TAMPA - The Bucs recorded one sack or fewer in 11 of their 16 games last year and that fact hasn't gone unnoticed by NFL draft analyst Mike Mayock.
Speaking on a conference call Tuesday, Mayock said the Bucs have to consider drafting a pass-rushing defensive end such as Jason Pierre-Paul of USF with their first pick if they can't land DT Ndamukong Suh or DT Gerald McCoy.
"If they get an opportunity to get either one of those defensive tackles they should sprint to the podium and hand the card in," Mayock said. "After that they have to look at the defensive end position.
"They had trouble getting to the quarterback last year so would they take a look at Jason Pierre-Paul that early? I think he warrants it from a talent perspective and I like his motor."
Mayock's concern with taking Pierre-Paul at No. 3 overall stems from the fact he "was really only a half-year starter" at USF, where he had six sacks and 42 tackles last season.
Mayock's concern is great enough, in fact, that he said the Bucs should strongly consider taking suspended Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant at that spot.
"He's my third rated player in the country," Mayock said of Bryant, "and you've got a young quarterback there you're trying to develop and the best thing you can do for him is get him an Andre Johnson-type wide receiver."
Mayock said the Bucs have a wealth of needs which include help in the defensive backfield but he said he believes their needs match up well with the areas of greatest depth in this year's draft class.
"If you take a wide receiver or a defensive end No. 1 you have to think about what you can get in the second round and where the depth is in this draft, and I think Tampa Bay will align themselves accordingly."
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