Buccaneers 2020 Draft: Ranking positions according to need

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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 01: Nick Foles #7 of the Jacksonville Jaguars fumbles after a hit by Shaquil Barrett #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter of a football game at TIAA Bank Field on December 01, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

The second most important position for the Buccaneers to focus on in the 2020 Draft is outside linebacker. The Bucs are coming off of an incredible season defensively from their front seven with Shaquil Barrett making second team All-Pro (even though he should have made the first team). Despite all of this the Buccaneers will need a young pass rusher to learn and grow under the aging Jason Pierre-Paul to serve as a viable replacement if Carl Nassib moves on.

The Buccaneers are hoping to bring back both JPP and Shaquil Barrett but Pierre-Paul is 31 and coming off of a neck injury and the sun may be setting on his career. JPP has been an excellent leader for the Bucs and would be a great player to show a rookie pass rusher the ropes. Anthony Nelson is still a option than can potentially pan out as an outside linebacker but it wouldn’t hurt for the Bucs to invest more in finding a top tier pass rusher.

The outside linebacker or pass rusher is one of the most important positions in the NFL. In a league that continues to shift more towards the pass having a player that can put pressure on opposing quarterbacks is invaluable. The Buccaneers currently have a great linebacker corps but need to be proactive in making sure that said unit continues to be well-staffed.

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