The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are slated to pick 14th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, but the organization could make the move to trade up.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heading into a significant offseason as the organization looks to put a 12-year streak of missing the playoffs behind it and move forward.
The Buccaneers have some promising pieces and are poised to take the next step in competing for the NFC South division title and getting back to the playoffs with some smart moves this offseason.
The offseason all starts with free agency decisions, but then it will quickly be followed up with the NFL Draft, where Tampa Bay will look to find some talented young pieces to add to its promising core.
We’re going to explore some options for the Buccaneers if the organization trades down in the NFL Draft soon, but today let’s take a look at some prospects who could intrigue Tampa Bay realistically enough to trade-up.
5. Isaiah Simmons (Clemson)
Let’s start by saying that it’s not likely to see the Buccaneers trade up in the draft. Tampa Bay already has a spot in the draft where some talented options will be available and all too often it just costs too much to trade up.
However, there’s nothing wrong with exploring the options.
One of those prospects could be Isaiah Simmons, the safety/linebacker prospect from Clemson.
Simmons is projected to be taken somewhere between 3-9 depending on which analyst you listen to and it would likely take the Buccaneers’ No. 14 pick, as well as another pick or two in the future, to get up in the conversation.
Taking Simmons wouldn’t necessarily be addressing a need, but he could fit in as a hybrid linebacker in the system.
Tampa Bay needs to sure-up that secondary and Simmons’ freakish athleticism and versatility could be the perfect answer.
4. Jeffrey Okudah (Ohio State)
The Lions are trying to market that No. 3 overall pick to get an extra couple of picks in the draft and a future.
Could the Buccaneers trade up to No. 3 with the idea of drafting a cornerback?
It certainly wouldn’t be a popular decision with the Tampa Bay fanbase, but Okudah would be a lockdown corner who’d be able to come in and sure-up that secondary immediately- similar to Simmons.
He’s the best coverage corner in the draft and it may be worth it if the Buccaneers address other issues through free agency and still need to strengthen that secondary in the draft.
3. Mekhi Becton (Louisville)/ Jedrick Wills (Alabama)
Conventional wisdom for Tampa Bay in the NFL Draft is that the organization takes an offensive tackle in the first round.
But, there may have to be a trade for that to happen. Typically you don’t trade up for an offensive lineman, but that may be the only chance the organization has at getting one of the top offensive tackles in the draft.
There are four names- Mekhi Becton, Andrew Thomas, Jedrick Wills and Tristan Wirfs– who are above the rest.
Wills is going to be the top offensive tackle in the draft. The Buccaneers can likely get Becton- a huge prospect- by trading up to the 8-12 range. They’ll likely have to trade a bit higher to get Wills.
However, the return on investment may be worth it.
If you’re looking for an offensive tackle who has Pro Bowl potential and the ability to come in and be a starter from the beginning, Wills is the move. Becton wont’ be far behind him, either.
If the Bucs want one of those elite tackles, it may very well cost them trading up a few picks and giving up a draft pick later as a result.
2. Justin Herbert (Oregon)
If the Buccaneers trade up, it really will only be because the organization is addressing one need: Quarterback.
I don’t see Tampa Bay truly going after a defensive back with a trade up, though it could certainly help the defense, and I believe they’ll take their chance on having an offensive lineman fall to them at No. 14.
But if they trade up, it will likely be because they either decided not to bring Jameis Winston back or they aren’t convinced that he’s the future of the organization.
In steps Justin Herbert.
Herbert is a guy that has been projected anywhere from 7-18 and everywhere in between. He could very well still be available at No. 14, but it’s becoming more and more likely that he’ll be gone by pick No. 10.
If the Buccaneers want to take a first-round quarterback- and let’s be honest, Joe Burrow isn’t a realistic option- trading up for Herbert may be the best option. He’s strong and certainly has the ability to develop into an elite-level prospect, but it will likely cost the Bucs a couple of later draft picks and something in the future.
1. Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama)
Sticking with the same idea, the Buccaneers could very well trade up for Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa.
Tagovailoa has No. 1 overall potential, but may not be available to play right away due to rehabbing an injury.
It would be a risk to take a guy who has been injury-prone, but his production on the field speaks for itself. If Tampa wants Tagovailoa, it will likely have trade up to around 5-8, but it would be worth it in the end if he proved to be a franchise QB.
As we said above, it’s a big risk but Tagovailoa has proven that he can succeed and that he has all the potential in the world to develop into the next great QB in the league.
It’s not likely that we see the Buccaneers trade-up because of the great cost to do so, but these are some of the prospects that Tampa Bay could consider if it chose to move up in the draft.