The Buccaneers were interested in a tackle in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers spent most of the 2016 NFL draft finally shoring up their defense, but things could have gone a little differently. According to Ronde Barber, the Buccaneers were interested in a couple of the offensive tackles available at the top of the draft -- presumably Ronnie Stanley or Jack Conklin, both of whom went in the top 10 before the Bucs got on the clock.

Here's what Barber told Paul Ryan (presumably not that Paul Ryan) of WFLA-TV, via JoeBucsFan.

"If there were some guys that would have slid, I think it may have been a little different. I know they were interested in a couple of those offensive tackles. I'm not sure if that changed their decision or not. But Jason [Licht] and his staff had a plan. The few times that I've been over there in the offseason, I would say they're building this team on the other side of the ball now."

The Bucs may have been interested in an offensive tackle, but they still passed on Laremy Tunsil -- twice. The interest couldn't have been that serious, and cornerback and defensive end were much more pressing needs anyway. The team does need a long-term replacement for Demar Dotson, who is 30 and in the final year of his contract, so a tackle wouldn't have been entirely out of the question, but it would have been a luxury pick.

Still, this does mean the Bucs will likely address the position next year. Either by adding a starting right tackle, or a quality backup behind Kevin Pamphile. Unless, of course, they re-sign Demar Dotson -- which certainly isn't out of the question. He and the Bucs were talking about an extension before he suffered a knee injury that kept him out for most of last season. Those talks could certainly be revived over the next months.