Bucs Nation - NFL Draft 2015: Who will the Buccaneers draft at #1?A Tampa Bay Buccaneers Blog - Fire Those Cannons!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48049/bucs-fave.png2015-04-30T20:12:11-04:00http://www.bucsnation.com/rss/stream/72503542015-04-30T20:12:11-04:002015-04-30T20:12:11-04:00Winston is your franchise quarterback, officially
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<figcaption>Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have tied their future to a quarterback.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> have done what everyone expected them to do: pick Jameis Winston with the number one overall pick in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">2015 NFL draft</a> to start a new era in Tampa Bay history. Winston will be tasked with leading the Bucs out of the NFL basement, where they've resided for most of the past 15 years.</p>
<p>The Florida State prospect is widely seen as the best quarterback in the draft, although that assessment is not quite universal. His pocket presence, ability to throw with anticipation, football intelligence and experience in a pro-style system set him apart from other prospects, and specifically Marcus Mariota. He's not the athlete Mariota is, but he's a much better fit for the traditional dropback system the Bucs are expected to implement, and that's the kind of system that has been consistently successful in the NFL. <a href="http://www.tomahawknation.com/2015/4/30/8522965/jameis-winston-tampa-bay-bucs-scouting-report-nfl-fsu?_ga=1.29847736.683428648.1374522190">This scouting report</a> gives a great view of what Bucs fans can expect out of their new quarterback.</p>
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<p>The Bucs have a putrid history of drafting quarterbacks, never having given any of them a second contract. Whether late or early, every one of those players turned out to be a bust. But the Bucs have only used the number one overall pick on a quarterback once before: on <span>Vinny Testaverde</span>, way back in 1987. The team is looking to finally change that trend, which makes today's pick historic -- another chance to finally get that quarterback who can single-handedly turn around the franchise. And this time, it looks like the Bucs have a good shot at doing so.</p>
<p>In just two years as a starting quarterback, Winston completed 66% of his passes for 7,964 yards, 65 touchdowns and 28 interceptions and a quarterback rating of 163.3. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2013 after his team went undefeated and they were crowned National Champions. In 2014, Florida State went 13-1, with Jameis Winston's only loss of his college career coming against the Oregon Ducks in the college football playoffs. That's as impressive as a college career as I've ever seen.</p>
<p>Winston isn't without his blemishes, though. His 18 interceptions last year are an area for concern, as he frequently missed defenders in underneath coverage. He also has some mechanical imperfections to work on, but none of that is scary enough to sway the Bucs or most analysts from seeing him as the best quarterback in the draft, and arguably the best prospect not named <span>Andrew Luck</span> of the past decade.</p>
<p>More concerning is Winston's off-field behavior. A series of minor incidents has been written off as immaturity by the Buccaneers and others, although immaturity is hardly ideal in a quarterback. Still, the Bucs don't think that will be a problem going forward, and they and several players have already talked about setting up a support system to help their new quarterback. In addition to those issues of immaturity, Winston has also been accused of rape, an issue that has played out very publicly since 2013. He was never criminally charged, but now faces a civil suit.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bucs?src=hash">#Bucs</a> talked to more than 75 people, more than 100 man hours looking into Jameis Winston’s past. They are confident in him as a person.</p>
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/593930113542008832">May 1, 2015</a>
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<p>Still, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have repeatedly emphasized that they are comfortable with Jameis Winston as the face of their franchise, which is exactly what he'll be. For better or worse, the Bucs have tied their future to a quarterback. And where he goes, this team goes. The Bucs now have the best quarterback prospect to enter the draft since Andrew Luck. They have a real shot at changing the franchise's future. Are you excited, Tampa Bay?</p>
<p>Stay with us the rest of the night as we cover the rest of the draft. The Buccaneers could easily trade back up into the first round for an offensive lineman, and we'll have more coverage of Jameis Winston over the next hours. Otherwise, we'll be back tomorrow with day two of the draft. You can keep up with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/a/nfl-draft-2015-live">2015 NFL draft results</a> with SB Nation's live tracker.</p>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2015/4/30/8525339/jameis-winston-nfl-draft-2015-tampa-bay-buccaneersSander Philipse2015-04-30T18:42:59-04:002015-04-30T18:42:59-04:00Eagles trying to trade for Bucs' pick
