Well, the NFL draft has come and gone. I don't follow college football as I once did, so the NFL draft doesn't mean much until I see the players play in the NFL preseason.
But I'm not shy about offering a few opinions.
Round 1: Aqib Talib
I was hoping the Bucs would take a cornerback high in the draft because of the departure of the underrated Brian Kelly, who signed with the Detroit ex-Bucs. Talib reportedly has remarkable physical talent--perhaps the best athlete in the draft--but tends to gamble on the field. The Buccaneer secondary stresses responsibility. Talib may be great if he buys into the coaching. Secondary coach Raheem Morris is cut from the mold of former Bucs DB coach/former Vikings defensive coordinator/current Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. There is good reason for hope.
Round 2: Dexter Jackson
Jackson is a lightning-quick wide receiver from tiny Appalachian State. Yes, the Appalachian State that whipped Michigan in Ann Arbor last year. Jackson played a big part in that win. Jackson is obviously the understudy of Joey Galloway. Helping whip Michigan should help him win Galloway's assistance in becoming an accomplished NFL receiver. I see the pick as a bit of a reach, though rumor has it that the Bucs weren't the only team that viewed Jackson as a second-round talent.
Round 3: Jeremy Zuttah
Zuttah played all three line positions at Rutgers but was projected as an NFL guard. The Bucs have two high draft picks playing guard already (with 2005 4th round pick Dan Buenning as a backup). So I'm like, "Huh?" If the Bucs had not signed free agent Jeff Faine over from the Saints I had expected the Bucs to go after a center in the draft. It was no surprise to hear that Zuttah has played center during the rookie minicamp. He's being groomed as the key O line backup. The draft of Zuttah probably means that the Bucs are not satisfied with Buenning's play since his demotion from the starting left guard position and last year's experiment at center. It's possible that Buenning has not had a smooth recovery from his ACL injury in 2006.
I would add that having players whose last name starts with "Z" is a good thing, except that Alan Zemaitis never amounted to anything.
Round 4: Dre Moore
I'd have heard of this player if I still watched FSU football regularly. Moore is a big and fast interior lineman. If he was the next Warren Sapp he probably wouldn't have lasted until the 4th round, but on the other hand he is a prototypical Tampa-2 defensive tackle. He should have a good chance to make regular rotation in the defensive line.
Round 5: Josh Johnson
The drafting of Josh Johnson probably indicates that Bruce Gradkowski has proved to Bucs coaches that he isn't an NFL quarterback (I called him a potential steal way back when). Not overwhelmingly, because Gradkowski did some things very well--but he never developed an ability to hit the deep pass. Josh Johnson is similar to Gradkowski. Both went to small schools, both put up sick numbers. Both can run the ball. Johnson is a bit faster than Gradkowski, and comes out of college without Gradkowski's reputation for under-throwing the deep ball. Plus Bucs coaches have personal connections with Johnson's college coaches.
But I'm not shy about offering a few opinions.
Round 1: Aqib Talib
I was hoping the Bucs would take a cornerback high in the draft because of the departure of the underrated Brian Kelly, who signed with the Detroit ex-Bucs. Talib reportedly has remarkable physical talent--perhaps the best athlete in the draft--but tends to gamble on the field. The Buccaneer secondary stresses responsibility. Talib may be great if he buys into the coaching. Secondary coach Raheem Morris is cut from the mold of former Bucs DB coach/former Vikings defensive coordinator/current Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. There is good reason for hope.
Round 2: Dexter Jackson
Jackson is a lightning-quick wide receiver from tiny Appalachian State. Yes, the Appalachian State that whipped Michigan in Ann Arbor last year. Jackson played a big part in that win. Jackson is obviously the understudy of Joey Galloway. Helping whip Michigan should help him win Galloway's assistance in becoming an accomplished NFL receiver. I see the pick as a bit of a reach, though rumor has it that the Bucs weren't the only team that viewed Jackson as a second-round talent.
Round 3: Jeremy Zuttah
Zuttah played all three line positions at Rutgers but was projected as an NFL guard. The Bucs have two high draft picks playing guard already (with 2005 4th round pick Dan Buenning as a backup). So I'm like, "Huh?" If the Bucs had not signed free agent Jeff Faine over from the Saints I had expected the Bucs to go after a center in the draft. It was no surprise to hear that Zuttah has played center during the rookie minicamp. He's being groomed as the key O line backup. The draft of Zuttah probably means that the Bucs are not satisfied with Buenning's play since his demotion from the starting left guard position and last year's experiment at center. It's possible that Buenning has not had a smooth recovery from his ACL injury in 2006.
I would add that having players whose last name starts with "Z" is a good thing, except that Alan Zemaitis never amounted to anything.
Round 4: Dre Moore
I'd have heard of this player if I still watched FSU football regularly. Moore is a big and fast interior lineman. If he was the next Warren Sapp he probably wouldn't have lasted until the 4th round, but on the other hand he is a prototypical Tampa-2 defensive tackle. He should have a good chance to make regular rotation in the defensive line.
Round 5: Josh Johnson
The drafting of Josh Johnson probably indicates that Bruce Gradkowski has proved to Bucs coaches that he isn't an NFL quarterback (I called him a potential steal way back when). Not overwhelmingly, because Gradkowski did some things very well--but he never developed an ability to hit the deep pass. Josh Johnson is similar to Gradkowski. Both went to small schools, both put up sick numbers. Both can run the ball. Johnson is a bit faster than Gradkowski, and comes out of college without Gradkowski's reputation for under-throwing the deep ball. Plus Bucs coaches have personal connections with Johnson's college coaches.
I might as well add that he could be the steal of the draft.
Round 6: Geno Hayes
Florida State LB Hayes reminded some of Derrick Brooks. I don't see Hayes making the team with the stable of linebackers the Bucs have lined up this offseason. Hayes is fast and undersized--like Brooks--and has the versatility to play inside or outside. Last year's picks at LB, Quincy Black and Adam Hayward, are both fast and both have a year of experience in the system. Hayes will have his work cut out for him making the club. Great instincts might make the difference.
Round 7: Cory Boyd
Boyd feels like a "What if we could draft another Earnest Graham?" pick. Boyd played for South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, who also coached Graham while at the University of Florida. Both Graham and Boyd performed as solid all-around backs while in college without providing eye-opening measurables.
I expect the first five picks to make the team. Johnson figures to stick because the Bucs would not have used a 5th round pick on him if they did not intend to spend some time developing his talent. Hayes and Boyd should end up on the practice squad.
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