From the past two, Tampa drafts, six of the draft picks became instant starters. With the 2016 NFL draft two days away, Jameis Winston is excited to meet and greet his new teammates, “I can’t wait. I’m going to be like ‘Bro, be yourself. That’s the easiest way that you can have success quickly in this league.”
Tampa improved from ranking 30th in the NFL, to fifth in total offense last season, and Jameis Winston had a lot to do with that. However, the offensive unit still has a lot of work to do. Tampa needs depth in the OL positions, and also needs a WR who can take the short pass and turn it into long gains. More importantly, turning those gains into touchdowns. Tampa ranked near the top of the NFL in yards gained but was ranked 20th overall in points scored.
Jason Licht used the majority of the past two drafts, selecting offensive players in an attempt to strengthen the struggling offensive unit. Now, Mike Smith, the new defensive coordinator will have the chance for Licht to draft some key defensive elements in order to strengthen the struggling defense.
Edge rusher will be a priority for the 2016 draft, but the Bucs GM will not discount the impact a solid defensive tackle can have on pressuring an opposing quarterback. Licht referenced last year’s Super Bowl in stating, “Von Miller and Demarcus Ware had their share of success, but really the interior pressure had a big, big effect on that game, so there are other ways to do it. We all want a great defensive end, or two, or three, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way. We’ve spent a lot of time on defensive players, whether bringing them in or working them out. It doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re going to pick a defensive player at nine, or where ever we are in the first round. We did some things in free agency that gave us some flexibility. We have several needs on this team. We need to get better, there’s no getting around that. We still strive to pick players where best available and need intersect.”
Licht referenced last year’s Super Bowl in stating, “Von Miller and Demarcus Ware had their share of success, but really the interior pressure had a big, big effect on that game, so there are other ways to do it. We all want a great defensive end, or two, or three, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way. We’ve spent a lot of time on defensive players, whether bringing them in or working them out. It doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re going to pick a defensive player at nine, or where ever we are in the first round. We did some things in free agency that gave us some flexibility. We have several needs on this team. We need to get better, there’s no getting around that. We still strive to pick players where best available and need intersect.”
The most popular choice is CB Vernon Hargreaves from theUniversity of Florida and also happens to be a Tampa native, having made a name for himself in the Hillsborough County Highschool Athletic Program. But another popular choice would be a solid DE or even a DT capable of making the pass rush much better.
However, there has been some speculation among a minority of fans that Tampa could, in fact, go offensive line with the ninth pick, and despite popular belief, this move would make plenty of sense as protecting Jameis Winston is a priority, and Doug Martin, Charles Sims being so necessary for our offense.
Jason Licht said, “You strive to have the perfect team, you strive to have the best player at every position, even though that never works out, but you keep striving for it. This is a very good draft, the more we dig into it and the more meetings we have, the more tape we watch. It’s very deep at certain positions, a lot of positions.”
Tampa has improved since the 2-14 record of 2014, but only by two wins. With Jameis Winston taking every single snap in his first year, the offense got much better, and that was mainly due to the fact that Tampa devoted the majority of their draft picks to the offensive side of the ball. But now, it is the defense’s turn, so do not be surprised if Licht searches for secondary and pass rushing, at the ninth pick. It’s what the majority knows we need, it’s just who the majority cannot agree on.
The Buccaneers believe they are on the verge of becoming relevant once more, and you can almost feel the tides changing. Jameis Winston believe it, Jason Licht believes it, and HC Dirk Koetter believes it. You should believe it as well. The GM will do all that he can to provide Jameis with everything he needs to lead his team forward to a new Era.
Every head coach, GM, and owner strive to have a franchise QB and hopefully, Jameis Winston filled that need, so now the focus can be turned towards every nook and cranny of the team in order to fill those needs as well.