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Philadelphia Eagles are desperately trying to trade up for Marcus Mariota, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are their latest target. The Eagles hold the 20th overall pick in the draft, and Chip Kelly really wants to reunite with his protege -- but it doesn't seem very likely at this point.</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Within past 30 minutes, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bucs?src=hash">#Bucs</a> have received calls about trading No. 1. Told nothing happening yet. Can't identify teams involved right now</p>
— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/Edwerderespn/status/593904299878404098">April 30, 2015</a>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Unable to make deal so far with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Titans?src=hash">#Titans</a>, I'm told <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Eagles?src=hash">#Eagles</a> have inquired with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bucs?src=hash">#Bucs</a> about the No. 1 pick, presumably for Marcus Mariota</p>
— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/Edwerderespn/status/593907008790663168">April 30, 2015</a>
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<p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been pretty open about their desire to trade the number one pick for a ludicrous offer, so it should be no surprise that a team actually inquired. The fact that the Eagles think they have the ammunition to get the Bucs to drop all the way to number 20 is cute, though. They'd have to give up multiple drafts of picks, and a couple of current start-worthy players to get anywhere close to what the Bucs would want. And that's just not going to happen.</p>
<p>And that's <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLSTROUD/status/593907909248962560">what Rick Stroud reports</a>, too, who says the Bucs are "committed" to Winston and don't like any of the offers they're receiving. We'll see whether anything changes in the next 90 minutes, but it seems rather unlikely.</p>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2015/4/30/8525373/nfl-draft-rumors-eagles-trying-to-get-buccaneers-number-one-pickSander Philipse2015-04-30T16:09:13-04:002015-04-30T16:09:13-04:00Bucs' draft picks and needs
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> will have the first overall pick tonight, as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">2015 NFL draft</a> gets started. But there's more to their draft than just whether or not they'll take Jameis WInston number one overall. Here's everything you need to know about the Bucs and the next three days.</p>
<h3>Draft picks</h3>
<p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have eight draft picks this year: one in each round, plus a second seventh-rounders. Outside of the first three rounds, almost none of those picks are their own. Jason Licht has spent a lot of time wheeling and dealing the past two years, which has resulted in a bit of messy board. Here's what it looks like.</p>
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<col width="64" span="4"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" width="64">Round</td>
<td width="64">Pick</td>
<td width="64">Overall</td>
<td width="64">Notes</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">34</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">65</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">10</td>
<td align="right">109</td>
<td>from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">Rams</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">26</td>
<td align="right">162</td>
<td>from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">8</td>
<td align="right">184</td>
<td>from Rams</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">218</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">14</td>
<td align="right">231</td>
<td>from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Dolphins</a>, via Ravens and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Lions</a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The two picks the Bucs received from the Rams came in exchange for Mark Barron. Tampa Bay's own fourth-round pick was traded to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a> along with <span>Tim Wright</span> in exchange for Logan Mankins. The Bucs traded their own fifth-round pick to get a fifth-round pick in last year's draft, with which they selected Kevin Pamphile. The one they have now came from the Ravens, in exchange for <span>Jeremy Zuttah</span>.</p>
<p>The Bucs traded their own sixth-round pick to the Patriots last year, giving up <span>Jonathan Casillas</span> in exchange for their fifth-round pick. Tampa Bay then moved that pick to the Lions in exchange for <span>George Johnson</span> and the extra seventh-rounder. And that's how the Bucs pulled together this mess of a draft board.</p>
<h3>Needs: Quarterback, offensive line</h3>
<p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have three big needs: quarterback, offensive tackle, and offensive guard. Those are the three positions they absolutely have to fill this offseason, though not necessarily in the draft.</p>
