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.

Real Bucs Talk Mailbag: Combine, Combine, Combine...

by Douglas O'Connor
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     Here at Real Bucs Talk we pride ourselves on communication with Buccaneer fans. You can mostly find us on Twitter but sometimes 140 characters isn't enough, so we started a Mailbag. This gives us ample space to answer your questions. Look for the Mailbag every Sunday during the off season and maybe see your questioned answered.

     We are smack dab in the middle of the NFL Combine so it wasn't a surprise that all this weeks Mailbag questions are combine related. Real Bucs Talk have been following the combine closely and are ready to answer want you want to know.

Does John Ross 4.22 40 Make Him A Must Draft If He Is There At 19?

     It's no secret that head coach Dirk Koetter is looking for speed on the offensive side of the ball. What better way to fill that need than draft the player that has the fastest 40 combine time ever. However, I do have some concerns.

     Ross has already had two knee surgeries and is scheduled to go under the knife again to repair his soldier. So labeling him as injury prone is more than fair. Because of his knee injuries Ross only has one year of production and when the light were brightest, a game against Alabama he didn't show up.

     This isn't to say that I don't like Ross, I do, but this draft is so deep at wide receiver Jason Licht might feel a 1st round pick is to risky. I also think that because of his size Ross might be better suited as a slot receiver. Since the Bucs like Adam Humphries maybe Ross isn't in the Bucs plans.

     If the Bucs do select Ross at 19 I will be more than okay with the pick. Even though I have my reservations about he medicals I have all the confidence in Jason Licht and his vetting process. After winning the lottery with Jameis Winston, Jason hit a home run the next year with Noah Spence. Both players had major red flags coming out of college. #InLichtITrust.

Who Was Your Biggest Combine Surprise?

     The combine isn't over with yet as of time of post, so safeties and corner backs are going to be excluded but that's okay because a player really caught my eye during the tight end drills.

     If you follow Real Bucs Talk them you know that we have taken a long look at free agent tight end Jack Doyle. He spent his first three years in the NFL as the Colts blocking tight end, think Luke Stocker. Then when Coby Fleener moved on to the Saints he got his shot to catch some passes and he responded, think Cameron Brate.

     When I first started writing about Doyle it seemed like no one was talking about him. Now I hear his name more and more, so he may not end up being the bargain I hoped he would be.

     Enter George Kittle.

     Kittle played his college ball at the University of Iowa, so you know he block, but when he ran a 4.52 40 I started to take notice. Not only did Kittle place 3rd overall in the fastest tight end class of all time, but he placed 3rd in the broad jump and 6th in the vert.

     Huh... let's go find some tape.

     There isn't much tape of Kittle catching passes. If you want to see some superb blocking no problem but receptions are rare. So I checked with some draft evaluators that I trust and pick their brains. Both draft guys weren't surprised by Kittle's combine performance. Although his 40 time wasn't expected they felt that Kittle is undervalued. A guy that can get to all three levels and has more make you miss than you'd think and of course block. Just what Jason Licht is looking for.

     This tight end draft class was billed as the deepest ever and they came out during the combine and proved it. As a Bucs fan I'm hoping Kittle is around in the 4th or 5th round and Licht gets his tight end for a bargain.

Who Were You High On That Didn't Have A Good Combine?

     To be honest no one. Sure some guys under preformed in some drills, but I don't think anyone had a combine that killed their draft chances. I will list one player from each position that had a bad drill or two and might need a closer look to cement their draft grade.

RB Wayne Gallman, Clemson: Some experts have Gallman as a top 5 back. He was middle of the road all day. Need to see more.

OL Zach Banner, USC: He has been struggling with his weight and it's a work in progress, needs a better pro day.

QB Seth Russell, Baylor: Injuries derailed his college career. Needed a huge combine to create some buzz. Didn't happen.

TE Jeremy Sprinkle, Arkansas: This guy just got lost in the historically deep tight end draft. Personally I don't think he loves the game. 

LB Reuben Foster, Alabama: Sent home for getting into a shouting match with a hospital worker during the medicals at the combine. If it hurts his draft stock at all it will only be a position or two but that's a lot of money. If you can't keep your cool at the combine when are you going to, Red Flag!

DL Tim Williams, Alabama: His expected explosiveness wasn't anywhere to be seen. I mean nowhere. Every team will be going back over tape on this guy. Could be nothing could be everything.

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Thanks for reading and as always GO BUCS! 

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 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.