has a way of winning the 50/50 catches.

Weaknesses: Biggest area of concern is consistency as he would at times have focus drops. Needs to be more aggressive as a blocker. Speed doesn't always show up especially against man coverage which hurts him to create separation consistently. Not a explosive player in the open field as his yac stats have been very subpar so far, only 4.5 yac and 9 broken tackles in 2016.

Overall: I feel Godwin is an intriguing prospect and would be a solid fit for this Buccaneers offense. He has a chance to be a very solid number two receiver in this league with his ability to run routes and make contested catches. So far the Bucs have shown interest in Godwin as they have met with him several times and have him scheduled for a private visit sometime in April. With the Bucs picking at 50th overall in round 2, it's possible Godwin could be their guy with that selection. Personally I'm not a big supporter of Godwin as I would go with someone who can make things happen after the catch like Carlos Henderson or Taywan Taylor. However, Godwin is a good player and the Bucs could definitely use more of those.

Look For Immediate Impact in The Draft

Bucs Gm Jason Licht is about to do his 4th NFL draft with the team and so far with his previous drafts he has done a great job of adding starters. The Bucs have added 8 starters via the draft the last three years, including key core players like Jameis Winston, Mike Evans, Ali Marpet, and Kwon Alexander. The Bucs have gotten back to building their team through the draft as Licht and his staff have done a great job so far. This upcoming draft is no different as the Bucs will look to add more rookies that can come in and have an immediate impact in year 1.

The Bucs have acquired players that are ready to play right away and make impact on day 1. For example, last years draft the Bucs got Vernon Hargreaves and Noah Spence whom both were ready to step onto the field on day 1 of training camp. Same goes for Mike Evans and Jameis Winston, as they were guys who just were pro ready. This is why in my opinion players like Christian McCaffrey, Dalvin Cook, Budda Baker, and Jabrill Peppers make tons of sense at 19. Players like John Ross, David Njoku, and Obi Melifonwu could be in play as well as they could provide day 1 impact.

I feel this team is ready to win now especially with the free agent signings of Desean Jackson and Chris Baker. Assuming Cook, Howard, and Davis are gone, a player like Christian McCaffrey or Budda Baker just makes so much sense to me. Both have the mental makeup to be great in this league plus the physical traits that are needed, and they can make an impact on day 1 for this team. One thing is for certain, Licht will stay true to his board and so far that has produce a pretty good track record. Again the draft is still 28 days away which means things can change, but as of now look for the Bucs to add someone who can make an impact on day 1.

Bucs Drafting a Safety Early?

When looking at the safety position, it is obvious to me that the Bucs will add one through the draft. This draft is loaded with talent at the safety position, and the Bucs could use a future cornerstone at that position. Looking at the current group on the Bucs roster, none are considered the future for this team, plus none of them are signed past 2017. Keith Tandy, Chris Conte, and JJ Wilcox all do different things well, but none would be considered impact type safeties.

Again, the Bucs could probably be ok with those three due to Mike Smith being able to put them in the right spots to succeed. However, I think Licht and Koetter are looking to add a difference maker back there to help their corner group and ultimately force more turnovers. So far during the draft process, it looks like the Bucs could be picking a safety early in rounds 1 or 2.

The Bucs have spoke or workout with the following safeties: Budda Baker, Jabrill Peppers, Obi Melifonwu, Delano Hill, and Tedric Thompson. The first three names mention all have a shot of going round 1 but could also be there in round 2 at pick 50 for the Bucs. Baker is probably the only one I would consider at 19th overall, while the other two just have too many holes in their game for a first round consideration. The Bucs are doing their homework on the safety group and it looks likely that they will take one this year with one of their premium selections in this years draft.

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: RB James Conner

All off-season one of the hot topics has been will the Bucs draft a running back early or will they wait till later due to the great depth of this running back class. I will say that the Bucs can go either way as they could take Christian McCaffery in round 1 or wait til day 2 to take Marlon Mack or Kareem Hunt. Any of those three would help the Bucs running game, but what about day 3 options? Well there is one guy that is catching my attention and that is former Pittsburgh RB James Conner, who is a legit power back and can catch it out of the backfield as well.

