It is NFL Draft season and the mock drafts from the NFL experts and pundits are being published nearly every day and making their picks for the Bucs. Each week until the 2020 NFL Draft in April, PewterReport.com will scour the Internet to find the list of players that are projected to Tampa Bay and put out the list with the links. Free agency has caused some mock drafts to be adjusted as teams have filled the needs on their roster by signing veteran players. This is the final mock draft roundup for the 2020 Draft.
NEW MOCK DRAFTS THIS WEEK
Scott Reynolds – PewterReport.com
Bucs’ First Round Pick: Houston OT Josh Jones
Bucs’ Second Round Pick: LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Bucs’ Third Round Pick: LSU G Damien Lewis
Bucs’ Fourth Round Pick: Memphis WR/RB Antonio Gibson
Bucs’ Fourth Round Pick: LSU DT Rashard Lawrence
Bucs’ Fifth Round Pick: Iowa QB Nate Stanley
Bucs’ Sixth Round Pick: Tulane WR Darnell Mooney
“There is a good chance that the top four offensive tackles – Alabama’s Jedrick Wills, Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, Louisville’s Mekhi Becton and Georgia’s Andrew Thomas – will be gone by the time Tampa Bay is on the clock. The Bucs have done plenty of research on Jones, who allowed just 18 pressures on 1,282 passing plays in his four years as a starter at Houston, according to ProFootballFocus.com.
Jones received a 93.2 grade from PFF, which was the highest grade ever given to a tackle that was not in a Power 5 conference. His run blocking improved dramatically during his senior year, as he was given a grade of 62.8 in 2018 and then a run-blocking grade of 92.7 in 2019.
“Jones will compete with Joe Haeg for the right to start at right tackle during his rookie season, and then has the ability to perhaps slide over to left tackle if the team wants to part ways with Donovan Smith after his contract expires following the 2021 season – or perhaps even after the 2020 season when Smith no longer has any remaining guaranteed money.
“Jones has great size at 6-foot-5, 311 pounds and athleticism. He has plenty of experience as a four-year starter at left tackle and has the ideal footwork and wingspan to move to the right side and be successful there. Jones’ quick feet and athleticism stems from playing basketball while growing up, and that not only benefits him in his kick slide, but also gives him the ability to pull on run blocking assignments.” – Scott Reynolds
Jon Ledyard – PewterReport.com
Bucs’ First Round Pick: Louisville OT Mekhi Becton
“Honestly, when I sat down to do this mock draft, I didn’t anticipate it unfolding this way, but now that it has I can absolutely see this happening. Tampa Bay could make a move up the board, but if tackle-needy teams trade down behind them in the order, they might be able to stay put and take the best tackle left at No. 14. I’m also not sure the Bucs are deep enough across their roster to be giving away many draft picks.
Becton has played right and left tackle, and should have no problem beating out Joe Haeg for the starting spot opposite Donovan Smith in camp. The Louisville product will also bring the nasty demeanor to the run game that Jason Licht is looking to add up front. Suddenly, the Bucs have a formidable offensive line to go with their other exciting offensive pieces. Tampa Bay covets Becton the most of all the tackles, so this pick is a dream come true.” – Jon Ledyard
Peter King – NBC Sports
Bucs’ First Round Pick: South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw
“Heard a few things here—that Tampa would love to get a complete running back who can catch to complement Tom Brady, and that they’re jonesing for a top corner. With Vita Vea and Ndamukong Suh big bodies on the defensive front, they’re not desperate for a disruptive defensive tackle here, but the value is excellent. I can also tell you that if Kinlaw is around at 14, Tampa will get some calls from teams—and not just for Kinlaw, but for Jerry Jeudy and maybe Henry Ruggs. One of the things the Bucs would love about adding an impact player along the front seven: Suh is 33 and Jason Pierre-Paul is 31, and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles is very big on disrupting the pocket. You can’t have enough impact players up front.” – Peter King
R.J. White – CBS Sports
Bucs’ First Round Pick: Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy
Bucs’ First Round Pick (Pick 31 From 49ers): USC OT Austin Jackson
Bucs’ Fourth Round Pick: Iowa S Geno Stone
Bucs’ Fifth Round Pick (Pick 155 From Vikings): Arizona State RB Eno Benjamin
Bucs’ Fifth Round Pick: Michigan S Josh Metellus
Bucs’ Sixth Round Pick: Michigan CB Lavert Hill
Bucs’ Sixth Round Pick (Pick 205 From Vikings): Penn State DT Robert Windsor
“When a trade up to No. 13 takes the last of the top-tier guys off the board, they pivot to a position many would agree isn’t a major need. But Jeudy is a versatile stud that will make the Bucs nearly impossible to recover when all three of their top receivers are on the field. He’ll also offer continuity for Tom Brady on offense with Chris Godwin scheduled for free agency next offseason.
