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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had plenty of rebuilding to do heading into last offseason but, unfortunately for their fans, the 2015 offseason is simply "Phase 2" for a franchise with plenty of holes still left to fill.
One area of need the Bucs thought they addressed last year was adding a dynamic pass-rusher to their front four. But after signing a lucrative deal with the team in free agency, Michael Johnson turned in a disappointing 2014 season, managing just four sacks and rarely having a significant impact on opposing quarterbacks.
Thankfully for Tampa Bay, this year's draft class features an incredibly deep class of edge-rushers. It's possible they could grab one in free agency, but with so many attractive prospects available at the position, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Bucs grab one at some point in the draft.
Assuming they take a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick, here are five pass-rushers the Bucs should target in Rounds 2-4.
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Though he may be a bit undersized to be a full-time 4-3 defensive end, Nate Orchard brings great natural ability as a pass-rusher and may just be scratching the surface of his potential.
Some will pigeonhole Orchard into playing outside linebacker in a 3-4, but though he's athletic and flexible enough to drop into coverage, he's got the frame to add a little bulk and be an effective pass-rusher out of the 4-3.
He'll have to improve against the run if he wants to be a full-time starter at the next level, but he'll make his money in the NFL getting after the quarterback. Orchard had great success last year against two of the nation's better offensive tackle prospects—Colorado State's Ty Sambrailo and Stanford's Andrus Peat—and should merit consideration from the Bucs on Day 2.
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As more and more NFL teams switch to the 3-4 defense, fewer prospects are coming out of the college ranks as pure 4-3 defensive ends. But Za'Darius Smith certainly fits that mold, and he should be on the Bucs' radar in this year's draft.
At 6'4", 274 pounds, Smith already has the perfect size and frame to be a full-time 4-3 defensive end, and he certainly has the talent to develop into an NFL starter. The former Wildcat is a high-effort player who earned Defensive Most Outstanding Player honors in the East-West Shrine Game before putting on a solid showing at the Senior Bowl.
He may not have the explosiveness or high-end pass-rush ability of many others in this class, but work ethic and motor will help play beyond his physical tools. He could be a great value pick for the Bucs starting in the fourth-round range.
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Bucs beat writers might not be looking forward to spelling his name every week but fans won't mind putting Owamagbe Odighizuwa on the back of their jerseys if he's able to improve the team's pass rush in 2015.
Another player who could be barely scratching the surface of his potential, "Diggy" has a chiseled frame with the size to hold his own as a full-time 4-3 defensive end. He's still extremely raw as a pass-rusher but has the natural tools to develop in that area.
Durability will be his biggest question, having missed the entire 2013 season due to multiple hip surgeries. If he checks out medically, Odighizuwa could make plenty of sense for the Bucs at the top of the second round.
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An extremely versatile player who should be successful in any scheme, Lorenzo Mauldin has the frame and power to hold his own as a 4-3 defensive end but also the quickness and athleticism to drop back in coverage or bend the edge as a pass-rusher.
Mauldin's combination of athletic ability, work ethic and mental strength are enough to make any front office or coaching staff fall in love with him as a prospect. Mauldin spent most of his childhood living in foster care, having beaten tall odds to be on the doorstep of an NFL career.
Many may peg him as only a 3-4 outside linebacker, but I think Mauldin could have just as much success as a 4-3 defensive end. He has everything you look for, both on and off the field, and he would be a better fit for the Bucs than some may think.
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If Lovie Smith sticks with his pattern of preferring tall, thick defensive ends, Preston Smith certainly fits the bill.
At 6'5", 271 pounds, Smith has a frame reminiscent of current Bucs Michael Johnson and William Gholston. Smith is extremely athletic for his size and versatile. He is capable of lining up inside or outside, as well as dropping into coverage from time to time.
He may look more the part of a 4-3 power end, but his pass-rushing skills are underrated. Smith has plenty of success against some of the nation's top competition in the SEC, which should prepare him well for a long, productive career in the NFL.
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