James Conner-RB 6'1 233lbs 2016 Stats: 216 car, 1092 yds 5.1 ypc 16tds

Strengths: Conner is a bruiser, runs hard and is very physical at the point of contact. Would rather run his opponent over then around them. Arm tackles won't bring him down and usually it takes more than one guy to get him on the ground. Team captain, has outstanding intangibles and mental toughness as he overcame a torn mcl and cancer which just shows what kind of kid he is. He plays with a never give up attitude and he has it off the field as well. He carries a big chip on his shoulder and plays angry. Conner isn't the fastest or flashiest but he has heart, good quickness, excellent feet, and is always gaining positive yards. Red zone weapon, Conner scored 52 touchdowns at Pittsburgh, so expect the same in the NFL as he will get his number called inside the 10 more often than not.

Weaknesses: He is not a homerun hitter, doesn't process break away speed. Struggles to make defenders miss when there is quick penetration. Health is a concern due to past, and will always be in the mind of teams. Main issue is all power and no finesse so needs to find that balance in his game. Needs to be coached up on pass protection. Might just be a two down back as he needs more work in the passing game.

Overall: Conner is guy that you want to cheer for as he has already been through so much during his football career. He has all the intangibles and the physical tools to be a good player in this league for a long time. I feel Conner can be a featured back in this league with proper coaching and hard work and would be a great pick on day 3 of the NFL Draft. If the Bucs don't take a back early, Conner would be a great fit as he would be a nice 1-2 combo with Jacquizz Rodgers. Plus the Bucs would have someone who can get the tough yards and make plays in the redzone which this team needs.

#Pittsburgh RB @JamesConner_: I'm an old school traditional running back running inside the tackles and downhill football.

— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) March 23, 2017

Prospect Watch: TE Evan Engram

We are getting closer to the NFL Draft as it is only 6 weeks away as teams are starting to finalize their draft boards. Pro days and private workouts will be the focus now as teams will make sure their top 150 board is set. Of course the Bucs draft board is already set according to Bucs Gm Jason Licht who has the board set by January. With that being said it is time for another prospect watch as I take a deeper look into TE/Hybrid Evan Engram out of Ole Miss. Engram has been rising up draft boards ever since his ridiculous workout at the combine in which he got the attention of coaches and scouts.

The best combine performance nobody is talking about... Evan Engram TE Ole Miss. Ran a 4.42, jumped 36', and is 6'3 235lbs. Thats incredible

— NFL Draft Center (@NFLdraftcenter) March 9, 2017

After putting up those kind of numbers, Engram is being projected as a late first/early 2nd round pick. There was even a mock draft that Engram to the Bucs at 19th overall, I don't see the Bucs doing that but more on that later. Let's now breakdown what Engram can bring to a NFL team.

Evan Engram-TE 6'3 235lbs  65 receptions 926 yds 8 tds

Strengths: Matchup nightmare, can line up anywhere whether it is outside,slot, or even in line. Shows good explosion coming off the snap, gets into his route quickly. Works all three levels of the defense. Decent route runner and has the speed to exploit the seem and can be a vertical threat. Has shown ability to win jump balls and can make contested catches. Solid hands and has good catch radius. Shows good body control and is quick with his steps.

Weaknesses: Willing blocker, but needs work on his technique. Lacking field awareness at times as not sure when to sit vs zone coverage. Decent route runner but needs work on getting to the top of his route, tendency to show his hand too early. Needs to work back to the ball more instead of letting the ball eat him up. This causes pass breakups and drops.

Overall: Engram is a versatile chess piece that can really excel in a matchup based passing offense. He is very similar to Redskins TE Jordan Reed and can be used very similar to him. Engram has good intangibles as he was a two time captain with Ole Miss and truly loves the game of football. He has improved every year during his time with Ole Miss which is a great sign. Defenses will have to put a corner on him as he will be a mismatch for a linebacker or safety. Engram is the modern tight end as more move type tight ends are becoming bigger in the league. He would be a great fit for the Bucs but I think he is too similar to what Cam Brate already brings to the table. I don't see the Bucs taking him in the first and they would have to trade up in the second to most likely secure him. Now with that being said, the Bucs want playmakers and adding a player like Engram to pair with Brate would be a nice tight end duo.