“After not being able to get one of the top tackles at No. 14, the Bucs aren’t going to make the same mistake with the next tier, so they package their two Day 2 picks to move up for Jackson, who can upgrade their options on the right side while also serving as a potential franchise left tackle if the team wants to move on from Donovan Smith next offseason.” – R.J. White
Ryan Wilson – CBS Sports
Bucs’ First Round Pick: Houston OT Josh Jones
Bucs’ Second Round Pick: Georgia RB D’Andre Swift
Bucs’ Third Round Pick: Florida WR Van Jefferson
“The Bucs don’t move up for a OT but they take the best available at No. 14. Jones had a fantastic 2019 season and an even better Senior Bowl, and in Tampa he’ll be tasked with protecting 43-year-old Tom Brady.” – Ryan Wilson
Charlie Campbell – Walter Football
Bucs’ First Round Pick: Louisville OT Mekhi Becton
Bucs’ Second Round Pick: Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor
Bucs’ Third Round Pick: North Carolina OT Charlie Heck
Bucs’ Fourth Round Pick: Georgia S J.R. Reed
Bucs’ Fourth Round Pick: Colorado QB Steven Montez
Bucs’ Fifth Round Pick: Missouri C Trystan Colon-Castillo
Bucs’ Sixth Round Pick: Miami WR K.J. Osborn
“The Bucs would be thrilled if they didn’t have to trade up to land one of the big four offensive tackles. However, I think to ensure they get one, they probably have to move up. Other teams like the Dolphins could jump Tampa Bay for an edge protector.
“Becton (6-7, 364) is a massive blocker who is a good athlete for his size. For the next level, it would help him to trim some weight and get in better condition. Becton has weight issues, and some teams have medical concerns with him relating to his back. However, some team sources have said he is extremely talented with a ton of upside. They say Becton has freak show athletic ability for a player of his size, calling him a more athletic version of Trent Brown. They think Becton could be a franchise left tackle, and some sources believe he could end up going as top-16 selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.” – Charlie Campbell
Walter Cherepinsky – Walter Football
Bucs’ First Round Pick: Louisville OT Mekhi Becton
Bucs’ Second Round Pick: LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Bucs’ Third Round Pick: LSU CB Kristian Fulton
Bucs’ Fourth Round Pick: FIU QB James Morgan
Bucs’ Fourth Round Pick: Florida RB Lamichal Perine
Bucs’ Fifth Round Pick: Syracuse WR Trishton Jackson
Bucs’ Sixth Round Pick: Vanderbilt TE Jared Pinkney
“The Buccaneers will have a 43-year-old quarterback playing for them next year, so they need to make sure he’s very well protected. They have a solid offensive line, but right tackle is an issue because Demar Dotson’s contract expired.
