The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won just two games last season to "earn" the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft. Obviously, that is not what fans wanted to see. However, there does exist a silver lining. Tampa Bay could very well make a big jump forward next season and compete for a playoff spot.
The last three teams to pick first overall went from 2-14 to 9-7 or better during the next season. Adding the best overall quarterback prospect in the draft has created a precedent for instant returns. Tampa Bay fans are surely hoping for a similar outcome as the team is expected to select Florida State QB Jameis Winston with the No. 1 pick.
"While teams habitually overdraft quarterbacks and there is debate over Winston's viability as a No. 1 overall choice, most evaluators I've spoken with place him well above the Blaine Gabberts, Jake Lockers and Christian Ponders of previous first rounds," ESPN NFL Insider Mike Sando wrote.
"...If selected first, Winston would join Andrew Luck (2012), Cam Newton (2011) and Sam Bradford (2010) as quarterbacks drafted first overall in the past six years. The three others started 16 games as rookies. Their teams ranked first (Carolina), 22nd (Indianapolis) and 39th (St. Louis) out of 246 teams since 2007 in largest year-over-year gains in offensive efficiency..."
The Bucs have a pair of big and talented wideouts in second-year player Mike Evans and veteran Vincent Jackson (though Jackson could be traded this offseason). They have some nice defensive pieces in place in Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David. Yes, they could use help along the offensive line and in the secondary. But this team is not completely devoid of talent. An upgrade at the quarterback position and the addition of offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter could yield immediate results.
"I just love how Winston feels stuff," one NFL coach said to Sando. "...Winston will throw it perfectly with enough arc and zip to get it up and down before the safety arrives. He has a real natural feel. He is the guy who can pick up any ball and play any sport and beat you."
Worst-to-first is a popular saying in the NFL because of the amount of turnover at the top of the standings. It may be unlikely for the Bucs to be playoff ready so quickly, but it isn't impossible. Much of it will depend on how good Winston really is, should Tampa Bay make him its franchise quarterback.
