Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Latest NFL Mock Draft makes a lot of sense

USA Today’s latest four-round NFL Mock Draft makes a lot of sense when looking at it from the perspective of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished off the 2019 season with a 7-9 record, missing the NFL Playoffs for an 11th-straight year.

Though the Bucs have shown a little bit of promise over the course of the last two years, the organization has yet to take the leap to becoming a legitimate playoff contender or competitor for the NFC South.

One of the keys for the Bucs as they try to turn things around will have to do with the success of the NFL Draft.

USA Today’s Draftwire released a four-round mock for the upcoming 2020 draft and it made a lot of sense for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Here’s a look at the mock selections and our thoughts with each one:

• First Round: OL Tristan Wirfs (Iowa)

It’s not the flashiest first-round selection, but it would fill a major need for Tampa Bay.

The Buccaneers are in need of an upgrade at a tackle spot and Wirfs is a player who could come in and start from Day One. He’s extremely physical and shows good footwork on film.

• Second Round: RB J.K. Dobbins (Ohio State)

If you’re looking for ‘flashy’ picks, then this second-round mock pick is for you. Ohio State RB J.K. Dobbins was one of the top RBs in the country last season and would provide an extremely explosive threat, both in the running game and catching the ball out of the backfield- for the Buccaneers.

Dobbins isn’t built quite the same as a Jonathan Taylor or D’Andre Swift, but he’s explosive just the same and would be a big-play threat for Tampa Bay’s offense.

• Third Round: DB Ashtyn Davis (West Virginia)

The Buccaneers need to upgrade and build depth in that defensive backfield. While I like the idea of going with a defensive back here, I’m not sure that I’m completely sold on Davis at this point.

He’d likely provide competition with Mike Edwards and Andrew Adams (if re-signed), but it would be interesting to see what other defensive backs are available at this point in the draft.

• Fourth Round: DL Jordan Elliott (Missouri)

If Tampa doesn’t find a way to re-sign Ndamukong Suh, building depth at that defensive tackle position is going to be paramount.

Jordan Elliott of Missouri would be a solid find in the fourth round and would provide value for the Bucs along the defensive line as they look to continue their success against the run in 2020.