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2014 NFL Draft Results: Buccaneers select RB Charles Sims

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made a third consecutive offensive pick, taking running back Charles Sims out of West Virginia.

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers really want to upgrade their offense this year, apparently. The Bucs have selected running back Charles Sims out of West Virginia with their third-round pick in the 2014 NFL draft, after adding wide receiver Mike Evans and tight end Austin-Seferian-Jenkins with their first- and second-round picks respectively.

Sims will presumably back up Doug Martin, who is seen as the team's featured running back. The 6'0", 214 lbs. running back rushed for 1,095 yards in his final season at West Virginia, ran a 4.46-yard 40-yard dash at the combine. 

Sims is a solid running back, but it's his receiving ability that makes him special. With over 2,000 receiving yards in a college career with the Houston Cougars and at West Virginia, he should be an instant impact player as a third-down back at the NFL level. Jeff Tedford's offense places a high value on pass-catching backs, so this selection makes some sense even with Doug Martin on the roster. Having Sims will also help keep Martin fresh, as the Bucs plan to run the ball. A lot. 

It's not exactly clear how the team expects to run the ball, though, as this leaves the Bucs with a gaping hole at offensive guard, and running back was hardly a position of need for the Bucs. The Bucs have three picks remaining in the 2014 NFL draft to address that need, but none of them tonight, and finding a starter in the fifth round seems unlikely.

Round Pick Overall
4 Traded to Jets
5 3 143
6 Traded to Bears
6 9 (from Bills) 185
7 6 221