Prospect Watch: RB Kareem Hunt

So far we have talked in depth about the Bucs adding to receiver position but what about the running back spot which was a strength before last season and is now a question mark. The Bucs had a lot of inconsistencies in their running game during the 2016 season as they suffered multiple injuries and could never find the right rhythm. With Jacquizz Rodgers a free agent, Doug Martin's off-field issues, and Charles Sims a UFA in 2018, the Bucs will likely add a running back through the draft at some point. This year's class of running backs is outstanding as there will be starters available as late as round 5 which is not common usually. There is one running back that could be a day 2 target for the Bucs and that is Toledo RB Kareem Hunt. Here some quotes from his coach Matt Campbell per bleacherreport.com.

"We knew we were getting a special player from day one, and I think he's been nothing short of that," Campbell said. "And the day he stepped on campus he arrived with something to prove."

"He runs the ball maybe as hard as I've ever seen anyone run the football," Campbell said. "When you really sit and study him and watch his game, it's what the really special players in college football are doing right now. He's worth the price of admission."

Kareem Hunt- 5-10 216lbs  1,475 yds 10 tds 41 receptions 403 yds 1 td

Strengths: Hunt runs really hard and is always keeping his legs moving which makes him hard to bring down on first contact. Very good balance of speed and power, more quick than fast but has ability to make big plays in the open field. Hunt can play all three downs as he can pass protect well and can make plays in the passing game. Outstanding vision and patience as he sets up his blockers very well. Great balance allows him to make 4 yard runs into 15 yard runs and is always getting positive yards. Doesn't fumble as he had none during his Toledo career which is impressive.

Weaknesses: Hunt doesn't have that homerun speed as his speed is not elite which is why he is not considered a 1st round pick. Not perfect in pass protection as he tends to lean in his chip blocks which causes inconsistency. Tends to dance at times at the hole instead of using his power to get through it. Needs to believe in his play speed more.

Overall, I think Hunt is a solid running back that can carry the load and get those tough yards that are needed in today's game. The Bucs need to get their running game back to 2015 form and a guy like Hunt could do that for them. From sources that I have talked to the Bucs like Hunt and he could be their guy in round 3.

Prospect Watch: S Budda Baker

I think we can all agree that over the last few years the Bucs safety play has been questionable to say the least. It is one position that the team will finally upgrade this off-season as there are good options via free agency and the draft. Now the Bucs safety play was better last year especially in the second half of the season. Keith Tandy stepped up his game and has a good chance to return as a starter in 2017. Teammate Bradley Mcdougald also had a solid season and has a good chance of returning to the team with a new contract. That gives the Bucs two safeties as I think they will let Chris Conte go elsewhere and will look to add new depth at the position.

Like last year with the corner position, I think the Bucs double up on the safety position this year adding one through free agency and the draft. One player that our team here at realbucstalk really likes is Washington Huskies's safety Budda Baker. Baker is a heat sneaking missile on the field as he is constantly all over the field making plays. Baker has good football instincts and seems to always be around the football. Here is a play of Baker showing his physical style and range as a safety.

Budda just didn't want him catching this ball pic.twitter.com/UysWPM7cwT

— realbucstalk (@realbucstalk) February 27, 2017

Baker is a playmaker in the secondary which is something the Bucs could use more of in their secondary. Now lets take a closer look at Baker's strengths and weaknesses as a prospect.

Budda Baker 5'10 192lbs 70 tackles, 9 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 Int, 5 PD

Strengths: Baker has very high football IQ and above average field awareness. He has good instincts and feel for the game as he is rarely out of position and is always near the football. Plays with passion and explodes towards the ball every play. Has the ability to run through receivers to knock the ball loose or force a turnover. He displays good fundamentals and takes smart angles in his tackle pursuit. Shows ability as a blitzer and can make plays coming off the edge. He plays with speed and shows range in coverage and has the ability to close on the ball like a corner. Has flexibility to play in the slot or in center field as a free safety. Baker is a leader as well and has been described as a winner.

