The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are desperately searching for stability at the quarterback position, and after five years and zero playoff appearances, it appears as though incumbent QB Jameis Winston could be on the way out.
If the Bucs do decide to let the quarterback walk, they’ll look to find a replacement either through free agency or in April’s NFL draft. While veterans like Philip Rivers and Tom Brady have been linked to the Bucs, nothing will be known for sure until free agency starts in a little over two weeks.
Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, in his first post-combine mock draft, says the Bucs could very well consider taking a signal-caller with the 14th pick, but he doesn’t feel there will be a player worthy of that high a selection.
Per Miller:
“A quarterback could definitely be the selection here, but in my rankings, there isn’t a passer worthy of the No. 14 overall selection, which is something [Bruce] Arians and general manager Jason Licht must consider when deciding how to fill the quarterback depth chart this offseason.”
Miller has the draft’s three big-name quarterbacks — Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert — already off the board by the time the Bucs are on the clock. Therefore, Miller has Tampa Bay playing it safe and taking LSU edge K’Lavon Chaisson.
“LSU’s K’Lavon Chaisson is a truly special athlete and player at the outside linebacker position. The Tigers asked Chaisson to rush the quarterback but he was also tasked often with dropping into coverage or stacking up against the run. In that way, he’s more like 2019 draft pick Josh Allen from Kentucky than he is a pure pass-rusher.”
Those comparison’s to Josh Allen should excite Bucs fans. Last year in the weeks leading up to the 2019 draft, several mocks had the Bucs taking Allen over Devin White. Clearly, the Bucs are satisfied with their selection of White, but the prospect of adding an Allen-type talent to this young defense has to excite Arians and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
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