2010 NFL Draft one year later: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last year I was a bit confused by the strategy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They needed DT’s and WR’s and they ended up drafting two of each. Of course that left them not taking a DE which they also needed, and one year later still do. However they hit on so many of their picks last year that they went from picking third a year ago to picking 20th in 2011. That means they are headed in the right direction, and a strong 2010 draft class is one of the reasons why.
A quick look at teh 2010 Bucs draft class:
- Round One- DT Gerald McCoy
- Round Two- DT Brian Price
- Round Two- WR Arrelious Benn
- Round Three- CB Myron Lewis
- Round Four- WR Mike Williams
- Round Six- P Brent Bowden
- Round Seven FS Cody Grimm
- Round Seven- LB Dekoda Watson
- Round Seven- FB Erik Long
Ok so McCoy and Price showed some promise but both went down with injuries, Benn and Williams were instantly inserted into the Bucs offense and both had good years. They converted Cody Grimm into a pretty good safety and he racked up 57 tackles. In the end the Bucs had one of the youngest starting teams in 2010, and it looks like they landed four starters in this draft.
For now we have to grade this draft class as incomplete. So many of these players went down with injuries, and wile they project well for their scheme we still need to see them on the field of play before we grade them any further. One of their finer acquisitions last year happened after the draft when they signed undrafted free agent RB LeGarrette Blount.
Related Links:
- Joshua Lobdell.com
