After a 3-13 campaign in 2009 under rookie head coach Raheem Morris, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will try to take a step or two forward in 2010 NFL Draft. The franchise was able to find a promising young quarterback in the first round of last year’s draft. This year, the Bucs are likely to focus on defense with the third overall choice in the draft.

With three of the first 42 picks in the 2010 draft, Tampa Bay has a chance to fill a few voids in the first two rounds. In addition to regular selections at picks #3 and #35, the Buccaneers will also have the 42nd overall choice (from Chicago) in the second round. In some other draft shuffling for the club, Tampa Bay will choose 22nd in the fifth round instead of third while getting an additional pick at choice number 10 (from Jacksonville) in the seventh round.

Tampa Bay Bucs 2010 NFL Draft Offensive Line Needs:

At the offensive skill positions, the Bucs have some solid parts to work with. Josh Freeman should continue to progress at quarterback after showing some flashes as a rookie. The team has plenty of depth in the backfield. Tight end Kellen Winslow led the team in receptions in his first year with the Bucs in 2009. Tampa Bay would like to upgrade its receiving group a little bit due to some inconsistent play. The Bucs may address this area by the third round. However, the main offensive concern is the offensive line. Freeman and the other quarterbacks couldn’t get into a decent rhythm last year due to some protection breakdowns. Only Detroit threw more interceptions in the league in 2009. In the last two drafts, Tampa Bay’s only offensive line pick in the early rounds was a late third round choice in 2008. The Bucs would be well suited to address this area by the third round this time around.

Tampa Bay Bucs 2010 NFL Draft 2010 Defensive Line Needs:

After ranking last in the NFL in rushing defense last season, the Bucs are eager to add an impact defensive lineman. There are plenty of strong options for the club in the third spot. Two defensive tackles are at the top of most draft boards at this point. Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh and Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy could be off the board when the Bucs pick comes up. The club is hoping that St. Louis will decide to go with Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford instead of opting for one of the lineman. The Bucs might have to trade up with the Rams to make sure that Suh or McCoy will be in a Tampa Bay uniform this season. If the tackles aren’t an option, the Buccaneers may turn to a local college product to upgrade the defensive line. South Florida defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul could provide a significant boost to a pass rush that recorded only 28 sacks last season. While the team has some solid young talent at some of the linebacking and secondary spots, Tampa Bay will use the draft to add some depth in these areas.