What should the Buccaneers do with #1 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft?

TRADE THE PICK
If someone wants to trade for the first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft the Bucs should oblige them. I've come to the realization that trading down is the right move because the positions of need for Tampa outside of QB are deep in this draft. Maximizing this opportunity to attain assets will be necessary for creating sustainable success for the Buccaneers. It would seem that they


If there's anything to rumors that the Eagles or Browns like Mariota enough to move up all the way to number one, make the trade. Potentially adding three first picks along with other considerations is exactly what Tampa needs to fill many holes on both sides of the ball. Gaining more assets seems like the most appealing option but if they do so then comes the hard part, getting the picks right.


PICK JAMEIS WINSTON
The Buccaneers need to draft Jameis Winston. Yes, we all know about the off-field issues and lack of maturity, but QB prospects like this are too rare to pass up. Winston has spent two seasons running a pro-style offense at FSU with high efficiency. His turnovers did increase in 2014, but his offense lost two wideouts, a starting running back, and center to the NFL. Jameis wins from the pocket, which is a necessity to be successful at the next level. He does have weaknesses, every prospect does, most of them being concerns about the off-field stuff. He showed toughness this season, playing with a bad ankle for most of the season behind a young, inconsistent offensive line.  Former Bucs General Manager, Mark Dominik recently stated that he would prefer Mariota if he were making the pick based on what happened with Josh Freeman. Winston has demonstrated great leadership qualities on the field and in the locker room, while leaving a lot to be desired in how he's conducted himself outside of football. Dominik's logic proves as to why he's a former NFL GM, picking a player at number one because they have strong character and work ethic, without the necessary on-field tools is a quick way to get yourself fired. While those are important qualities when evaluating prospects theres more important measurables talent evaluators must take into account. One loss in college, Heisman winner, and BCS National Championship as a red-shirt freshman, these are accolades no other player in history has.

Buccaneers 2015 Off-Season Movement

3/25/15
LB, Brandon Magee waived

3/19/15
CB, Sterling Moore signed 1 year $1.525 million contract

3/12/15
FB, Jorvorskie Lane signed 1 year contract

3/12/15
DT, Henry Melton signed 1 year $3.75 million contract

6 Potential Trade Destinations for Mike Glennon

Tennessee Titans

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Arizona Cardinals

Cincinnati Bengals

New York Jets

Buccaneers 2015 Off-Season Priorites

                                   
                                         Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2015 Off-Season Priorities

            The heads have begun to roll at One Buc Place, first up was Josh McCown, the career backup QB turned Buccaneers starter was a total disaster in his only season with the team. After signing a two year deal with Tampa prior to last season, McCown lead the team to a 1-10 record in 2014 and was released this week as the team moves to likely drafting a QB in April. By cutting McCown loose the Bucs saved $5.25 million in cap space for the upcoming free agency period, which will be valuable for a team that needs help at multiple positions. The Cleveland Browns managed to out-buc the Bucs and have signed McCown to a three year deal with the potential to reach $20 million with incentives. All I can say is Ray Farmer.......

Who To Cut
Anthony Collins

Outside of Clinton McDonald the Bucs 2014 free agency haul was a disappointment, OT Anthony Collins is the next candidate to walk the plank. Collins signed a 5-year $30 million dollar deal prior to last year yet by the end of the season was a healthy scratch three times, there’s only $3 million guaranteed on Collins contract for next season so it would appear he’s next to go. 

Dashon Goldson
Cut Dashon Goldson, just two years into a five year, $41.25 million dollar contract and he's become a huge liability in coverage. Only half $8 million of his is guaranteed for 2015 and his play has steadily declined over the last two seasons after Mark Dominik broke the bank to bring him to Tampa. He was an absolute enforcer prior the league changing it's rules about hitting receivers.

Micheal Koenen
Finally, Koenen has got to go, he was the third worst punter in the league last year when it came to net punting average. Tampa can pay a practice squad guy 500k for that kind production instead of Koenen’s $3.25 million salary for 2015. 

Who To Keep

Michael Johnson
While Johnson's first season in the Bay was nothing short of a disaster but we're not ready to make him walk the plank quite yet. Cutting Johnson would be costly and the Bucs would have yet another spot to fill while still paying Johnson to not play for them. He's on the chopping block coming into 2015 and will be playing for his contract, he showed flashes when we was healthy but was disappointing overall.

Vincent Jackson

The Bucs can afford to keep Jackson for one more season at his current salary, if we wants to be back in Tampa for 2016 he will need to take a pay cut. He's been great on the field and in the community so it would be nice to see him retire as a Buccaneer.

