Prospect Watch: Jason Spriggs

Last year the Buccaneers invested two second round picks in left tackle Donovan Smith and right guard Ali Marpet, and are now consider two cornerstones of the offensive line. Gm Jason Licht likes to take athletic physical lineman and so far he has done just that. By adding free agent center Joe Hawely last year, and now new left guard J.R Sweezy this year, giving the Bucs 4 starting linemen under the age of 28 giving the team a strong foundation for years to come. However the Bucs could use an youth injection at right tackle as both Demar Dotson and Godser Cherlius are over 30. The Bucs do have Kevin Pamphile who is 25 and could be the future at right tackle, but lets take a look at tackle prospect Jason Spriggs out of Indiana.

Spriggs, 21 is an athletic tackle at 6'6 305lbs, he is a natural pass blocker and can move well in space for run blocking. He has good length with 34 inch arms, and loves to play to the whistle providing some nastiness which is what you want in a lineman. Spriggs has been a 4 year starter at Indiana, and has been durable for his team. Now Spriggs isn't perfect and needs to add more playing strength as at times he can be over powered and struggle to find his re anchor spot. Has tendency to play tall at times which can allow speed edge rushers to beat him around the corner instead of using his length to his advantage. He did however do pretty well vs Ohio State DE Joey Bosa per college scout Scott Bischoff.

More Joey Bosa: Versus Indiana: 90 total snaps, 78 lined up on right side and 12 on left side, most vs. Jason Spriggs. Bosa won 1. (2/4)

— Scott Bischoff (@Bischoff_Scott) March 14, 2016

Spriggs fits that mold that Jason Licht wants in his lineman which is athletic, physical, and finshers. Spriggs is a first round talent who could fall to the second round due to the depth on defense, and if he is there at 39th overall it would be a great value pick for the Bucs. Gm Jason Licht and the Bucs are building something special along the offensive line unit, and it would be even better with a talent like Spriggs.

Buccaneers Have Signed LB Daryl Smith

The Buccaneers had Daryl Smith in today for an visit and have come to agreement hours later via Peter Schrager of FoxSports.

Buccaneers have agreed to a 1 year deal w/ LB Daryl Smith. @NFLonFOX

— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) March 18, 2016

This is another good move by Jason Licht as Smith has familarity with DC Mike Smith and LB coach Mark Duffner. Even though Smith is 34, he has been playing quality football the past three years and can be a veteran leader for this defense as he will likely be the new starting strongside Linebacker. This will be good for fellow linebackers Lavonte David, Kwon Alexander and possible rookie pick as I expect the Bucs still to draft a linebacker possibly Aaron Wallace or Deion Jones. Now with Ayers, Grimes, and Smith the Bucs have a veteran at every level of the defense.  Smith has been a consistent player his whole career and should bring an impact to the Bucs run defense as well being able to make a play or two in the passing game.

Buccaneers meeting with LB Daryl Smith

Buccaneers are meeting with former Ravens Lb Daryl Smith per Adam Schefter of Espn.

Former Ravens LB Daryl Smith visiting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2016

Smith came into the NFL under new Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith, so there is a connection there, and Smith can still play as he has put up good numbers the past three years per Greg Auman.

Daryl Smith is 34, but had at least 120 tackles in each of last three years with Ravens. 30.5 career sacks, 11 career INTs ...

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 17, 2016

It looks like the Bucs want more veterans on defense, and that is never a bad thing as long as they are quality players, and Smith is definitely one of them. Smith would be an instant starter at the SAM linebacker position.

Options

During Brent Grimes press conference Jason Licht shed a little light on his way of working the draft. He was asked how the draft would be affected since they have now addressed some of their needs and Licht came back with a quick direct answer.

"In the Draft were going to have the same approach. Its going to be best player, wether were picking at 9, moving up or moving back. Its going to be the best player that makes us better."

He later went on to comment about how having "quality" players like Brent Grimes and Robert Ayers, can open up different options in the draft.

"Helps give us options and we always like options here."

 Funny how Licht talks about moving up or down in the draft. Moving down would obviously produce more options in the form of additional picks but for that to happen it takes two to tango. The defense all though improved with the additions of Ayers and Grimes still needs an influx of talent and the best way to do that without over paying in free agency is through the draft. The strength of this draft is on defense so lets see if Licht decides to wheel and deal to pick up some more draft picks to drive competition up across the board.