Weaknesses: Baker's main weakness is his size as he is only 190lbs and is under 6 feet tall which is not ideal size for safeties in the NFL. Can Baker hold up physically and maintain health throughout his career will be the main question for him. At times can be too aggressive as a tackler and get out of control. Liability going against tight ends in coverage due to lack of size.

Here is a quote from an NFC scout on Baker and what role would suit him best per NFL.com

"I would leave him as a centerfielder and then roll him down over the slot if you needed too. He's too small to cover tight ends, but he's got great instincts in coverage which is why he should shine as a single-high." - NFC area scout

Overall, I think Baker is very similar to Bob Sanders or current NFL safety Earl Thomas and has the football IQ and instincts to overcome his size issues. I believe the Bucs could target Baker as early as 19th overall in the draft and would be an upgrade at the position immediately. With Baker, the Bucs could move either Tandy or Mcdougald to strong safety allowing Baker to play free safety where he can play sideline to sideline. According to reports, Baker is a outstanding guy off the field and truly loves the game of football and should make an high impact to whatever team he goes to. If the top targets on the offensive side of the ball are gone, Baker could be a top choice for the Bucs at 19.

Prospect Watch: WR Carlos Henderson

The Bucs need to find weapons for their offense and most importantly help Jameis Winston progress to the next level. Now most Bucs fans want the team to address the receiver position in the first round but as I have wrote before it might be day 2 when that happens. I think the Bucs will address the WR position through free agency and the draft as they need to bolster their depth at that position. Today we are going to focus on a rising prospect in Carlos Henderson who brings plenty of explosiveness to the position. Here is a quote from Tony Pauline per Draftwire.com talking about Henderson's speed and rise among team's draft boards.

There have been questions about his size, specifically his height, but I am told Henderson will measure a shade over 5-feet/11-inches.  He is expected to run under 4.4s in the forty at the combine, with some believing he could drop into the 4.35s area.

I’m told Henderson has received high praise from rival coaches in Conference USA.  When asked they’ve told league scouts Henderson was impossible to cover.

That is strong praise for the explosive wide out out of La Tech who continues to make an impression among the scouting community. Let's now take a deeper look at Henderson's game and what he brings to the football field.

WR Carlos Henderson- 5'11 191lbs 82 rec 1535 yds 18.7 ypc 19 Td

Strengths- He is a natural hands catcher as he doesn't let the ball hit his body often. Explosive is an understatement as he has good short area quickness and speed in his routes. Henderson can make defenders miss as it usually takes more than one guy to get him down, even though small in stature Henderson plays big. Possesses ability to win deep with his speed as he does a great job with route precision to create separation. Adds versatility as he can play special teams and return kicks as he had two touchdowns off kick returns this season.

Weaknesses- Weak competition will cause scouts to question his ability and whether he has the ability to play on the outside. He rarely faced press man coverage and at times his play speed was inconsistent. Needs to improve on his route tree and become more sound with his fundamentals as a receiver. He will have to learn to come back to the football as he tends to wait rather than attacking the ball.

Here is a quote from an NFC South scout on Henderson's game and how he translate to the NFL per NFL.com.

"He plays with good route strength and speed and he has good hands. His return value should lock him into a team. I think he will come in as a fourth receiver, but he could have upped his draft value with another year at school." -- NFC South regional scout

Overall, I think Henderson has a chance to come in right away and make an impact due to his speed and ability to help on special teams. I think he has all the intangibles and physical tools to be a very good player and could eventually be a very good number two receiver in this league. I don't see the hype on him as a first round prospect but I do feel he will be great value on day 2 of the draft. I think he could be a potential target for the Bucs especially if they address the position in free agency like I expect them to do. Henderson could come in and help the Bucs on special teams and work in slot position or on the outside if have to. Henderson is certainly someone to keep an eye on as we move closer to the draft as he very well could be a Bucs target on day 2 of the draft.

