Tampa Bay Buccaneers land high-profile safety in 2020 mock draft

Even after drafting a safety in each of the last three drafts, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take another here in this 2020 mock draft.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer recently published his “Christmas-in-July” mock draft, highlighting the top-ten predictions for the 2020 NFL Draft. In this mock draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are picking fifth overall, due to having the fifth-worst Super Bowl odds according to Bet Online heading into the 2019 season.

With the fifth pick in this 2020 mock draft, the Buccaneers took Louisiana State safety Grant Delpit, theoretically reuniting him with linebacker Devin White in Tampa Bay. Delpit has been highly touted this offseason as the best defensive back heading into the football season, with the versatility to play all over the field, similar to Los Angeles Chargers’ safety Derwin James.

Listed at 6-3 and 203 pounds, Delpit is a massive body at the back end of the LSU defense, and his production from a year ago is nothing short of remarkable. As a sophomore in 2018, Delpit stuffed the stat sheet with 46 solo tackles, nine of which came behind the line of scrimmage, five interceptions, nine passes defended, and one forced fumble.

The Buccaneers have taken a safety in three straight drafts, but given that only third rounder Mike Edwards was drafted by this current regime, Justin Evans and Jordan Whitehead may not be a fit for Todd Bowles and his defensive scheme. Given the struggles of the secondary a year ago, it is no surprise that they have sought a massive overhaul at the position this offseason.

Should Evans not bounce back from a disappointing sophomore season last year or stay healthy, the Buccaneers are not afraid to stuff a positional room and could seek an upgrade in the 2020 draft. Delpit would fit the bill and in this mock draft he finds his way to Tampa Bay.