I know there's supposed to be a specific forum for this, but looking over the various forums, I couldn't find a specific one.
So here is my 2020 Off-Season Battle Plan to turn the team around.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2020 NFL Off-Season Battle Plan
This year is unique compared to most free agency periods, as never before have we seen the volume of top tier quarterbacks, running backs, and potentially offensive linemen available. I cannot recall when players of this year’s caliber have even hit FA with just one or two, let alone four or five at each. This year the stars seem to be aligning for the Bucs to be able to completely transform the franchise in one fell swoop, if orchestrated correctly. With the fourth most salary cap space, a loaded free agency market, current players with actual trade value, and one of the deepest drafts ever provide a recipe like no other.
This Battle Plan will end with three different options for the draft depending on how aggressive Licht wants to be. Will he play it safe and try to sign a few mid-tier talent FAs, keep as many current players as possible and stick to the current draft slotting, or will he go all in this year and swing for the fences? I personally hope that he swings for the fences so that the team not only makes the playoffs after a 12-year wilderness walk, but at that that also have a legitimate push for a championship.
While an aggressive off-season approach by Licht may seem reminiscent of the Madden video game, it is not out of the realm of possibility. Look at how the Rams were able to fit so many blue-chip players last year and still stay within the salary cap or how the Browns seemed to stack their team with so many talented players that it looked like it had to be illegal. We all know the 2019 season did not end up very well for either team, but their record was definitely not because of a lack of talent.
Without further ado, let’s start turning this pirate ship around.
FREE AGENCY
Resign the Following Buccaneers:
SHAQ BARRETT - There are multiple paths that can be taken with Shaq. When you combine his 2019 signing for a single prove it year and the production that he had, that signing was a Godsend because of the potential options it gives us this year.
The first option is simply to sign him to a long-term deal, regardless whether or not it comes before FA or once given the non-exclusive franchise tag. Whichever route gets him under contract an brings the flexibility to either keep or trade the reigning NFL sack leader. Barrett is still in his prime and has a lot of football ahead on him. His production and age coupled together makes him one of the few players that the Bucs can trade while his value is high. If given the non-exclusive tag, we can hope another team has the desire to sign him and surrenders 2 first round picks, but that seems like a stretch considering how valuable draft capital is. The more plausible avenue for Shaq would be a trade for a first and 2nd or 3rd.
A team that could be a prime candidate for Shaq might just be right down the road: Miami. Currently Miami has the most picks in the upcoming draft, as well as, having had the least amount of sacks in the league. Would they rather roll the dice on a pass rusher in the draft or take a known commodity that not only just 3.5 less sacks than the entire Miami roster last year, but is also only 27 years old?
During this battle plan, I’ll give three options come draft time with one assuming that Miami trades their third 1st round pick at 26 and their second 2nd round pick at 56 for Barrett.
For those naysayers that believe it would be a bad decision to tag and trade Barrett, I believe the team would do it because they can afford to lose him, as long as they sign a suitable replacement during FA. While keeping Shaq would be great, I believe that last year was more of an anomaly than what we can expect this year or in future years. Instead of taking that chance and banking on a player with 1 year of production, granted great production, I believe we should instead pursue signing a player like Jadeveon Clowney who would give the Bucs comparable results on the field and at a comparable financial investment. What tips the scales for me is the added benefit of adding 2 high draft picks in a draft much deeper than most and at so many valuable positions.
Take advantage during a year where the draft can be franchise changing!
NDAMUKONG SUH – Suh brings a lot of leadership skills, experience, and talent to a strong run defense. While Suh is 33 and in the twilight of his career, he can still produce at a higher level than most IDL years his junior. Signing him to an incentive laden 1-2-year deal at a lower core cost, like $6-7M, but with potential to earn an extra $3M could be ideal. That would go a long way towards keeping the run defense together without killing the cap.
JASON PIERRE-PAUL – JPP is interesting and, a lot like Shaq. I think at this point in JPP’s career that being used in combination with Shaq creates a situation that offensive lines find difficult to handle as they are great complimentary players that can feed of each other. I also think JPP can do the same with Clowney. If JPP is willing to accept a deal similar to Suh’s, this has a lower base salary with incentives, then the salary cap can be protected in the event of another injury or Father Time catching up.
Just like with Suh, Tampa would love to keep the D-line intact can continue to dominate versus the run. And in the event they can’t keep him, fingers crossed that another team will overpay him to leave.