Henderson gets past 4 people here. Defense is drawn up to prevent him from getting in yet he goes in regardless. pic.twitter.com/uIVzrkUUyv

— realbucstalk (@realbucstalk) February 22, 2017

Prospect Watch: DE Charles Harris

So far most Bucs fans are expecting the team to go offense in round 1 of the draft, but what about going defense again for a second straight year. I think most would agree that the team could use more pieces on that side of the ball starting with S, DE, and DT as the main needs. Unfortunately for the Bucs the top two safety prospects will likely be gone before 19, but that is ok as this draft is full with quality safety prospects that will be available till day 3 of the draft.

However, there will be some talanted edge rushers available at 19, and with this being a passing league teams can always add more pass rushers. The Bucs D-line is pretty good already with Noah Spence, Robert Ayers, Gerald McCoy, plus Clinton Mccdonald, and hopeful return of Jack Smith which gives the team potential of being one of the most feared front fours in the league. With that being said, Smith hasn't been able to stay healthy and Ayers is over 30 and the team would like to play him inside more often.

So that brings me to one player that has been linked to the Bucs in mock drafts, and that is Missouri's DE Charles Harris. Harris is one of the pure edge rushers in this draft, combining for 16 sacks over the last two seasons. Former scout and NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah had good things to say about Harris and feels him and Spence would take the Bucs D to the next level.

“The Bucs hit a home run with the selection of Noah Spence in the 2016 draft,” Jeremiah wrote. “Harris would give them another fastball coming off the edge, taking their defense to another level.”

DE Charles Harris- 6'3 255lbs  61 tackles, 9 sacks, 10 hurries, 12 TFL

Strengths: Harris just knows how to rush the passer and seems to come alive as a player when it is a passing situation. Harris has multiple rush moves at his disposal including a inside spin along with a outside rip that is very potent. Plus he uses a stutter-step bull rush that is effective getting tackles off their spot and keeping them off balance. Harris doesn't have a explosive first step but is quick enough and has a non stop motor in which he is always flying to the ball. Harris understands how to convert speed to power and does it pretty well.

Weaknesses: Similar to Noah Spence, He can get lost in the run game and loose track of the football. He needs to become more consistent with his hands in his pass rush, would like to see more violent approach to create separation. Can be better at point of attack.

Overall, Harris would give the Bucs a deadly edge rush combo between him and Spence as that would be tons of speed off the edge to deal with. From a Bucs perspective it makes a lot of sense as it is key to get after the passer especially in the NFC South which has Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, and Cam Newton. Is Harris a top 20 player? I would say as of now he is as he is getting better every year and only has 5 years of football experience as he started playing football as a junior in high school. I think with Jay Hayes coaching him up and learning from guys like Spence, Ayers, and McCoy, Harris could be one of the special talents from this draft. So do the Bucs go defense again? Charles Harris could be a likely candidate at 19.

FA Target: WR Pierre Garcon

Lately, there has been a lot of talk about the Bucs and Desean Jackson as the team is definitely looking to add more speed to the offense. The team here at realbucstalk are fans of Desean Jackson as we believe he would be a solid number two behind Mike Evans, but what about his teammate as an option. Redskins WR Pierre Garcon is also a free agent to be, and could be the veteran presence and the quality number two receiver the team is looking for. Jackson would be nice to have but could have many suitors which could make him tough to acquire plus has history of injuries.

With that being said, the Bucs could target Garcon who has put up consistent numbers throughout his career and has been very reliable as he has only missed two games over the last three seasons. Garcon will be 31 in August, but has shown no signs of slowing down as he put up 79 receptions, 1,041 yds, and 3 tds. Garcon still has enough speed too as he had a long of 70 yards and can still get behind the defense if presented the opportunity. Garcon spoke recently with the washington post about that he is not a possession WR and that he is a player that can do it all to get the job done.

