NFL Draft the Key to Bucs Chances vs. Sportsbook Odds. Sportsbook odds on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be impacted by this week’s NFL Draft. The Bucs have done very little lately in the draft and general manager Mark Dominik knows that has to change this time. The Buccaneers are considered longshots to win the Super Bowl vs. odds at the sportsbook.
Sportsbook numbers indicate that Tampa Bay has the third overall pick in the NFL Draft and three of the top 42 picks. They have 11 picks in the seven rounds. “I think it would be unfair for me to say this class won’t have a big impact on our football team going forward,” Dominik said. “If this draft class doesn’t succeed, I probably don’t either.” Tampa was a major disappointment last season, going 3-13. They went with a rookie coach and a rookie quarterback. The team needs a lot of help, especially on the defensive line and at wide receiver. That could mean they take either Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh or Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy with the number three pick.
Tampa also needs to do a great job in the later rounds if they are to improve vs. NFL sportsbook odds. “Candidly, we haven’t done a great job of finding Pro Bowlers in the second, third, fourth and fifth rounds. We just haven’t done that,” said Dominik. Since he knows that his job is on the line, Dominik convinced ownership to hire former NFL scout and college recruiter Bill Rees. “At the end of the season I approached ownership and just talked to them about how I’d like an eye for this football team outside of the building, Dominik said, “I wanted a true opinion of a 3-13 football team, and what is the talent level of that team. I wanted to make sure we’re not judging our football team incorrectly because we’re staring at the players every day. He gave me that unbiased opinion.”
Dominik has done his homework for this year’s NFL Draft. He has looked at a team like Pittsburgh who has been successful drafting players. He has seen the recent success of New England and Indianapolis. “From our perspective, starting in 2009 we evaluate draft classes differently than any time I’ve been here,” Dominik said. “I’ve looked at all the general managers and tried to incorporate a different way.”
Sportsbook fans are aware that the Bucs need defensive help and they need to find a receiver for quarterback Josh Freeman. “Everything that you add to the football team is going to protect Josh Freeman.” head coach Raheem Morris said.