Buccaneers Draft Breakdown 2014
The Bucs made a deal with the Raiders that gave them two firsts and two second round picks, giving up Gabe Carimi and Jeff Demps in the process. With the 4 picks in the top 56 the Buccaneers could afford to take fliers on a few guys and hope they pan out. The 2014-2015 Bucs return all 22 of their starters from last season and weren't looking for any immediate starters in the draft, here's how it turned out:
1st - Chris Smith - RE, Arkansas (6'3, 270) - 77spd, 78str, 79agi, 91acc, 80hpw. Smith will probably not play at all in his first season. He's got a decent first step off the line of scrimmage, will have to develop some more functional strength to be useful at the point of attack, probably a situational pass rusher early, definitely a liability in the run game.
1st - Justin Gilbert - CB, Oklahoma State (6'0, 200) - 92spd, 95agi, 95acc, 72mcv, 68prs. Gilbert has the athleticism of a shutdown corner. He'll have to hone his craft and become an NFL corner, but his combination of size and athleticism is rare.
2nd - Ryan Shazier - OLB, Ohio State (6,2, 240) - 81spd, 86acc, 80agi, 83hpow. Decent athlete for the position, great in the run game, liability in coverage. Could be moved to middle backer at seasons end.
2nd - Josh Huff - WR, Oregon (5'11, 205) - 91spd, 97acc, 67cth, 71cit. Quicker than fast, with unreliable hands. Probably a return specialist until he masters the subtleties of NFL route running (46rte).
-No Pick in Round 3-
4th - Jason Verrett - CB, TCU (5'10, 180) - 90spd, 93agi, 91acc, 91jmp, 79pur, 62mcv. Pleasantly surprised he was still there in the 4th round, probably fell because of his size. Smaller, off-corner, think Asante Samuel, not afraid to stick his nose in there in the run game, above average athlete for the position, has to become a technician in coverage.
5th - Fou Fonoti - RT, Michigan State (6'4, 296) - 92str, 87acc, 57pbk, 66rbk. Developmental offensive lineman. Lean frame, athletic tackle, suprisingly better in the run game than he is at pass blocking, could be a better guard than he is at tackle.
6th - Isaiah Crowell - HB (kicked out of Georgia in real life) (5'11, 220) - 91spd, 92acc, 88agi, 88car. The pick I'm most excited about because he's a rehab project. In high school he was the number one RB in the country played as a true freshman at Georgia, had some off the field troubles and has been out of football for the past year. His size and athleticism are great tools, once he gets his elusiveness, juke move and trucking enhanced, he's going to be a really good NFL running back.
7th - Mason Walters - RG, Texas (6'6, 320) - 83str, 84acc, 66pbk, 58rbk. Developmental offensive lineman, may be kicked to the outside probably better suited to play tackle instead of guard.
7th - Rob Crisp - LT, N.C. State (6'7, 298) - 90str, 82acc, 67pbk, 69rbk. Developmental offensive lineman. Another lean, athletic guy with some good tools to build on.
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