DEMAR DOTSON – Not a lot to say here really. Demar coming back at a similar deal to this past year at $4M seems like the deal both sides can live with. While Dotson can walk away and the team decide to go younger at the RT position, I think he and the team both deserve to have the chance to come back for 1 more year. This might be more of a faithful bone to toss his way and to give us experienced depth that already knows the playbook. Dot has paid enough dues that he should be here in 2020, this year is probably the best chance to see the postseason since he joined the team.
BLAINE GABBERT – This is actually the last FA I would keep. While Gabbert was injured most of last year, he should be healthy and can be brought back at a pretty low price. Having someone with his level of experience in BA’s system can provide valuable depth to whomever the starter is.
LET THE REST GO! – As far as our other FAs go, I would let them all test the market. Tampa should hope that anyone that they actually want to keep finds a dry FA market for their services and come back to sign for an even better price than before the FA dinner bell rang. Otherwise, we can hope that they would find lucrative deals ala Alexander and Humphries adding to a potential 2021 compensatory haul.
Sign the Following FAs from Other Teams:
Philip Rivers – When all is said and done, Brady more than likely is back with the Patriots for another year. For the sake of this plan, let’s believe that the rumors and insider speculation that’s floating around is false and that and that Tampa’s real target Philip Rivers Signs with Tampa.
Adding Rivers, even if it ends up coming in at $20-25M average for 2 years with the majority of the financial bulk coming in year 2, would not only make Tampa an instant media darling and favorite to reach the postseason, but also put Tampa fan butts back in the stands, maybe not at the rate as Brady, but still in the seats. There’s not really anything to say here as every single person who watches football knows what he brings to the QB position, for ANY team. He might be at the end of his playing road, slower, weaker of arm, and slower of leg, but his mind and football intelligence at the top of his game.
Alternatively there are several other QBs that’ll still be available that can do more for Tampa than Jameis. My choices if they were to become available via FA pickup or trade, would be Stafford, Roethlisberger, Carr, or Bridgewater. No matter which QB Tampa ends up with, the team would be better off. With the exception to Carr who is not only talented, but also young enough to be a long-term solution for the team, the other QBs might be only stopgap solutions. Some may point out that Bridgewater is about the same age as Carr, but I see him more as a short-term stopgap like the older QBs than a long-term fit.
NOT JACK CONKLIN – While Conklin is an easy name to put in here, the demand for him may very well price him out of consideration. While he’s only 26 and a stud in the prime of his career, he’ll rightfully want to be paid as such. That’s ok, let everyone else put on the full court press for Conklin, the Bucs can play on that by targeting other players that aren’t so far behind him talent wise and with maybe a few more years on them or not as many.
Tampa needs help on the O-Line desperately, not only as a talent upgrade, though the good Lord knows that is true, but we need to get stronger and deeper as well. We need to ensure that if a starter goes down that the team can roll on seamlessly and there are plenty of talented players that could be available. Though we don’t know at this point who that’ll be, there are always names that we don’t expect to be available that does make it to market, just look at Pouncey 2 years ago. Adding 1-2 starting quality OT and or OG/C players to the mix can not only ensure we do a better job of keeping the QBs jersey a little cleaner, but also that we can maybe fix the flaccid run game that has been Tampa’s trademark the last few years.
Whether its Castonzo, Bulaga, Clemmings, Wisniewski, Thuney, Scherff, or Trent Williams, there will be plenty of players that Tampa can choose from to both help the salary cap and play of the team for 2020.
DEVONTA FREEMAN – This is one of the players that I can see being signed that will end up seeming story like once it is all said and done. But the more I thought on it, how great would Freeman be? I mean just think about it: a short, talented running back from Florida State? Sounds a lot like a player Tampa lost at his prime to Atlanta: Warrick Dunn. After beginning his career in Tampa, Dunn left during FA for Atlanta, just hitting his prime and serving as a regret for many fans for years. How great would it be if this came full circle, but instead of leaving Tampa for Atlanta, Freeman was to come to Tampa from Atlanta?
Freeman is only 27 years old; the same age Dunn was when he departed for Atlanta, and right in his prime. He already has 2 Pro Bowl selections, a Second-team All-Pro selection, and an NFL rushing touchdown leader credit on his resume.
