The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Mock Draft Monday on a Buccaneers victory Monday

By Cory Kinnan

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 18: Quarterback Jameis Winston of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with wide receiver Mike Evans #13 after connecting with Evans for a 42-yard touchdown pass during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on December 18, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 18: Quarterback Jameis Winston of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with wide receiver Mike Evans #13 after connecting with Evans for a 42-yard touchdown pass during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on December 18, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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EVANSTON, IL – OCTOBER 27: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 27, 2018 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, IL – OCTOBER 27: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 27, 2018 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

2.48 Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

Yes, Ronald Jones has come to life in his second season for the Bucs, as he has begun to phase out last year’s leading rusher Peyton Barber. With that being said, the Bucs will more than likely let Barber walk at the end of the year, and given the nature of the running back position in the NFL, the pewter and red will need another back to go hand-in-hand with Jones.

Here in the second round of this mock draft, Wisconsin standout and Heisman hopeful Jonathan Taylor was still on the board and was too good to resist with the 48th overall pick. Picture this: Jones continues to show burst, hits a long run and needs a breather and the Bucs are able to sub him out for Taylor; talk about a one-two punch.

The only issue that could follow Taylor into the NFL: his usage. Running backs have the shortest shelf lives of any position in the NFL, so drafting a back with 690 career collegiate carries could be a bit of an issue; production with those carries is another story, however.

As a freshman, Taylor almost hit 2,000 yards rushing, while surpassing that mark last season; he is on pace for another 2,000 yards as a junior as well for the Badgers. Averaging nearly seven yards per carry over his career, Taylor has also scored 40 career touchdowns during his time at Camp Randall.

Disclaimer: there are backs that will be available later in the draft that I have ranked higher than Taylor if a second rounder is believed to be too high for a running back.

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