Monday, April 26, 2010

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2010 Draft Review


The Bucs addressed several key needs early. Gerald McCoy and Brian Price fit the defense that they run perfectly and could both become starters this upcoming season. Arrelious Benn and Mike Williams are both talented enough to push their way to the top of a weak receiving corps. The rookie receivers will take time to develop and adjust to the pro game, so I don't expect a huge impact immediately. Lewis and Watson are sleepers who have potential to develop into major contributors. Tampa Bay seemed to have a focused draft and were willing to take risks on a few prospects that could pay off in the near future.




Round 1, 3rd pick


Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Ht: 6’ 4 1/8” Wt: 295

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  McCoy brings instant energy to a defense that was lacking playmakers in 2009.  McCoy is the perfect Cover 2 defensive tackle and should dominate as a one gap penetrator.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: An extremely disruptive, powerful inside penetrator who will make a mark living behind the line of scrimmage in NFL backfields, McCoy is a relentless pass rusher and will keep opposing quarterbacks on edge because of how hard he plays every snap and the consistent pres- sure he produces. Very mature and grounded with a strong on-field leadership presence to rally a defense. Has very little downside and will only continue to get better. Has a Pro Bowl-caliber makeup and is the type of player that is worth considering with the top pick in any given year. A special talent.
NFL projection: Top-five pick.

GM Jr’s scouting report:  McCoy is a junior who is coming out early for the 2010 NFL Draft and while he could have improved as a player had he stayed for his senior season, I do not know if he could improve his draft stock much as he is expected to be a Top 10 Pick despite his inconsistent production. While his production definitely is not consistent, he is an elite athlete with the playing strength to be a force rushing the passer and making plays vs the run.  His production was tied almost completely to the level of aggressiveness and intensity he played with and he definitely showed the ability to be a completely disruptive and game changing force for the Sooners.  Overall, McCoy is likely to be drafted higher than his college production warrants because of his rare physical talents, but if he does not play with aggressiveness, intensity and better hand use on every snap then he will struggle to become the consistent, elite NFL DT that he should be.  An example of his inconsistent production is that in the games I evaluated he was involved in only 1 play out of every 14.5 snaps, which is a very bad number for an elite DT.  His combination of elite talent and being more of a disruptive force than an actual play0-marker reminds me a lot of former Sooner DT Tommie Harris who has become an elite DT for the Bears. 

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  It’s reasonable to consider McCoy a bit underrated considering the headlines focused on QB Sam Bradford’s injury and the attention given fellow Big 12 star Ndamukong Suh.  However, teams in the top 5 will be more than happy to select the athletic, high-motor Sooner, who would be the first defensive tackle picked in most drafts. 



Round 2, Pick 35 

Brian Price, DT, UCLA
Ht: 6’ 1 1/8” Wt: 303

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  The Bucs D is based upon DTs getting quickly up the field and disrupting the play.  Price joins McCoy in the effort to rebuild Tampa’s defense back into its dominate form of the late ‘90s and early 2000s. 

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Compactly built penetrator who was very productive despite not playing at an optimum conditioning level and sitting out a significant number of snaps when winded. Shows big-time flashes when his battery is charged and has potential as a penetrating three-technique with enough power to slide over the nose in a slanting, one-gap scheme. A pit bull who will be best playing in gaps.
NFL projection: Top-50 pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Price is far from a one-year wonder.  The highly-touted prospect registered 14 tackles as a true freshman, but seven were behind the line of scrimmage.  As a true sophomore, Price earned first-team All-Pac-10 accolades with 35 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and four sacks.  Concerns about his size and short-area quickness might prevent a team from investing a top 20 pick.  However, his ability to wreak havoc behind the line of scrimmage will invite suitors before the first round ends.