“At 6-7, 340, Becton is a massive human being. Despite his size, however, Becton is athletic and flexible, as he showed us at the combine. He projects similarly to Cordy Glenn.” – Walter Cherepinsky
Chad Reuter – NFL.com
Bucs’ First Round Pick: Georgia OT Andrew Thomas
Bucs’ Second Round Pick: Georgia RB D’Andre Swift
Bucs’ Third Round Pick: Washington QB Jacob Eason
Bucs’ Fourth Round Pick: Iowa S Geno Stone
Bucs’ Fourth Round Pick: South Carolina Edge D.J. Wonnum
Bucs’ Fifth Round Pick: Georgia G Solomon Kindley
Bucs’ Sixth Round Pick: Nebraska DT Khalil Davis
“Thomas could go earlier because of his length and sturdy build (6-5, 315). The Bucs would love to see him or Becton in this spot so they can protect new sensation “Tampa Brady.”” – Chad Reuter
Charles Davis – NFL.com
Bucs’ First Round Pick: Georgia OT Andrew Thomas
“Perhaps the most ready-to-play OT in the draft, Thomas should provide immediate protection for G.O.A.T. QB Tom Brady.” – Charles Davis
Rhett Lewis – NFL.com
Bucs’ First Round Pick: Georgia OT Andrew Thomas
“Protecting Tom Brady should be among the Bucs’ highest priorities, so a player who can contribute immediately to that goal is paramount. Thomas could start right away at RT or serve as an eventual replacement at LT.” – Rhett Lewis
Vinnie Iyer – The Sporting News
Bucs’ First Round Pick: Georgia OT Andrew Thomas
Bucs’ Second Round Pick: Ohio State RB J.K. Dobbins
Bucs’ Third Round Pick: Louisiana OL Robert Hunt
The Buccaneers are OK with left tackle Donovan Smith, left guard Ali Marpet, center Ryan Jensen and right guard Alex Cappa in front of Tom Brady, but they need better protection on the right edge with Demar Doston being a free agent. Thomas matches great size (6-5, 315 pounds) with good hands and footwork. Brady, Bruce Arians and Byron Leftwich also will love what Thomas can do to open holes for the running game. – Vinnie Iyer
Mike Tanier – Bleacher Report
Bucs’ First Round Pick: Georgia OT Andrew Thomas
“Contrary to popular belief, the Buccaneers have a pretty good offensive line. Left tackle Donovan Smith, center Ryan Jensen and guard Ali Marpet are all solid, particularly in pass protection.
“The line’s bad reputation comes because the Bucs are the only team in the NFL incapable of finding replacement-caliber running backs, and because we assume that a quarterback’s protection must have been terrible when he throws 30 interceptions in a year, not that he thinks underneath zone defenders don’t really exist.
“Of course, no team signs 43-year old Tom Brady and thinks: “Yep, our line is good enough. No need to protect our investment at all!” And the Bucs appear to be moving on from the aging Demar Dotson, leaving a huge hole at right tackle. Andrew Thomas is the smoothest and most fundamentally sound of this year’s top tackles. He should be able to step right in and provide both Brady and Bruce Arians a little peace of mind.” – Mike Tanier
Luke Easterling – The Draftwire
Bucs’ First Round Pick: Louisville OT Mekhi Becton
Bucs’ Second Round Pick: Georgia RB D’Andre Swift
Bucs’ Third Round Pick: Washington QB Jacob Eason
Bucs’ Fourth Round Pick: LSU DT Rashard Lawrence
Bucs’ Fourth Round Pick: Charlotte Edge Alex Highsmith
“Offensive tackle is easily Tampa Bay’s biggest need, so if any of the top four prospects are still on the board at that position, it’s a no-brainer. There will be questions about Becton’s flagged drug test at the NFL Scouting Combine, he’s got no prior history of failed tests in college, so I don’t think he falls too far. He’s a dominant blocker with tons of upside, and the Bucs just can’t pass that up here.” – Luke Easterling
Carmen Vitali And Scott Smith – Buccaneers.com
Bucs’ First Round Pick (Pick 10 From Browns): Louisville OT Mekhi Becton
“This is going to require a willing trade partner, but here I’m guessing Cleveland is willing to make the small move down to 14 if the Bucs pay a little extra. On the draft value chart, the difference between the 10th and 14th picks is 200 points, and the Bucs’ third-round pick (#76) is worth 210. Perfect, but to sweeten the deal the Bucs also throw in next year’s third-rounder. I would have been happy with either Becton or Andrew Thomas at the 14th pick but I didn’t think either would make it there. If the Browns are dead-set on one of the tackles, though, this deal isn’t going to happen.” – Scott Smith
Albert Breer – Sports Illustrated
Bucs’ First Round Pick (Pick 9 From Jaguars): Georgia OT Andrew Thomas
“The Bucs have enough folks experienced with Tom Brady in their building to know the kind of smart, dependable guys he’ll want around him. That’s Thomas. Maybe his upside isn’t to the level of Wills or Becton. But you’re probably not going to miss on him, and he’ll be ready to go right away.” – Albert Breer