“I’m a football player, not a categorized football player,” Garcon continued. “I’m not one thing. I’m not a one-trick pony. I do it all, so it’s not, ‘Hey, you’re a possession receiver.’ I can go deep, I can go short, I can break tackles, I can block, I can make plays — big plays, short plays, crucial plays. It’s what I do on the field, not what box they try to put me in, especially when I was coming out of college, saying, ‘Hey, you’re a D-III player.’ Especially when I was coming from Indy, saying, ‘Hey, you’ve never been a number one receiver.’ Especially when I led the league in catches and they’re like, ‘Hey, you just got lucky because you were on a bad team.’ ”

I have stated before that the Bucs will likely add multiple receivers this off-season as they need to rebuild the wide receiver core. Signing a player like Garcon would give the Bucs offense someone who can make other teams pay when they double Mike Evans and provide another weapon for Jameis Winston. Now Garcon is going to have competition for his services according to NFLUpdate which could make him tougher to sign.

Redskins Free Agent Pierre Garcon is expected to command $9M annually.

Redskins, Rams, Eagles, Bears, Cowboys & 49ers reportedly interested

— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) February 12, 2017

The same could be said for Desean Jackson so either way I would expect the Bucs to go after one of them. Personally I feel Garcon is better fit as of now with his ability to make tough catches plus still being explosive as well. If the Bucs can land a player like Garcon, and then add young dynamic receiver via the NFL draft then all of sudden the WR core looks that much better. Only 22 days until free agency, will the Bucs make a call to Mr. Garcon? I say open up the check book and see if you can get him in red and pewter.

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.

Prospect Watch: WR John Ross

There are some things that can be taught and then there are some things that just can't be taught. I believe one of those things that can't be taught is speed as it is something that you either have or don't. Right now, the Bucs offense doesn't have much speed if any at all right now and head coach Dirk Koetter feels that is something the Bucs need to add this off-season. Talking on the Buccaneers radio last month Koetter talked about how he would love to add a home run guy opposite of Mike Evans via bucswire.usatoday.com.

"Absolutely, could not agree more," Coach Koetter said. "You know, it was unfortunate when we lost Vincent Jackson and, you know, we had to fill in with some guys. And it’s nothing against them, but we definitely would love to add a guy with some home run speed on the opposite side of Mike Evans, I totally agree. I think it would help Jameis a lot. And it’s very high on our priority list. I can promise you."

The good news for the Bucs is that there are some options if they are looking for a homerun threat via free agency or the draft. However, in this article we are going to take a closer look at player that the Bucs could target with the 19th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. This player is all about speed as he has that rare ability to break away and can instantly change the game with one play. The player I am talking about is no other than Washington Huskies WR John Ross.

John Ross- 22 years old, 5'11-190lbs  81 receptions, 1150 yds, 14.2 ypc, 17 tds

Strengths: If there is one word to describe Ross it would be electric as he can change the game with the ball in his hands. Ross has one gear and that is being fast at all times as he can go from 0 to 60 real quick. He has solid hands as drops are rare and does a good job of tracking the ball on deep passes. He knows how to use his speed to create separation and make defenders miss in the open field. He has the ability to play on the outside or in the slot and can also bring return ability to special teams.

Weaknesses: Even though there are routes that Ross runs very well, he needs to work on all his routes especially in the short and intermediate levels to make him a three level player. He needs to attack the football more with his hands as he tends to catch with the body too much. Overall balance needs to improve as he sometimes falls for no reason. Injury concerns as he has had two surgeries on his knees so that is something to keep an eye on. He is not the biggest guy as he is listed at 5'11 190lbs, might need to add some more strength to help with the riggors of the NFL.

Overall, John Ross is one of the special playmakers in this years draft as he has rare speed and the ability to create separation which is very important in today's game. His size and past injuries are concerning but with the ability to change the game with one play is a reason he is being considered as a first round pick. Ross has been compared to Brandin Cooks and Desean Jackson whom both are very explosive players and consistently make big plays in the passing game. Ross has the right mental makeup as he is very competitive and some would call him an edgey type player. If coach Koetter and Gm Licht want to add some speed, then Ross might be there guy at 19. With Ross on the team, opposing defenses would have to decide who to double. Do you double Evans, leaving Ross and Brate with one on one's or do you not double Evans, either way with Ross the Bucs would be more dynamic and explosive.

