2017 NFL Draft Team Needs: Breaking Down All 32 Teams

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view as Carson Wentz (North Dakota State) is selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the number two overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Anderson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view as Carson Wentz (North Dakota State) is selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the number two overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Anderson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) warms up in a steady rain from a weather band spawned by Tropical Storm Hermine before a football game against the Washington Redskins at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) warms up in a steady rain from a weather band spawned by Tropical Storm Hermine before a football game against the Washington Redskins at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Key Draft Needs: DL, WR, S

Record: 8-6

Defensive Line – There will be multiple aspects of the Buccaneers defensive line to address. First is the departing depth in free agency with William Gholston, Akeem Spence, John Hughes, and Sealver Silva. Noah Spence could replace Gholston at defensive end, but the interior depth will still be an issue. The way his contract is structured, Gerald McCoy will be back in Tampa Bay for 2017, but after that is questionable. He’s a very good player, but can Tampa Bay afford him with Jameis Winston and Mike Evans needing to be paid down the line?

Wide Receiver – Mike Evans leads the NFL in targets by a double-digit margin, not just because he’s a big threat, but he’s the only reliable receiver Winston has. Adam Humphries could be a decent number three receiver for the future, but after that it’s a scrap heap. Finding another wide receiver to complement Evans will be important for Winston’s continued development as a pocket passer. Vincent Jackson being a free agent coming off a torn ACL doesn’t help the Buccaneers either.

Safety – Both starting safeties Chris Conte and Brad McDougald will be free agents this offseason, creating a difficult situation for a Buccaneers secondary that was already suspect. Jamal Adams will be out of reach for Tampa Bay, but Budda Baker might be a fit in the second round.