The Pewter Plank
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Pre-Free Agency Battle Plan

By Kenneth Barrett

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 13: A detailed view of Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmets on the team bench ahead of the NFL game between Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 13, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 13: A detailed view of Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmets on the team bench ahead of the NFL game between Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 13, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: A video board displays the text “THE PICK IS IN” for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: A video board displays the text “THE PICK IS IN” for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

2020 NFL Draft

Rd1 (14): DT Javon Kinlaw . The Bucs will have some tempting offers for teams looking to trade up ahead for a receiver like Jeudy, Lamb, or Ruggs that falls in the draft. In this scenario I have the Bucs staying put at 14. Unless the Jets sign or trade for an OT in FA it’s hard to bank on any of the top 4 being at #14.

Teams like the Giants, Chargers, Cardinals, and Browns plus a team like the Dolphins who can trade and leap frog the Bucs for an OT. With the Bucs having three players in their range of Thomas (least likely), Chaisson, and Kinlaw most likely on the board, I am afraid of the Falcons trying to trade ahead of the Bucs so one of the defensive players might not be there (I believe they have their eyes on Chaisson). And with Kinlaw now solidifying himself as a top 12-15 pick he also might be selected before the Bucs pick.

If none of the 4 OT’s, Kinlaw, and Chaisson are on the board the Bucs will most likely have the luxury of trading out and landing a guy like Josh Jones. But in this scenario the most likely candidate on the board is Kinlaw. He steps right in as a starter and gives a great addition as both a 3 and 5 technique in a 3-4 scheme.

Rd1 (28) Bucs trade #45 (Rd. 2) and a 2021 2nd round pick to the Ravens for #28. The Buccaneers select OT Josh Jones. Jones comes in to compete for the RT spot. He does not command enough attention to take over Donovan Smith‘s spot, but definitely can in a year or two should the Bucs not resign Smith. Perfect match for a player and team fit.

Rd 3 (76) RB Cam Akers. The secret about Cam Akers is coming out more and as the draft process grows on, but unfortunately for him he plays RB and there are some more high profile guys ahead of him.Would be great value for the Buccaneers in the middle of Rd. 3.

Rd 4: CB Bryce Hall. Great size and man to man skills, but needs to sit and learn all aspects of the game to succeed at the NFL level.

Rd 4 from Patriots via Bears: WR Tyler Johnson. Just a great receiver to add to the team. Everyone wants speed, but Evans and Godwin have enough of that to get by and so does Johnson. We forget Perriman wasn’t successful as the #3 option, he thrived when Evans and Godwin were hurt working mainly intermediate routes. Whoever is the QB in 2020 just needs weapons who can get open and secure the catch. Johnson can be that consistent guy who can get open if Godwin or Evans are double teamed and can step up and make contested catches is either were to be hurt.

Rd 4 (from Patriots via Bears): EDGE Alex Highsmith. Fits our Edge profile and would play behind JPP and Shaq. Could be used to spell in year 1 but not a starter level player for the next year or two.

Rd 5: LB Taylor Davion. Special teams guy who can sit behind LVD, White, Minter, and Cichy. But the dude is an athletic specimen and that’s what’s getting him drafted in rd 5 instead of undrafted. Very raw player.

Rd 6: QB Nate Stanley. Flier worthy player. Can come into camp and try to beat out Griffin for #3. He’s been a player linked to the Bucs by Pewter Report so we’ll see. 6th and 7th round picks under the Licht regime rarely make the roster so it’s a moot point to speculate about at this point.

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