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ESPN's Kiper: Bucs Should Consider Drafting QB In 1st Round

Tribune file photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ

If the right quarterback isn't available, the Bucs might take a look at Florida's Percy Harvin in the first round.

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By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 11, 2009

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers should consider picking a quarterback in the first round of the NFL Draft, according to ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper.

The Bucs have the 19th of 32 first-round picks in the April 25-26 draft.

By that time, top quarterback prospects such as Georgia's Matthew Stafford and Southern California's Mark Sanchez likely will be gone, but Kiper believes the Bucs could be in position to land a quality quarterback in the middle of the first round.

"Maybe a Josh Freeman out of Kansas State is a quarterback they think seriously about at that point," Kiper said. "You're talking about a team that obviously has needs at wide receiver. Whether Percy Harvin [Florida] is in the mix ... they could use it to get a running back or defensive end or defensive tackle. Those positions need a little help as well."

Freeman is a 6-foot-6, 250-pound junior who completed 224 of 382 passes for 2.945 yards, 20 TDs and eight interceptions. In 2007, Freeman completed 316 of 499 passes for 3,353 yards, 18 TDs and 11 interceptions.

Tampa Bay recently resigned Luke McCown, plus has Brian Griese and Josh Johnson under contract. Johnson was the team's fifth-round pick in 2008 under coach Jon Gruden. It's unclear if the Bucs will bring back two-year starter Jeff Garcia or pursue another quarterback this offseason, but Kiper believes Freeman could be a good addition.

"The biggest thing Tampa Bay has to do is figure out who is going to be their quarterback," Kiper said. "This may be the time to get somebody in the first round and commit to that guy, look forward. And if Josh Freeman turns out to be that guy worthy to be the 19th pick, it would be somebody you'd have to consider."

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