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NFL • 12 months ago

2015 NFL Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Seven-Round Mock, Post-Free Agency Edition

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Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

2015 NFL Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Seven-Round Mock, Post-Free Agency Edition

Lovie Smith Tampa Bay Buccaneers — After an abysmal season in 2014, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a lot of work to do. The Bucs have done a few things in free agency, but they’ve failed to make a splash, meaning they’ll have to wait until the draft to acquire the players they need to turn the franchise around. Here is a mock of what Tampa Bay may do in the 2015 NFL Draft, starting with the first overall pick.

After an abysmal season in 2014, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a lot of work to do. The Bucs have done a few things in free agency, but they’ve failed to make a splash, meaning they’ll have to wait until the draft to acquire the players they need to turn the franchise around. Here is a mock of what Tampa Bay may do in the 2015 NFL Draft, starting with the first overall pick.

First Round, 1st Overall: Jameis Winston, Quarterback, Florida State

Jameis Winston

First Round, 1st Overall: Jameis Winston, Quarterback, Florida State

Jameis Winston — This pick comes with a lot of risk, but the Buccaneers are going to have to take that risk. Tampa Bay needs a quarterback, and despite Winston's issues with his behavior and maturity away from the field, there's no doubt that he has the physical tools to be a competent NFL quarterback. The Bucs just have to take a chance on Winston staying clear of off-field issues long enough to get the franchise turned around.

This pick comes with a lot of risk, but the Buccaneers are going to have to take that risk. Tampa Bay needs a quarterback, and despite Winston's issues with his behavior and maturity away from the field, there's no doubt that he has the physical tools to be a competent NFL quarterback. The Bucs just have to take a chance on Winston staying clear of off-field issues long enough to get the franchise turned around.

Second Round, 34th Overall: Preston Smith, Defensive End, Mississippi State

Preston Smith Mississippi State

Second Round, 34th Overall: Preston Smith, Defensive End, Mississippi State

Preston Smith Mississippi State — The Bucs are going to need to add multiple defensive linemen in this draft, and that'll start with Smith early in Round 2. Smith isn't a dynamic athlete like many of the pass rushers who will be taken in the first round, but he has good initial quickness and a wide array of pass-rushing moves. While not a star, he'll be a solid addition to the Bucs at a position of need.

The Bucs are going to need to add multiple defensive linemen in this draft, and that'll start with Smith early in Round 2. Smith isn't a dynamic athlete like many of the pass rushers who will be taken in the first round, but he has good initial quickness and a wide array of pass-rushing moves. While not a star, he'll be a solid addition to the Bucs at a position of need.

Third Round, 65th Overall: Tre' Jackson, Offensive Guard, Florida State

Tre Jackson - Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Third Round, 65th Overall: Tre' Jackson, Offensive Guard, Florida State

Tre Jackson - Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports — Right guard is a pressing need for Tampa Bay, and one they'll need to address before the end of Day 2. Jackson was a three-year starter in college and one of the top offensive linemen in the country. He has to work on his technique, but he has an impressive frame and physical tools. Also, bringing in a college teammate of Winston may help to keep Tampa Bay's new quarterback in line, making Jackson a perfect fit for the Bucs.

Right guard is a pressing need for Tampa Bay, and one they'll need to address before the end of Day 2. Jackson was a three-year starter in college and one of the top offensive linemen in the country. He has to work on his technique, but he has an impressive frame and physical tools. Also, bringing in a college teammate of Winston may help to keep Tampa Bay's new quarterback in line, making Jackson a perfect fit for the Bucs.

Fourth Round, 109th Overall: Anthony Chickillo, Defensive End, Miami

Anthony Chickillo Miami

Fourth Round, 109th Overall: Anthony Chickillo, Defensive End, Miami

Anthony Chickillo Miami — The Bucs won't wait long into Day 3 to take another defensive end. Chickillo has a high work ethic, an NFL pedigree, and a ton of experience with 47 career starts in college. He's not a pure pass rusher, but he plays a physical game with a high motor, making him a solid rotational player for Tampa Bay at defensive end.

