TAMPA, Fla. -- A closer look at the positions the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could target at the NFL combine in Indianapolis:
Positions of need: Look for the Bucs to make upgrades on defense, with their pass rush and with their back end. Cornerback Brent Grimes is a free agent, and, even if he returns on a one-year deal, he'll be 35. Vernon Hargreaves, the No. 11 pick in 2016, regressed and struggled with confidence issues in 2017, so he's a nickel at best right now. The Bucs need a lockdown corner who can confidently match up against the likes of Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones and New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas in the NFC South.
The Bucs could not pressure the quarterback last season, finishing with 22 sacks -- dead last in the league. Robert Ayers turns 33; William Gholston failed to muster a single sack; and Noah Spence has undergone two shoulder surgeries since he was drafted in 2016. One thing to keep in mind: It's not a particularly deep class for 4-3 defensive ends, with a drop-off after NC State's Bradley Chubb, who likely won't be available at No. 7. That might mean addressing defensive end in free agency. It's considered a much better draft class at defensive tackle, however, and that's a need with Chris Baker departing and Clinton McDonald having turned 31 and probably better suited as a rotational player.
With Doug Martin's release, the Bucs also have a real need at running back, a position they should have addressed last year but didn't until the fifth round with Boise State's Jeremy McNichols. In the past two years, they've averaged just under 96 rushing yards per game, 30th in the league. They had just 19 explosive plays (rushing plays of 12 or more yards) in their run game last year, tied for second fewest in the league. It's another deep class at running back, though, just like last year, so they don't have to prioritize it in the first round. They could still draft a quality back at the beginning of the second round.
Three players the Bucs should focus on at combine:
Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB/S, Alabama: Winner of the Chuck Bednarik and Jim Thorpe awards in 2017, Fitzpatrick broke the Crimson Tide record for most interceptions returned for touchdowns with four in three years and had nine interceptions total. At 6-foot-1 and 201 pounds, he has enough size to hang with bigger wide receivers and pluck balls away, and his 4.4 speed allows him to catch the quick guys, too, which is what the Bucs need at corner. Ohio State's Denzel Ward is another one to watch here.
Vita Vea, DT, Washington: Rather than reach for a defensive end such as Marcus Davenport at No. 7, if Chubb is off the board, the Bucs could play to the strengths of this year's draft class by focusing on Vea, who looks a lot like Haloti Ngata on tape. He moves exceptionally well for a man who is 6-4 and 350 pounds. Some might project him as a 3-4 defensive tackle because of his size, but pairing him alongside three-technique Gerald McCoy could do wonders for the Bucs' pass rush.
Sony Michel, RB, Georgia: Michel has great three-down back potential. He's a fluid, one-cut runner with breakaway speed and pass-catching ability. The Bucs could then still use Peyton Barber, who took over Martin's job at the end of the season, for a lot of the dirty work between the tackles and in short yardage. San Diego State's Rashaad Penny is also an intriguing player, having produced 48 explosive plays last year -- more than any other back in this year's draft.