Tampa Bay Bucs 2008 NFL Draft Team Needs
June 9, 2008
Bucs head coach John Gruden led his team from worst to first in the NFC South Division. He did it magically with a journeyman quarterback in Jeff Garcia and a special teams running back in Earnest Graham. The Bucs have a good, young offensive line to build on for the future, but they are getting very old in several key positions. LB Derek Brooks and WR Joey Galloway are nearing retirement. These two have been the face of the franchise throughout their careers here, and it’s time for a new face to step up on both sides of the ball.
2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Draft Needs:
1.) Defensive Tackle
The Bucs defense was excellent against the pass last year, but proved to be extremely vulnerable against the run. It all starts with their interior line where DT Jovan Haye will be a restricted free agent. Haye came over from Carolina where he was a complete steal last season. The Bucs have no depth at this position and should look to the NFL Draft to add a nice young big man in the middle here.
2.) Center
Ten-year vet John Wade was the leader of an offensive line that didn’t have more than a year of experience for the majority of the season. He is an unrestricted free agent and his backup, Matt Lehr, will be on the free agent market as well. Jeff Garcia is able to scramble and created some time to throw, but he’s not getting any faster and will need better protection to stay healthy.
3.) Wide Receiver
Tampa Bay relied on Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard to boost its passing game last season. With both being in their 30’s, Tampa Bay will be looking to bring in some youth at this position. Michael Clayton is far from where he was his rookie season in 2004 and his career is declining in a hurry. If Clayton can somehow relocate his potential, wide receiver would go from one of its thinnest positions to one of its deepest.
4.) Cornerback
Ronde Barber has said he’s got no plan of an early retirement like his brother, Tiki. But it’s time to begin looking for a replacement for the 11-year veteran. Depth is a concern for the Bucs CB Corps, which will now be without Brian Kelly who opted out of the final year of his contract. Barber would be an excellent mentor for a rookie and now is the time to let him coach a young kid how to be a successful NFL corner.
5.) Running Back
The Bucs’ backfield was demolished last season, proving that you can never have enough depth at running back. Cadillac Williams suffered a season-ending knee injury and Week Four, Michael Pittman battled a bad ankle throughout the year, and FB Mike Alstott suffered another neck injury before the season even started to force him into retirement. Earnest Graham is not the answer despite being a big surprise for the Bucs last year.
2008 NFL Draft Prospects to fit Offensive Scheme:
Jon Gruden runs a complex West Coast offense that looked much better than it had in years last season. Coach loves heady veterans who can learn on the fly without committing crucial mistakes. The Bucs are a run-first team, but three and four yard gains set up their effective short passing game. WR DeSean Jackson of Cal, WR Devin Thomas of Michigan State and WR Mark Bradford of Stanford are a couple young wideouts the Bucs will be looking at on Draft Day. RB Tashard Choice of Georgia Tech, RB Mike Hart of Michigan and C Jamey Richard of Buffalo will add some depth to the running game if the Bucs go that route in later rounds.
2008 NFL Draft Prospects to fit Defensive Scheme:
Monte Kiffin continues to tweak his Tampa cover-2 system, having many other defensive coordinators trying to copy his work. The Bucs rarely blitz, relying purely on their defensive line to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Speed is the key in Tampa and its linebackers and safeties really have to be quick from point A to point B. CB-S Antoine Cason of Arizona, WLB David Vobora of Idaho and CB Justin McKinney of Kansas State have the kind of speed the Bucs will be looking for on Draft Day. Pressure on the interior next season could come from DT Letroy Guion of FSU, DT DeMario Pressley of NC State or DT Pat Sims of Auburn.