Tampa Bay needs a pass rusher.

Statistics suggest it, NFL draft analysts believe it, and even Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik concedes it. Yes, a defensive end with the ability to put heat on quarterbacks is the most pressing need for a team that won 10 games and narrowly missed making the playoffs last season.

Tampa Bay ranked 30th among 32 teams in sacks with 26 a year ago, despite using their first two picks in the 2010 draft on a pair of defensive tackles who arrived with strong pass rushing resumes from college.

Gerald McCoy, the third overall pick behind Sam Bradford and Ndamukong Suh, got off to a slow start in an injury-shortened rookie season and finished with three sacks in 13 games.