There are many quality running backs slated to become free agents this year to the point that you can choose your flavor when it comes to reinforcing the running game. Much like other flooded positions, this is a good year to fill a position of need as the price should be lower than other years. At the top end of the spectrum are players like Tennessee RB Derrick Henry (age 26) and Gordon (26) who may be looking for contracts BA and Licht aren’t willing to pay up for. That’s not to say that Tampa can’t land an impactful young stud at the position to compliment Rojo and to challenge for the starting spot. Between the very deep draft class and a crowded FA market, there are many players to be had.
With a crowded RB field, the market should be pretty soft and Freeman could probably be signed for a very team friendly deal, say $2-3M/year for 3 years.
VONN BELL – At 25, Bell has plenty of experience and his best years are still ahead of him. Having faced Drew Brees in practice since joining the league, he should have advanced skills compared to most safeties his age. Bell would add a veteran presence to an extremely young secondary and fill a need that can save a draft choice that can be better spent on another position. Plus, stealing a young play maker from a division rival would be the cherry on top.
TRADES
OJ HOWARD – Howard looks like one of the prototype players that the Madden video game would allow you to create. His skillset is unreal and he brings so much to a team that, if he can stay healthy, he could very easily be an All-Pro in the right system. That system just isn’t Bruce Arians. I love OJ and the skills he possesses, but that’s like having a Rolls Royce in the garage that you only bring out once a year for a short Sunday drive, it’s just being wasted. I believe that Licht’s comments about OJ at his combine press conference had one goal in mind; to stir up a market and drive up the asking price for OJ.
Ideally New England is still hot for OJ and willing to give up their 23rd pick in the 1st for him. I doubt they would want to do that straight up, but let’s say the Bucs give them a 3rd next year and OJ for the Patriot’s 1st and 4th this year? Belichick has a well-deserved reputation for trading back and stockpiling draft picks. Getting one of the most athletically gifted young TEs in the league and an extra 3rd round pick next year just might do the trick and would be a great deal for both sides.
MJ STEWART AND JORDAN WHITEHEAD – While I don’t think there would be a huge market for Stewart and/or Whitehead, both are young players with plenty of tread left on their tires and might be worth a 5th -7th round pick for a team needing secondary help. While they could be decent players in Bowles system, the secondary is overcrowded and the addition of Bell and the emergence of SMB and Dean mean Stewart and Whitehead or luxuries that could better serve the team by converting them to draft capital. As far as the draft goes, we’ll assume that no trades were made prior to the draft and instead will completed before the end of training camp.
THE DRAFT
For the sake of this battle plan, let’s say that Tampa goes into the draft with one of the following three options for picks:
Option 1 - OJ Howard traded to Patriots
1st (14)
1st (23) – via Patriots trade for OJ Howard
2nd (45)
3rd (76)
4th (117)
4th (122) – via Patriots trade for OJ Howard
4th (Compensatory Pick)
5th (152)
6th (194)
Option 2 – OJ Howard traded to Patriots; Shaq Barrett traded to Miami
1st (14)
1st (23) – via Patriots trade for OJ Howard
1st (26) – via Miami trade for Shaq Barrett
2nd (45)
2nd (56) via Miami trade for Shaq Barrett
3rd (76)
4th (117)
4th (122) – via Patriots trade for OJ Howard
4th (Compensatory Pick)
5th (152)
6th (194)
Option 3 – No trades
1st (14)
2nd (45)
3rd (76)
4th (117)
4th (Compensatory Pick)
5th (152)
6th (194)
2020 NFL DRAFT OPTION 1
This is going to be the first of 3 totally different options depending largely on what, if any, trades that the team is able to finalize prior to the draft. This first option is under the scenario that Tampa signs Brady, let’s Jameis walk, and trade OJ Howard to the Patriots picking up an additional 1st and 4th round pick.
1ST (14) – TRISTAN WIRFS, OT IOWA - This draft has so many talented players throughout that it is really hard to predict who will be available at #14. Before the combine there was a very good chance that Tristan Wirfs be there when the Bucs were on the clock. After putting up historic numbers for the position, he could end up as a top 5 pick. I believe that at least 1 of the major 4 OTs in this year’s draft will be available it’s hard to say which one. If not Wirfs, insert any of the top 4 here and the results should be about the same making whomever the starting QB is very happy, not to mention the boost to the running game.
