Mel Kiper is the biggest name in Mock Draft circles, so when he comes out with a new edition of his Mock, it's a pretty big deal. His newest was just released by ESPN today, and he continues some trends we've being seeing recently for the Bucs.
In the first round, he has the Bucs taking Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan. Here is his rationale.
Tampa has its solution on the interior, having taken defensive tackles with picks in Rounds 1 and 2 last year, and now it's time to find pass-rush help from the edge. Kerrigan may be a little light to start immediately as an every down 4-3 defensive end. But while offering top-flight pass-rush skills -- he was completely unblockable while leading the country in TFL last year -- Kerrigan is no pushover against the run either.
I think we all know why the Bucs would be interested in taking Kerrigan, or any other DE for that matter; so let's just take a look into the later rounds Kiper projects. In the second, he has them taking a semi-local guy in UCF offensive lineman Jah Reid. In the third, another Florida prospect in Miami ILB Colin McCarthy. To judge these picks, you kind of have to look at who they have available when they make the picks. So check out Kiper's draft (if you have insider of course) and judge for yourself.