It is hard to figure out where the reigning Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers need roster help in 2021.
Despite a salary cap crunch, the Bucs managed to re-sign and retain all 22 starters from the Super Bowl team.
Since Tampa Bay Bucs Coach Bruce Arians got his hands on his long-awaited first Lombardi Trophy, he has made it clear that the goal is to go back-to-back.
Adding depth to the roster will be the goal headed into the 2021 NFL Draft at the end of April.
Because the Bucs are the reigning Super Bowl Champs, they have the last pick in most of the rounds of the draft.
Here are two players the Bucs could draft if still available at the end of the first and second rounds (32nd and 64th overall) that could help the team in 2021.
Christian Barmore – Defensive Lineman – Alabama
Yes, the Bucs are seemingly loaded with accomplished defensive linemen like Ndamukong Suh and Vita Vea.
Suh is working on a one-year deal while the Bucs have a fifth-year option on Vea’s rookie contract that could keep him in Tampa Bay until 2023.
That makes it the perfect time to add depth and throw Christian Barmore into the rotation of defensive linemen.
Most QB pressures by draft-eligible DTs last season:
1. Christian Barmore, Bama – 39
2. Milton Williams, LA Tech – 30 pic.twitter.com/wkSqvW5hFM
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 9, 2021
The 6’5″ 310 pound Barmore played 22 career games in two seasons for the Crimson Tide.
He had 34 solo tackles and 3 forced fumbles.
Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network offered this analysis on Christian Barmore.
“Fluid moving laterally, quickly changes direction, and displays speed in both a straight line and out to the flanks. Explodes off the snap with a terrific first step and is consistently focused on by opponents.”
Michael Carter – Running Back – North Carolina
Michael Carter: 29 runs of 20+ yards over the last two seasons.
More than any player in CFB.pic.twitter.com/fuKyjaQGa4
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 7, 2021
Leonard Fournette signed a one year deal to stay in Tampa Bay for 2021.
The Bucs also have Ronald Jones, and they recently signed free agent Giovani Bernard from the Cincinnati Bengals.
If there is any part of the offense that could be improved, it would be the passing game to the running backs.
Fournette and Jones did not excel in this area in 2020.
Bernard was expressly added for this reason because Tom Brady flourishes when he has a running back on the field that is a threat to run or catch.
This is where Michael Carter can come into an already crowded running back room and make a place for himself.
His career rushing yards are 3,404 with 22 touchdowns, but he also had 656 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns through the air.
Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network offers this analysis on Michael Carter.
“Carter is a terrific running back who is effective carrying the ball, catching it out of the backfield or blocking when called upon. He’s a situational or rotational back with outstanding quickness who should do well in third-down situations.”
These two players could make an impact on an already loaded Tampa Bay Bucs 2021 roster.
We will find out soon who the Bucs will draft; the 2021 NFL Draft starts on April 29 and goes through May 1.
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