We’re on the doorstep of the NFL Draft, as plans are getting locked into place and everyone around the league is settling into the calm before the storm. Things are still rather mysterious for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as the 19th pick could end up going a number of different directions — including to another team.
Not a single trade has been made involving a first round pick yet, with each team holding its own selection for the first time in this era of the NFL. There’s a growing belief that this could mean chaos on draft night, with the Bucs being pegged as a team that could trade up as much as it could trade down.
This isn’t the first time Tampa Bay has been in these sorts of rumors, and usually Jason Licht has ended up standing pat. If he does that again, like he did the last two years, then there are at least three positions of need he might end up targeting.
NFL insider reveals three positions Buccaneers could target in first round of NFL Draft
SI’s NFL insider Albert Breer went over how he thinks things might go in the first round on Thursday, naming three positions the Bucs could target. He also named a few players to perhaps keep an eye on as we snake our way to Tampa Bay’s pick midway through the night.
He named Kentucky speedster Maxwell Hairston as a potential fit for the Bucs at safety, but went a bit more in-depth on who it seems like the real target might be at No. 19.
"This could be a fourth edge rusher in five picks, and Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku is one to watch right here—the Bucs struck on a “traits” edge rusher four years ago, in taking Joe Tryon-Shoyinka in the first round, and Ezeiruaku is the antithesis of that," Breer said. "He was hyper productive, and a big-time program guy at BC, and is considered relatively safe, even if he’s a bit small for the position."
The third position he noted was inside linebacker, which also isn't much of a surprise. That also seems to be one on the edge of Breer's list, as he didn't mention it at all in his blurb about the Bucs. If the team does end up goin that route, though, Alabama's Jihaad Campbell has been widely viewed as the top target Tampa Bay might go after.
Wide receiver has even been a position the Bucs have been linked to at No. 19, although it doesn’t make a ton of sense to splurge unless something truly remarkable happens. The consensus around this class seems to be that it’s top-heavy with talent and the difference between the No. 5 prospect and a guy who might be on the board for Tampa Bay isn’t that big, which is an even bigger indication that the Bucs should stand pat and see what happens.
If there’s a trade, it’ll likely be down in the order. Jason Licht almost never pushes his chips to the center like that, unless it’s to move up for someone like Tristan Wirfs. This class doesn’t seem to have that sort of talent, which means the three positions Breer listed as potential targets for Tampa Bay could lead them to staying where they are and getting an impact player they’re looking for one way or another.
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