1ST (23) – JONATHAN TAYLOR, RB WISCONSIN - While taking a running back in the first may seem like a luxury pick that could be better spent somewhere else, just a quick look at the Tampa running game over the last few seasons says that is not the case. With so many talented RBs in this class, any of 3 or 4 could be swapped and moved around for who’s the first selected, much like the OTs this year. I believe that Jonathan Taylor will end up being the best of the bunch. Besides the fact he ran an incredible 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine, did it at 226 lbs. Taylor doesn’t just have size and speed for days, he has the production to back up what that size and speed suggests. At Wisconsin, Taylor rushed for 6,174 yards in only 3 years! With ideal size to run through blocks or to throw them protecting the QB, the speed to run around and away from defenders, and natural way he catches the ball out of the backfield, BA would not only have his starting RB in the mold of David Johnson, he would have a better version of Johnson.
2ND (45) – DENZEL MIMS, WR BAYLOR – his combine showing may very possibly push Mims into the first round, but with so many WRs to be had, I believe that a lot of teams will hold off a round to try to target some of the positions that are a lot shallower to make sure they fill other roster holes. With Mims size at a tick under 6’3” and a 4.38 40-yard time, he would make an ideal replacement for Perriman should he chose to leave in FA, which I believe he will. As we saw last year when Evans and Godwin both went down with hamstring injuries, you have to have quality depth to stand a chance in the event that happens again.
3RD (76) – JALEN HURTS, QB, OK- This pick may be a little controversial for a few reasons. One is that Hurts showed so well at the combine that a lot of pundits are predicting he won’t make it out of the 2nd round. Another reason that some may disagree with it is that they don’t believe that Hurts would be a good fit for BA’s style of offense. I believe those lines of thinking are both wrong. First, even with a good showing at the combine, there is still the showing at the Senior Bowl that teams will look back on. While he wasn’t horrible, he could have done much better. Completing throws to targets that are not being covered while not having to avoid a pass rush can make any QB look good. I think he falls somewhere between the last half 2nd round and the early half of the 3rd round. As far as BA’s scheme, I think he can fit in quite nicely and has better arm strength than given credit for. He played at an extremely high level for not just one premiere school, but two and took them both to the NCAA playoffs. Given 1-2 years to sit behind Brady (or whomever is at the helm) to learn and work on his mechanics, I believe that Hurts has the tools and talent to take over as the face of the franchise and guide this team to back to perennial playoff contenders much like the team of the late 90’s and early 2000’s.
4TH (117) – JABARI ZUNIGA, EDGE FLORIDA – Coming into the 2019 season there were high hopes for Zuniga for his senior year. Unfortunately for him, his senior year was derailed by injuries. That perspective, while unfortunate for Zuniga, is a blessing for Tampa. Zuniga has the tools and athletic gifts of a 1st round pass rusher and if those injuries force him to slide to the 4th round, then Tampa not only got possibly the steal of the draft, but also the heir apparent to JPP to match opposite Clowney after this year.
4TH (122) DAVON HAMILTON, DT OHIO – While there are plenty of positions that run very deep in this draft, DT isn’t one of them. After you get past Brown and Kinlaw in the 1st round the quality starts to decline rather rapidly. Hamilton would be a decent pick if he’s still available in the 4th. While I’m tempted to totally skip over DT in this draft and instead look to FA for depth, I decided to take a chance on one of the only DTs that can represent decent value at this point in the draft. Most years Hamilton would probably be a 5th or 6th round prospect, but just at the depth is pushing 1st round talent at WR down, it’s also working to boost up a thin DT group. Coming from Ohio, Hamilton has the skills and coaching needed to fill in as a quality backup to Suh and possibly as the starter once Suh moves on.
4TH (COMPENSATORY PICK) KE’SHAWN VAUGHN, RB VANDERBILT – RB may not seem like a pressing need after adding Freeman through FA and Taylor in the first, but Licht likes to flood a position to better his odds of solidifying it, and RB is no different. In fact, if there is a difference, it isn’t the flooding of the position just like he did with the secondary the last couple years, but the fact that the running game has been so weak the past few years that Licht rather err on the side of caution and get too many than not enough. While the running game desperately needs to improve, having multiple backs that can pass protect and catch out of the backfield may be just as important. Also, RB is probably the position that needs more depth as injuries often afflict that position more than the rest due to the constant impact the player receives each game. Going into the 2019 season, Vaughn was one of my favorite players with the highest of expectations. While he didn’t have the same kind of production as he did in 2018 causing him to slide way down most teams draft boards, he runs with a nastiness that cause LBs to cringe.