Bucs Have The 19th Pick in The Draft

With the 2016 season officially over for the Bucs, the front office and coaching staff will shift their attention to the off-season. Right now staffs around the league are watching tape and evaluating everything they did the previous season and what they need to do to get better as a team. This off-season will be very important as the Bucs are close to being a contender but need some more pieces added to the mix.

The Bucs will be better just by having most of the staff returning plus players will be more comfortable with their current schemes and playbooks. So that in itself is a positive as is the younger guys will get better as they have more experience to work with. The arrow is pointing up and now it's up to Jason Licht and his staff to keep it that way by having a good off-season. There were so many positives from the 2016 season as this team got better with each game. The offense suffered a setback but was mainly due to injuries and inconsistent play from certain positions. However, the defense took huge steps as they improved in points allowed and third down defense in which they were number one.

With that being said, this team could still use more pieces on both sides to the ball. On offense, positions that I would address would be WR, C, TE, RB. Then on defense, it would be DE, DT, S, CB. So still many positions need to be addressed and Jason Licht and his staff truly believe that the NFL Draft is the best place to just do that. As Licht has said in the past, the draft is where you find your star players. The Bucs have the 19th selection in this year's draft which puts them in a good position to get a solid player to fill one of the needs mention above. Most scouts have said this draft is deep at RB, DE, S, and TE which is great news for the Bucs. We will get deeper into draft talk as we move closer but as of now the Bucs are in a great situation.

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.

Big Year Ahead for the 2013 Draft Class

Training camp is almost here, and it's a big one for the 2013 draft class whom are all pending free agents next off-season. The 2013 draft class for the Bucs has been decent so far producing some starters and quality depth for the team. The majority of the class is on the defensive side of the ball which includes CB Johnthan Banks, DT Akeem Spence, and DE William Gholston. Not going to discuss Qb Mike Glennon or Rb Mike James because frankly, if they are playing the Bucs will not be in good shape. So who will the Bucs bring back out of this group, lets take a look at each one on the defensive side of the ball.

Johnthan Banks- CB 6'2 185 4th year

Banks has been somewhat forgotten by fans, and needs to have a bounce back year in 2016 to show he is more of the player we saw in 2013 and 2014. Banks has the physical tools to be really good, and unfortunately in 2015, he and the previous coaching staff had a falling out leading him to be bench for most of the year. Now heading into 2016, Banks is looking for redemption, but it wont be easy as he has stiff competition for playing time with Alterraun Verner and Brent Grimes looking to start as well. Banks is a playmaker with 7 ints in 3 years, and is going to need to make more plays over the next couple of months.

William Gholston- DE/DT 6'6 281 4th year

Gholston had a breakout season in 2015 in which he started in 11 games collecting over 60 tackles and 3 sacks. Gholston was a consistent player for the defense and is just continuing to get better overall as a player each year. If Bucs d-line coach Jay Hayes can unleash Gholston's pass rush ability then the Bucs could have something dangerous along the defensive line. Look for Gholston to be better in 2016.

Akeem Spence- DT 6'1 307 4th year

Spence has had moments of greatness and then at other times has had lackluster play. Spence is strong at the point of attack and is very capable defending the run. He shows some things as a pass rusher but still needs ton of growth there. Last season was cut in half due to a back injury, but showed some improvement in his technique and overall ability to get off the line quick which helped him make some plays in the backfield.  2016 will be big for him as he will compete with Clinton Mcdonald for the starting nose tackle position and will look to finally put it all together as a player.

It's a big year for these three from the 2013 class and they will have to play well if they want Jason Licht and crew to bring them back for 2017. Who is going to step up out of these 3 players, let me know what you think Bucs nation.

Alstott Sees Success for Rookie Vitale

Every Bucs fan remembers the A-train Mike Alstott as he is one of the legends in Buccaneer football history. A player that not every Bucs fan knows is 6th round pick Dan Vitale out of Northwestern who has an similar playing style to the Buc legend. Vitale had the chance to sit down with Alstott to talk about football and what it takes to be successful in the NFL. Alstott had nothing but great things to say about the rookie, and thinks he has a bright future via Buccaneers.com.

