The pace continues at a nice clip with our pick at No. 20. A job well done by Bringin' the Wood(ley). Many thanks! Next up: the Kansas City Chiefs, represented by Wichita Sun Steeler. - Michael B. -
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Since 2008, the Bucs have had 22 draft picks. 10 of those 22 were starters in 2010, most notably led by Josh Freeman, Mike Williams, and Gerald McCoy. In the 2010 draft, Tampa bay drafted Gerald McCoy (DT, Oklahoma) and Brian Price (DT, UCLA) in the first two rounds, in an attempt to shore up a defense that had become a sieve in recent years. Their draft was rather heavy defensively, but they also had a chance to get two targets for budding QB Josh Freeman, with Arrelious Benn in the 2nd and Mike Williams in the 4th round, who finished the season with 65 rec, 963 yds, and 11TDs.
The Buccaneer's biggest needs for the 2011 season come down to DE, OL, and LB, in no particular order. They invested heavily at the DT position last year, but after Brian Price was put on the IR for a hip fracture early on, their defense only managed to tie for 30th in the league with 26 sacks, led by Stylez G. White. I think that says enough to go ahead and draft a DE right now. But wait- Barrett Ruud, team leader in tackles for 4 straight seasons, is set to be a Free Agent, and if he isn't retained, a LB would be a top priority, particularly one with some pass-rushing ability also. And lastly, the OL- had I not looked up a roster or some news about the team, I don't think I could've named one of their O-linemen. Not even Pro Bowl Guard Davin Joseph. Unfortunately, he is a FA along with Jeremy Trueblood, and I would have to imagine that protecting their young star QB and opening some lanes for the freight train known as LeGarrette "I'm a sock you in the mouth" Blount would seem logical at worst, necessary at best.I really wanted to take a DE here, most likely Adrian Clayborn, but this draft is incredibly deep at the position, and I think with their second round the Bucs will be able to nab a guy like Jabaal Sheard or Clayborn's teammate Chris Ballard. I also think that 20th overall is a little high for a guy like Martez Wilson at LB, who missed his entire junior year at Illinois because of a herniated disk in his neck. However, he has shown great maturity since the injury by become a better disciple of the game, and he could be the missing link to this team ever since Derrick Brooks left. And lastly, I was very tempted to pick Brandon Harris here, as he could be more of a hometown name in Tampa, potentially playing opposite Ronde for a year while he learned the ropes.
However, After days and days of waiting for the 20th pick to roll around in the BTSC draft, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers would formally like to give the call to Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College. Castonzo has great size (6'7", 311 lbs.), quick feet, and a high football I.Q., some of the most important attributes for offensive linemen to possess when entering the NFL. He set a school record for the most starts at Boston College with 54 and was named a third-team AP All-American for the 2010 season. He started all 13 games for the Eagles as a team captain during his senior season in 2010. This guy has the makings to step in day one and excel for one of the youngest teams in the league, anchoring the left side of the line, protecting Freeman's blind side and clearing a path for Blount.
Here's an interview with Castonzo from the Senior Bowl.
BTSC 2011 Community Mock Draft Selections
- Carolina Panthers -- Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
- Denver Broncos -- Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
- Buffalo Bills -- Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
- Cincinnati Bengals -- Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
- Arizona Cardinals -- Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
- Cleveland Browns --
'The Snow Cone Machine'A.J. Green, WR, Georgia - San Francisco 49ers -- Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
- Tennessee Titans -- Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
- Dallas Cowboys -- Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
- Washington Redskins -- Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina
- Houston Texans -- Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri
- Minnesota Vikings -- Tyron Smith, OT, USC
- Detroit Lions -- JJ Watt, DE, Wisconsin
- St. Louis Rams -- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
- Miami Dolphons -- Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
- Jacksonville Jaguars -- Brooks Reed , DE, Arizona
- New England Patriots -- Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
- San Diego Chargers -- Ryan Kerrigan, DE/OLB, Purdue
- New York Giants -- Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA