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A mini-break from free agency: cornerback Ronald Darby of Florida State is visiting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a few weeks, according to Rand Getlin. Darby's name has been generating some buzz after a junior season with no interceptions but a boatload of tackles. More importantly, he did very well at the NFL Scouting Combine, notching a 4.38 40-yard dash at 5'11", 188 lbs.
Darby's likely to be a second- or third-round pick and the Bucs could target him there as a future starter, or possibly even a slot cornerback. He's not quite a polished player, but his athletic skill-set is very promising. If he can develop a little and become a little more disciplined, he could be a star at the NFL level. And Lovie Smith loves athletic defenders like Darby.
Some draftniks have already fallen in love with Darby, it seems. Dane Brugler thought the "number of positive plays on [..] game film far [outnumber] his negative snaps," while Kevin Weidl called him the "wild card" of the draft's cornerback class. With Johnthan Banks, Alterraun Verner and Mike Jenkins already on the roster, Darby would have the time he needed to learn the Bucs' system without immediately being pressed into action.