2013 NFL mock draft: Xavier Rhodes to Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sander Philipse: "Ever since Mark Dominik has become the Buccaneers' general manager he has filled the biggest need on the team with their first round pick. In 2009, the Buccaneers needed a quarterback and they selected Josh Freeman. In 2010, they needed a defensive tackle and selected Gerald McCoy. In 2011, the big need was defensive end and they wound up with Adrian Clayborn. Last year the biggest hole was at safety, and they took Mark Barron.

"This season the biggest need is cornerback, and with both Dee Milliner and Desmond Trufant off the board they select Xavier Rhodes. The Bucs will love Rhodes' physicality, his ability to press receivers and to play man coverage on the outside, and his willingness to tackle. Any problems with tackling technique will be shored up by Greg Schiano's intensive tackling drills. Rhodes compares to Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman, and that's what he'll be with the Buccaneers: a man cover corner who will allow the Bucs to be more creative and effective with blitzes. His tight hips will be less of a concern if he's restricted to the outside, with other players taking on the slot cornerback responsibilities.

"I considered Tavon Austin, Tyler Eifert and Sheldon Richardson at this point, but the need at cornerback is simply overwhelming. If the season started right now the Bucs would line up with Leonard Johnson, Danny Gorrer and Eric Wright as their top three cornerbacks, and Wright may not even make it to the season opener without taking a significant pay cut. That is a disaster waiting to happen, and the Bucs must find cornerbacks - and they must find a lot of them. Rhodes is the best cornerback on the board at this point, and he has the talent to become a very, very good cornerback in the NFL down the line. The value may be a little off, but this is one time when the need is so dire that the Bucs simply can't afford to pass up a quality cornerback."