The pick is in for the mock Giants. Our favorite muckity-mock, mock Roger Goodell, once again mock walks (malks?) to the mock podium and mock announces:
"With the nineteenth pick in the 2011 Daily Norseman Community Mock Draft, the New York Giants select..."
"Mike Pouncey, offensive lineman, Florida."
You'll notice that mock Goodell said offensive line for Pouncey, as it's not 100% clear what he'll play in the NFL; most signs point to guard over center. Pouncey withstood some fierce competition from Anthony Castonzo to win the vote.
We're now at the 20th pick in our Mock Draft, which means we're at the last of the non-playoff teams--the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Just like the Giants before them, the Buccaneers narrowly allowed the Packers to make the playoffs and proceed to make the lives of Vikings fans much, much worse. But hey, Tampa was one of the surprise teams of 2010, so we can't be too upset with them.
Where should the Bucs pick to keep their team improving and show that last year wasn't just a fluke?
On offense, Tampa Bay could look for some help at tackle, especially with how our draft has played out. Only one offensive tackle is off the board, leaving a lot of options for the Bucs. They could also use a change-of-pace back to help out LeGarrette Blount and what's left of Cadillac Williams' knees. But most draft experts seem to consider the defensive side of the ball as a greater need for Tampa.
Thanks to Aqib Talib's latest alleged transgression, the Buccaneers might suddenly have more interest in the secondary. There aren't any safeties in this draft rated for the first round, but there a couple cornerbacks that fit right in this area of the first round.
Luckily for Tampa Bay, their consensus biggest need is the deepest position in the 2011 draft--defensive line. With quarterbacks like Drew Brees and Matt Ryan in their division, the Bucs could definitely use another pass rusher. Although defensive linemen have been picked as quickly as Joe Mauer probably got picked for gym class growing up in our mock draft, there is still tons of top-line talent available at D-line.
Now that you have the facts, it's time to make your informed decision. Who should the Buccaneers take at #20?
Picks Thus Far:
- Carolina Panthers - Cam Newton, quarterback, Auburn
- Denver Broncos - Patrick Peterson, cornerback, LSU
- Buffalo Bills - Marcell Dareus, defensive tackle, Alabama
- Cincinnati Bengals - Blaine Gabbert, quarterback, Missouri
- Arizona Cardinals - Von Miller, linebacker, Texas A&M
- Cleveland Browns - A.J. Green, wide receiver, Georgia
- San Francisco 49ers - Prince Amukamara, cornerback, Nebraska
- Tennessee Titans - Nick Fairley, defensive tackle, Auburn
- Dallas Cowboys - Tyron Smith, offensive tackle, USC
- Washington Redskins - Julio Jones, wide receiver, Alabama
- Houston Texans - Da'Quan Bowers, defensive end, Clemson
- Minnesota Vikings - Jake Locker, quarterback, Washington
- Detroit Lions - Robert Quinn, defensive end, North Carolina
- St. Louis Rams - Cameron Jordan, defensive end, California
- Miami Dolphins - Mark Ingram, running back, Alabama
- Jacksonville Jaguars - J.J. Watt, defensive end, Wisconsin
- New England Patriots - Aldon Smith, defensive end/outside linebacker, Missouri
- San Diego Chargers - Ryan Kerrigan, defensive end, Purdue
- New York Giants - Mike Pouncey, offensive guard, Florida