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2015 NFL Draft Grades for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Grading Each Buccaneers' Draft Pick

Grading Each Buccaneers' Draft Pick USA TODAY Sports-Kim Klement
It was an especially unique offseason for the Buccaneers. They rid themselves of several costly veteran players that turned out to be free agent mistakes of years past, and they now look to build a new core of talent. It was yet another offensive-heavy NFL Draft for Tampa Bay, starting with the first-overall pick. Let's take a look and grade each and every pick from this Buccaneers' draft class.

It was an especially unique offseason for the Buccaneers. They rid themselves of several costly veteran players that turned out to be free agent mistakes of years past, and they now look to build a new core of talent. It was yet another offensive-heavy NFL Draft for Tampa Bay, starting with the first-overall pick. Let's take a look and grade each and every pick from this Buccaneers' draft class.

Round 1 (No. 1): Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State

Round 1 (No. 1): Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Buccaneers kicked off the NFL Draft by selecting Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston with the No. 1 pick. The 2013 Heisman Trophy winner was far and away the most NFL ready quarterback in the draft. Despite his superior ability, Winston's off the field troubles make this a risky pick. Winston has huge "bust" potential, which is obviously something you'd rather avoid with a No. 1 overall pick

Grade: C-

The Buccaneers kicked off the NFL Draft by selecting Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston with the No. 1 pick. The 2013 Heisman Trophy winner was far and away the most NFL ready quarterback in the draft. Despite his superior ability, Winston's off the field troubles make this a risky pick. Winston has huge "bust" potential, which is obviously something you'd rather avoid with a No. 1 overall pick

Grade: C-

Round 2 (No. 34): Donovan Smith, OT, Penn State

Round 2 (No. 34): Donovan Smith, OT, Penn State Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Smith catapulted up draft boards after dominating at the Senior Bowl. He starred at left tackle at Penn State, but is a prototypical right tackle in the NFL and figures to make the switch over to that side of the line for the Buccaneers. Competitiveness and his passion for football are the only question marks for Smith.

Grade: B

Smith catapulted up draft boards after dominating at the Senior Bowl. He starred at left tackle at Penn State, but is a prototypical right tackle in the NFL and figures to make the switch over to that side of the line for the Buccaneers. Competitiveness and his passion for football are the only question marks for Smith.

Grade: B

Round 2 (No. 61): Ali Marpet, C, Hobart & William Smith

Round 2 (No. 61): Ali Marpet, C, Hobart & William Smith Getty Images
Marpet became the highest draft pick ever from a Division 3 school when he was selected with the No. 61 pick. He was an offensive tackle at Hobart & William Smith, but I think his best position will ultimately be at guard. He impressed at the Senior Bowl, put up great numbers at the combine, and is loaded with potential. Marpet dominated the low-level competition in college, so it'll be interesting to see how he holds up after such a huge jump in the level of competition.

Grade: B+

Marpet became the highest draft pick ever from a Division 3 school when he was selected with the No. 61 pick. He was an offensive tackle at Hobart & William Smith, but I think his best position will ultimately be at guard. He impressed at the Senior Bowl, put up great numbers at the combine, and is loaded with potential. Marpet dominated the low-level competition in college, so it'll be interesting to see how he holds up after such a huge jump in the level of competition.

Grade: B+

Round 4 (No. 124): Kwon Alexander, OLB, LSU

Round 4 (No. 124): Kwon Alexander, OLB, LSU USA TODAY Sports-Derick E. Hingle
Alexander led LSU in tackles in 2014 and decided to forego his senior season in order to enter the draft. The Buccaneers traded up four spots in order to draft the linebacker, so drafting him was clearly a priority. Alexander fits in well with Tampa Bay's 4-3 scheme and will play one of the outside linebacker spots. He's a little undersized at 6-foot-1 and 227 pounds, but his speed is what makes him an intriguing prospect. Alexander ran a 4.55 at the combine and should be a standout special teams player right off the bat.

Grade: A-

Alexander led LSU in tackles in 2014 and decided to forego his senior season in order to enter the draft. The Buccaneers traded up four spots in order to draft the linebacker, so drafting him was clearly a priority. Alexander fits in well with Tampa Bay's 4-3 scheme and will play one of the outside linebacker spots. He's a little undersized at 6-foot-1 and 227 pounds, but his speed is what makes him an intriguing prospect. Alexander ran a 4.55 at the combine and should be a standout special teams player right off the bat.

Grade: A-

Round 5 (No. 162): Kenny Bell, WR, Nebraska

Round 5 (No. 162): Kenny Bell, WR, Nebraska Getty Images
The Buccaneers got a steal in the fifth round with Bell. He's a very athletic receiver who can kick it into second gear and blow by defensive backs to get over the top for big plays. Right now, he has a thin frame and will likely be limited to just routes on the outside, but should excel in a deep threat role with the Buccaneers. Bell is a perfect fit alongside tall, big-bodied receivers like Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans.

Grade: A

The Buccaneers got a steal in the fifth round with Bell. He's a very athletic receiver who can kick it into second gear and blow by defensive backs to get over the top for big plays. Right now, he has a thin frame and will likely be limited to just routes on the outside, but should excel in a deep threat role with the Buccaneers. Bell is a perfect fit alongside tall, big-bodied receivers like Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans.

Grade: A

Round 6 (No. 184): Kaelin Clay, WR, Utah

Round 6 (No. 184): Kaelin Clay, WR, Utah USA TODAY Sports-Russell Isabella
The Buccaneers made Clay the second wide receiver drafted in a row by the team. The Utah speedster will be a slot receiver in the NFL, since he's just 5-foot-10 and has the sudden quickness to get open against man coverage underneath. He was one of the best return men in the country last year and his value on special teams is his best shot at making the team.

Grade: B-

The Buccaneers made Clay the second wide receiver drafted in a row by the team. The Utah speedster will be a slot receiver in the NFL, since he's just 5-foot-10 and has the sudden quickness to get open against man coverage underneath. He was one of the best return men in the country last year and his value on special teams is his best shot at making the team.

Grade: B-

Round 7 (No. 231): Joey Iosefa, FB, Hawaii

Round 7 (No. 231): Joey Iosefa, FB, Hawaii USA TODAY Sports-Cary Edmondson
With their final pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers added some beef to their backfield. Iosefa is a straight-ahead runner who doesn't waste any time dancing around at the line of scrimmage. He ran a 5.02 40-yard dash, so it's unlikely Tampa Bay plans to use him as a running back and will instead convert him to full back. Iosefa might have a tough time making the team and will need to impress the coaching staff and find a home on special teams.

Grade: C-

With their final pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers added some beef to their backfield. Iosefa is a straight-ahead runner who doesn't waste any time dancing around at the line of scrimmage. He ran a 5.02 40-yard dash, so it's unlikely Tampa Bay plans to use him as a running back and will instead convert him to full back. Iosefa might have a tough time making the team and will need to impress the coaching staff and find a home on special teams.

Grade: C-

Seth Lassen is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.
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