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Mel Kiper's Big Board: Buccaneers stumped at cornerback?

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Justin K. Aller

Mel Kiper's latest big board is out, and it has an interesting player at the top: Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones. That spot will almost certainly be taken by a quarterback, as it in four of the last five seasons, but Jones could be a real threat to take the top spot - if people think he's the second coming of Von Miller.

More interesting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is the fact that Dee Milliner is the only cornerback to be listed in this top 25. If that's right, the Bucs will be stumped at their greatest position of need if Milliner is off the board once they pick. And that's likely, given the fact that Milliner is listed as the number 10 player, and the Bucs pick 13th.

The pillar in the secondary for Bama, he got better and better as the season progressed. Milliner's raw football skills are exceptional. His physical prowess is a step above other corners. He hits receivers and isn't shy in run support, but with that, he is fluid, reads the game well and can turn and run with wideouts. High floor.

One position the Bucs could look at is tight end. And Kiper thinks Tyler Eifert could be in their range: he has the Notre Dame product listed at number 16. The Bucs need help at the position, and Eifert could turn out to be exactly what they need.

Officially in the draft, a smart decision. Has pass-catching skills of a natural receiver and can be split out. Eifert is a former WR, catches the ball with ease and can stretch the seams, but he's not an exceptional blocker. Top TE in the class heading into the draft process.

The Bucs would really like a tight end who can both block and pass protect, though. But I'll talk about one prospect who could fit that bill as a first-rounder tomorrow. And if the Bucs can't get that kind of prospect a number of defensive linemen could be intriguing: DT Johnathan Hankins, or DE Ezekiel Ansah could both be good fits as they're listed at number 15 and number 17 respectively by Kiper.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

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