FAB 3. Wide Array Of Opinions On Bucs’ 2021 Draft

The 2020 NFL Draft was the most recent NFL event, and the draft is still on people’s minds, especially since Tampa Bay appears to have a great incoming rookie class. With no Bucs rookie mini-camp or OTAs to write about – yet – let’s take a sneak peak into the “way too early 2021 NFL mock drafts” that have recently come out, including one by PewterReport.com’s Jon Ledyard, and see where the Bucs are picking – and which players they forecast to Tampa Bay.

Some NFL draft experts used Las Vegas playoff odds to determine the projected 2021 draft order, while some just used their best guess. The range is from picking No. 20, which would put the Bucs on the cusp of the playoffs, to No. 31, which has them losing in Super Bowl 55.

No. 20. Georgia CB Tyson Campbell – Pro Football Network’s Neil Driscoll
“The Buccaneers have some adequate cornerbacks; however, they don’t have that true number-one player. Tyson Campbell presents impressive size and length and comes with impressive movement skills.”

Driscoll projects Oklahoma State wide receiver Tylan Wallace to Tampa Bay in the second round.

No. 22 Alabama OT Alex Leatherwood – Fox Sports’ Jason McIntyre
“Tom Brady’s first season in Tampa is a success, but the offensive line crumbles when it matters most for its 43-year old leader.”

No. 23 – Georgia DB Richard LeCounte – CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson
“LeCounte plays deep centerfield but can also play closer to the line of scrimmage where he can cover RBs and TEs. The Bucs’ defense continues to get younger, faster and more physical.”

No. 26 – Oklahoma State RB Chuba Hubbard – Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller
“There’s reason to believe Tom Brady will still be the quarterback in Tampa one year from today, which makes loading up the offense through the draft for his last year under contract a smart bet. Bruce Arians loves pass-catching running backs in his offense, and the early look at 2020 has Oklahoma State do-it-all Chuba Hubbard as the best of the class. He’s productive both as a runner and receiver and has the power and burst to be this year’s version of Clyde Edwards-Helaire.”

No. 26. Alabama LB Dylan Moses – Pro Football Talk’s Glynn Morgan 
“Tampa Bay takes advantage of the linebacking pearl from Alabama that kept falling through the first round. Moses is exactly what the middle of the defense needs to stymie rushing attacks. He has the knack for sifting through traffic and making tackles that stop players in their tracks. Moses is a decisive tackling machine with the lateral quickness to get better in pass coverage.”

No. 27 Syracuse S Andre Cisco – The Draft Network’s Trevor Sikkema
“Andre Cisco was one of the most productive safeties in the country over the last two years. He had seven interceptions and 18 passes defended in 2018 and five more interceptions in 2019. Cisco is a true ball-hawking difference-maker in the secondary.”

No. 28 Alabama DT Christian Barmore – PewterReport.com’s Jon Ledyard
“Well, would you look at the Bucs all the way down here! While the interior offensive line and a quarterback of the future could be priorities, Barmore could fill a crucial need at defensive tackle next to Vita Vea. The Bucs desperately need more talent on the interior defensive line, and if Barmore puts together a standout season in a more full-time role at Alabama, they may need to trade up to get him.”

No. 28 Miami EDGE Quincy Roche – SI.com’s Kevin Hanson
“The Bucs used the franchise tag to retain Shaq Barrett, and Jason Pierre-Paul is on the wrong side of 30 and a free agent after the 2021 season. After transferring from Temple, Roche joins Gregory Rousseau to give the Hurricanes one of the best pass rushes in college football. Roche had 19 tackles for loss and 13 sacks in 12 games last season.”

No. 28 North Dakota State QB Trey Lance – DraftWire.com’s Luke Easterling
There was no editorial provided by DraftWire.com, but Lance is coming off a fantastic season in which he completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 2,786 yards with 28 touchdowns and no interceptions. The 6-foot-3, 231-pound Lance also rushed for 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards per carry for the national champion Bison. Lance will be a redshirt sophomore in 2021.

No. 31 Alabama RB Najee Harris – WalterFootball.com’s Walter Cherepinsky
“The Buccaneers waited until the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft to find a running back. If Ke’Shawn Vaughn doesn’t pan out, Tampa Bay may use this selection to upgrade the backfield. 

Najee Harris was one of the top recruits in the country in 2017, and he showed off his talents as a freshman. He’s been tremendous again this past season.”

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