The Bucs won't wait long into Day 3 to take another defensive end. Chickillo has a high work ethic, an NFL pedigree, and a ton of experience with 47 career starts in college. He's not a pure pass rusher, but he plays a physical game with a high motor, making him a solid rotational player for Tampa Bay at defensive end.

Fifth Round, 162nd Overall: Sean Hickey, Offensive Tackle, Syracuse

hickey_sean2

Fifth Round, 162nd Overall: Sean Hickey, Offensive Tackle, Syracuse

hickey_sean2 — It wouldn't hurt the Bucs to add to the offensive line, and Hickey would be a nice pickup. He probably won't be ready to step in a starter right away, but he was a three-year starter in college and has experience at both right and left tackle. That versatility should be useful to Tampa Bay in terms of providing depth up front. At the same time, Hickey could work on the transition to guard, where he could be an NFL starter long-term.

It wouldn't hurt the Bucs to add to the offensive line, and Hickey would be a nice pickup. He probably won't be ready to step in a starter right away, but he was a three-year starter in college and has experience at both right and left tackle. That versatility should be useful to Tampa Bay in terms of providing depth up front. At the same time, Hickey could work on the transition to guard, where he could be an NFL starter long-term.

Fifth Round, 168th Overall: Clayton Geathers, Safety, Central Florida

Clayton Geathers UCF

Fifth Round, 168th Overall: Clayton Geathers, Safety, Central Florida

Clayton Geathers UCF — Safety is another position of need for the Bucs, but it'll be tough for them to address it before the fifth round. In Geathers, they'll get a smart and instinctive player who's capable of being the leader of the defense, even if he lacks ideal physical traits. The attention to detail and competitive edge that Geathers have are traits that Lovie Smith will love to have on his defense.

Safety is another position of need for the Bucs, but it'll be tough for them to address it before the fifth round. In Geathers, they'll get a smart and instinctive player who's capable of being the leader of the defense, even if he lacks ideal physical traits. The attention to detail and competitive edge that Geathers have are traits that Lovie Smith will love to have on his defense.

Sixth Round, 183rd Overall: Malcolm Agnew, Running Back, Southern Illinois

Malcolm Agnew Southern Illinois

Sixth Round, 183rd Overall: Malcolm Agnew, Running Back, Southern Illinois

Malcolm Agnew Southern Illinois — After a terrible season rushing the ball last year, the Bucs need to shake up their contingent of running backs. Agnew comes from a small school, but he did have success as a true freshman at Oregon State, and he's a back with quick feet and a good burst. Tampa Bay could use a shifty and elusive runner in their backfield, even if it's only in a part-time role. Agnew is capable of filling this need for the Bucs.

After a terrible season rushing the ball last year, the Bucs need to shake up their contingent of running backs. Agnew comes from a small school, but he did have success as a true freshman at Oregon State, and he's a back with quick feet and a good burst. Tampa Bay could use a shifty and elusive runner in their backfield, even if it's only in a part-time role. Agnew is capable of filling this need for the Bucs.

Seventh Round, 218th Overall: Ellis McCarthy, Defensive Tackle, UCLA

Ellis McCarthy UCLA

Seventh Round, 218th Overall: Ellis McCarthy, Defensive Tackle, UCLA

Ellis McCarthy UCLA — The Bucs are going to need to keep building up their defensive line through the draft. Tampa Bay is already solid on the interior, but it never hurts to add depth there. He wasn't a standout player in college, but he has massive size that allows him to take on double-teams and bull rush offensive linemen. He may be a bit of a project, but there's nothing wrong with taking a chance on a player of his size late in the draft.

The Bucs are going to need to keep building up their defensive line through the draft. Tampa Bay is already solid on the interior, but it never hurts to add depth there. He wasn't a standout player in college, but he has massive size that allows him to take on double-teams and bull rush offensive linemen. He may be a bit of a project, but there's nothing wrong with taking a chance on a player of his size late in the draft.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bryan Zarpentine is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.

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