Top 100 2015 NFL Free Agents: Defense

DE

1. Jason Pierre-Paul

2. Greg Hardy

3. Jerry Hughes

4. O'Brien Schofield 

5. Adrian Clayborn

6. George Selvie

7. Kroy Biermann

8. George Johnson

9. Da’Quan Bowers

10. Tyson Alualu

DT

1. Ndamukong Suh

2. Nick Fairley

3. Terrence Knighton

4. Damon Harrison 

5. Letroy Guion

6. Ahtyba Rubin

7. B.J. Raji

8. Henry Melton

9. Dan Williams

10. Stephen Paea

4-3 OLB

1. Lance Briggs

2. Sean Weatherspoon

3. Bruce Carter

4. Malcolm Smith

5. Justin Durant

3-4 OLB

1. Justin Houston

2. Jason Worilds

3. Brooks Reed

4. Brian Orakpo

5. Jabaal Sheard 

6. Derrick Morgan

7.Brandon Graham 

8.Akeem Ayers

9.Sam Acho

10.Pernell McPhee

ILB

1. Rolando McClain

2. David Harris

3. Brandon Marshall

4. Jerrell Freeman

5. Ray Maualuga

CB

1. Antonio Cromartie

2. Perrish Cox

3. Brandon Flowers

4. Byron Maxwell

5. Tramon Williams

S

1. Devin McCourty

2. Tashuan Gipson

3. Rahim Moore

4. Antrel Rolle
5. Kendrick Lewis

Top 100 2015 NFL Free Agents: Offense

QB

1.Ryan Mallet

2. Mark Sanchez

3. Jake Locker
4. Michael Vick
5. Tyrod Taylor

RB

1. DeMarco Murray

2. Mark Ingram

3. Justin Forsett

4. Ryan Matthews

5. C.J. Spiller

6.Knowshown Moreno

7.Darren McFadden

8.Frank Gore

9.Ahmad Bradshaw

10.Roy Helu

WR

1. Dez Bryant 

2. Demaryius Thomas

3. Randall Cobb

4. Jeremy Maclin
5.Torrey Smith
6.Michael Crabtree
7.Cecil Shorts
8. Eddie Royal
9.Kenny Britt
10.Andre Holmes

TE

1. Julius Thomas

2. Jordan Cameron

3. Jermaine Gresham

4. Charles Clay

5. Owen Daniels

OT

1. Bryan Bulaga
2. Jeremy Parnell

3. Joe Barksdale

4. Ryan Harris

5. Michael Roos

OG

1. Mike Iupati

2. Orlando Franklin

3. Clint Boling

4. James Carpenter 
5.Fernando Velasco

C

1. Stefan Wisniewski 
2. Rodney Hudson
3. AQ Shipley
4. Brian De La Puente
5. Samson Satele 

K

1. Justin Tucker
2. Stephen Gostkowski
3. Matt Bryant
4. Matt Prater
5. Mike Nugent

Bucs Bulletin NFL 2014 Season Preview

                         ESPN and Advanced Football Analytics are showing the Tampa Bay  Buccaneers absolutely no respect with their preseason predictions. As you can see from the image, AFA predicts that the Bucs will finish 5-11, only giving us one more win than last season while posting the same division record of 1-5 as 2013. Last season was an absolute disaster in Tampa and the "experts" aren't seeing much improvement. While they predict the Bucs to finish with the same division record in 2014, my prediction is that the Bucs will at least go 3-3 in the NFC South. The Buccaneers are in a good position to start the season 3-0 as they face a banged up Cam Newton and the Panthers in Week 1, they do have an elite defense but also an offense with a lot of new faces on the OL and at WR along with an already injured QB. Raymond James will be rockin' for this division battle to start the season, my prediction is a Bucs win 24-10 over the Panthers. In Week 2 another team with an elite defense will come into Tampa, while the Rams are not a team to take lightly even though they will be starting backup QB Shaun Hill after losing starter Sam Bradford to a another torn ACL in the preseason. My prediction is Bucs win in a close, low scoring, defensive battle, 14-10 over St. Louis.  In Week 3 the team will travel to Atlanta for another division matchup with the Falcons, who's defense looks to still be in shambles much like it was in 2013 so it should be a competitive divisional game on a Thursday night national broadcast. Be sure to check us out on Twitter @BucsBulletin for news and analysis regarding the Buccaneers!

Here's your Bucs Bulletin NFL season predictions!