Cornerback

Aqib Talib faces potential jail time in his March trial for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Talib was almost cut after he was arrested, but their GM was talked out of it by Head Coach Raheem Morris, who is no longer with the team. Even if he’s not released, he’s a free agent after the 2012 season and the Buccaneers suck against the pass even with him. They ranked 31^st against the pass this year, allowing 8.2 YPA. Opposite Talib, the soon to be 37 year old Ronde Barber is on his last legs and could retire this offseason, while neither Myron Lewis nor EJ Biggers have proven themselves to be very good. Morris Claiborne looks like the heavy favorite to go #5 to Tampa Bay, should he last that long.

Outside Linebacker

The Buccaneers’ linebacker trio was really bad last season. Geno Hayes was the best of the 3, but that’s not saying much. Mason Foster was awful as a rookie, but he could get another shot at a starting job because he was just a rookie. Quincy Black was the worst of the 3. ProFootballFocus rated him the worst 4-3 outside linebacker in the league. He missed 16 tackles, most of any 4-3 outside linebacker, and only had 60 tackles on the season. I have no idea why Dekoda Watson, a 2010 7^th rounder who has been good in limited action, doesn’t get more of a shot. Maybe he will in 2012, but either way, I think they have to add a linebacker at some point. They could draft one, but they also have a good amount of cap space so they could sign one.

Offensive Tackle

No offensive lineman surrendered more pressures last year than Jeremy Trueblood, allowing 50 despite missing a game with an injury, and Trueblood didn’t even match up with the opponent’s best pass rusher on a weekly basis. He was a right tackle. They stupidly gave him a 2 year deal after a poor season in 2010, but they should still look for a new right tackle in the draft this year.

Wide Receiver

Mike Williams followed up an impressive rookie year with a disappointing sophomore year. Even more disappointing were the reports about just how poor his work ethic was last season. The Buccaneers old coaching staff said that he frequently partied during the week and put very little effort in the weight room. Meanwhile, in 2 seasons in the league, Arrelious Benn has been a bit of a disappointment after going in the 2^nd round in 2010. They need another receiver in the mix, particularly someone with speed to take the top off the defense.

Safety

Yeah, literally point to a position in the back 7 and the Buccaneers suck there last year. Sean Jones was a major liability in coverage, surrendering a 140.8 QB rating when thrown at, while Tanard Jackson missed more tackles than anyone in the league, missing a whopping 24.

Running Back

Mike Williams wasn’t the only Buccaneers offensive skill player who was out of shape, LeGarrette Blount followed up a breakout rookie year in 2010 with a very poor season in 2011. Blount was given just 184 carries as the Buccaneers gave carries to bums like Earnest Graham, Kregg Lumpkin, and Mossis Madu down the stretch. Blount was also useless on 3^rd downs once again. They really need a complimentary back for him at least.

Center

Jeff Faine used to be one of the best centers in the league, but those days are over.  He’s now overpaid and on the wrong side of 30. If they didn’t have so many other needs, he’d probably be a cap casualty, but he’ll probably go into next season as the starting center again. They could take someone late to groom behind him.

Guard

I have no idea why the Buccaneers gave Davin Joseph so much money last offseason. The guard was once again below average this season.

Middle Linebacker

They probably have to give Mason Foster another shot in the middle after a poor rookie year because they have so many other needs, but some veteran competition wouldn’t hurt.

Defensive Tackle

Gerald McCoy just can’t stay healthy, a big part of the reason why the Buccaneers were so bad against the run last year. Things were so desperate that they had to sign Albert Haynesworth off waivers. He’s been recently cut so they need depth at the position.