Round 2, Pick 39

Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
Ht: 6'1" Wt:  219

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  A big, tough, physical receiver, Benn is the type of player that could come in and make an impact immediately for Tampa.  The Bucs have lost Antonio Bryant and have had too many failed draft picks at the wide receiver position.  Tampa needs Benn to develop into a starter.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Production dropped off consider- ably and was underutilized as a junior when Illinois struggled through a coordinator change and poor QB play. Is a body catcher and needs refinement as a route runner, but his combination of size, strength and run-after-catch ability should allow him to make an impact as a “Wild- cat” runner, kick returner and complementary receiver, with potential to develop into a solid pro in a West Coast offense.
NFL projection: Top-40 pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Benn’s numbers dropped in 2009 with inconsistent quarterback play, which likely played into “Rejus’” decision to declare a year early.  His maturity and consistency will be questioned more than his athleticism, although his 40-yard times will play into his final draft grade as it’s not clear he owns the top-end speed teams prefer at the position.  Benn’s  impact will also be felt on special teams, as he has experience returning punts and kickoffs. 










Round 3, Pick 67

Myron Lewis, CB, Vanderbilt

Ht: 6’ 1 5/8” Wt: 203

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Lewis fell because of a lack of physicality, but his speed warrants this draft position.  He could adapt quite well to the Bucs zone style of defense they use in their secondary.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Press-zone corner with the type of length, speed and natural ball skills coveted at the next level, though some teams could be turned off by his finesse playing style. A press- zone boundary corner more comfortable reacting to plays in front of him than working in reverse.
NFL projection: Second- to third-round pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Lewis is agile enough to be an NFL cornerback, but some teams will view him as a more ideal free safety.  An alert defender and reliable open-field tackler, Lewis should benefit from the fact that he can step in wherever his future employer needs immediate help. 

101.)  Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Williams, WR, Syracuse
Ht: 6' 2" Wt: 212

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Another player with serious character issues, Williams - if he can keep clean off the field - could develop into a solid if not spectacular starter for Tampa Bay.  

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  There’s no doubting Williams’ combination of size, strength and speed.  But NFL scouts have serious concerns about his character and maturity.  It seems unlikely he’ll be a top 50 pick because of those concerns, but a team could get a good find in the second or third round if he decides he’s ready to commit himself to the game. 

172.)  Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brent Bowden, P, Virgina Tech

Ht: 6' 2" Wt: 202

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Bowden needs to work on his hang time so his coverage team can catch up to the returners, but Bowden is definitely an NFL level punter. 

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:  Allowed three punt-return touchdowns as a junior but posted a strong senior season and has a chance to earn a job.
NFL projection: Priority free agent. 




210.)  Tampa Bay Bucs 
Cody Grimm, LB, Virginia Tech
Ht: 5' 10" Wt: 203

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  An undersized, special teamer:  you have to root for a guy like Grimm, who gives a 100% on every play.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:  Instinctive, overachieving, productive collegiate outside linebacker who plays with a walk-on’s mentality and projects to strong safety in the pros, though his greatest value will come on special teams. Has potential to stick as a core special-teams player.
NFL projection: Priority free agent.





217.)  Tampa Bay Bucs
Dekoda Watson, LB, Florida State
Ht: 6' 1" Wt:  240

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Watson is a good example of what you would want in a Tampa-2 linebacker but lacks the playmaking ability necessary to excel in that defense.  Watson could make his way onto the roster as a special teams player and reserve.

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:  Lean, sculpted, explosive workout all-star with tempting athletic ability, fluid movement skills and very good speed. Lack of toughness and instinct deficiency could be restricting, but measurables and pass-rush ability could pull him off draft boards sooner than he grades out on tape.
NFL projection: Mid-to-late draftable pick. 





253.)  Tampa Bay Bucs
Erik Lorig, DE, Stanford
Ht: 6' 3" Wt: 281

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Lorig is a over-achiever that could make the team and be used as a rotational player.  The Buccaneers depend on their front four to create pressure and - through sheer will - Lorig can create pressure at times.

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:   All-out, energetic base end who leaves everything on the field and has enough disruptive ability to hold down a roster spot and bring value in the locker room with his intangibles. Might have some value kicking inside as a nickel rusher.
NFL projection: Priority free agent.


Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Preview available @ http://www.pfwstore.com/detail.aspx?ID=695

GM Jr. 2010 Draft Guide available @ http://gmjrnfldraft.com/

Lindy’s Sports 2010 Draft Guide available @http://www.lindyssports.com/product.php?cn=332







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