Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bucs make final preparations for draft in calm before the storm

Published Apr. 20, 2015 8:30 p.m. ET

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TAMPA, Fla. -- Ten days before a choice that can make or break their vision together, the two men at the center of one of the most anticipated NFL drafts in recent memory stood within the eerie calm before the storm.

General manager Jason Licht approached a stage Monday at One Buc Place in a gray suit with a small red Tampa Bay Buccaneers lapel pin fastened below his left shoulder, quick to acknowledge the weight of the event coming April 30.

"It's probably the biggest draft in the history of the organization," he said.

About 20 minutes later, coach Lovie Smith walked to the same location wearing a black long-sleeve Bucs T-shirt, facing the same thick clouds building in the distance.

"Since we have the first pick in the draft," he said, "we hope that's the case."

They sure do. Time will determine how we judge the coming Bucs draft, the first one in which they hold the No. 1 overall pick since selecting Vinny Testaverde in 1987, the first one since that year they'll start the domino effect in the NFL's annual spring coronation.

They must make the first step count.

They must get the No. 1 pick right.

This is obvious, of course, but the urgency can't be understated. This is a franchise that entered the draft last spring coming off the thunder of free agency, when Josh McCown, Michael Johnson and Anthony Collins were tapped as faces of the future. This is a franchise that enters this all-important draft parched because of those 2014 mistakes, the decision-makers here hoping to capture lightning in a bottle next week.

Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota? What about trading the No. 1 pick?

The choice, whatever the answer, may mean the difference between cracking open bubbly after future championships or changing zip codes. The choice, whatever the consequences, may mean the difference between climbing from a steep hole or sliding further into a troublesome abyss.

"Going back to Indy, we said we had a leader in the clubhouse," Licht said. "We still do. If we had to pick today, we'd feel very comfortable making the pick. That said, we'll wait. We'll use the majority of our allotted time. There is always something that could pop up where you wish you had waited -- talking about a scenario where someone offers you something you can't refuse. We'll use the allotted time, but everyone in the organization feels very comfortable with where we're at."

What that comfort means will be revealed soon. Doesn't it feel about time?

Thing is, this story will begin on April 30, not end. Starting then, either all eyes will be fixed on Winston to see if he has the maturity to be a franchise face or they'll be focused on Mariota to witness if he can quiet critics about those on-field concerns. There's also a chance the Bucs will trade the No. 1 pick, and if that proves to be the case, electronic stores throughout the Tampa Bay area will receive a spike in business after fans replace their smashed televisions.

Whatever the outcome, the narrative will shift from speculation to discovery. The No. 1 pick, whatever is done with it, will help define the Licht-Smith Era.

Success? Failure? Something in between? All roads are before them.

"Toward the end of the season, I knew we would be picking high," Smith said. "So we had a plan to get started right away. We tried to speed up the process on when we brought guys in, when we did certain things so we'd have as much time as possible to make these decisions. So I just know our experience with it, I have enjoyed it. And again, to do it one time isn't all bad."

Yes, Smith better make sure that he's not in this position again soon. Frankly, it's hard to see how the Bucs will be a factor in the NFC South next season with their current roster. Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson are stars, but if Tampa Bay selects either Winston or Mariota, its offensive line doesn't inspire confidence. The same goes for its running back situation. The defense could see improvement with more comfort in Smith's Tampa-2 scheme, but the unit still looks vulnerable after finishing 25th in the NFL in scoring last year by allowing 25.6 points per game.

So the No. 1 pick will be the rockstar of the coming Bucs draft class, but they need solid backup vocals to help patch ample holes throughout the locker room. Licht and Smith understand the moment's meaning, the direction of their vision in the hands of the fresh faces who will arrive soon.

"Always been excitement," Licht said, referring to the opportunity in this draft. "After the hangover of the season gets over, you realize we have a real opportunity with this pick and what we do with it to make this franchise better. I don't think you'd find anyone in this building who thinks it's a burden. Just excitement. Hope we never have it again unless we trade up for it, but it's exciting to have."

Hit on this No. 1 pick and others, and the shaky ground under the Bucs may become a firm foundation, a championship path. Miss on that first step plus more, and the view below may become real dark, real fast.

"We trust our building," Smith said.

"Both quarterbacks are excellent players. Both are going to have a lot of success in the league."

The draft, that long-awaited storm, is almost here.

What comes after it, with Winston or Mariota or someone else, will define the Bucs' future.

You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.

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