The Tampa Bay Buccaneers skipped trying to gamble their picks, and instead drafted the people they felt could make the roster immediately.  They made a reach in the second, but found that some players fell into their laps in the later rounds.  Here is my assessment of the Bucs' draft for 2008.

2008 NFL DRAFT ANALYSIS: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Round 1 Pick 20 (20^th Overall)

CB Aqib Talib (Kansas) 6'1" 202 lbs.

The loss of Brian Kelly to the Lions proved to be weighing heavily on the Buccaneers' minds.  And with Ronde Barber's retirement just over the horizon, the Bucs felt they needed to make a move now, as they drafted Talib.  Talib is a terrific corner with tremendous potential, and should only improve while playing for a defense that has produced many great players.  He is physical, has a nose for the ball, and was arguably one of the best shut-down corners while playing at the collegiate level.  Look for him to compete for the starting job, although, Tampa may use him as a nickel back early and place veteran Phillip Buchanon opposite Barber in the starting line-up.

Round 2 Pick 27 (58^th Overall) (from Jaguars)

WR/KR Dexter Jackson (Appalachian State) 5'10" 182 lbs.

The team knew, going into the draft, they needed a young wide receiver to complement Joey Galloway to help take some pressure off of him.  Well, they drafted a player listed as a wide receiver, but is primarily a kick returner.  Jackson has the ability to play wide receiver, but was not very active in the offense at Appalachian State, but they are not known for using an air-it-out system.  When he was playing on the field, he was able to make the big play, averaging 16.8 yards on 110 receptions.  This, due to his speed (4.33 40) which has allowed him to overcome his short-comings in size, to produce in college, and possibly continue to do the same in the NFL.  Look for him to primarily return kicks for the Bucs, although he may come into the offense to play a "Devin Hester" type role as a third or fourth receiver.

Round 3 Pick 20 (83^rd Overall)

OL Jeremy Zuttah (Rutgers) 6'4" 303 lbs.

An offensive tackle while in college, Zuttah's size, technique, power, and burst off the line of scrimmage have many people predicting a move inside to guard or center, rather than being "on an island" at offensive tackle.  Zuttah was the offensive line leader in college and has received great acclaim and awards since his senior year in high school.  He provides great depth on the line for Tampa and may, with time, become a starter.  He definitely has the tools and mindset to excel at the professional level.  Look for Zuttah to be of quality depth for Tampa Bay this season.  If he does have a chance to play, he may surprise some people.

Round 4 Pick 16 (115^th Overall) (from Dolphins through Bears)

DT Dre Moore (Maryland) 6'4" 305 lbs.

A versatile player who can slide into a 3-4 or 4-3 defensive scheme, Moore is a great value in the fourth round.  Very impressive strength and possessing a large frame are some of the things that attracted scouts to him.  He is yet another player who can provide quality depth while having the potential to step in at some point in his career and make plays happen.

Round 5 Pick 25 (160^th Overall) (from Chargers through Patriots)

QB Josh Johnson (San Diego State) 6'3" 198 lbs.

Another name to a long list of quarterbacks to be stationed in Tampa Bay for the beginning of the 2008 NFL season.  Johnson, on the other hand, is different from the likes of a Chris Simms or a Brian Griese.  Johnson has the skills to make plays on the move; producing numbers with his feet (a la Mike Vick).  Johnson is the wild-card going into training camp as he makes number 6 in the Tampa Bay quarterback lottery.  Johnson has potential but is raw coming out of a small division school and must compete with Luke McCown and Bruce Gradkowski to even gain a spot on the roster, but he has an upside that the others don't in his feet that should make this quarterback competition interesting.  If he makes the roster, don't expect to see him play with Jeff Garcia and five other veterans still on board.

Round 6 Pick 9 (175^th Overall) (from Bears)

LB Geno Hayes (Florida State) 6'1" 230 lbs.

For anybody who follows Florida State football, this selection may come with some surprise.  A 2007 1^st Team All-ACC selection, Hayes slipped further than most people expected, giving the Buccaneers a terrific steal late in the draft.  Possesses great speed and quickness and has the versatility to play either inside or outside linebacker.  Has faced off-the-field problems earlier in his collegiate career but has stated the problems are behind him and is eager to begin playing for the Buccaneers.  He shouldn't have too many problems with Derrick Brooks, a former Seminole, on the same team.  Look for Hayes to premier mainly on special teams in 2008.

