2013 NFL mock draft: Buccaneers select Jamar Taylor

With the 43rd pick in Pride Of Detroit's 2013 NFL mock draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Boise State cornerback Jamar Taylor. Twincities88 is serving as the Buccaneers' general manager, and his reasoning for the pick is below.

News of a possible trade that would send Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continues to heat up as we get closer to the 2013 NFL Draft. However, even if the Buccaneers match the Jets' demands and pull the trigger on the trade, another starting cornerback is still needed. Tampa Bay's defense was last against the pass in the NFL in 2012 for a reason.

Aqib Talib was traded to New England (during the season), E.J. Biggers signed with Washington and Eric Wright can't be trusted. Last season, Wright was suspended four games for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy after testing positive for Adderall. Despite recent news that the Buccaneers are considering trading Wright, he restructured his contract to stay with the team.

Jamar Taylor is a physical and gritty player that plays bigger than his size (5-11, 192). At Boise State, Taylor had a strong senior campaign with 51 tackles, nice pass breakups, three forced fumbles and four interceptions. After having a great week at the Senior Bowl, his stock continued to rise at the combine, including a 4.37 time in his 40. Taylor has shown the ability to be both a man-cover corner and a zone corner. The cornerback is not afraid to get physical with receivers and is a great fit for Greg Schiano's defense.

Personally, I could see Taylor getting drafted near the end of the first round. If Tampa Bay feels they have to get a cornerback here, then Blidi Wreh-Wilson and Leon McFadden are the two other best prospects if Taylor is off the board. I must say I also went back and forth with the pick between corner and defensive end since several quality ends are still available (Damontre Moore, Margus Hunt and Sam Montgomery), but ultimately I feel that cornerback is far and away Tampa Bay's biggest need.

Overall, I had the Buccaneers select wide receiver Tavon Austin with the 13th pick in the first round. If the Jets trade does not happen, drafting Austin and Taylor in the first two rounds would provide the team with two quality players with strong work ethics that can start Week 1.

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Check out the 2013 Pride Of Detroit Community Mock Draft tracker for a look at all of the picks.