NFL Mock Draft Monitor: The Tendency Breaker

We’ve all been watching the mock drafts, and we’ve seen an abundance of offensive tackles being projected to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mostly in the first round, the names Tristan Wirfs, Andrew Thomas, Mekhi Becton, and Jedrick Wills have become well known to fans of the franchise.

But, just for arguments sake, what if Tampa didn’t go offensive line in the first round? Either because of available players or actual measurements of need and talent in the front office, it’s possible Jason Licht and the Bucs don’t go first round.

One of our mock drafts think so anyway. We call it the ‘Tendency Breaker’, and it brings up an interesting idea of what could happen with the 14th-Pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Draft Network (Joe Marino)

Starting off with our friends over at The Draft Network, Joe Marino recently published the seventh version of his mock draft. This one is three-rounds, as has been the trend lately.

Bucs Pick: 1st Round - OT, Jedrick Wills (Alabama) | 2nd Round - RB, Clyde Edwards-Helaire (LSU) | 3rd Round - RB, Antonio Gibson (Memphis)

“In my world, Jedrick Wills is the best offensive tackle in the class but it appears the NFL’s valuation of the group differs. Wills is an immediate upgrade over Demar Dotson at right tackle, where he is experienced playing from his time at Alabama.” - Joe Marino on Buccaneers mock draft pick, Jedrick Wills

Biggest Surprise: Back-to-back running backs for the Bucs

DraftWire (Luke Easterling)

Three more rounds, this time from Luke Easterling, and our tendency breaker goes in a really fun direction.

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs Pick: 1st Round - WR, Henry Ruggs III (Alabama) | 2nd Round - OT, Isaiah Wilson (Georgia) | 3rd Round - RB, Clyde Edwards-Helaire (LSU)

“Just hear me out on this. Yes, the Bucs already have two Pro Bowl wide receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. But this draft is all about helping Tom Brady win immediately, and there’s not an offensive lineman or running back worth taking at this pick, especially over an explosive playmaker like Ruggs. He immediately gives Brady the NFL’s most dangerous trio of wide receivers, bringing elite speed Evans and Godwin simply don’t have.” - Luke Easterling on Buccaneers mock draft pick, Henry Ruggs III

Biggest Surprise: Herbert before Tagovailoa, in the Top-5

CBS Sports (Jeff Kerr)

Perhaps this one is a bit of a tendency breaker as it only goes through the first-round, but day one is where the sexiest names live, so we’ll give Kerr and CBS Sports a break on this one.

Bucs Pick: 1st Round - OL, Andrew Thomas (Georgia

“The Buccaneers see Thomas fall to No. 14 after the top wide receivers come off the board. They get their tackle to protect Tom Brady, which is what the franchise desperately needs in order for Brady to win another Super Bowl.” - Jeff Kerr on Buccaneers mock draft pick, Andrew Thomas

Biggest Surprise: Jaguars pass on Derrick Brown to draft Jerry Jeudy

Pewter Report (Scott Reynolds)

Tossing it to a local friend, this Tampa media outlet drops seven-rounds of mock draft excitement. Soak it in.

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs Pick: 1st Round - OT, Andrew Thomas (Georgia) | 2nd Round - WR, Brandon Aiyuk (Arizona State) | 3rd Round - RB, Cam Akers (Florida State) | 4th Round - C, Nick Harris (Washington) | 4th Round - DT, Rashard Lawrence (LSU) | 5th Round - QB, Nate Stanley (Iowa) | 6th - RB, Patrick Taylor Jr. (Memphis)

“The Bucs have a pressing need at offensive tackle, especially on the right side with the contract of 34-year old Demar Dotson expiring this offseason. Joe Haeg was signed this offseason and is the current projected starter there until Thomas is ready to assume that role. That could very well come in Week 1 of Thomas’ rookie year because he’s that talented.” - Scott Reynolds on Buccaneers mock draft pick, Andrew Thomas

Biggest Surprise: Again, Bucs take two running backs. Maybe this shouldn’t be a surprise moving forward?

NFL (Charles Davis)

One of my personal favorite media personalities and former player, Charles Davis, drops by to finish up this week’s round-up of NFL mock drafts.

Bucs Pick: 1st Round - OT, Jedrick Wills (Alabama)

“When you sign the G.O.A.T., you protect the G.O.A.T. Wills is a skilled pass blocker who should help keep TB12 upright.” - Charles Davis on Buccaneers mock draft pick, Jedrick Wills

Biggest Surprise: Jordan Love replaces Tom Brady with the New England Patriots.

A solid gathering of NFL Mock Drafts for all of you to check out, and please do. What I’ve given you here is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers focused highlights, but each has much more to offer if you have the time to dive into them.

For now though, judge these mocks by the covers I’ve given you, and let me know which one is the Bucs Nation favorite for this week!

If you happen upon one you want to share with the rest of Bucs Nation, shoot it to me on Twitter @DH82_Bucs with your take, and you might just see your own analysis included in this series.