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Buccaneers: Ranking 5 biggest offseason targets in 2019

By Ryan Doyle

BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 03: Deionte Thompson #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after the LSU Tigers missed a second half field goal at Tiger Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Alabama won the game 29-0. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 03: Deionte Thompson #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after the LSU Tigers missed a second half field goal at Tiger Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Alabama won the game 29-0. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 15: Eddie Jackson #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide breaks a tackle by Micah Abernathy #22 of the Tennessee Volunteers on a punt return at Neyland Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 15: Eddie Jackson #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide breaks a tackle by Micah Abernathy #22 of the Tennessee Volunteers on a punt return at Neyland Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Simply put, the Buccaneers missed out on Florida State safety Derwin James in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

While Vita Vea may turn out to be a star in his own right, James is in the conversation to win Rookie of the Year, while Vea showed out for the first time on Sunday.

Tampa Bay cannot make the same mistake twice. Adding Thompson provides the Bucs with an immediate playmaker. The Bucs have three interceptions on the season thus far (two coming this past week), they need talent in the back end.

Odds are, the Bucs are going to land a top ten pick, and Thompson is one of the best prospects in the draft. As other teams look to bolster their front seven, Tampa should focus on their young secondary.

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Versatility is a strength of Thompson. Tampa Bay can use him in any way that fits their scheme. As a single-high safety or as a bruiser in the box. Thompson is a legitimate building block. He needs to be their choice in the 2019 NFL Draft.

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