Brian Spurlock USA TODAY Sports
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers earned the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by finishing 2-14 last season, and they currently have eight picks in the draft as a whole right now. It’s considered a foregone conclusion they’ll take a quarterback with the first overall pick, but with multiple other needs to fill after that general manager Jason Licht has plenty of ammunition for a quick roster rebuild.
The Buccaneers seem likely to take Jameis Winston with the No. 1 pick, but it’s possible his off-the-field concerns will push them toward Marcus Mariota. Either way it won’t be the wrong choice in the moment, but if history is any indication only one of the two will become a quintessential franchise quarterback.
Quarterback Mike Glennon and running back Doug Martin are two veteran players the Buccaneers could parlay into draft picks during the draft. Glennon has been the subject of trade rumors, and it seems like a matter of time before he is dealt. If the Buccaneers secure a signal caller with the first overall pick, or with their second-round pick (34th overall), talk of Glennon perhaps being on the move will surely ramp up.
Martin has also been the subject of trade rumors after two straight disappointing seasons. Tampa Bay has the running back depth to trade him without remorse, assuming they want to move 2014 draft pick Charles Sims into a more prominent role next season.
The Buccaneers have the aforementioned early second-round pick that will probably be a player with first-round talent, and they have at least one pick in every other round (two seventh-round picks). Adding solid depth to the roster via the draft should not be an issue.
The best-case scenario for the Tampa Bay in the upcoming draft obviously starts with the No. 1 pick, and I’m not buying talk they’re considering trading down. As long as they take the player they’re comfortable with first overall, quarterback or otherwise, it won’t be the wrong move unless we have a crystal ball that will foretell how every player turns out. Beyond that, taking the best player available with all of their other picks will be a good route for the Buccaneers.
The other key parts of the ideal draft scenario for the Buccaneers involves trading Martin, and then hanging onto Glennon as their No. 2 quarterback unless a trade offer they simply can’t refuse is made. A mid-round pick may be the return in either case, but in terms of value to the team for next season Glennon far exceeds Martin at this point.
Brad Berreman is a Columnist/Senior Writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter.
