After ending last season on a 10-game losing streak, no team needed more out of the NFL draft than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On the surface, it looks like they got at least three starters in safety Mark Barron, running back Doug Martin and linebacker Lavonte David. Add them to key free-agent pickups Carl Nicks, Eric Wright and Vincent Jackson and Tampa Bay should have a very different look come September. Let’s take a look at what I suspect at the moment will be Tampa Bay’s starting lineup.
OFFENSE
QB Josh Freeman
RB Doug Martin (LeGarrette Blount will get some carries, but Martin’s an all-purpose back)
FB Erik Lorig
WR Vincent Jackson
WR Mike Williams (he may have to beat out Arrelious Benn for the starting job)
LT Donald Penn
LG Carl Nicks
RG Davin Joseph
DEFENSE
DT Gerald McCoy
DT Brian Price (Amobi Okoye will factor heavily in rotation and could start if injury woes continue for McCoy and Price)
DE Michael Bennett (might have to beat out second-year pro Da’Quan Bowers in training camp)
OLB Lavonte David
MLB Mason Foster
OLB Quincy Black
CB Ronde Barber (if he doesn’t switch to safety)
CB Eric Wright (Aqib Talib could factor in, but his future is uncertain)
FS Cody Grimm
SS Mark Barron
SPECIALISTS
KR Preston Parker (rookie Michael Smith also could factor into return game)