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5 Biggest Tampa Bay Buccaneers Draft Needs Before 2015 NFL Free Agency

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5 Biggest Tampa Bay Buccaneers Draft Needs Before 2015 NFL Free Agency

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Draft Needs Josh McCown sacked
David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have inferiorly earned the No. 1 draft pick for 2015. However, the biggest moves could be made in the later rounds, and that’s why it’s imperative for the Bucs to put together the ultimate draft package. Here are Tampa Bay’s five biggest draft needs before we hit the maelstrom that is NFL free agency.

5. Wide Receiver

Mike Evans Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR draft needs
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

5. Wide Receiver

Mike Evans Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR draft needs
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Evans was a pleasant surprise, but the Buccaneers now need to find someone to complement him. Tampa Bay will probably take a quarterback with the first overall pick, and it would behoove the Bucs to find him additional targets.

4. Linebacker

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David
Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

4. Linebacker

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David
Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay was fourth worst in the NFL in solo tackles. What does this tell you? They struggle with pursuit. Beefing up the linebacking corps immediately alleviates this concern, and can quickly bring the Bucs up from the basement.

3. Offensive Lineman

Tampa Bay Buccaneers center offensive lineman
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

3. Offensive Lineman

Tampa Bay Buccaneers center offensive lineman
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

In the pass-happy NFL, the offensive line has become the foundation that great teams must stand on. Tampa Bay couldn’t keep their QB upright in 2014, surrendering 52 sacks for third-worst in the NFL. After deciding on Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston, it’ll be time to go after a guard or tackle.

2. Defensive Lineman

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line NFL draft needs Akeem Spence
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

2. Defensive Lineman

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line NFL draft needs Akeem Spence
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

On the other side of the ball, the Bucs were barely more effective than a mosquito swarm — achieving just the 21st-ranked sack total in the NFL (36). The front office needs to start applying pressure on drafting talented players who can apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks.

1. Quarterback

Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Josh McCown
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

1. Quarterback

Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Josh McCown
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Possibly coming down to Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota, the Bucs need to put the most effort and time into finding their next signal caller. Teams with elite quarterbacks usually make the playoffs; teams without elite quarterbacks usually view the postseason as a pipe dream.

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