19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
-Jeremy Maclin (WR/Missouri)
- Jeremy Maclin (NFL.com)
Lacking an offensive play-maker, Tampa looks for an explosive athlete on the outside to take some heat off of Antonio Bryant. The rest of the offense took considerable strides by signing Derrick Ward and Kellen Winslow. However, the ability to stretch the field still evades the Bucs. Releasing their aged vertical threat, Joey Galloway, was a sound move. Now, they should try to replace him with a youthful receiver like Jeremy Maclin.
What Maclin offers Tampa is more than simply a home-run hitter. The Missouri receiver adds a dangerous kick returner as insurance for Dexter Jackson (if he fails). In two years at Missouri, Maclin returned 5 punt/kicks for touchdowns. For this reason, I believe Maclin can make a noticeable impact during his rookie season. While he is busy polishing his receiving skills, Jeremy can help on special teams.
-Trade Up* (For Mark Sanchez or Peria Jerry)
In the event that Tampa falls in love with one of the quarterbacks (Mark Sanchez or Matt Stafford) or one of the elite DT’s (Jerry and Raji), they become a prime candidate for trading up with a team like Washington or Green Bay. Think about it for a moment….Tampa doesn’t have many huge holes to fill, so the new regime might want to grab a potential cornerstone for the organization by trading up for a DT or QB.
-Evander Hood (DT/Missouri)
- Evander Hood (NFL.com)
Worst case scenario, the Bucs replace Jovan Haye at defensive tackle. Their Tampa 2 defense requires a solid pass rush out of their front 4 linemen. Who better than Evander Hood, a relentless pass rusher to help them out? One of my favorite players in this draft, Hood wows teams with his good “motor” (here’s to my buddy Andrew, isn’t that the most over-used term?), great strength (34 bench press reps), and excellent speed (4.91 sec 40-yard dash).
Next on the clock: Detroit Lions (from Dallas)
See the full hybrid mock draft here
I’d like to hear what you have to say about Jeremy Maclin. Do you think he deserves to fall this far? I’ve said my piece, now it’s your turn to make the call.
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Good analysis. Do you think there’s any chance they’d be looking for a linebacker here, given the recent release of former starters Cato June and Derrick Brooks?
Ghostwriter,
Good question, I do think they really want a linebacker, but outside of Clay Matthews, that position is thin at #19. So I am assuming the Bucs might wait til a bit later for that. plus they have been attempting to sign some free agents at OLB, so that’s also a possibility. Wouldn’t it be something if they traded to get Aaron Curry as the replacement for Derrick Brooks?