NFL Mock Draft: Buccaneers take OT Josh Jones at No. 14

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have an important decision to make with the No. 14 selection in the NFL Draft. Here’s a look at the latest Mock Draft.

CBS Sports released its latest 2020 NFL Mock Draft and decided to go a bit off the beaten path when it came time for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to select at pick No. 14.

The Buccaneers, who are in great need of an offensive tackle, have been linked to several of the top-four offensive linemen in the class- especially including Andrew Thomas and Tristan Wirfs.

While those remain likely options, CBS Sports’ latest mock draft had all four of the top offensive tackles off the board by pick No. 10.

So what did that leave the Buccaneers doing?

With the No. 14 pick in the draft, CBS Sports had Tampa Bay selecting OT Josh Jones (Houston).

Jones is widely considered a first-round prospect and is the No. 5 offensive tackle in the class, but there is a perceived drop-off between him and the other four. Typically, those who have the Bucs linked to Jones believe that Tampa will trade back a few spots- earning themselves another pick- and then take Jones somewhere around the 19-24 range.

But what if Tampa believes him in him that much? Could Jones be worth a selection at No. 14?

There’s not much reason to believe that the Buccaneers will take a wide receiver or defensive lineman- though they’ve been linked to a few- in the first-round. The franchise needs more than anything to address the offensive line and find a way to best protect Tom Brady. They’ll address the other positions later in the draft.

That being said, Jones could become a viable option.

Trading back is always a risk because you never know what the organizations in front of you are thinking. What if the Bucs trade back to No. 20 and Jones is selected at 18 or 19? It’s a risk that maybe Tampa isn’t willing to take.

If that’s the case, then CBS may be onto something. It still seems a bit unlikely at this point, though.

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