UPDATE, April 22: The Gronk trade appears to have sent the Bucs fourth round pick at No. 33 in the round in exchange for the Patriots seventh round pick at No. 27 in the round.
UPDATE, April 21: Rob Gronkowski has unretired and the Patriots have traded him to the Buccaneers where he can join Tom Brady. The Patriots dealt Gronk and a seventh round pick to the Bucs for a fourth round pick. The Patriots have two 7ths and the Bucs have two 4ths, so we’ll have to wait and see which picks have specifically been traded.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went from the leader in passing yards and runner-up in touchdown passes at quarterback and replaced him with the quarterback who ranked seventh in passing yards and 13th in touchdown passes last season. Of course, I should add that their old quarterback, Jameis Winston, also led the league in interceptions and pick-sixes and his replacement is all-everything QB Tom Brady.
The Bucs also gave 2019 sack leader Shaq Barrett the franchise tag to keep him on board and helped beef up their offensive line depth with free agent signing Joe Haeg.
2020 Draft Picks
Round 1, pick 13 (No. 13 overall): Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Round 2, pick 13 (No. 45): Antoine Winfield, S, Minnesota
Round 3, pick 12 (No. 76): Ke’Shawn Vaughtn, RB, Vanderbilt
Round 5, pick 15 (No. 161): Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota
Round 6, pick 15 (No. 194): Khalil Davis, DT, Nebraska
Round 7, pick 27 (No. 241): Chapelle Russell, OLB, Temple
Round 7, pick 31 (No. 245): Raymond Calais, RB, Louisiana
Team needs
Offense
The Bucs offensive line was below average last season, allowing 47 sacks and ranking 22nd in adjusted sack rate allowed. Upgrading their line for the ancient Tom Brady is a big need.
Ronald Jones improved throughout last season and could be the lead back, but the Bucs would like to bring in another back to work in tandem at the very least, with Peyton barber gone in free agency.
A quarterback is also needed, as soon to be 43-year old Brady is going to come undone at the seams at some point.
Defense
The Bucs managed to keep Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul, but lost Carl Nassib to the Raiders Dream first pick and could still lose Ndamukong Suh. If that happens, defensive line becomes a big need and if they do get Suh back, they could still use some help with Nassib gone.
Dream pick
The 14th overall pick isn’t great for offensive linemen, as the top players might be gone unless they reach for Josh Jones, who has been mocked as early as the Bucs pick all the way to early second round. But, at 14th overall and with trades being likely, there is a chance. Tristan Wirfs, Jedrick Wills, Mekhi Becton and Andrew Thomas would all be “dream picks.”