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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: List of 2017 NFL Draft picks

By John Buhler

Jan 1, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have seven picks to get better in the 2017 NFL Draft. Here’s a look at when they’re picking and what they can do with them.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went 9-7 in 2016, narrowly missing the NFC Playoffs. Tampa Bay is knocking on the door of getting into the NFC playoff picture in 2017. Do the Buccaneers have what it takes to play in January?

Tampa Bay seems to have a good coaching staff in place with head coach Dirk Koetter and defensive coordinator Mike Smith. General manager Jason Licht has drafted well and got a huge pickup in 2017 NFL free agency by landing vertical threat wide receiver DeSean Jackson.

Tampa Bay will have seven picks, one each round, of the 2017 NFL Draft. Here is a look at when Tampa Bay is picking and what the Buccaneers need to do in the upcoming draft.

Round 1 – 19th overall
Round 2 – 50th overall
Round 3 – 84th overall
Round 4 – 126th overall
Round 5 – 162nd overall
Round 6 – 204th overall
Round 7 – 237th overall

Safety first. Well, maybe not specifically a safety in the first round, but Tampa Bay needs to upgrade that position in the secondary. Re-signing Chris Conte was neat, but using a day two pick on a player in the back-end of the defense would be a real plus for the Buccaneers.

Though it is an incredibly weak offensive line draft, Tampa Bay may seriously consider taking the best offensive linemen available with their first-round pick. The position group has never been weaker coming out of college, but it would be a great value pick for Tampa Bay to find a tackle or guard in round one.

Next: Every NFL Team's Best Draft Pick Of All-Time

The other glaring issue for the Buccaneers is to get more explosive in the running game. They can’t rely on Doug Martin any more for varying reasons. Koetter can’t keep trotting also-ran Atlanta Falcons from yesteryear to pound the rock in his backfield. A bad Buccaneers running game will result in Jameis Winston spending a lot of time looking at the Floridian sky.

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