The Tampa Buccaneers finished in last place in the NFC South division again this past season, but they improved by four wins with rookie quarterback Jameis Winston and are only looking to get better in 2016. The Buccaneers have moved on from head coach Lovie Smith and have hired offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter to become their next head coach, and they will need improvement on both sides of the ball to compete in the NFC South next season.
Fourth-round draft pick Kwon Alexander was a force in his rookie season in the league, recording 93 combined tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions. The Buccaneers rookie linebacker wants to see improvement on the defensive side of the ball next season and believes that they need pass rushers to make it to the next level.
"We need to get some more guys to, you know, to get some push on the quarterback," said Alexander, via JoeBucsFan.com. "I think that's what we're going to be drafting this year, defensive ends. We had great defensive ends this year, but we need a little more help. So whoever we can get, you know we're going to need that pressure to get Cam (Newton) and, you know, try to get to the Super Bowl this season."
Every football organization in the NFL saw the Broncos' pass rush decimate Carolina's offense in the Super Bowl 50, and Alexander, as well as many other defensive players around the league, are looking to stack their defense for the 2016 season. The Buccaneers sit with the ninth pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, and some have projected Tampa Bay to select a pass rusher with their first pick.
ESPN's Todd McShay projected the Buccaneers to select Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner with their first pick in the draft, and many project this draft to be loaded with talented defensive lineman. The Buccaneers recorded 38 sacks last season and tied for the 14th most in the league, and it will be interesting to follow Tampa Bay in the lead up to the draft, as it's unknown what their plan will be with the ninth pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
