The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were one of the most surprising teams in the NFL during the 2010 season. They improved by seven victories and nearly made the playoffs, with only a late season loss at home against Detroit keeping them out. Tampa Bay went into the draft looking for the pieces to get them into the playoffs this season.
In 2010, the Bucs got the interior of their defensive line with the selection of Gerald McCoy in Round 1 and Brian Price in Round 2. This year, they got the ends with Adrian Clayborn being taken in the first round, and Da'Quan Bowers falling all the way to them with the 51st overall selection in the bottom half of the second round. But there are health concerns everywhere. McCoy tore a biceps last season, and Price suffered a pelvic fracture. The injury concerns with Bowers and his knee are well chronicled. It looks as if Clayborn, with Erb's Palsy in his right shoulder and arm, looks to be the rick of the defense. If the four young stars can stay healthy and perform to their expectations, the Bucs will have one of the best young defensive lines the league has seen in a long time.
The defense also got help later in the draft with the selection of Mason Foster in Round 3 and Ahmad Black in round 5. Foster brings a high football IQ along with playmaking ability to a young defense, and Black, though he is undersized for safety, is another sure tackler and has excellent coverage skills.
A late round sleeper looks to be Luke Stocker, a tight end out of Tennessee selected in Round 4. Stocker is a big target who can line up in tight or out wide, and has great hands and athletic ability. Kellen Winslow has battled injuries throughout his career, and Stocker gives Josh Freeman yet another target for the Bucs offense.
Draft Grade: B+
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