Earlier today, R.J. White of CBS Sports released his 2020 NFL mock draft, which had the Buccaneers trading up into the 9th spot to draft University of Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert. For a mock draft, it’s a fun and sexy pick to make. But in reality, it’s hard to see the Bucs prioritizing the quarterback position over other areas of need, such as the defensive line.
Tampa Bay has several free agents hitting the open market, including guys like Shaq Barrett, Jason Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong Suh. That’s a whole lot of size to potentially lose at once. And while Barrett seems like a shoe-in to return to the team on a long-term deal, the same can’t be said about JPP and Suh. Losing either one of those players would hurt, let alone both, so perhaps that’s why Bucky Brooks of NFL.com is among the throng of draft experts who like South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw going to Tampa Bay with the 14th pick in April’s draft.
Per Brooks:
“As a big, physical interior defender with extraordinary length and strength, Kinlaw is an ideal building block at the point of attack.”
There certainly doesn’t seem to be a downside in drafting a guy like Kinlaw. The Bucs could certainly use an offensive tackle, but might be able to find one in free agency rather than waiting until the draft.
But if the Bucs were hoping to see Kinlaw workout this week at the NFL Scouting Combine, it seems they are going to have to wait a little longer.
South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw, a likely top 10 pick, has successfully rehabbed the knee tendinitis that caused him to cut short his Senior Bowl, sources say. But rehab was the focus more so than training, so he’ll do field work at his school’s Pro Day.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 25, 2020
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