NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2015 NFL Draft: Too-Early Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-Round Mock

Fresh Videos

By @Spencer_NFL

2015 NFL Draft: Too-Early Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-Round Mock

Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Draft
Getty Images

After a 2-14 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. The last time the team had the first pick, Tampa selected Miami QB Vinny Testaverde. While another Florida QB will be on the radar, there are many different directions the team could go. Here is an early look at the players the Buccaneers may target.

Round 1: Leonard Williams (DL-USC)

Leonard Williams USC
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1: Leonard Williams (DL-USC)

Leonard Williams USC
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

QB is obviously a position of need, but the Buccaneers have too many other holes to fill. Tampa's Lovie Smith is a defensive-minded coach, and it just so happens that the best player available plays defense. Williams has played on three, four and five-man fronts during his time at USC and has excelled at both DT and DE. Adding Williams to a line already consisting of Gerald McCoy and Michael Johnson would be a huge step in the rebuilding process.

Round 2: Brett Hundley (QB-UCLA)

Brett Hundley UCLA
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Round 2: Brett Hundley (QB-UCLA)

Brett Hundley UCLA
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

This scenario is very similar to the Chargers' 2001 draft. Rather than draft Michael Vick No. 1 overall, San Diego ended up with LaDainian Tomlinson in Round 1 and Drew Brees in Round 2. That draft turned the Chargers into a playoff contender on a yearly basis. The same could happen if the Buccaneers take this path. Hundley, who has an excellent arm, would benefit from a year on the bench learning the NFL game before being named starter.

Round 3: Arie Kouandjio (G-Alabama)

Arie Kouandjio Alabama
Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Round 3: Arie Kouandjio (G-Alabama)

Arie Kouandjio Alabama
Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

The Buccaneers solidified one guard spot after trading for Logan Mankins, but the team still has a need for a second guard. Arie Kouandjio is an upgrade over Patrick Omameh and 2014 draft pick Kadeem Edwards. Kouandjio plays left guard at Alabama, but would slide over to the right side in Tampa. In order for Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans to make plays downfield, the offensive line needs to provide better pass protection.

Round 4 (from St. Louis): Karl Joseph (S-West Virginia)

Karl Joseph West Virginia
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Round 4 (from St. Louis): Karl Joseph (S-West Virginia)

Karl Joseph West Virginia
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Buccaneers acquired this pick from the Rams in exchange for Mark Barron. With the pick, Tampa will draft Barron's replacement. Safety is one of the weaker positions in the 2015 NFL Draft, but there are several players at the position who have fourth and fifth-round projections. Joseph is one of them, and he will have an opportunity to earn a starting job in the preseason. He plays FS for West Virginia, but is a projected SS in the NFL.

Round 5 (from Baltimore): Byron Jones (CB-Connecticut)

Byron Jones Connecticut
Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

Round 5 (from Baltimore): Byron Jones (CB-Connecticut)

Byron Jones Connecticut
Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

The Ravens traded this pick to the Buccaneers in the Jeremy Zuttah deal. The Buccaneers don't need to find a starting CB in this draft, but depth should be added. Since he wouldn't need to start right away, Byron Jones would provide great value in Round 5. He missed the second half of this season due to a shoulder injury. Prior to the injury, Jones had started 37 games for the Huskies and has experience at both CB and safety.

Round 5 (from New England): Stephone Anthony (ILB-Clemson)

Stephone Anthony Clemson
Getty Images

Round 5 (from New England): Stephone Anthony (ILB-Clemson)

Stephone Anthony Clemson
Getty Images

This pick was acquired from the Patriots for Jonathan Casillas. With Mason Foster and Dane Fletcher hitting free agency this offseason, next year's starting MLB may not be on the roster. While Stephone Anthony shouldn't be expected to start Week 1, he would be a suitable backup for a veteran starter. Teammate Vic Beasley may receive all the praise, but it's Anthony who has led the team in tackles the past two seasons.

Round 6 (from St. Louis): Jamison Crowder (WR-Duke)

Jamison Crowder Duke
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Round 6 (from St. Louis): Jamison Crowder (WR-Duke)

Jamison Crowder Duke
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

This is another pick the Buccaneers received in the Mark Barron trade. Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans have secured starting roles at WR, but Jamison Crowder could bring a different dimension to the passing game. In the slot, Crowder would take some of the attention away from Jackson and Evans, creating more one-on-one matchups outside. The ACC career receptions leader should have no problem taking the slot role away from Robert Herron.

Round 7: Lynden Trail (OLB-Norfolk State)

Lynden Trail Norfolk State
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Round 7: Lynden Trail (OLB-Norfolk State)

Lynden Trail Norfolk State
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Lynden Trail was recruited to Florida by Urban Meyer, but transferred to Norfolk State after Meyer left the program. He has great size and speed, and would almost certainly be a much higher pick if he played in the FBS. His athleticism will catch the attention of scouts at the combine and his pro day. There's still a debate over which position he will play (DE or OLB) in the NFL, so he will likely end up on a team with a defensive mindset.

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Related:
 2015 NFL Mock Draft: Top 20
 2015 NFL Draft: Too-Early Dallas Cowboys 7-Round Mock

Share Tweet
Trending Now on