Bleacher Report’s new 2020 mock draft has the Bucs making a surprise pick at 14

In their new 2020 mock draft, Bleacher Report thinks the Bucs will opt for defense over offense in round one.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came out big winners after the first wave of free agency. The team decided to bring back both Ndamukong Suh and Jason Pierre-Paul on new deals, while also using the franchise tag on Shaq Barrett. Not only that, they managed to lure Tom Brady away from the New England Patriots after 20 years.

Those big moves have the Bucs sitting pretty as they turn their attention to April’s NFL draft, where they hold the 14th pick in the first round. With Brady on board, an offensive tackle for the Bucs appears to be the general consensus in most mock drafts since the Brady signing. But, in Joe Tansey’s mock draft over at Bleacher Report, he has the Bucs going defense at 14 in the form of Florida cornerback CJ Henderson.

Henderson stands at 6-foot-1, 204 pounds, so his size would be a welcome addition to the Tampa Bay secondary. The Bucs’ pass defense finished 30th in the league last season, allowing 270.1 yards per game. Their rush defense, however, was tops in the NFL, giving up an average of just 73.8 yards on the ground.

For those wondering what Henderson can offer, here is a highlight video to give you an idea.

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Matt Miller’s new mock draft says the Bucs could consider a quarterback in Round 1

Matt Miller of Bleacher Report believes the Buccaneers could consider a QB in Round 1 of April’s NFL draft, but will likely go defense.

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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2020 NFL draft: Jets take OL with first pick in Matt Miller’s latest mock

Matt Miller of Bleacher Report has released his post-regular season mock draft, check out to see who Miller has the Jets picking throughout.

With the regular season coming to a close on Sunday, mock draft season has already begun. With the order for non-playoff teams set, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller released his post-regular season mock draft on Monday.

The Jets are locked into the 11th pick with the top-20 of the draft order officially set in stone.

In the first round, Miller has the Jets addressing their glaring hole on the offensive line. From there, they fill out their roster with playmakers that would have a chance to contribute right away.

Let’s take a look and see who Miller has the Jets taking in his three-round, post-regular season mock draft.

First Round: Jedrick Willis Jr. | OT | Alabama

Fixing the offensive line must be a priority this offseason.

With Joe Douglas’ first draft pick as the team’s general manager, Matt Miller has Douglas seeking immediate help in the trenches by taking Jedrick Willis Jr., an offensive tackle out of Alabama.

Here’s Miller’s explanation for the pick:

The New York Jets should be smiling all the way to the podium when the card is sent in with my top-ranked offensive tackle coming off the board to protect Sam Darnold.

Darnold, when protected well this year, showed all the tools to be a very good starting NFL quarterback. The trouble was that he was rarely well-protected as the Jets’ offensive line was ravaged by injury.

Drafting Wills, who was tasked with protecting Tua Tagovailoa’s blind side as the Alabama right tackle, gives the Jets a Week 1 answer at left tackle. His movement skills are the best of any tackle in the 2020 class, and his technique is pro-ready.

Receiver is a huge need, as is edge-rusher, but protecting Darnold has to be the top priority for general manager Joe Douglas in his first draft.

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