A disappointing season is finally over, and while there are still questions that need to be answered eyes need to start looking toward the future.
Longtime linebacker Lavonte David is likely retiring after this season, which leaves a massive hole at that defensive position. It's one of many gaps in the roster that general manager Jason Licht needs to figure out a way to close, something he can do with the No. 15 overall pick in the NFL Draft this year.
That's where the College Football Playoff comes into play.
After a wild quarter-final slate of games, the final four teams are set to face off this week, and each team showcases talent on both sides of the ball. Let's dissect who Bucs fans can look out for when watching the CFP semi-final games this week.
Top NFL Draft prospects Buccaneers fans must watch in the CFP semifinals
D'Angelo Ponds, CB/Indiana
The 5'9 cornerback entered the season as a late-first round pick by 247 Sports, but has dropped slightly since then. During his junior season at Indiana, Ponds posted seven passes defended, one interception, and 49 tackles through 13 games.
The Buccaneers desperately need an addition to defend against the pass, and Ponds would be a fantastic second-day addition. He's Mel Kiper's fifth cornerback on his big board, and Bleacher Report projects him as a "key contributor, 2nd round" pick.
Tampa Bay finished the regular season 27th in passing yards allowed per game, grossly behind every NFC South rival. With standout cornerback Jamel Dean's now over, adding at this position is important as ever.
You can watch Indiana and Ponds take on Oregon on Friday, Jan 9, at 7:30 p.m.
Aiden Fisher, LB/Indiana
The problem with this pick is that Aidan Fisher is a consensus 7th-round pick. This class is loaded with top-end linebacker talent, who the Bucs will likely take much earlier in the draft, but none of them remain in the CFP. Nevertheless, the Bucs desperately need more linebackers, especially if Lavonte David retires this offseason.
During Fisher's senior season at Indiana, he posted 3.5 sacks, 82 tackles a forced fumble and two interceptions. Most recently, he posted a career game against Alabama in the CFP quarterfinals. He recorded one sack and a forced fumble along with seven tackles.
He's produced more as the season progresses, and just turned 22-years-old. The Bucs could certainly take a late round flier on Fisher, especially if he continues his dominant CFP performance.
Once again, Indiana and Fisher take on Oregon on Friday, Jan 9, at 7:30 p.m.
Eliminated players worth looking into
Six of Kiper's top 10 off-ball linebackers were previously eliminated from the CFP during the first two rounds. It's safe to say, this section would be much juicier if it were written two weeks ago.
Regardless, the Buccaneers MUST attack the linebacker position aggressively, and need at least one off-ball linebacker to aid in pass coverage. Ohio State boasted two elite weapons named Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles. The problem is, these two more than likely will be drafted before the Bucs pick at No. 15 in the first round.
The fringe first-round pick they must select is Georgia's linebacker CJ Allen. Allen posted 88 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four passes defended this season. The 20-year-old has yet to reach his full potential, but he started on an elite Georgia team in the SEC as an underclassman, which is a notable achievement.
Despite being eliminated from the playoffs last Thursday, Allen is one of the biggest names for Bucs fans to look out for as the draft class continues to mold.