5TH (152) DARRYL WILLIAMS, G/C MISSISSIPPI STATE – Williams probably deserves to go higher than with this pick in the 5th, but due to the depth at O-line in this draft, he slides and Tampa benefits. Just like the secondary of the last couple years or the RB position this year, Jason Licht will stockpile players through FA and the draft. Tampa not only needs to become stronger along the offensive trench, but also needs multiple new additions just to provide adequate depth since they don’t have nearly enough under contract to make it through the year.
6TH (194) DAMIEN LEWIS, G LSU – To finish out the 2020 draft, the Bucs go back to the O-Line well one last time with Lewis. His skillset probably projects most as a right guard in the NFL and could provide competition or quality depth to Cappa.
2020 NFL DRAFT OPTION 2
This option is going to be a little different than the first option as instead of staying put and taking the best players that fall to us and fill needs, there will be a major movement.
1ST (1) JOE BURROW, QB LSU – If only Jameis had panned out, oh what a total makeover all those draft picks would have made. To have 11 picks, with 6 in the top 100, would be a game changer for the franchise, but guess what, so is taking Burrow! It would probably take all three of Tampa’s first round picks to convince the Bengals to swap with Tampa, but it would be worth it as Burrow produced the best season for a college QB in history. Coming into this year I believed Herbert to be the best QB in the 2020 draft, little did I expect him to fall to third. Even though it would mean a king’s ransom to trade up and select yet another QB first overall, Burrow is too good to pass up on the opportunity to draft, especially if he can learn from the GOAT for a year or 2. While there would be a lot of pressure and expectation for him to start immediately, having patience could pay huge dividends just like it did for Green Bay when Rodgers had to sit behind Favre.
2ND (45) JOSH JONES, OT HOUSTON– Jones made quite the impression in Mobile and there is the very real possibility that he’s gone by this pick having moved up into the 1st round. I’m going to say he is still available in this scenario and take him in the first half of the 2nd. Jones would be a good pairing with whatever O-Line signings the Bucs make in FA and fortify the right side of the line for years to come.
2ND (56) J.K DOBBINS, RB OHIO – Thankfully this year is stocked full of top shelf RBs and Dobbins is still available when the Bucs are on the clock at pick 56. Dobbins would be a great addition with the ability to be the bell cow or as a compliment to Freeman.
3RD (76) AJ DILLON, RB, BOSTON COLLEGE – Wait a minute, back to back RBs? Absolutely! Dillon moved himself up a lot of draft boards during the combine when we ran a blazing 4.53 at 6’, 247 lbs. and jumped out of the building with a 41” vertical and 131” broad jump. Dillon is a huge man that will run-you-over just like the NFL ball carrier he most favors; Derrick Henry. Although he’s 3” shorter than Henry, they both weigh 247 and Dillon is faster with better hops. A combination of Dillon with Dobbins, Rojo, and Freeman would not only scare the daylights out of opposing defenses, but would be a nightmare to try to game plan against with their varied skillsets. Oh, the that pesky lousy running game of the last few years? Fixed!
4TH (117) MICHAEL PITTMAN JR, WR USC – Pittman’s game and skills resemble a current Tampa player; Mike Evans. Pittman would not only give a mismatch on the outside for opposing defenses to try to cover, but he would immediately step into Evans roll in the event of another injury. Instead of waiting to take a WR later in the draft, Tampa chooses to take advantage of this deep position early and fortify the position in a similar way that Pittsburgh did with another USC WR, JuJu Smith-Schuster when they already had Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant on the roster. Drafting JuJu paid off big time and proved to be a smart move as he is now the WR1 and Brown and Bryant are no longer on the team. While fans hope that Evans and Godwin remain on the team their entire careers, the truth is that you can’t predict the future. Also, in case you didn’t know, Pittman is a legacy as his dad Michael senior was the lead RB on Tampa’s only Super Bowl winning team.
4TH (122) – JABARI ZUNIGA, EDGE FLORIDA – Coming into the 2019 season there were high hopes for Zuniga for his senior year. Unfortunately for him, his senior year was derailed by injuries. That perspective, while unfortunate for Zuniga, is a blessing for Tampa. Zuniga has the tools and athletic gifts of a 1st round pass rusher and if those injuries force him to slide to the 4th round, then Tampa not only got possibly the steal of the draft, but also the heir apparent to JPP to match opposite Clowney after this year.
