Buccaneers: Mock Draft Monday had Veterans Day off

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: Vernon Hargreaves III of Florida holds up a jersey after being picked #11 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: Vernon Hargreaves III of Florida holds up a jersey after being picked #11 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Walker Little #72 blocks against the Stanford Cardinal Bryce Love #20 of the Stanford Cardinal runs for a touchdown during the first half of a game against the San Diego State Aztecs at Qualcomm Stadium on September 16, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Walker Little #72 blocks against the Stanford Cardinal Bryce Love #20 of the Stanford Cardinal runs for a touchdown during the first half of a game against the San Diego State Aztecs at Qualcomm Stadium on September 16, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Heading into the 2019 season, Stanford offensive tackle Walker Little was considered to be one of the top tackles in the class. Unfortunately for Little, he tore his ACL early in the season for the Cardinals, and as a result, his draft stock has inevitably taken a hit.

This could be an ideal situation for the Buccaneers: left tackle Donovan Smith, although he is struggling, is on the hook for guaranteed money next season. Little could redshirt the 2020 season to get back to full health the following year, then the Bucs can move on from Smith and have a duo of Wanogho and Little for the future.

It is becoming clearer by the week that the interior of the Buccaneers’ offensive line is not the issue as Ali Marpet, Ryan Jensen, and Alex Cappa have performed at a high level this season. However Smith and Dotson are highly replaceable; drafting a couple of tackles in 2020 would not be the worst idea for the pewter and red front office to consider.

Little, Marpet, Jensen, Cappa, Wanogho. This is an offensive line that the Bucs can work with. Here in the fifth round, they are able to add the 6-7 Little and could afford to sit him for the first year of his career as his knee recovers. Vernon Hargreaves was a necessary step in the secondary, moving on from Donovan Smith may be a necessary step for the offensive line to improve as well.

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