So, what’s next for the Bucs’ roster?

With a slew of expiring contracts on the horizon, why not look at some college players that would be a great fit for the Bucs’ first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft?

The Bucs have many different places they could go with the pick, as Shaq Barrett, Gronk, Lavonte David, Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown, and Ndamukong Suh are all playing on expiring contracts. David is nearly a lock to be re-signed, Godwin is a potential franchise tag candidate, and Gronk could be willing to resign for a discount in order to continue to play with his buddy Tom Brady. Brown, however, is a question mark, especially since that court case might reveal some disturbing information, and Suh is a solid veteran that could get another one-year deal elsewhere if another team is willing to fork over some dough.

Luckily, the Bucs can clear some cap space by cutting offensive lineman Donovan Smith and his huge $13.75 million contract, as the money becomes non-guaranteed after this year, but they’ll have to replace him either in the draft or by moving the talented rookie Tristan Wirfs over to left tackle (thus creating a hole at right tackle, which is a little easier to fill).

All of that to say, the Bucs have some work to do. Here are some options that will realistically be there for them in the middle/end of the first round. Luckily there are a lot of teams desperate for a QB in the first round, so there will probably be some really talented guys falling to the end of the first round.

Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

This is probably my favorite pick, as Darrisaw is an excellent young tackle, graded as the second best tackle in college football this year according to Pro Football Focus. He’s also projected in most mock drafts to fall to the late-first round, and the Bucs would be smart to grab him. Having Darrisaw and Tristan Wirfs as your tackles for the future is certainly not a bad thing, and protecting TB12 is obviously a huge priority for the Bucs. This would be a move that could be made if the Bucs manage to re-sign David and Suh, and can franchise tag Godwin. Barrett is likely going to be gone, as his salary is simply going to be too high. The Bucs could certainly try to go for an edge rusher here (I’ll get into that), but this would certainly be a guy that would be hard to pass on. Plus this move allows them to confidently and comfortably cut Donovan Smith, as they would be drafting a very competent, much cheaper replacement. 

Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State

Samuel has been having an outstanding year at FSU, racking up three interceptions while playing on a pretty awful FSU team. Samuel certainly has the pedigree to play the position, as his father was an 11-year vet who won a pair of rings with TB12 and the Patriots, and his talent looks to translate quite nicely to the NFL. Of course, this would be a tough sell, as the Bucs seem to draft a corner with one of their first two picks in the draft every year, but the secondary is still horrendous. Maybe the 20th time's the charm. 

Terrence Marshall Jr., WR, LSU

I know, another wide receiver? This is assuming that the Bucs (for some ungodly reason) are unable to secure Godwin, he walks, and Antonio Brown runs into more legal trouble that pretty much forces his retirement. Marshall is projected by many to go a little earlier than where the Bucs will probably end up, but if he falls he’d be incredibly tough to pass on. He’s an elite red zone target that could give the Bucs one of the more scary wide receiving groups to defend in the NFL. He’s 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, and Mike Evans is 6-foot-5, 231 pounds. Try guarding both of those guys every week. 

Joseph Ossai, Edge, Texas

Another guy who might get snagged before the Bucs’ pick, Ossai is an elite edge who can get to the QB and contribute to the run defense. He would be a solid replacement for Barrett in the pass rushing department while also being able to line up out there to help continue the Bucs’ tradition of stifling teams’ rushing attacks. The 49ers have shown that you can never have enough help up front, especially on defense, and drafting Ossai would certainly give the Bucs’ some reinforcements. 

Kyle Trask, QB, Florida

Let’s get crazy. Let’s get weird. Let’s say the Bucs decide they want to have their future at the QB position solidified. Trask is having a Heisman-level year at UF, but he’s also playing with some elite players on the offensive side of the ball (see: Kyle Pitts). The transition to the NFL might be a tough one, especially if he is playing with a sketchy offensive line. Getting to sit a year behind TB12 would be a wonderful thing, and it allows the Bucs to relax a little bit knowing they have a potential franchise QB waiting in case TB12 calls it quits. It would be a little strange, especially since the Bucs have so many needs that could be addressed, but hey, it’s the Bucs. Remember when GM Jason Licht did trade up to draft FSU kicker Roberto Aguayo in the second round? 

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This article appears in Dec 3-9, 2020.