Every NFL Team's 2017 Draft Needs Based on Analytics
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Top Needs: RB, IOL, OT, DT
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a still-young team on the rise, but they need to make bigger strides quicker to maximize their young offensive core. The first place they can improve is by upgrading on running back Doug Martin, who led the sixth-worst rushing attack in the league by Total NEP per play.
The offensive line did Martin and quarterback Jameis Winston no favors, however. Guard Ali Marpet is a rock inside, but center Joe Hawley is just average and bookend guard J.R. Sweezy is suffering from a back injury; these three turned in the 11th-worst Rushing Success Rate in the league this year.
Similarly, Demar Dotson is a strong right tackle, but Donovan Smith has gotten blown up on the blind side for the 11th-most Sack NEP allowed as a team.
The run defense is still growing too, ranking 10th-worst in Adjusted Rushing NEP per play. They could use a better run-stopping nose tackle than Clinton McDonald to match with pass-rushing stud Gerald McCoy.