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DT Miller headlines Bucs' picks on draft's second day

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By ROY CUMMINGS | The Tampa Tribune
and IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune
and ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 26, 2009

Updated: 04/26/2009 03:33 pm

TAMPA – The Bucs finally started addressing their needs on the defensive side of the ball on Sunday, drafting Texas defensive tackle Roy Miller with their third-round pick (81st overall).

Miller is said by scouts to be a hard-working, determined 6-1, 300-pounder who has the quickness to get into the backfield and the bulk and strength to make an impact against the run.

On the downside, scouts say he doesn't disengage from blocks well and he has to learn to make greater use of his strength. He's good enough to push the likes of Dre' Moore and Greg Peterson.

He could prove to be the heir apparent to Chris Hovan at nose tackle.

Focus stays on lines with later picks

Later Sunday, the Bucs made an attempt to improve their defensive line by drafting USC defensive end Kyle Moore in the fourth round (117th overall).

Tampa Bay traded its fourth round pick (No. 120) to Dallas and its seventh round selection (No. 229) to move up three spots to select Moore.

Moore (6-foot-5, 272) will compete against Jimmy Wilkerson to determine who starts at left end. Kevin Carter started last season, but remains an unsigned free agent.

"Obviously it's great to be a Buccaneer right now," Moore said. "It's just an awesome feeling I have.

"I got a call earlier in the week and the coach told me he was going to come get me. I didn't know when, but I watched the first rounds and they finally traded up to come and get me. It's all good. I'm happy."

In the fifth round, looking for depth on their young, talented offensive line, the Bucs selected Illinois tackle Xavier Fulton.

The No. 155 pick in the draft, Fulton is a former prep wrestler with good size at 6-foot-4 and 302 pounds. He was recruited by the Illini as a defensive end and moved to LT in 2007. He is considered a good athlete, but his lack of aggression at times has been questioned.

Many NFL scouts consider Fulton a bit of a project and he was suspended from 2006 spring practice due to academic issues. He has also been hampered by several injuries, so durability is a concern.

Fulton is anxious to participate in next weekend's rookie mini-camp and he's coming to town to compete for a starting job.

"That's the attitude you have to have if you're going to last at all at this level," he said. "I'll be going against grown men who are doing this as a way to feed their families. I'm just a 23-year-old kid coming in to learn the hang of things."

Fulton said he was healthy after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder two months ago. He described himself as "a pretty athletic guy who's very fast. I like to get up to the next level pretty quickly."

When he was informed he is now a Buccaneer, Fulton was elated.

"It's great," he said. "This is a dream come true."

The offensive line is considered a strength of the Buccaneers and Fulton will try to make the team as a backup to LT Donald Penn and RT Jeremy Trueblood.

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