Give Me A Fat Boy Draft

Every year, I see Buccaneers fans want skill position players. Especially running back (despite using a 2nd last year and having two other solid RBs signed). My reaction to this sentiment is always the same.

WHY?!?!

The Bucs have decent skill position players, other than DB. What they don't have is skill in the trenches. Since Gruden left, this team has been weak up front on both sides of the ball. This offensive line was one of the worst in the league last year and is about to lose the starting left tackle. The team finally got some sort of a pass rush last year, but the elite teams are way better.

Why not make a consistent weakness a source of strength?
Why not draft the big guys?
Can we get a fat boy draft?

Imagine this kind of draft...

5: R1P5

DL QUINNEN WILLIAMS

ALABAMA

39: R2P7

DL DEXTER LAWRENCE

CLEMSON

70: R3P6

S TAYLOR RAPP

WASHINGTON

107: R4P5

G BEAU BENZSCHAWEL

WISCONSIN

145: R5P7

OT KALEB MCGARY

WASHINGTON

215: R7P1

OT BOBBY EVANS

OKLAHOMA

Now, this is a draft. It was using Fanspeak's draft tool. I don't think it's likely, but its also somewhat possible. My draft philosophy is always best player available. You take the best player available and move around the board to get guys you need at the right spot. That being said, if its close, I take the big guys. Pick the guys that allow your skill guys to shine. Using that philosophy, I picked those guys. Imagine these guys in red and pewter.

You start out by picking Quinnen Williams who in my opinion is the best player in this draft. He is simply dominant and we need those types in Tampa. If he's there its a no-brainer unless we get a king's ransom to move down.

You follow that pick up with the selection of Dexter Lawrence. Now picking Lawrence is assuming that Todd Bowles runs a 4-3 and not a 3-4. However, this selection gives you a starting DL of Williams, Pierre-Paul, Lawrence, and Vea (assuming they trade McCoy). If they trade McCoy for an OT they can have one of the best d-lines and a really good o-line.

The value Taylor Rapp provides in Round 3 at a position of need is too good to pass up. The Buccaneers desperately need safety help. I really wanted to go OL here, but value was too good for Rapp and there was a run on OL in the tool.

The last three picks are all o-lineman that can step in and contribute. The Buccaneers need to get quality on the o-line in this draft. They need 2 starters, and possibly 3. Marpet and Jensen are solid, but about all we have on the offensive line. Add some more beef.

If the Buccaneers follow this strategy, we have a perennial playoff team on our hands. This team must get tougher up front though. I sure hope that this is the course and the plan from Arians and Licht. If it is, we could be celebrating another Lombardi trophy in Tampa.

Fire the Cannons!

- Noland