Will The Bucs Get a DT to go Next to McCoy?

This time last year I really thought the Bucs were going to finally put another young DT next to Gerald McCoy to give the D-line an extra boost. Last year's draft had many promising defensive tackles in which many Bucs fans thought one of them was coming to Tampa. However, it didn't work out that way for Bucs Gm Jason Licht as he decided to go in a different direction. Now fast forward to the present, the Bucs front four made strides this season but improvement is still needed. The Bucs have a good trio with Gerald McCoy, Robert Ayers, and the rising Noah Spence but could use more depth across the board.

Getting Jacquies Smith back will help but he has been injury prone during his time as a Buc, so another edge rusher would be helpful. Let's look at the interior though as we have McCoy, Clinton Mcdonald, and Akeem Spence which creates a solid rotation plus Will Gholston and Ayers rotate inside as well. However, if the Bucs can add a young force at DT who can stop the run and get after the passer would be a big plus for this defense. There are options in both free agency as well as the draft in which the Bucs could add a player who could have a impact right away and also help McCoy get more one on ones matchups.

A few names I like from free agency is Dontari Poe and Nick Fairley from the Chiefs and Saints respectively. Poe is a big force in the middle and would instantly big a upgrade to our run defense while also able to take on double teams to free others to get sacks. There will be a good market for Poe's services and the Bucs will likely be interested. Fairley is someone we were very high on last year and surprised the Bucs didn't offer him a deal. Fairley for the Saints had a great year as he racked up seven sacks and had over 40 plus tackles and was one of the best defenders for the Saints. Bucs would be smart to take one of the better players in the division and would be an instant upgrade to the Bucs defense. Adding either one of these two would be a big help and really give the d-line the depth that is needed. I think it's time Gm Jason Licht make a play at the DT position whether it is through free agency or in the draft, there will be options.

Its the Deepest Position In the Draft!

Free agency is right around the corner which means high dollar amounts will be dished out by teams to attract big name players to their respective clubs. However, one position might struggle to see that big money and that is the defensive tackle position. There is some quality free agents at that position like Nick Fairley, who has been mention before as a potential Bucs target. Unfortunately for the defensive tackle free agents, this upcoming draft class has one of the deepest defensive tackle groups in which eight defensive tackles could go first round.

This will make teams hesitant to throw market value or overpay for a free agent defensive tackle when they can just draft a starting DT in the third round of the draft. Here's a list of defensive tackles who I think are first round material.

1. Deforest Buckner-6'7 291 Oregon

2. Robert Nkemdiche 6'4 296 Ole Miss

3. Vernon Butler 6'3 325 Louisiana Tech

4. Sheldon Rankins 6'1 304 Louisville

5. A'shawn Robinson 6'4 320 Alabama

6. Andrew Billings 6'2 310 Baylor

7. Jarran Reed 6'3 312 Alabama

8. Chris Jones 6'5 300 Mississippi State

Those are just eight out of this extremely talented group in which the talent will go deep into round 3 and possibly round 4. The Bucs have two free agents at DT in Henry Melton and Tony McDaniel. I don't see either one returning as the Bucs will probably turn to this deep defensive tackle class to find a replacement and even a potential starter. Keep an eye on Javon Hargrave, he is rising up the draft boards.

Nick Fairley an Option

With free agency just around the corner could the bucs be interested in Nick Fairley? Last year Fairley spent the season with the Rams and didn't record many sacks or stats for that matter yet made his presence know, per ESPN.

Fairley recorded just half a sack in his first year with the Rams, but he was consistently disruptive and earned a solid grade against the run from Pro Football Focus. The Rams have several important pieces on defense including both starting corners headed to free agency, and DT Michael Brockers is entering the final year of his deal. With Los Angeles focused on other players, Wagoner believes Fairley will get a better offer somewhere else.

The former first round pick is a talented big man standing 6'4, 308 pounds and ran a 4.8 40 yard dash, which is really moving for a man that size. He was most productive with the Detroit Lions along side Ndamukong Suh where he managed 5.5 sacks in 2012 and 6 in 2013. Fariley is just the type of big athletic body Jay Hayes wants on the defensive line and someone he could really mold back into the player he was at Auburn where he won the Lombardi trophy for the best linemen in the country. Fairley is still only 28 and is coming of a short season due to a concussion. He will not command a high contract in free agency and may be a signing that will fly under the radar.