<p>The Bucs will take a quarterback with the number one pick, barring a ludicrous trade offer coming in at the last second. That need will be filled, but they currently only have one starting guard and tackle, and that is not good enough -- especially with a rookie quarterback who will have to rely on a shaky offensive line to keep him upright.</p>
<p>Beyond the offensive line, the Bucs do have some other needs they could address early in the draft. Specifically, defensive end and free safety. The team's currently relying on George Johnson and <span>Jacquies Smith</span> as their penciled-in starting edge rushers, which is not exactly a very experienced group. They'll have to do better than that, but to get a reliable pass-rusher they may have to sacrifice their offensive line additions -- tough choices.</p>
<p>As for free safety, that's likely to be addressed late in the draft. The Bucs got rid of <span>Dashon Goldson</span> this offseason, and now have <span>Major Wright</span> and <span>Chris Conte</span> competing at that position. The Bucs could survive with one of those two players starting, but it would not be ideal -- and they'd want a long-term prospect to groom anyway.</p>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2015/4/30/8523507/buccaneers-2015-nfl-draft-preview-picks-and-needsSander Philipse2015-04-30T15:46:43-04:002015-04-30T15:46:43-04:00Bucs looking to trade back up into first round
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<figcaption>Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> will take Jameis Winston with the number one pick tonight, but that doesn't mean their night will be over. The Bucs have been repeatedly linked to a trade back up into the first round to take an offensive lineman, and both Miami's Ereck Flowers and Pittsburgh's T.J. Clemmings have been named explicitly as targets.</p>
<p>Now ESPN's <a href="https://twitter.com/Edwerderespn/status/593859420804616192">Ed Werder says</a> the Buccaneers have been calling teams to try to line up a potential trade, while Kevin O'Donnell of Fox 13 has some more specific information.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hearing Bucs have an interest to trade back into the first round tonight to get one of the FSU offensive lineman. Trying to repeat '95 Draft</p>
— Kevin ODonnell Fox13 (@ODonnellFox13) <a href="https://twitter.com/ODonnellFox13/status/593859681023561729">April 30, 2015</a>
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<p>The FSU linemen would be center Cameron Erving, and guard Tre' Jackson. Neither strikes me as a great target for a move up, as both are often seen as exceedingly likely to be available at the top of the second round. Jackson is probably a better fit for the Bucs' needs, given that he's a natural guard, but Erving at least has the potential to play tackle and is probably a better athlete. He also doesn't tend to play as nastily as the Bucs prefer in their linemen, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/4/9/8345203/2015-nfl-draft-cameron-erving-breakdown-offensive-lineman">at least in Stephen White's estimation</a>.</p>
<p>The Bucs have many holes to fill, and giving up extra picks to grab a specific guy rather than just waiting for whoever happens to fall. But if they are looking to trade up, they likely have one of these players rated much higher than others on the board.</p>
<p>There's one more option: the Bucs may have fallen in love with a defensive end like Shane Ray, who may fall for reasons that don't matter much to them, and they're getting ready to pull the trigger if he falls. That would be interesting, mostly because of the massive offensive line hole the Bucs are likely to leave behind if that happens.</p>
<p>Of course, the fact that the Bucs are calling around doesn't necessarily mean all that much. Calls are routine before the draft and an effort to gauge potential prices -- they may just covering eventualities more than preparing for a likely move. But trading back up into the first round for a quality lineman does make some sense, given the pressing need the Bucs have at the position.</p>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2015/4/30/8523899/nfl-draft-rumors-buccaneers-looking-to-trade-back-up-into-first-roundSander Philipse2015-04-30T13:25:43-04:002015-04-30T13:25:43-04:00The turn-around starts tonight
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<figcaption>Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Finally, a quarterback.</p> <p>In 2005, the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> had the perfect opportunity to turn around their franchise. With the fifth overall pick, they could have selected <span>Aaron Rodgers</span>, a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl" class="sbn-auto-link">Super Bowl</a> champion and arguably the best quarterback in the NFL. The man who's made <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Packers</a> fans forget about Brett Favre. In <a href="http://www.nfl.com/videos/caught-in-the-draft/0ap3000000488872/Caught-in-the-Draft-The-wait-begins-for-Rodgers">a special on the 2005 NFL draft airing yesterday on NFL Network</a>, Rodgers once again told the story of how the Bucs almost took him.</p>
