The Bucs Select ... ? The NFL draft isn't what it used to be. It's sleeker and faster now, like a new laptop. When it's all said and done, the Bucs hope they can say the same about themselves. Speed is a big part of what the Bucs want in this weekend's draft, something they have pursued since Jon Gruden put out a call for more of it earlier in the offseason. The Bucs have added some new parts in the past two months, but that speedy playmaker so far has eluded them. Not to worry, though: Speed is one of the buzzwords most associated with this year's draft. Speed appears to be what most teams are looking for this year. Whether it's in the form of an edge rusher, a running back or a receiver, teams want players who can get from point A to point B in a hurry. Speed always has been a hot commodity on draft day. If you've got it, your stock usually rises. If you don't, your stock usually falls. Just ask Oklahoma wideout Malcolm Kelly. When Kelly ran a 4.65-second 40-yard dash at his pro day a few weeks ago, talk of him being the first receiver off the board began to disappear, and talk of him dropping, perhaps to the second round, increased. The Bucs can't like that kind of talk. One of their biggest needs is a speedy receiver who can stretch the field the way Joey Galloway does. If Kelly falls, the truly speedy wideouts will rise. That could cost the Bucs a shot at one of those speedy wideouts. The good news, though, is that there is plenty speed to go around. As a result, the Bucs, who pick 20th overall, could miss out on the likes of Michigan State's Devin Thomas or Cal's DeSean Jackson and still land a fast receiver such as LSU's Early Doucet, Florida's Andre Caldwell or Houston's Donnie Avery. Any one of those players could be had in the second round. Of course, the Bucs would need a second-round pick to get them. Right now, they do, but by the time their first pick in that round comes around, they might not. Word is, the Bucs are contemplating filling another top need by trading their second-round pick and possibly another commodity to the Eagles for two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard. Sheppard reportedly was in Tampa to visit the Bucs on Wednesday. While he said he was here to visit friends, others with knowledge of the situation have suggested he was here to take a physical for the Bucs. The Bucs probably are concerned about the knee injury that kept Sheppard from appearing in five games last year. They also could be concerned about Sheppard's desire to improve on a contract that will pay him $3.45 million this season. And then there is the danger of giving up a draft pick (or two) when you only have five. Cornerback is an area of need, though, so the Bucs might be tempted to pull the trigger and land Sheppard. If not, they could very well spend their first-round pick on a corner such as South Florida's Mike Jenkins, Tennessee State's Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie or Kansas' Aqib Talib. Most draft analysts believe at least one of those corners will be available when the Bucs' first pick comes around - and Rodgers-Cromartie could fill more than one need. In addition to speed at receiver and help at cornerback, the Bucs are also looking to add a return man, someone who can improve the average starting spot for their offense. Rodgers-Cromartie, Jackson and Thomas are the kind of players who can do that, and the Bucs will be filling two needs with one pick if they can land one of those three or someone comparable. Receivers, cornerbacks and return men aren't all the Bucs are after. They also would like to improve their depth at offensive tackle and running back, and they might not hesitate to draft a quarterback. Gruden has longed for a first-round-type of quarterback he can groom for the future. Brian Brohm, Joe Flacco and Chad Henne all could be available when the Bucs' first turn comes around late this afternoon. They also could spend a first-round pick on a running back such as Felix Jones of Arkansas and wait until the third round to get a quarterback such as John David Booty of USC. With so many possibilities and the draft supposedly deep at the positions the Bucs need to fill most, there is even a chance the Bucs will try to trade down a few spots in the first round and add more picks. No matter what they do, they'll have to do it fast. This draft starts later than usual (3 p.m. instead of noon), but it is expected to move a lot faster with less time between picks. Roy Cummings, The Tampa Tribune 26 April 2008