DRAFT 2006: Bucs seek depth on defense 

DRAFT 2006: Bucs seek depth on defense

With 21 of 22 starters returning from a team that won eleven games and made the playoffs for the first time in three years, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers don't feel they have any glaring weaknesses to address in the NFL draft.

Instead, the NFC South champions are interested in bolstering depth, especially for an aging defense that eventually will need replacements for high-salaried players like Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber and Simeon Rice.

The Bucs have the 23rd pick in the first round. And the deep pool of cornerbacks and linebackers available might make it difficult to pass up an opportunity to reinforce one of those positions.

Florida State cornerback Antonio Cromartie could be among the cornerbacks available for Tampa Bay's turn. Finding a linebacker to groom to some day take over for Brooks could require moving up to land Florida State's Ernie Sims or Iowa's Chad Greenway, while Alabama's DeMeco Ryans and Ohio State's Bobby Carpenter could be possibilities at No. 23.