5 reasons why the Buccaneers shouldn’t draft Jonathan Taylor

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 07: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs for a touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes during BIG Ten Football Championship Game2 at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 07: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs for a touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes during BIG Ten Football Championship Game2 at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 30: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears rushes against Demar Dotson #69 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field on September 30, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Buccaneers 48-10. Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 30: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears rushes against Demar Dotson #69 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field on September 30, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Buccaneers 48-10. Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

As already stated, Tampa Bay already has a more-than-competent running back in Ronald Jones.

On the other hand, the Buccaneers do not have replacements for players like Jason Pierre-Paul, Ndamukong Suh, or Demar Dotson if those players move on in free agency.

The Buccaneer defense was great to end the recent season and keeping those free agents is important, but Suh and JPP are both expensive and cheaper options could be found in the early rounds of the draft.

In addition to those defensive needs, the Bucs also need a stellar right tackle to replace Demar Dotson if the team decides to move on from him this offseason.

Dotson did not perform at an incredibly high level in 2019 and the Bucs would benefit from drafting one of the stud tackles that is in this draft class if they are available.

The Bucs would get the most from drafting a tackle in one of the early rounds because outside of the top four or five options the talent really starts to drop off. On the other hand, the talent at running back is far deeper and decent running backs can be found in later rounds.

Even if the Buccaneers think that they need to focus on improving the run this offseason above all else, building the offensive line up would have a bigger effect on the run game as a whole rather than spending a premium pick on a player like Jonathan Taylor.