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The Tampa Bay Bucaneers currently hold the seventh overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft, which will make things rather interesting for them on draft day. Will they grab a quarterback over Mike Glennon, who has struggled in recent weeks? Will they they try to get that dominant edge rusher, or do they need to find an upgrade on offense? Mocking the Draft in their latest mock draft projects that the Bucs will pick a wide receiver: Clemson's Sammy Watkins.
Mike Glennon may have shown just enough to hang onto his job. He hasn't been excellent by any means, but the Buccaneers aren't in the best position to land a signal-caller, and Glennon may get another season as a result. If that's the case, the Buccaneers would be wise to surround him with as much talent as possible. Sammy Watkins would make an excellent target opposite Vincent Jackson and is one of the top players available at this juncture.
Watkins is a terrific talent and the best wide receiver in the draft. Watkins does not, however, fill a need. Vincent Jackson is still a premier wide receiver, even in an antiquated offensive system with a struggling rookie quarterback, and Mike Williams should be back and healthy next season. Watkins would certainly provide an upgrade, and a possible future successor to an (already) aging Vincent Jackson, but is he the best way to upgrade the Tampa Bay offense?
A premium tight end, like Eric Ebron, would provide a bigger boost to this team's offense. Arguably a quarterback would, too, but in this mock Johnny Manziel is the only quality passer available and he's a controversial prospect. I'm not strictly opposed to Manziel, but he's a unique player with unique abilities who won't fit every offense and has enough question marks to make it a dangerous selection.
The Bucs should also be looking to upgrade their right guard position, with Davin Joseph continuing to struggle in his first year back from knee surgery, while they also lack a quality edge rusher. Adrian Clayborn is showing some flashes at times, but he's not the dominant player you'd ideally like to have at the position.
Pairing Clayborn with a speedier edge rusher like Anthony Barr or Khalil Mack would be intriguing, to say the least. While not suited for every-down roles as 4-3 defensive ends, both players could undergo a Von Miller transition and play strongside linebacker in base packages, while becoming pass-rushing defensive ends/linebackers on passing downs. With a prospective rush group of Mack/Barr, Clayborn, Gerald McCoy and William Gholston the Bucs should have a front four capable of getting to the quarterback on a regular basis.
Video via Draft Breakdown.
