TAMPA, Fla. – This was a day for depth. To Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik, most of his team’s holes were filled earlier in the offseason, especially after the marquee signings of cornerback Darrelle Revis and safety Dashon Goldson.
So on Friday, the Bucs spent two picks adding to areas where they already have answers. They drafted cornerback Johnthan Banks, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound Mississippi State prospect, in the second round (43rd overall) and quarterback Mike Glennon, a 6-7, 220-pound North Carolina State prospect, in the third (73rd overall). Both players will step into areas where veteran influences are present, especially in the case of Banks, who will be part of a revamped and possibly elite secondary in an NFC South that features quarterbacks Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton.
Overall, these were smart moves on a day when a calculated approach was the wise choice. The addition of Banks gives the Bucs more freedom with how they use cornerback Eric Wright, whose contract was restructured earlier this month. Certainly, Banks will be tested this fall, given how teams will work away from Revis when trying to advance downfield through the air. Still, Banks has talent, as shown by his proficiency against wide receivers in the SEC (he was a four-year starter), and he could prove to be a skilled young pro in time.
Meanwhile, Glennon, a former reserve behind Russell Wilson and a one-time Greg Schiano recruit when the coach was at Rutgers, is intriguing for this reason: Schiano has made clear his desire to create competition across his roster, particularly at quarterback. Make no mistake: Josh Freeman, who’s entering the final year of his rookie contract, should feel little threat from the incoming first-year player. Instead, Glennon offers an upgrade from current backup Dan Orlovsky, an eight-year veteran who poses little threat to Freeman.
“I think competition and quality depth across our roster is critical for us to be a championship team,” Schiano said. “I think that applies to every position.”
The night began by addressing cornerback once more. Five days after trading for Revis, Banks became the Bucs’ latest attempt to revamp their largest offseason need. A native of Maben, Miss., Banks had 221 tackles with 16 interceptions and four sacks in his college career. He also produced four forced fumbles and 26 deflected passes as a sizable, lanky corner.
“It’s an honor,” Banks said. “It’s just a blessing to get to play with those guys – Revis, Dashon Goldson, Mark Barron, Ahmad Black – those type of guys. Oh wow, I’m just stunned right now. … I’m going to play with passion. I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. I’m going to come to work every day. I’m just going to give the team whatever I’ve got.” Banks, the winner of the 2012 Jim Thorpe Award, given to the best college defensive back, also has experience as a punt returner. He had 289 yards combined on 30 returns in 2011 and 2012, and Schiano said he’ll give the young player a look at the role. That’s only part of Banks’ versatility that appeals to Schiano and Dominik. They were high on Banks’ character, citing the fact that he was a team captain at Mississippi State as a plus. Banks switched to cornerback from safety as a sophomore, and he started 45 of 51 games played for the Bulldogs. “He’s a very mature, young 23-year-old,” Dominik said. “Married with a little one (1-year-old son Keidan). He’s the Jim Thorpe winner, and he played in one of the toughest leagues – the SEC – as a starter, in over 45 games and would take the No. 1 guy off every team.” Perhaps most valuable of all, Banks will have the chance to learn from Revis, a four-time Pro Bowl player. The Bucs gave up a league-worst 297.4 passing yards per game last season, a large reason why they missed the playoffs for a fifth consecutive year. But the offseason additions of Revis and Goldson, a two-time Pro Bowl player, are interesting and make this secondary a much more formidable group before Schiano’s second season with Tampa Bay. Now, Banks has a chance to become a contributor as well.
“He was the guy who made their defense (at Mississippi State) go. Period,” Schiano said. “You love that, especially in a corner. That doesn’t happen very often.” Meanwhile, the Bucs wanted more depth at quarterback. They got it in the third round. Glennon, a native of Centreville, Va., threw for 7,411 yards with 63 touchdowns and 31 interceptions during his time with the Wolfpack. He had 31 touchdowns in both the 2011 and 2012 seasons, when NC State went a combined 15-11.
“Through this process, I did not have a lot of contact with them," Glennon said. "I wasn’t really sure what to think. I heard some whispers. I’m just really excited to get down to Tampa Bay and meet my teammates and get started.”
Orlovsky, an eight-year veteran who was re-signed earlier this month, was never expected to be a major threat for Freeman. Sure, Freeman is considered the Bucs’ answer at quarterback, but this move could give Tampa Bay a stronger reserve option in a league that has proven time and time again that a talented backup can be an asset.
All this movement came after the Bucs were quiet during the first round Thursday. As part of the trade for Revis, Tampa Bay gave the New York Jets its 13th overall pick and a fourth-round pick next year that could become a third-round selection if Revis is on the Bucs’ roster the third day of the 2014 league year. Looking ahead, there’s a chance for Tampa Bay to build more depth. The Bucs have five picks Saturday: Two in Round 4 (112th and 126th overall), one in Round 5 (147th) and two in Round 6 (181st and 196th). Defensive line remains an area that can be strengthened. Other possibilities include more options at tight end and wide receiver.
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