Fansided

2015 NFL Draft: 5 players Tampa Bay Buccaneers should draft instead of Jameis Winston

By Andrew Garda

Dec 28, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith walks on the sidelines as the New Orleans Saints beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith walks on the sidelines as the New Orleans Saints beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Nov 29, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) runs the ball past Florida Gators defensive lineman Dante Fowler Jr. (6) and linebacker Antonio Morrison (3) during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) runs the ball past Florida Gators defensive lineman Dante Fowler Jr. (6) and linebacker Antonio Morrison (3) during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /

Dante Fowler Jr, OLB, Florida

While the Buccaneers signed former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bruce Carter, he’s not necessarily a long-term answer at the position. At 27 he has some years left, but how many is hard to say. Also, there’s nobody else slated behind him at the SAM spot, according to Ourlads.com’s latest chart, so that’s a concern as well.

Fowler is widely regarded as one of—if not the top—linebacker prospect in the draft class this year and has the athleticism and speed to be a top-end pass rusher in the NFL. He can play with his hand in the dirt or in a two-point stance if you want him to, is tenacious in pursuit and can be a real issue for tackles trying to slow him down solo.

The best part? He’s still raw and has only just started to reach his potential. As he moved around the defensive front for Florida, he has only ‘recently’ settled at the strong side linebacker position and will only get better and better this year.

Why you stick with Winston:

‘Raw’ can also translate to ‘middling’ at times and potential is great, but you have to reach it. Fowler is still learning how to use his hands right at the position and sometimes he gets caught up by a solid tackle who gets his hands on Fowler early on, as Fowler can struggle to get himself away.

That makes him look a little inconsistent on tape at times, and is the sort of thing which will hold him back if he cannot adjust.

Finally, some analysts feel he is a much better fit in a 3-4, so he might not be a good one for the Bucs, who run a base 4-3.

Next: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri

Home/NFL Draft