Most draft experts agree that the position of need the Buccaneers should look to address first in next week’s NFL draft is offensive tackle. The right side of the Bucs’ O-line was a major problem last year, and former quarterback Jameis Winston was sacked 47 times.
The Bucs can’t afford to let newly-signed quarterback Tom Brady take a beating like that, especially since he will be 43 when the 2020 season rolls around. Plus, Brady was only sacked 27 times last year in New England with the Patriots.
But offensive tackle isn’t the only upgrade the Bucs need to make on offense. Running back is also a major area of need, too, for Tampa Bay, especially after Peyton Barber left in free agency. Fortunately, there’s some depth to this year’s class of running backs, meaning Tampa Bay could find a solid one on Day 2 or 3 of the draft.
So, which back would be a good fit?
While some have Georgia running back D’Andre Swift as the best fit in Tampa Bay, some mock drafts, including our own, like Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins, who rushed for 2,003 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. Turns out, Mel Kiper over at ESPN pegged Dobbins as his favorite running back prospect ahead of the draft.
Per Kiper:
“I just love the way Dobbins runs. He’s ferocious. He hits holes hard, and he has some breakaway ability. Dobbins, my second-ranked back in this class, ran for 2,003 yards last season, breaking the Ohio State single-season record. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry. He looked much more explosive than he did in 2018, when he averaged 4.6 yards per carry in a disappointing sophomore season.”
Kiper predicts Dobbins to come off the board in the first half of Round 2. And, wouldn’t you know it, the Bucs hold the 45th overall pick. The stars seemed perfectly aligned to make this dream a reality.
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