The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were hard to watch at times, ending the season 4-12. They had to cut who was once thought to be their future franchise QB, Josh Freeman, they had to watch their star young RB get a season ending injury, and they had to watch their head coach make many questionable calls. This offseason the Bucs addressed their coaching situation by firing last year’s coach and hiring the great defensive mind Lovie Smith. If Lovie Smith’s style hasn’t changed we can expect a big defensive line and a lot of running the ball on offense. The first of those two was covered this offseason as the Bucs invested a lot of money into their defensive line including the signing of Michael Johnson. While Doug Martin was a star his first year, he struggled mightily his second year before his injury and I expect the Bucs to bring some line help as Martin will likely carry the load this season under Lovie Smith. The signing of Josh McCown gives the Bucs a solid QB that they didn’t have last year or the year before that. Although McCown may not seem like a franchise QB, he’s a great placeholder capable of getting the Bucs to the playoffs until they find their franchise QB.
Draft Needs: WR, G, CB
Wide Receiver: During this off-season, the Bucs traded away their number 2 receiver, Mike Williams, to Buffalo after he was involved in an accidental stabbing with his brother. With the departure of Mike Williams that leaves Vincent Jackson alone and although he received a million targets last season (exaggeration) he will need help on the other side if they want to win. I highly expect the Bucs to draft Mike Evans with their 7th overall pick to bring another large receiver opposite to Jackson. Besides the help of just having another competent receiver, it also is a boost that Evans and Jackson would be able to re-create the tall receiver combo that helped McCown in Chicago with Jeffery and Marshall.
Guard: As I mentioned earlier Doug Martin struggled running the ball last year before his season ending injury. The Bucs should highly expect Lovie Smith to run the ball a lot this coming season and will need two Guards up front to open the door for Doug Martin. Also if they manage to keep the contact Martin takes minimal then he could avoid injury as well.
Cornerback: After losing Revis this off-season to the Patriots it leaves a hole in the secondary. Although last year rookie Johnthan Banks is still in town doesn’t mean he can cover two receivers. The Bucs will need to fill this hole during the draft. As much focus, as Lovie would like on the defensive line it’s still a passing league and the receivers are only getting better so they will need a big corner this off-season.