<p>"Jon Gruden had actually called me on Thursday two days before the draft and he was actually the head coach of Tampa at the time, and he said 'If you're sitting there at five I'll take you,' and I said 'Man I'd love to play for you.'"</p>
<p>Alas, it was not to be. Instead, the Bucs picked running back <span>Cadillac Williams</span> -- a solid running back, but not a difference maker, and someone who saw his career shortened by two patellar tendon tears.</p>
<p>The fact that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers passed on Rodgers has haunted them for a decade, now. It contributed in no small part to the consistent failure Tampa Bay has experienced ever since, rotating through quarterbacks like <span>Chris Simms</span>, <span>Brian Griese</span>, <span>Bruce Gradkowski</span>, <span>Tim Rattay</span>, <span>Jeff Garcia</span>, <span>Luke McCown</span>, <span>Byron Leftwich</span>, <span>Josh Johnson</span>, <span>Josh Freeman</span>, <span>Mike Glennon</span> and <span>Josh McCown</span>.</p>
<p>If everything goes to plan, that changes today. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will almost certainly pick Jameis Winston with the number one overall pick. No passing up a potential franchise-changing quarterback for a running back. No false promises. No more quarterback version of Russian roulette.</p>
<p>Jason Licht and Lovie Smith are more than aware of this. Licht called this draft the "biggest draft in the history of the organization.</p>
<p>"We have a real chance to put us over the top and get us there. At least, get us to a level that we think we're going to be at this year, which is competing for championships. It's a great draft. It's a great draft to have the number one pick, too."</p>
<p>Not only is it a chance to finally find a franchise quarterback for the Bucs. It's also an opportunity for an immediate turn-around.</p>
<p>"We just feel like we aren't as far away as a lot of people think," Licht <a href="http://www.620wdae.com/onair/the-sports-page-48577/we-know-who-the-pick-is-13520702">told Rick Stroud and Tom Jones of 620 WDAE</a>. "And if we can do this, if we can hit this right, if we can really nail this draft, we can make a huge improvement next year and compete for this division. All we have to do is get on the damn board competing for the championship."</p>
<p>Similarly, Lovie Smith talked about creating a championship mentality two weeks ago, and implied that they were competing for the Super Bowl, this year.</p>
<p>"Every opportunity, you have a chance to get better," Smith said. "Every opportunity and every day, you have the chance to come in here and work to improve something, you're getting a championship mentality by that. That's just doing everything you possibly can to get better each day with everything that we do and it's the mindset that we have right now. We're all starting from the same spot. And again, why not us?"</p>
<p>That's not necessarily backed up by history, though. The 2012 <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Colts</a> went 11-5 after selecting <span>Andrew Luck</span> with the first overall pick. But the 2011 <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Panthers</a>, the 2010 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">Rams</a>, the 2009 <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lions</a>, the 2007 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Raiders</a> and the 2005 <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">49ers</a> all put up losing seasons with rookie number one quarterbacks. Others have fared better, though: the 2008 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Falcons</a> and <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Ravens</a> both made it to the playoffs with rookie quarterbacks, as did the 2009 <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jets</a> and the 2004 <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a>. A rookie quarterback can be a blessing or a curse, and you never know what you're going to get.</p>
<p>Obviously, the Buccaneers are hoping for a blessing. And Jameis Winston's experience in a pro-style offense will certainly help him transition quickly. He may throw too many interceptions, but so did Andrew Luck and <span>Peyton Manning</span> as rookies. It didn't stop them from turning around their respective franchises. Immediate impact and long-term turnarounds are different, of course, and several of the teams who didn't do well with rookie quarterbacks have since gone on to success -- with the same quarterbacks they drafted then.</p>
<p>But this day will define the franchise for the next half-decade, at least. This is the day the Buccaneers get to turn it all around -- or burn it all down in flames, once again. Can't wait!</p>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2015/4/30/8520139/nfl-draft-2015-buccaneers-turnaround-starts-tonightSander Philipse2015-04-30T11:27:04-04:002015-04-30T11:27:04-04:00Rounding up the final mock drafts
