Mock Draft Monday: Buccaneers looking to replace Jameis Winston?

Jameis Winston, Bruce Arians, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Jameis Winston, Bruce Arians, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
7 of 7
CHESTNUT HILL, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 19: AJ Dillon #2 of the Boston College Eagles runs the ball during the first half of the game between the Boston College Eagles and the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Alumni Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 19: AJ Dillon #2 of the Boston College Eagles runs the ball during the first half of the game between the Boston College Eagles and the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Alumni Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

6.170: A.J. Dillon, RB, Boston College

With their last pick in the draft after trading away their seventh rounder last offseason in order to get rid of DeSean Jackson, the Buccaneers take a power running back here in the sixth. Peyton Barber is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and given he returned on just a one-year deal, it is hard to see him returning to the pewter and red in 2020.

On the bright side, this will clear up space for Ronald Jones to finally take over the carries that he deserves instead of sitting behind the far less efficient Barber. But this also means the Bucs will need to potentially add another running back, expecting that they do not expect Dare Ogunbowale to be a solid second option as a ball carrier.

Here they add Boston College’s A.J. Dillon to give themselves a thunder and lightning backfield in 2020. We have seen the explosiveness and agility that Jones has brought to the field this year, but the 6-0 and 250 pound Dillon can add an element of hurt that is currently missing from the pewter and red backfield.

Well on his way to his third straight year of 1,000 yards rushing and double-digit touchdowns, Dillon has been the driving force of the Golden Eagles’ offense this season. Averaging just around five yards per carry on his career, Dillon will not necessarily give you the big play ability, but for the lovers of Mike Alstott, he will get you the gritty, hard-earned yards.

Schedule