The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are targeting Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston and Brett Hundley with the number one pick in the NFL draft and as they head into 2015, Lovie Smith has a number of trade options he can look at, as Vincent Jackson, Mike Glennon and Doug Martin all could be on the trading block after the team finished 2-14 last season.
The Buccaneers have the top overall pick and while they could look at trading it, they are very likely to keep it because they desperately need a quarterback. According to Adam Schefter at ESPN.com, the Buccaneers like Mariota and how he handled himself on and off the field last season, but the team sees Winston with the higher upside. Schefter said that while the Buccaneers likely will receive calls about the pick, they would rather stay at number one and take a player like Winston or Mariota.
The Buccaneers have holes all over their roster and could look at filling them with a package of picks for number one, but they also realize they could get a star with the pick. Winston and Mariota have their faults, but both are considered strong prospects coming out of college. Mel Kiper and other draft experts have described Winston as being more "pro-ready" for the NFL due to his build and the offensive system he ran at Florida State, but he of course has numerous off the field concerns to consider.
Mariota comes in after a disappointing finish to his college career, as he lost against Ohio State in the national championship game. Mariota did not have a great performance and some may think that will hurt his draft stock, but he has plenty of time to work out for teams and show them what he can do. Mariota put up amazing stats this season and ended up winning the Heisman trophy and he ended the year with nearly 60 touchdowns.
Mariota announced on Wednesday that he was entering the NFL draft and it comes after he set records for the Ducks. Mariota joins Winston as the top two players coming into the draft and it comes as they both won Heisman trophies over the past two seasons. Mariota showed off his arm this season, throwing for over 40 touchdowns and finishing his college career with just 14 interceptions in three seasons. The Buccaneers likely will be looking to choose between Mariota and Winston and that could stay a secret until just before the draft.
The Buccaneers may look at trade deals this offseason with players like Vincent Jackson, Doug Martin or Mike Glennon, as Lovie Smith needs a top down reboot of his roster. The team has tons of holes on defense and the offense was terrible last season, ranking 25th in passing yards per game. Jackson and Martin were shopped last season at the trade deadline, while Glennon could be moved if the team picks Winston or Mariota. Jackson has a big contract and could be traded, while Doug Martin had a down season and could be moved after the team drafted Charles Sims last year.
