Draft Day 1 Wrap:

First, I must apologize for not having a constant blogging of the draft (which I had originally intended to do), but I've been quite sick the past couple days and needed to just rest. Nevertheless, it's time to take a look at the Bucs' first day picks and analyze them.

In the first round, at number 4, the Bucs stood pat and took DE Gaines Adams, who is a guy of similar ability to Rice, but probably thought of as a slightly better run stopper that Rice was regarded as coming out of college. Run stopping is, however, considered to be his weaker point, but one that Kiffen and Coyer both believe can coached up. While I would have preferred seeing the Bucs land either Johnson or Thomas, Adams is a very strong pick that will instantly upgrade our pass rush from either end.

In the second round, the Bucs made a move that I initially questioned since Kalil was still available. That move was when the Bucs took G Aaron Sears. However, when I sit back and think about it, it appears the Bucs feel comfortable that Buenning has a shot to win out the Center position, and Sears is, quite frankly, one helluva powerful and quick guard. He's a road grader, and you can certainly expect there to be running holes in front of him. That's something the Bucs desperately need. Clearly Sears will upgrade the LG spot. If Petitgout stays healthy, the Bucs could have a very solid offensive line all the way across, especially if Buenning, or someone else, beats out Wade. There is still a risk at Center, however, and that could make this a pick that comes back to hunt us, but we'll see.

With their second pick in the second round, which closed round two, the Bucs selected SS Sabby Piscitelli. The safety pick is one with excellent speed (4.44 40), good size, and solid pass coverage skills. He's good at run stuffing, but not great, and will need to work on being more physical when attacking the runner, but that shouldn't be a problem. He's a solid pick up at Safety, though he may have been drafted a little high.

In the third round, finishing off their first day of selections, the Bucs picked up LB Quincy Black. While Quincy is extremely athletic and very fast, he's also very raw, and might be a big reach in the third round. Now he ran a 4.48 40 and goes 6 2" 240lbs and managed a 40 vertical (that's just 2 inches less than Calvin Johnson, by the way), which means he has some freakish athleticism. But will he be able to learn how to handle the run, being more physical and shedding blocks? The Bucs seem to think so. If they are right, and Quincy can get a little tougher against the run, and learn to better use his skills, he could be a gem pick up. Right now, he's a head scratcher, as most had him going on the second day. It's hard to pass up that kind of speed and ability to play in coverage, though, as those aren't really as coachable as the areas he's lacking are. Coaching to play the run is always easier than being able to coach coverage ability, as that requires a lot more natural ability. We'll see if this pick works out. I hope it does, as a lot of the Bucs' reach picks haven't managed to do that recently.

All in all, I'd give the Bucs a "B" on day one. A good day, but not exceptional. There are some players I would have preferred, but the Bucs addressed some key needs. Now I hope they take a shot tomorrow and draft Marcus Thomas in the fourth round. Why? Because if his head is on straight, which I think it is, he'll be a dominate force at the UT spot for years to come, and will make Gaines Adams that much better, and vice versa. The Bucs also need to look at finding a return specialist, and good depth players. Should be interesting.