"What a great kid," said the former Buc great. "He has a lot of similar traits to me when I was growing up, his work ethic and his passion. You can just tell in the first 10 minutes of talking to him what kind of guy he is, how blessed he feels to be here and what he's going to do to make the team. He knows he needs to do everything he can on special teams, and he knows he needs to pick the brains of the veterans."

Vitale has the right mindset and work ethic according to Alstott and believes he will have success right away because he loves the game of football.

"You have to earn your way on special teams first, and at the same time learn your position and do whatever it takes," said Alstott, recounting his words to Vitale. "Early mornings, late nights. Be on time. He understands all that already. He is very passionate, and if you have that, you've got half the battle won." 

Vitale is working at tight end/fullback and is likely to be the starting fullback at some point during the 2016 season. Vitale has the skillset to be a weapon on offense and special teams, and should become a fan favorite pretty quickly just like his football hero Mike Alstott.

Player Profile: Travis Britz

One of the more surprising moves by the Bucs during the draft was their decision to pass on a defensive tackle which was one of the deeper positions in the draft. The Bucs did sign some undrafted defensive tackles after the draft, and one has caught my eye that has potential to make this team. That would be former Kansas State defensive tackle Travis Britz who brings physicality and toughness you look for in a DT. Britz is coming off his best season as he had 41 tackles to go with 4 sacks. Britz at 6'4 293 has the size and really brings that power game and can be a force against the run game.

Britz is not a great athlete but brings a non-stop motor and plays with tons of passion. Britz is that no nonsense type as he is all business in his approach and has opportunity to make this team as the 4th defensive tackle. Britz is not a great pass rusher but can push the pocket and can make plays with his non stop motor getting sacks with hustle. I think Britz can be guy that can be developed under Jay Hayes and be molded into a very good nose tackle down the road.

Britz will become a fan favorite quickly by the way he works and how hard he plays on the field. He will be someone I will be cheering for and hopefully he can make the transition to the NFL a successful one. Hopefully he can make plays like this in the NFL, watch below as he does a great job splitting the double team to get the tackle for loss.

Bucs Add Undrafted Players

The Bucs were not done once the draft was over as they hit the second draft aggressively. Every year undrafted players make NFL rosters, and it looks like the Bucs got some promising ones. Here is the reported signings and tryout players via Bucsnation.com, this is not the official list as this could change.

Peyton Barber, RB, Auburn

Steven Bench, QB, USF
Tim Brown, TE, West Chester
Kivon Cartwright, TE, Colorado State
Alan Cross, TE, Memphis
Philip Ely, QB, Toledo
Taylor Fallin, T, Memphis
Russell Hansbrough, RB, Missouri
Traveon Henry, S, Northwestern
Isaiah Johnson, DB, South Carolina,
Anthony Kelly, WR, Kutztown
Mike Kozlakowski, DE, Maine
Davonte Lambert, DL, Auburn
Cassanova McKinzy, LB, Auburn
Jontavius Morris, DT, Western Kentucky
Roman Namdar, WR, Mount Union
Luke Rhodes, LB, William & Mary
Dominique Robertson, OL, West Georgia
Elijah Shumate, DB, Notre Dame
Dez Stewart, WR, Ohio Dominican
Rob Trudo, G, Syracuse
Channing Ward, DL, Ole Miss
Leonard Wester, T, Missouri

This is an intriguing group and most of these signings are for the Bucs rookie mini camp which is next weekend. Keep an eye on receivers Anthony Kelly and Roman Namdar whom both have great size and speed. I like two of the offensive lineman signings in Leonard Wester and Dominique Robertson whom are big and physical, and Wester was highly rated among some scouting sites. On the defensive side, I like the safety Elijah Shumate, and linebacker Cassanova Mckinzy, both were productive starters for their teams, and could find a spot on this roster. At the very least, some of these guys will be on the practice squad.