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10 Players Tampa Bay Buccaneers Can Mistakenly Draft Over Marcus Mariota

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10 Players Tampa Bay Buccaneers Shouldn't Take Over Mariota

Jameis Winston Florida State
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the No. 1 pick in April's 2015 NFL Draft and are expected to select Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. The 2014 Heisman Trophy winner is the real deal and is a franchise player the team can build around. Just because he's the best player available and a perfect fit doesn't mean Tampa Bay can't mess this up. Here are 10 players the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could mistakenly take over Marcus Mariota.

10. Landon Collins

Landon Collins Alabama
Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

10. Landon Collins

Landon Collins Alabama
Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama’s Collins is far and away the best defensive back in the country. The safety is incredibly versatile, a trait NFL teams crave from the position. Collins’ sure-tackling ability allows him to play in the box in run support, and his elite cover skills in a deep zone make him a highly sought after player. Unfortunately for the Crimson Tide star, safety simply isn’t a valuable enough position to warrant being taken with the first pick.

9. Vic Beasley

Russell Athletic Bowl Thompson Beasley
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

9. Vic Beasley

Russell Athletic Bowl Thompson Beasley
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

A team can never have enough talented pass-rushers, and that’s exactly what Vic Beasley is. The Clemson senior defensive end was consistently one of the best end rushers in the country and shot up draft boards as the 2014 season progressed. Beasley has the chance to be great, but he still should have to wait at least a few picks before hearing his name called on draft day.

8. Dante Fowler Jr.

dante fowler jr. florida gators de defensive end
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

8. Dante Fowler Jr.

dante fowler jr. florida gators de defensive end
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Fowler Jr. has a bigger build than Beasley and projects as a down lineman in the NFL. The junior defensive end out of Florida doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses and has the potential to continue to get better and better. The Gator is a likely top 15 pick, but he would be a terrible value at No. 1 overall.

7. Cedric Ogbuehi

Liberty Bowl Ogbuehi
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

7. Cedric Ogbuehi

Liberty Bowl Ogbuehi
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The offensive tackle position is becoming more and more important in the NFL as teams have leaned more toward the shotgun passing game in recent years. Ogbuehi has switched between left and right tackle while at Texas A&M, but most think he’ll end up on the right side at the next level. The big bruising tackle still needs to improve his technique and shouldn't warrant consideration for the first pick.

6. Brandon Scherff

Brandon Scherff
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6. Brandon Scherff

Brandon Scherff Iowa
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The Iowa Hawkeyes’ stud is widely regarded as the best offensive lineman in the draft. Scherff is a dominant run blocker who has the talent to immediately slide in as an elite guard in the NFL, should a team choose to take that path. Iowa has churned out great offensive linemen year after year, so Scherff is a safe bet to have a long and productive NFL career. With work still to do on his pass blocking, the Bucs would be wise to pass on Scherff.

5. Shane Ray

Shane Ray Missouri
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

5. Shane Ray

Shane Ray Missouri
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Missouri’s Shane Ray is a relentless pass rusher who had an incredibly productive junior season in 2014. He’s an explosive player with the ability to blow by offensive tackles and wreak havoc on team’s passing games. The question for Tampa Bay is if Ray is dominant enough of a player to draft over a potential franchise quarterback like Marcus Mariota. The answer? No.

4. Randy Gregory

Randy Gregory Nebraska
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

4. Randy Gregory

Randy Gregory Nebraska
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Gregory is in a battle with USC’s Leonard Williams to be the first defensive lineman selected in the draft. Gregory is a terror around the edge and gets to quarterbacks on a consistent basis. One area where the Cornhusker needs to improve is in stopping the run, and he also needs to add some strength to his lean frame.

3. Amari Cooper

Amari Cooper Alabama
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3. Amari Cooper

Amari Cooper Alabama
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There is no doubt in my mind Cooper is going to be an outstanding wide receiver in the NFL, and probably sooner rather than later. The Alabama star was unstoppable week in and week out and it’s near impossible to find a weakness in his game. The case against Amari Cooper as the No. 1 pick? You better be Calvin Johnson if you expect to be picked first overall in the draft as a wide receiver.

2. Leonard Williams

Leonard Williams USC
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

2. Leonard Williams

Leonard Williams USC
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Williams is my personal choice for who should be taken No. 1 overall if the Buccaneers unwisely decide against Marcus Mariota. USC’s junior defensive end is arguably the best player in the class and is a perfect fit as a five-technique defensive end in Tampa Bay’s system. The Bucs should pass on Williams only for the fact they have such a huge need at quarterback, the most important position in pro sports.

1. Jameis Winston

Jameis Winston
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1. Jameis Winston

Jameis Winston
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The 2013 Heisman Trophy winner is the most likely player for the Buccaneers to mistakenly take over Marcus Mariota. You could make the case Winston is more talented than Mariota, and he’s definitely more ready for the NFL’s pro-style offense. Simply enough, however, Jameis Winston is too much of a risk off the field, and Tampa Bay would be foolish to take him over a safer player like Mariota.

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