Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

After a few years of disappointing drafts, 2008’s was a very good draft for the Buccaneers. They picked up a number of guys who could develop into playmakers, which the Bucs sorely lacked last year. Compared to last year’s draft, this was more of a risk-reward draft filled with intriguing prospects.

Rd 1 (20) Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
Rd 2 (58) Dexter Jackson, KR, Appalachian St
Rd 3 (83) Jeremy Zuttah, OG, Rutgers
Rd 4 (115) Dre Moore, DT, Maryland
Rd 5 (160) Josh Johnson, QB, San Diego
Rd 6 (175) Geno Hayes, LB, Florida State
Rd 7 (238) Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina

THE GOOD
The Bucs’ first six draft picks could all be starters in the next three years. I’m not guaranteeing that would happen but with the exception of Boyd, every one of the Bucs’ draft picks has the talent and potential to start in the NFL. Talib was the best playmaking corner in the draft and Jackson will provide a shot of adrenaline to the kick return game. Moore is a risky pick but with the right coaching could start at either defensive tackle position. And Hayes will provide the Bucs with additional depth at linebacker and will eventually be given the opportunity to compete for a starting position.

The Johnson pick will probably catch Gruden some relief (the Bucs have six quarterbacks on the roster now) but Bruce Allen has said all along he plans on going into training camp with five quarterbacks. After Jeff Garcia the Bucs don’t have a quarterback that can win a game. My prediction is that the Bucs keep Garcia, Luke McCown and Johnson, which means Chris Simms, Brian Griese and Bruce Gradkowski will all be given pink slips.

THE BAD
Before the draft we identified receiver as a position of need for the Bucs but in the second round, when the Bucs had an opportunity to draft Limas Sweed (arguably the best receiver in the draft) Bruce Allen traded down to select kick returner Jackson. Jackson will make a bigger impact in his rookie year than Sweed could have since Jackson can contribute immediately as a kick returner but at best Jackson is a third receiver Antwan Randle El type player.

I’m also not a big fan of drafting a guard in the third round who will not be a starter unless someone on the line is injured. I can understand that Gruden wants depth on the line, which Zuttah can provide as he can play all five positions on the offensive line. Still I would have liked to see the Bucs draft Mario Manningham in the third round instead.

THE UGLY
Bruce Allen has been catching a good deal of heat from USF fans after passing on local kid Mike Jenkins, which is made worse by reports that Allen promised Jenkins the Bucs would draft him. Allen has denied making a promise and the truth probably lies somewhere between. In defense of Allen most everyone outside of Tampa Bay had Talib ranked ahead of Jenkins.

Talib, in addition to Moore and Hayes, fell down the draft boards over the much ambiguous and overblown character concerns. Moore suffered from nothing more than concerns about his work ethic, while Talib and Hayes have problems that border on criminal behavior. Talib tested positive for marijuana three times in college and was suspended for two games for other reasons in 2006. Hayes was arrested at a nightclub in Tallahassee after an altercation with police, which I believe is par for the course at FSU.

Mel Kiper Jr’s Draft Grade: B
Pete Prisco: C+
John Czarnecki: C