Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mock Draft: Final 7-Round Predictions

During his predraft press conference, Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht called this the biggest draft in the history of the organization.

While late Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon—who was the team’s very first draft pick—as well as Hall of Famer Warren Sapp, who along with Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks was selected by the team in 1996, may disagree, this is an important draft for the current regime.

The Bucs were 2-14 in Lovie Smith’s first year as head coach. The team lost eight games by six points or less last year. Tampa Bay has eight picks as well as the coveted No. 1 overall selection and has a chance to get some players who can help the team become competitive again. It is the team’s fifth time having the top pick overall.

For the positions the team needs (quarterback, offensive linemen and defensive linemen), the draft is deep enough for the club to pick up some impact players.

Let’s look at whom the Buccaneers could select.

No. 1: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State University

The Bucs have had good quarterbacks in the past. Some have gone on to become Hall of Famers (Steve Young) and Super Bowl champions (Young, Doug Williams, Trent Dilfer) with other teams. None of them realized their potential with Tampa Bay.

Winston could be the first.

On the field he has the talent. He can make all the throws. He has a competitive edge that transfers to the rest of the team on the field. The bad thing about that competitiveness is when he tries too hard to make plays and forces balls, like he did many times early in games last year.

There are also the off-field incidents that tarnished his on-field play.

Tampa Bay has to decide if he's a risk worth taking. He is.

No. 34: Ty Sambrailo, OL, Colorado State

The Bucs struggled running the ball as well as protecting quarterbacks last year. They need offensive linemen.

Sambrailo can help start the process of filling that void.

If the team keeps Demar Dotson at left tackle, Sambrailo is versatile to fill in the void at either right guard or right tackle. If you move Dotson back to right tackle, Sambrailo can be that left tackle. He would have veteran Logan Mankins to help him on that side.

He started 42 games in college and would offer the Bucs an immediate upgrade.

No. 65: Rashad Greene, WR, Florida State

Already with a solid starting receiving corp in Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans, Greene is too good to pass up for the team. He would challenge Louis Murphy for that third spot or slot receiver. He would also offer insurance in case of injury, as he has the ability to play outside as well.

Oh, and did we mention he was Winston’s favorite receiver?

He catches the ball well and makes plays after the catch. Greene can also return kicks if needed, providing great versatility for any squad that takes him.

No. 109: Markus Golden, DL, Missouri

For the Tampa 2 defense to be effective, the Bucs must be able to generate pressure from their defensive line.

Golden has a relentless motor and hustles every play. A lot of his splash plays came from effort plays as he had 10 sacks and 20 tackles for losses in 2014. This was on a defense that also had Shane Ray.

The Bucs have one of those high-motor players on the other side in Jacquies Smith. Golden would provide a bookend and could give Tampa Bay the formidable line it needs.

No. 162. Jarvis Harrison, G, Texas A&M

You know the Bucs know about Harrison. While they were scouting Mike Evans a year earlier, Harrison was there protecting Johnny Manziel.

Playing in a spread system Harrison is nimble, moves well and can get out in space to provide blocking. Also, his run blocking is solid, something the Bucs are looking for.

Ideally, a team would not want two rookies starting, but Harrison has the talent to push Patrick Omameh at right guard if the Bucs selected him.

No. 184. Bryce Callahan, CB, Rice

The nickel cornerback was a sore position for the Bucs in 2014 as the team alternated both Leonard Johnson and Isaiah Frey at the spot. The duo combined to break up just four passes and had one interception between them.

Callahan had two interceptions and seven pass breakups alone in 2014.

Even with the signing of Sterling Moore and the return of Mike Jenkins from injury, Callahan could challenge for playing time.

No. 218: Blake Bell, TE, Oklahoma

The Bucs had trouble keeping their tight ends healthy last year. At one point, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Brandon Myers and Luke Stocker were hurt.

Bell would help. He is a converted quarterback, so he is athletic and smart. At 6’6” and 252 pounds, he would provide another big target for the Bucs, especially in the red zone.

While still learning the position, he has room to grow and would provide insurance for the Bucs at the position.

No. 231: Anthony Chickillo, DE, Miami (Florida)

A highly touted prospect coming out of high school, Chickillo had a so-so career at Miami. His sack totals dropped every year, while his 4.0 tackles for losses were a career low.

Chickillo had a good showing at the East-West Shrine Game, so he is ready to show that Miami was just using him wrong.

A guy who plays hard every snap, he can play both inside and outside and provide the Bucs with even more depth on the line.