Imagine setting out to draft the best available NFL defense.
Where would Tampa Bay’s rank?
Retired Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long made that his task on the [_Pushing The Pile_](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-the-pile-a-cbs-sports-nfl-podcast-with/id1263289980) podcast with guest co-host Brock Vereen, his former teammate with the Bears.
The two went back and forth having an NFL Draft-style show selecting team defenses. At No. 17 overall, off the board came the Bucs.
In a slap in the face to Todd Bowles, Vereen called the selection “a reach” but professed his respect for Lavonte David, Vita Vea and Antoine Winfield Jr. being stars up the gut of the defense. Vereen also said he believes second-round pick Benjamin Morrison is the cornerback with the highest ceiling among all NFL rookies at the position.
Long was in agreement with the Bucs’ selection at No. 17.
For those wondering, the 49ers defense came off the board next and the Bucs defense was the top pick among the NFC South teams. The Falcons were the No. 26 overall pick while the Panthers and Saints were the last two defenses off the board, repsectively.
Yeah, if the Bucs don’t win the NFC South, something very, very wrong went down.