National Football League

Bucs beef up protection for Winston, draft 2 linemen

Published May. 2, 2015 4:09 a.m. ET

foxsports

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Tampa Bay's Lovie Smith is known as a defensive-minded coach. You just wouldn't know it by the way he's drafted since taking over the Buccaneers.

Intent on improving a sputtering offense, the Bucs selected quarterback Jameis Winston No. 1 overall on the first night of the draft, then took tackle Donovan Smith and guard Ali Marpet in the second round on Friday night.

Don't be surprised if the Bucs continue to bring in help for Winston in Rounds 4 through 7 on Saturday.

Tampa Bay used its entire draft on offensive players a year ago. Selecting Winston, Smith and Marpet in the first two rounds, means that all nine picks that have joined the team since Lovie Smith and second-year general manager Jason Licht began running the show have been from that side of the ball.

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