Before-the-season 2020 mock draft for Tampa Bay Buccaneers

4.104: Shyheim Carter, S, Alabama

The shallowest position on the Buccaneers’ roster right now is the safety position. Tampa had to add veteran Darian Stewart late into training camp, but due to his age, it makes sense that they would add another safety in the mid-rounds of the 2020 draft; in this case, they add Alabama safety Shyheim Carter in the fourth round of this 2020 mock draft.

Currently the Buccaneers have, other than Stewart, third round pick Mike Edwards, 2018 sixth round pick Jordan Whitehead, and 2017 second round pick Justin Evans. However Evans was drafted by a previous regime and is often injured, so new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles may not be in favor of the former Texas A&M product.

Carter is entering his senior year with the Crimson Tide and in his first fame totaled just one tackle. Last year, however, Carter recorded three and a half tackles for loss and 26 solo tackles; he also added two interceptions and forced one fumble for the University of Alabama. A safety who has the potential to have a presence in the box is an asset to Bowles.

Even if Edwards and Whitehead stick around long-term, adding another box safety to play in the third level with Whitehead would give Bowles a ton of flexibility in his defensive scheme to allow Edwards to fly around the field in a variety of looks. Carter would give Bowles and the Buccaneers a deeper safety group and the ability to move their players around to disguise their looks defensively.