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> go on the clock at just after 8:00 p.m. ET tonight, and that's when all of those mock drafts over the past year will stop being useful, if they ever were. But in an effort to get one final projection out there, everyone's releasing a new mock draft today. And we're rounding them up for a last look at who the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will pick in round one (hint: Jameis Winston) and beyond.</p>
<p>Let's start with the drafts that focus solely on the first round of the draft. That is: most of them. And all of those drafts have the Buccaneers picking Jameis WInston. Dan Kadar <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2015/4/30/8519031/2015-nfl-mock-draft-jameis-winston-marcus-mariota">continues to take Winston</a>, because that's what's going to happen. Mel Kiper <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft/mock/?season=2015&version=5&source=mel-kiper-mock-draft">sticks with Jameis Winston</a>, while Todd McShay <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft/mock/?season=2015&version=6&source=Todd-McShay-Mock-Draft&ex_cid=InsiderTwitter_McShay_FinalMock">has Winston as well</a>, calling him "one of the best quarterbacks [he's] evaluated in the past 10 years". <a href="http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/mock-drafts/mike-mayock/270801?campaign=Twitter_cfb_mayock">Mike Mayock does the same thing</a>, in spite of his belief that Mariota is the better player. <a href="http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/53823/60/silvas-2015-nfl-mock-draft">Evan Silva says</a> "the writing has been on the wall." Bob McGinn, who gave anonymous executives the room to<a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2015/4/24/8488643/nfl-executives-compare-jameis-winston-to-jamarcus-russell"> air some horrible, racist comments on Winston</a>, still <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jsonline.com%2Fsports%2Fpackers%2Fbob-mcginns-first-round-nfl-mock-draft-b99490465z1-301778881.html&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bucsnation.com%2F2015%2F4%2F30%2F8521185%2Fnfl-mock-draft-2015-rounding-up-the-final-mocks-before-the-draft" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">sees Winston as the number one pick</a>. Brad Biggs <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/nfldraft/ct-biggs-mock-nfl-draft-spt-0430-20150429-story.html#page=1">goes with WInston</a>. Pewter Report <a href="http://www.pewterreport.com/articles/pewterreport-coms-2015-bucs-7-round-mock-draft-final/">continues to go with Winston</a>, as they have all year. And <a href="http://tbo.com/sports/bucs/ira-kaufmans-nfl-mock-draft-20150429/?page=1">Ira Kaufman concurs</a>. And finally, <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2447230-2015-nfl-mock-draft-matt-millers-final-7-round-picks/page/2">so does Matt Miller</a>.</p>
<p>Okay, so that's clear. The pick will be Jameis Winston. And no analyst thinks otherwise -- not one. Even those who prefer Mariota think the Buccaneers will take Winston, because the team has it made it incredibly obvious that they will.</p>
<p>The more interesting question: what will they do after the first overall pick? A few of today's mock drafts delved into that, and we'll see more of them later today. <a href="http://tbo.com/sports/bucs/ira-kaufmans-nfl-mock-draft-20150429/?page=2">Ira Kaufman's intrigues me the most</a>, as he has the Buccaneers trading back up into the first round -- for Florida State center Cameron Erving. I like Erving, but I don't think he's worth trading up for. Especially in Kaufman's hypothetical, where T.J. Clemmings and Ereck Flowers are still on the board at the pick the Bucs traded up to, with Jake Fisher falling out of the first round entirely.</p>
<p>Pewter Report put up another seven-round mock draft, which has the upside of going over every Tampa Bay pick and the downside of not spelling out which players are likely to be available where. Pittsburgh tackle T.J. Clemmings in the second round makes perfect sense, though he may not fall that far. He's a little raw, but he can probably start at right tackle or right guard immediately, and might be able to transition to left tackle with time.</p>
<p>Utah defensive end Nate Orchard would be a great pick in the third round, filling another need with a player who should probably go a little earlier -- though his sub-par combine testing makes him a poor fit for the Bucs, who prefer blazingly fast athletes at every defensive position. Beyond that, Pewter Report goes with Colorado State tackle Ty Sambrailo, who the Bucs have shown some interest in but who needs to become more powerful to succeed in the NFL, Duke receiver Jamison Crowder, a speedster who's been linked with the Bucs a ton, Louisville safety Gerod Holliman, who managed 14 interceptions last year, including two off Jameis Winston, and finally Florida running back <span>Matt Jones</span> and Kansas State cornerback Randall Evans.</p>
<p>Which, to my mind, would be an outstanding draft indeed, filling basically every need the Bucs have. The only question mark I'd have would be Orchard, who may not be a great fit for the Bucs, but they probably won't be able to get a better pass rusher at the top of the third round either.</p>
