It’s clear that the Bucs believed they had a major need for speed and found two explosive players in the first two rounds, drafting Kansas CB Aqib Talib and Appalachian State WR Dexter Jackson. Talib has excellent ball skills and good size at 6-0¾. His sound instincts and ability to play the ball in coverage make him a good fit for defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin’s Tampa-2 scheme. He’ll compete with Phillip Buchanon for a starting spot but could find his niche as a nickel back early in the season. It will be a challenge for Jackson, who played in a relatively straight-forward, spread-option offense in college, to learn head coach Jon Gruden’s complex playbook. His initial contributions will probably come as a kick returner. Tampa’s third-round pick, Rutgers OG Jeremy Zuttah, has the versatility to play any position on the O-line, but scouts envision him as a center or guard in the pros. Maryland DT Dre Moore needs some molding, but he has all the tools to be an effective three-technique down the road. The Bucs now have six quarterbacks on their roster following the selection of San Diego QB Josh Johnson. Gruden prides himself as a master of developing signal-callers, but polishing the raw talent of Johnson will be a challenge. Florida State OLB Geno Hayes was a good value pick in the sixth round and is a good fit as a weak-side ’backer in the cover-2. RB Cory Boyd is a tough runner, but he will have to make his mark on special teams to make the squad.