4TH (COMPENSATORY PICK) DAVON HAMILTON, DT OHIO – While there are plenty of positions that run very deep in this draft, DT isn’t one of them. After you get past Brown and Kinlaw in the 1st round the quality starts to decline rather rapidly. Hamilton would be a decent pick if he’s still available in the 4th. While I’m tempted to totally skip over DT in this draft and instead look to FA for depth, I decided to take a chance on one of the only DTs that can represent decent value at this point in the draft. Most years Hamilton would probably be a 5th or 6th round prospect, but just at the depth is pushing 1st round talent at WR down, it’s also working to boost up a thin DT group. Coming from Ohio, Hamilton has the skills and coaching needed to fill in as a quality backup to Suh and possibly as the starter once Suh moves on.
5TH (152) DARRYL WILLIAMS, G/C MISSISSIPPI STATE – Williams probably deserves to go higher than with this pick in the 5th, but due to the depth at O-line in this draft, he slides and Tampa benefits. Just like the secondary of the last couple years or the RB position this year, Jason Licht will stockpile players through FA and the draft. Tampa not only needs to become stronger along the offensive trench, but also needs multiple new additions just to provide adequate depth since they don’t have nearly enough under contract to make it through the year.
6TH (194) DAMIEN LEWIS, G LSU – To finish out the 2020 draft, the Bucs go back to the O-Line well one last time with Lewis. His skillset probably projects most as a right guard in the NFL and could provide competition or quality depth to Cappa.
2020 NFL DRAFT OPTION 3
In this final scenario, the Bucs do not make any trades before, or during, the draft and pick the best players available to them. In reality, although fans want Jason Licht and Bruce Arians to wheel, deal, and risk the biscuit, the percentage that it actually happens is probably somewhere between the odds of being the sole winner of a $500M Powerball lottery and nonexistent.
1ST (14) JAVON KINLAW, DT SOUTH CAROLINA – while Tampa can really use one of those stud OTs in this year’s draft, it would require some luck on Tampa’s part for one of them to fall to 14. As this final scenario is the closest to reality, then real it will be and the Bucs tend to have the sort of luck that means a player they covet would be taken the pick prior to being on the clock. However, just because the selection is Kinlaw due to losing out on an OT, doesn’t mean the pick isn’t a great one for them. Kinlaw would be a dominant force next to Vea for a long time and allow them to move on from Suh should the need arise.
2ND (45) CAM AKERS, RB FSU – Akers would make a nice addition to the team’s rushing attack and a well-rounded player that can come in as needed as part of a rotation or as an every down ball carrier.
3RD (76) JAKE FROMM, QB UGA – Speculated to go somewhere between rounds 3 and 4, the Bucs don’t take the chance of waiting for the 4th round and potentially losing out on a future franchise leader. Whether or not Fromm turns out to be good enough to lead the franchise is still up in the air, but he did play well enough to force Jacob Eason to switch colleges in order to start again. As a three-year starter who through for over 8200 yards, 78 TDs and only 18 interceptions, he has potential to take over the reins one day.
4TH (117) LOGAN STENBERG, G KENTUCKY – With additions in free agency, the Bucs aren’t done. Licht is going to flood the position to ensure proper depth and competition. Last year the pass protection was decent, but they couldn’t run to the right to save their lives. With an offseason of FAs and draft choices look for a much improved rushing attack.
4TH (COMPENSATORY PICK) JABARI ZUNIGA, EDGE FLORIDA – Coming into the 2019 season there were high hopes for Zuniga for his senior year. Unfortunately for him, his senior year was derailed by injuries. That perspective, while unfortunate for Zuniga, is a blessing for Tampa. Zuniga has the tools and athletic gifts of a 1st round pass rusher and if those injuries force him to slide to the 4th round, then Tampa not only got possibly the steal of the draft, but also the heir apparent to JPP to match opposite Clowney after this year.
5TH (152) KE’SHAWN VAUGHN, RB VANDERBILT – RB may not seem like a pressing need after adding Freeman through FA and Akers, but Licht likes to flood a position to better his odds of solidifying it, and RB is no different. Unlike the other scenario in which the Bucs chose Taylor in the first, Vaughn is a better compliment to Akers as I think they would work well in tandem, as opposed as depth as is the case with Taylor.
6TH (194) DAMIEN LEWIS, G LSU – Just like a previous scenario, to finish out the 2020 draft, the Bucs go back to the O-Line well one last time with Lewis. His skillset probably projects most as a right guard in the NFL and could provide competition or quality depth to Cappa.
