I kind of thought we were past 'say anything season' with some credible information coming out the NFL Scouting Combine last week in Indianapolis. ESPN's Todd McShay is here to tell me and everyone else, otherwise.
In his first post-Combine mock draft, McShay has the Bucs taking Georgia running back D'Andre Swift with the 14th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
I promise you and everyone else who can't see for yourself on ESPN+, I did not read that wrong. In fact, this is what McShay has to say about the pick:
"Swift is explosive, and while Ronald Jones II looked good at moments in 2019, the Bucs could use some explosion in the run game," writes McShay. "Hand him the ball, and watch him make one cut and turn on his 4.48 40 speed. Tampa Bay was bottom-third in rushing last season and ranked 17th in receptions by running backs. Swift, one of the best pass-catching RBs in the class, would help in both areas. But keep an eye on QB and edge rusher too. If Jameis Winston doesn't return and Love or Herbert slide, this could be a good landing spot. And with all of the Bucs' potential losses to their pass rush, reaching for someone such as LSU defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson here could be in play."
View pictures from the RB, OL, PK, and Special Teams groups at the 2020 NFL Combine.
Kansas tackle Hakeem Adeniji runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Clemson tackle Tremayne Anchrum runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Clemson tackle Tremayne Anchrum runs a drill during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Louisville tackle Mekhi Becton runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Louisville tackle Mekhi Becton runs a drill during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Arizona St. center Cohl Cabral runs a drill during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
LSU tackle Saahdiq Charles runs a drill during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Charlotte tackle Cameron Clark runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
LSU center Lloyd Cushenberry III runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Auburn tackle Jack Driscoll runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Missouri tackle Yasir Durant runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Oregon center Jake Hanson runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Washington center Nick Harris runs a drill during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Washington center Nick Harris runs a drill during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
North Carolina tackle Charlie Heck runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Temple center Matt Hennessy runs a drill during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Temple center Matt Hennessy runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
San Diego St. center Keith Ismael runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Michigan center Cesar Ruiz participates in the broad jump during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Michigan tackle Jon Runyan participates in the broad jump during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Clemson guard John Simpson participates in the broad jump during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Texas Tech tackle Terence Steele participates in the vertical jump during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Texas Tech tackle Terence Steele participates in the broad jump during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Kentucky guard Logan Stenberg participates in the vertical jump during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Kentucky guard Logan Stenberg participates in the vertical jump during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
South Carolina St. tackle Alex Taylor participates in the vertical jump during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Georgia tackle Andrew Thomas participates in the vertical jump during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Georgia tackle Andrew Thomas participates in the broad jump during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Oregon tackle Calvin Throckmorton participates in the vertical jump during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Mississippi St. center Darryl Williams participates in the vertical jump during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Alabama tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. participates in the vertical jump during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Georgia tackle Isaiah Wilson runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Georgia tackle Isaiah Wilson participates in the broad jump during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Iowa tackle Tristan Wirfs participates in the broad jump during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Iowa tackle Tristan Wirfs participates in the broad jump during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Bucknell punter Alex Pechin runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Auburn punter Arryn Siposs runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Florida punter Tommy Townsend runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Arizona St. punter Michael Turk runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
LSU long snapper Blake Ferguson runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Iowa St. long snapper Steve Wirtel runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
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Don't get me wrong – I just profiled Swift in our Prospect Primer series and wholeheartedly agree that he is one of, if not the best, running backs in a deceivingly deep class. Swift posted back-to-back 1,000 yards seasons at Georgia and even though an injury limited him towards the last couple games of the 2019 season, Swift still managed 1,218 yards on the ground with seven touchdowns – a career best. He was also a Coaches Poll All-SEC selection last year and ran a 4.48 40-yard dash at the Combine last week, living up to his name.
But I'd argue that 'reaching' is taking a running back at No. 14 – not a pass rusher like Chaisson, like McShay said. There's also the puzzling fact that Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas is still very much on the board, a position that is very much one of the Bucs' top priorities. Widely considered one of the 'Big Four' tackles, the former Bulldog even topped expert lists going into the Combine. Thomas was outshined in Indy by record-breaking performances by Iowa's Tristan Wirfs and was outran by Louisville's Mekhi Becton in the 40-yard dash, but let's not be too hasty here. Thomas is battle-tested in the SEC and has great tape. Have we learned nothing from now-Ravens' tackle Orlando Brown? McShay doesn't have Thomas going until pick number 29 to the Titans.
But hey, it's not my mock. For that, stay tuned to the Bucs' website for our Mock Draft 3.0 coming out on Thursday.
