Kevin_ODonnell's Blog

The first four picks didn't fall the way the Buc preferred, but Bruce Allen claims he knew exactly what to expect when the Buc hit the clock on Saturday. The draft order paralleled the Bucs wish list. They rated Jamarcus Russell #1, Calvin Johnson #2 , Joe Thomas #3 and Gaines Adams #4. Jon Gruden didn't deny that we had his eyes on someone other than Gaines Adams, but given who was on the board Adams was the best choice.

With 4 picks in the top 68 selections, the Bucs have a chance to turn around their troubles. They still might, but their top 4 selections doesn't make you go wow. In the second round the Buc grab the second ranked guard Arron Sears from Tennessee. He's a monster at 320 pound and plays all positions on the line except center, which in my opinion was the greatest need on the O-line. USC's Ryan Kalil was the top overall player (ranked by Scout Inc.) on the board when the Bucs hit the clock, to me it was a non-brainer. We will see if the Bucs prove me wrong.

Their second pick in the 2nd round I love, if indeed he turns out to be anything close to his idol John Lynch. Oregon State's Sabby Piscitelli is a lightning fast strong safety who loves to hit. He has a knack for interceptions, the Bucs were 31st in the league in pick last season.

The Buc go for an outside linebacker in the 3rd round, not their biggest need. The smarter move would have been to go for Florida State's Buster Davis, who fell to the Cardinals on the very next selection. I'm not sold on Barrett Rudd being the guy to replace Shelton Quarles.

The Bucs could have gotten a steal in the 7th round with Florida's Brandon Silar. He was a projected third round pick ended up going to the Chargers in the middle of the 7th round. Urban Meyer told me this spring that without Silar the Gators might not have won the National Championship. In the 7th round the Bucs picked Offensive Tackle Chris Denman from Fresno State. My money is on him not even making the team.

Giving the Bucs a grade at this point is completely ridiculous. We won't know for atleast two years if the Buc made the right picks.