Tampa Bay Buccaneers land offensive lineman in recent mock draft

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to groom the heir apparent to Demar Dotson or plug a new starter at right guard by picking Jonah Williams in this mock draft.

In a recent mock draft dropped by NFL Spin Zone’s Randy Gurzi, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select offensive lineman from Alabama Jonah Williams with the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

While addressing the offensive line does not seem to be viewed an area of weakness by the Buccaneers’ front office, Gurzi writes:

"“In an effort to truly evaluate what [quarterback Jameis Winston] can do, Tampa Bay uses this pick on a left tackle in Jonah Williams. The Alabama product took a hit for his play against Clemson, but that shouldn’t define him as a pro.” (via Gurzi at NFL Spin Zone)"

With the re-signing of Donovan Smith to a new deal worth $41.24 million over three years earlier this month, the Bucs do not need a left tackle. It would seem that if this were the selection, it would be to move Williams to right guard, as many draft experts think that the Alabama big man should do to begin with, or groom him for a year to replace Demar Dotson once his contract expires next offseason.

This too seems unlikely as Tampa Bay has too many holes to fill on the defensive side of the football with a very deep pool of defensive talent ripe for the picking. It would be more likely to see the Bucs trade out of the top-10, collect assets, and pick a pass rusher or linebacker, or take an elite prospect on the defensive side of the football like Montez Sweat, Devin White, or if they get lucky enough to have Quinnen Williams fall into their laps.

While taking an offensive lineman in the first round, the first three rounds for that matter, seems rather unlikely, we have seen general manager Jason Licht make crazier decisions in the draft. Here, Tampa Bay gets a high caliber offensive lineman in Williams.