It's that time of year! Although the offseason hasn't officially started, #DraftSZN has and with it, the all-too-early draft projections from draft pundits across the country. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hold the 14th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft after finishing with an improved 7-9 record from the year before.
Tampa Bay also has needs across the board with some uncertainty going into free agency. See who draftniks around the league have at the top of the Bucs' list in the first roundup of 2020.
Todd McShay, ESPN (Dec. 16)*
Pick: IDL Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
Comments: "The Bucs still need to answer the "Is Jameis Winston our quarterback?" question, and that offensive line shouldn't be ignored. But with no value available on the board at either position, we turn to the best available player: Kinlaw. Ndamukong Suh, Beau Allen and Jason Pierre-Paul are all set to hit the open market, so Tampa Bay could use Kinlaw's versatility and twitchiness on that defensive line."
*Had Bucs picking at No. 17
Pick: IDL Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
Comments: "The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one of the harder teams to figure out. Jameis Winston is fresh off a 30-30 season, and head coach Bruce Arians recent comments about him haven't been glowing. The Buccaneers could elect to draft a quarterback or continue to fortify the trenches and find their long-term replacement for Ndamukong Suh. Javon Kinlaw brings that type of potential to the table and more. He is a versatile and penetrating 3-technique who also would be the perfect running mate alongside Vita Vea."
Mike Renner, PFF (Dec. 30)
Pick: OT Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
Comments: "Leatherwood has some of the smoothest feet of any offensive lineman in this draft class. While he's a work in progress to some degree, it's encouraging that he still only allowed 10 pressures all season."
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (Jan. 3)
Pick: EDGE Terrell Lewis, Alabama
Comments: Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul are set to be free agents in the spring, and even if the Bucs choose to re-sign at least one of them, Lewis, who is finally healthy after battling injuries the last two seasons, was unstoppable off the edge in 2019 for the Crimson Tide.
Kristopher Knox, Bleacher Report (Jan. 8)
Pick: EDGE K'Lavon Chaisson, LSU
