Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2010 NFL Draft Grade

TAMPA BAY

1.3 Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
The Buccaneers definitely needed some help on their defensive line. They definitely got it. McCoy is a perfect fit for this defense, and he’ll get started right away on all those Warren Sapp comparisons. He wants to be the best, and he’s a duck on water in this scheme. Some NFL teams had him rated higher than Suh, and while I don’t agree, he’s as close as anyone could be. A real disruptive force in the backfield, he’ll improve the entire unit if he lives up to billing. He will. GRADE: A

2.35 Brian Price, DT, UCLA
Price may seem like overkill, but the tackle spot has been so weak that it’s hard to blame Tampa for doubling down. But I’m going to do it anyway. I like Price, and he’s a great pass rushing defensive tackle when he’s on, and he does fit the system, but I think taking two DTs with the first two picks is a luxury the Bucs can’t afford. Still, it’s a better duo than the one Jacksonville got. GRADE: C+

2.39 Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
Benn is a great addition at receiver because he has the size that no other Bucs WRs do for the red zone. Surrounding Josh Freeman with weapons is important. It’s hard to tell if the inconsistencies at QB were the entire reason that a guy with Benn’s skill set was unable to be more productive, but his upside is well worth the shot here. There aren’t many options in Tampa. GRADE: B+

3.67 Myron Lewis, CB, Vanderbilt
Lewis is a very versatile DB who can help out at corner or safety, but I thought he was taken too high, and the Bucs somehow STILL need D line help. Maybe he’s so good that he fits both spots, but it might just be that he’s not good enough at either. I like the versatility, but this is just too early for him. GRADE: C

3ROUND GRADE: B

4.101 Mike Williams, WR, Syracuse
Really Tampa? A guy who quit on his team when they need him most? A guy with immense skills who would rather waste them than contribute? I get the need, and the upside, and there may be more to his quitting story than we know, but he’s way too risky to nab in the fourth. GRADE: F

6.172 Brent Bowden, P, Virginia Tech
Well, they were awful at punting last year, and Bowden had a great senior season. He’ll definitely fill a need, but there’s so much wrong with this team that taking a punter here is a little lame. I guess they’ll get to use him though. GRADE: C+

7.210 Cody Grimm, S, Virginia Tech
Another Hokie for Tampa. Grimm is a football son, and he’s got great bloodlines and knowledge of the game, but he’s very similar to the often-burnt, never-impactful Sabby Piscitelli. Still, Grimm is tough and gritty, and I don’t like to doubt players that are this determined. GRADE: C

7.217 Dekoda Watson, OLB, FSU
Watson may be 90% potential, but what potential. He’s a little slim, but has 4.4-4.5 speed and a violent appetite for striking blows. He’s flashed pass rush potential in the past, and could be a big surprise for this team. He’ll work on specials immediately. GRADE: B

7.253 Erik Lorig, DE, Stanford
Lorig is a cerebral player with good size and base to hold up against the run, but he’s battled injuries, and may not ever become more than a last round end that draftniks foggily remember. GRADE: C-

Best Pick: Gerald McCoy
Worst Pick: Mike Williams
Sleeper Pick: Dekoda Watson

FINAL ANALYSIS
The Buccaneers had glaring needs along the defensive line heading into this draft, and you can’t say that they ignored the DT hole. McCoy is an absolutely perfect fit for what they’re trying to do up front in this system. Yes, they wanted Suh, but this might be the NFL’s best ever consolation prize. He’s disruptive on the field, and even Sapp-like behind the podium. He can be the type of leader and early impact player they need. Brian Price is a good player, and he’s overcome a lot in his life. I trust his work ethic, but he’s a pass-rusher first, and he plays a lot like McCoy. I don’t see them on the field together that often, but I guess they could provide an intriguing middle rush on obvious passing downs. Still, two DTs in the first two rounds with no acknowledgement of the massive cavern at DE until Lorig in the seventh is ridiculous. They got good pass rushers inside, but they need an edge rush. Dekoda Watson could develop into that quarterback harasser from the LB spot, but he’s got a long way to go to utilize his potential.

I really like the Benn pick. I had Golden Tate slated in that spot, but he’s too similar to the current receivers, and Benn adds a size dimension that they don’t have (unless you count Michael Clayton who hasn’t been great since his rookie year, though I still have hope for him). Bowden and Lewis fill needs, but while Bosden may prove to be a great punter, I think they took Lewis too high. I hope he ends up at corner for them, because with his rough edges, moving him to safety would be even more of stretch. Lorig and Grimm are blue collar types who will add some intelligence and toughness to the team, but maybe not much else. At the very least, they’ll fill in on special teams. Hard to be too down on such late round picks with solid intangibles.

Grabbing McCoy at the top, and Benn in the second, will do wonders for this class, but they’ve got little in the way of big-time contributors after that. Price will have to work like crazy to see the field with McCoy on the roster, and they really could have used a DE there. In fact, they could have used a DE in every round after the first, but their decision to ignore drafting a true NFL-caliber safety, an elite defensive end, and some competition for Donal Penn at left tackle hurts this grade. Adding Williams instead of fortifying one of those spots, hurts it even more.

FINAL GRADE: C-

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