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Why do national analysts continue to think that offensive tackle is a need for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? They signed Anthony Collins, they have Demar Dotson at right tackle, and both are under long-term contracts. And yet somehow, I keep seeing Jake Matthews and even Taylor Lewan show up in mock drafts.
As if that wasn't insane enough, Charles Davis apparently decided to experiment with some mind-altering drugs while writing his latest NFL.com article on teams who are likely to trade up in the 2014 NFL Draft.
The Bucs have a big need at offensive tackle, but there's no guarantee one of the top three will be available if they stand pat with the seventh-overall pick given that the position is an area of need for most of the teams drafting ahead of them. If the Bucs are going to ensure themselves a chance to draft one of the top three tackles, they should be looking to move up to the fourth- or fifth-overall pick.
All of this is complete nonsense.
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A) The Bucs do not have a need at offensive tackle, let alone a "big need". They just signed Anthony Collins to be their starting left tackle, and he's not going anywhere, while Demar Dotson played very well at right tackle last year and is under contract for another three seasons. They do have a big need at offensive guard.
B) The Bucs want more picks, not fewer. If anything, they're likely to try to trade back, especially if Sammy Watkins if off the board. Whether they can do that remains to be seen, however.
C) If they were to trade up, they'd have to see their target as clearly, head and shoulders above everyone else at that position, and they'd have to see that position as a big need. Sammy Watkins fits that, while Jadeveon Clowney's transcendent talent may be worth trading up for. There's an outside shot they love a quarterback enough to trade up for, or they see Greg Robinson as a dominant guard who can transition to tackle with time. Those are possibilities, albeit remote ones.
D) Trading up from the seventh overall spot for Taylor Lewan is pure insanity, no matter what team you are.
E) This is not going to happen.