Robert Ayers Is Looking To Make A Big Impact

New defensive end Robert Ayers talked with the media today via conference call, and is ready to show he can be that pass rusher that the Bucs have been looking for. Ayers is coming off a career season in which he had 9.5 sacks, and he feels he could have had more per Greg Auman.

"Nine and a half sacks in 12 games is pretty impressive, and if you really study my film, you'll see I could have had a lot more. It takes a lot to get those sacks," said Ayers  

Ayers might be a late bloomer as it looks like he has figure out how to get to the Qb with 20 sacks over the past three seasons. The key is for Ayers is to stay healthy as when he is on the field he has consistently produce good numbers. Hopefully for the Bucs he can continue to trend upward, and be a double digit sack guy that the team desperately needs. I like Ayers's versatility in how he can rush inside or outside and that he can be a mentor for the young players on the team as well. Hopefully Ayers will pan out as Jason Licht's past two free agent pass rushers have been duds.

Bucs Looking At The Other UCLA LB

Yesterday, the Buccaneers were in attendance for the UCLA pro day as most were watching big names in LB Myles Jack, RB Paul Perkins, and DT Kenny Clark. However, the Bucs had their eyes on another linebacker not named Jack, and that was one year starter Aaron Wallace. According to Tony Pauline the Bucs have set up an official visit with Wallace.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns & Oakland Raiders set official visits with UCLA's "other" linebacker. https://t.co/TDrZlY5ZKh

— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) March 15, 2016

Wallace, 22 is an intriguing prospect as he is only a one year starter, in which he had 65 tackles and 7 sacks. Instincts are lacking, but showed his high athletic ability at his pro day, just look at the results per NFL.com

PRO DAY RESULTS

40-yard dash: 4.57 seconds 

Vertical: 36 inches 

Broad jump: 10 feet, 10 inches 

Short shuttle: 4.27 seconds 

3-cone: 7.35 seconds 

Bench: 25 reps of 225 pounds

Those are really good numbers, and with the Bucs Lb coach Mark Duffner being in attendance per Jenna Laine, it shows the Bucs want to get more athletic on defense. Wallace could be someone to watch for in the later rounds.

Drafting Sheldon Rankins at number 9?

Every Bucs fan realizes that the pass rush needs to be upgraded this offseason and that process has already begun with the signing of Robert Ayers, but what about the draft? The top local source to all Bucs news Pewterreport.com has the Bucs taking defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins with the ninth overall pick. Per Scott Reynolds of Pewterreport.com

ROUND 1 – Louisville DT Sheldon Rankins – 6-1, 299 – Junior Why a defensive tackle with the ninth overall selection when defensive end is the more pressing need? This pick probably comes as a surprise to most Bucs fans, but drafting for need rarely leads to success in the NFL. Defensive tackle is the strongest position in this draft and the Bucs are poised to grab the best prospect. Great three-technique defensive tackles like Rankins, who compares favorably to Pro Bowler Geno Atkins, who was coached by new defensive line coach Jay Hayes in Cincinnati, are hard to find, and typically go in the first round. 

I stand to agree with Pewterreport on this one as he has done nothing but produce at the college level with 18 sacks and 31.5 tackles for loss in 4 years. What makes Rankins special is his quickness and strength. The way Rankins can move for a man 300 lbs is very rare. Although only 6'1, Rankins rarely gets pushed back away from the play. He has a natural nose for the ball and a consistent motor that can be seen as he frequently runs the play down from behind. Louisville didn't utilize Rankins to his fullest abilities as he was often split out wide to take on longer left tackles in space which isn't his game.

The comparison to Geno Atkins fits the bill in my opinion. Both stand 6'1 but Rankins arms are longer (33 5/8 inches) which will only help with leverage. Rankins is best at using his quickness inside where he abuses slower guards and centers. He would be an upgrade to the pass rush but wouldn't solve the lack of edge rush the Bucs need. Drafting Rankins would be a prime example of drafting talent over need as the Bucs have Clint McDonald and Akeem Spence who are both better than average defensive tackles.

The Bucs are sitting in a good position at number 9 as they will have a tough yet welcomed decision to choose between Rankins and most likely the best defensive end that will be on the board in Shaq Lawson.