Round 7 Pick 31 (238^th Overall) (from Patriots)

HB Cory Byrd (South Carolina) 6'1" 213

A diamond in the rough of sorts, Byrd was a quiet offensive leader for the Gamecocks of South Carolina.  He lead mostly by example, with his bruising runs up the middle, yet was quick enough to go outside to showcase his skilled, reliable hands.  It is rare to find a running back who can effectively pound the ball up the middle who can also have the ability to be a receiving threat out of the back field in the first round, let alone in the seventh.  Byrd is in a similar position to Josh Johnson:  a talented kid stuck behind numerous, capable veterans.  Byrd has the talent to make the roster, but the question is, "Will the Bucs have enough room on the roster to house seven running backs by the start of the season?"  Look for Byrd to beat out a running back to secure a spot on the roster by the time September 7^th comes around and the team ships out to New Orleans.

Final Analysis:

The Buccaneers made some smart choices when drafting players to help them win now.  Each player has some potential, no picks are very questionable other than wide receiver; so the Bucs must know they want to go with Antonio Bryant, a free agency addition this off-season.  Every pick from then allows Bucs fans to know that the team feels confident that they have the skills suited up to take them into the playoffs.  My Grade: B
 

Top Needs Entering the Draft:

1.) Play-Making Wide Receiver

The Bucs need a player who possesses speed and physical toughness who also has a knack for making plays.  Joey Galloway, arguably their best offensive player, will be turning 37 in November; posing a threat to the security of the offense.  Ike Hilliard is a valuable piece to the puzzle in Tampa as he is a great possession receiver, but he is 32.  The team signed Antonio Bryant, a player who has faced off-the-field problems and did not play last year, and signed Ben Troupe from the Titans, who should upgrade the passing game in the middle of the field.  The Bucs may select a receiver in the first round, and the players with a first round grade are: Devin Thomas of Michigan State, Limas Sweed of Texas, and DeSean Jackson of Cal.  Second round possibilities are:  James Hardy of Indiana, Malcolm Kelly of Oklahoma, Mario Manningham of Michigan, Early Doucet of LSU, and Donnie Avery of Houston.

2.) Starting Cornerback

Brian Kelly, a main-stay in the Tampa Bay defensive secondary for many years, has departed, leaving an empty spot opposite Ronde Barber.  The current candidates for this spot haven't proven themselves as starter material.  Phillip Buchanan, Sammy Davis and Torrie Cox are the top contenders.  The defense finished 1^st in the league in pass defense in 2007 allowing only 170.5 yards per game; meaning their secondary may not suffer too much, but will be better having this spot filled.  If the team decides to draft a corner in the first round, they may take Michael Jenkins of South Florida, or Antoine Cason of Arizona.  The second round may harbor a corner if the Bucs take a receiver in the first.  The Buccaneers may be satisfied with Phillip Buchanon as the starter and may focus on drafting a nickel back in the second round.  Second round corners are Aqib Talib of Kansas (if he continues to slip as he has recently), Justin King of Penn State, Brandon Flowers of Virginia Tech, Terrell Thomas of USC, and Charles Godfrey of Iowa.

3.) Defensive Line

Look for the Bucs to possibly select a defensive lineman in the third round.  They need a young defensive tackle who can help clog up the line-of-scrimmage to help force the pass.  They have Chris Hovan, who is a quality starter, and Ryan Sims, who is a former first round pick who has not lived up to his potential.  Third round DT's are Ahtyba Rubin of Iowa State, DeMario Pressley of NC State, Frank Okam of Texas, and Andre Fluellen of Florida State.  Trade talks with the Kansas City Chiefs have been reported that could possibly land DE Jared Allen in Tampa Bay.  Whether this comes through or not, the Bucs may be in search of a defensive end.  Third round candidates here are Darrell Robertson of Georgia Tech, Kendall Langford of Hampton, Lawrence Jackson of USC and Cliff Avril of Purdue.

Off-Season Transactions:

DE       Kevin Carter                Re-Signed

S          Eugene Wilson  Signed to a 1-year contract

TE        Ben Troupe                  Signed

WR      Antonio Bryant Signed

RB       Warrick Dunn               Signed to a 2-year contract

CB       Sammy Davis               Re-Signed

LB       Teddy Lehman Signed

LB       Matt McCoy                Signed

LB       Leon Joe                      Signed to a 1-year contract

C         Jeff Faine                      Signed to a 6-year deal

QB       Brian Griese                 Traded For From Bears for 2009 Draft Choice

CB       Brian Kelly                   Cut

FB       Mike Alstott                 Retired

LB       Jeremiah Trotter           Cut

TE        Anthony Becht  Cut

TE        Jerramy Stevens           Cut

C         John Wade                   Cut

DE       Greg Spires                  Cut

2008 Draft Picks:

Round 1, Pick 20 (20)

Round 2, Pick 21 (52)

Round 3, Pick 20 (83)

Round 4, Pick 21 (120)

Round 5, Pick 18 (153)