<p>Finally, there's Matt Miller's seven rounder <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2447230-2015-nfl-mock-draft-matt-millers-final-7-round-picks/page/2">over at Bleacher Report</a>. He has La'el Collins going to the Bucs in the second round, which makes a lot of sense from an on-field perspective, but the fact that he was called in for questioning in his ex-girlfriend's murder <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/30/increasing-feeling-that-lael-collins-undraftable-unless-hes-exonerated/">has made teams very skittish</a>, even though there's no indication that he's anything other than a person of interest. If the Bucs feel that's not an issue, he'd be a great pick there. Miller also goes with Orchard in the third round, takes safety Kurtis Drummond in the fourth, and then rounds it out with linebacker Mike Hull, safety Kyshoen Jarrett, and running back Malcolm Brown. I would have liked to see another lineman there, but otherwise it's a solid draft.</p>
<p>So that's it. That's your last look at this year's mock drafts before the actual draft starts.</p>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2015/4/30/8521185/nfl-mock-draft-2015-rounding-up-the-final-mocks-before-the-draftSander Philipse2015-04-30T06:33:31-04:002015-04-30T06:33:31-04:00Lovie Smith is comfortable with who Winston is
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<figcaption>Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> are near-universally believed to be set to take Jameis Winston with the number one overall pick tonight. And the reason for that is simple: the Bucs believe that they can trust the best quarterback in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">2015 NFL draft</a> to behave off the field, as well as on it. Lovie Smith<a href="http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/bucs-poised-to-take-winston-no-1-in-nfl-draft/2227669"> told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times</a> as much:</p>
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<p>"We feel comfortable who Jameis Winston is, what he's done and what we think he will do in the future as much as anything,'' Smith said. "We would not bring in a player that we didn't feel like we could handle or be a productive part of society and our football team. Our research shows that he can do that.''</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Despite a rape accusation, for which Winston was never criminally charged, and despite a litany of minor off-field issues generally characterized as immaturity, the Bucs believe the quarterback is not a bad person, and that he will grow out of his immaturity. The hundreds of hours the team poured into dissecting Winston's past and background have led them to that conclusion.</p>
<p>Stroud notes two other reasons why the Bucs believe Winston should be the pick. One is his similarity to <span>Tom Brady</span>: both are limited athletes, but quality pocket passers with similar personalities and dispositions. The other is offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter and quarterbacks coach Mike Bajakian, who, as Stroud writes, "the Bucs believe [..] will mold Winston into the kind of pocket passer that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a> quarterback <span>Matt Ryan</span> became during Koetter's time in Atlanta."</p>
<p>And that's why the Bucs will draft Winston, barring a last-minute trade: because they trust him on the field, and off the field.</p>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2015/4/30/8519999/lovie-smith-nfl-draft-2015-jameis-winston-buccaneers-comfortableSander Philipse2015-04-29T17:19:52-04:002015-04-29T17:19:52-04:00Bucs won't announce pick early
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<figcaption>Al Bello/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>If you want to know who the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> are going to pick ahead of time, you're not in luck. <a href="https://twitter.com/Edwerderespn/status/593518922487345152">According to ESPN's Ed Werder</a>, the team will not tell the player they're drafting that they're drafting him before they actually do so at just after 8:00 p.m. ET tomorrow night.</p>
<p>That's cute, given that everyone knows the Bucs are almost certainly taking Jameis Winston, but it gives people just a little bit of added uncertainty before the draft. It also fits their strategy of <a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2015/4/29/8513925/nfl-draft-rumors-buccaneers-to-talk-trade-right-until-they-pick">loudly and repeatedly proclaiming</a> that they'd be willing to trade the pick to a team desperate enough to give up a treasure chest full of draft picks. That's probably not going to happen, but that won't stop the Buccaneers from milking the clock until the very last second. Because really, why wouldn't they? What's the downside here?</p>
<p>The Bucs are going to draft a player to be their face of the franchise for the next two decades, or so they hope. And that will happen at 8:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, <strike>May</strike> April 30, 2015. And not a minute before.</p>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2015/4/29/8518005/nfl-draft-2015-buccaneers-not-announcing-their-pick-until-its-inSander Philipse