On Saturday, we looked at the positions the Tampa Bay Buccaneers focused on interviewing at the 2020 NFL Combine. Today, we turn our attention to the defensive side of the ball.
We will divide the position groups based on the Buccaneers’ base 3-4 defense thus grouping edge rushers as linebackers.
Reports of meetings were found from the following publications: Pewter Report, Walter Football, and NFL Trade Rumors.
Defensive Line
Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina (likely but not confirmed)
Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU
Rashard Lawrence, DT, LSU
John Penisini, DT, Utah
Jordan Elliott, DT, Missouri
James Lynch, DE, Baylor
James Smith-Williams DE, NC State
Jabari Zuniga, DE, Florida
Jason Strowbridge, DE, North Carolina
The most notable thing about this group is that none of them, sans Kinlaw and maybe Blacklock, are projected to be first-rounders. The Buccaneers appear to be more focused on day two and day three depth guys that could develop into starters down the line.
This approach would comport with reports that the team is working to re-sign Ndamukong Suh. Meanwhile, their other starters, Vita Vea and William Gholston remain under contract.
Surely, if Derrick Brown or Javon Kinlaw is still available at 14 overall, the team will take a hard look. However, it appears they are more focused on other positions with their first-round pick. Specifically, offensive tackle.
Linebackers (off-ball and edge rushers)
K’Lavon Chaisson, Edge, LSU
Josh Uche, Edge, Michigan
Terrell Lewis, Edge, Alabama
Trevis Gipson, Edge, Tulsa
Bradlee Anae, Edge, Utah
Julian Okwara, Edge, Notre Dame
Khalid Kareem, Edge, Notre Dame
Willie Gay, ILB, Mississippi State
Michael Divinity, Edge, LSU
Carter Coughlin, Edge, Minnesota
Alton Robinson, Edge, Syracuse
Michael Pinckney, ILB, Miami
Shaquille Quarterman, ILB, Miami
Cameron Brown, ILB, Minnesota
Clay Johnston, ILB, Baylor
Tanner Muse, ILB, Clemson
On the offensive side of the ball. Tampa Bay focused a ton of their attention on offensive tackles. Defensively, it was their counterpart, edge rushers, that garnered the lion’s share of their attention.
The team is really covering their bases here as they have interviewed a wide spectrum of pass rushers expected to go anywhere from top-15 overall to well into day three.
Chaisson is likely the most recognizable name and is expected to hear his name called very early on possibly even in the top-10. This appears to be due diligence on the part of head coach Bruce Arians and general manager Jason Licht. They’ll consider the scenario, but it’s not Plan A.
Many of these names are likely to be called in the meat of the draft (rounds 2-4) which, again, jives with reports that the team is working to retain starters Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaquil Barrett while also returning inside linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David.
Licht and Arians appear to be targetting quality depth with starter upside throughout the front seven.
Defensive Backs
Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
Reggie Robinson, CB, Tulsa
Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
Dane Jackson, CB, Pittsburgh
John Reid, CB, Penn State
Josiah Scott, CB, Michigan State
Geno Stone, S, Iowa
Ashtyn Davis, S California
Myles Bryant, CB, Washington
Daniel Thomas, S, Auburn
J.R. Reed, S, Georgia
Antoine Brooks, S, Maryland
Josh Metellus, S, Michigan
L’Jarius Sneed, S, Louisiana Tech
It’s no secret that the Buccaneers are thrilled with their current young secondary so it comes as no surprise that they are not necessarily eyeballing top corners in what is generally considered a shallow corner class.
The team already has its starting and future secondary in place but will pull the trigger on a player they feel has developmental upside such as Hall or Igbinoghene. The same goes for safeties Davis and Dugger (more below).
They are also on the lookout for a rotational third-safety that could feature on special teams such as Thomas, Reed, or Brooks.
Other Notes
• Pewter Report is reporting Javon Kinlaw, J.K. Dobbins, and Kyle Dugger likely met with the Buccaneers but couldn’t remember when asked at the combine.
• Pewter Report also reported OT Triston Wirfs of Iowa met with the team unofficially at the combine furthering the speculation that the team is looking seriously at taking an offensive tackle with its first-round selection.
As we detailed previously in our offensive prospects breakdown, they have also met with Andrew Thomas, Mekhi Becton, and Josh Jones. All four players are expected to be early-mid first-rounders.
