Would LSU defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois be a reach for the Bucs in the third round?

If you were part of Joe’s first live chat last night, or have read the transcript, you know one subject discussed was what the Bucs will do in the third round (and later).

Just reading the tealeaves, it appears, as Joe has suggested before, that this Josh Freeman nonsense is just that: a smokescreen. That the Bucs will draft defense in the first round.

Based on Jim Bates’ history and what he prefers, it seems as though the Bucs will draft a defensive end in the first round. If Everett Brown or Aaron Maybin happen to somehow slip, Joe believes the Bucs will fall over themselves running to the podium to turn in their draft card, picking Brown or Maybin.

But later in the draft, as discussed in the chat, the Bucs may then go after a tackle. Would third round be too soon? Wes Bunting of TheNationalFootballPost.com doesn’t think so. He believes the Bucs will select LSU defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois in the third round.

Tampa Bay needs to add some youth to its defensive line.

There’s no question the Bucs need to beef up the defensive front four. A strong defensive line improves the entire defense.