Bucs Gameday

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2020 NFL Draft Live Blog

Live updates for Bucs fans throughout the 2020 NFL Draft.

Jason Kanno

The 2020 NFL Draft is finally upon us! Stay tuned for live updates throughout all seven rounds, as we give Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans all the information they need.

12 PM: Pundits grade the Wirfs pick

Reactions to the Bucs' selection of Tristan Wirfs are starting to roll in:

10:15 PM EST - Wirfs slotted in as the starting right tackle

The Bucs already have plans for their first pick of the draft. General manager Jason Licht has Tristan Wirfs penciled in as the Bucs' starting right tackle in 2020 (via Buccaneers.com's Carmen Vitali):

The Bucs were unlikely to move left tackle Donovan Smith so Wirfs is the natural choice as their new right tackle.

10 PM EST - Bucs give Niners a fourth-round pick to trade up for Wirfs

The Bucs didn't spend much to move up for Tristan Wirfs, trading the 117th pick to the Niners (via NFL Network's Ian Rapoport):

Tampa Bay also got a seventh-round pick in return. The Bucs paid a small price for a day-one starter.

9:50 PM EST - Bucs trade up one spot, take Tristan Wirfs

The Bucs weren't going to wait for their guy to fall to the 14th spot, trading up to the 13th-overall pick to take Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs. The Bucs filled the biggest remaining need they had on the roster, shoring up protection for Tom Brady and improving the overall athleticism of the offensive line.

9:35 PM EST - Jets take Mekhi Becton, Bucs running out of options

The New York Jets took Louisville offensive tackle Mekhi Becton with the 11th-overall pick, leaving the Bucs with just one top option at tackle: Tristan Wirfs. If they don't trade up, the Bucs need Las Vegas and San Francisco to take wide receivers with the next two picks to get him.

9:30 PM EST - Cleveland takes Jedrick Wills

Another offensive tackle is off the board. The Cleveland Browns selected Alabama OT Jedrick Wills with the tenth-overall pick. The Bucs are rapidly running out of options at tackle, but hope isn't gone yet. 

The Jets are the most likely to take a tackle of all the teams remaining ahead of the Bucs. If they opt instead for a wide receiver, the Bucs have a high chance of getting Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs or Louisville's Mekhi Becton.

9:20 PM EST - Cardinals take Isaiah Simmons, pass on top tackles

With the eighth-overall pick, the Arizona Cardinals took Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons. Offensive tackle was a need in Arizona, and their selection of Simmons increases the likelihood that one of the top tackles will still available when the Bucs pick at the 14th spot.

9:15 PM EST - The Panthers take Derrick Brown

The Bucs' NFC South rival took one of the top defensive tackles in the draft. Auburn DT Derrick Brown was taken with the seventh-overall pick. Carolina is likely looking at a rebuild next year, and Brown will be a key piece to improving their porous run defense.

8:50 PM EST - The first offensive tackle is off the board

The New York Giants take Georgia OT Andrew Thomas with the fourth-overall pick. He was likely a top target for Tampa, now off the board. The Bucs may start feeling the pressure to move up to take Tristan Wirfs, Jedrick Wills or Mekhi Becton.

8:30 PM EST - Joe Burrow is off the board

The Bucs aren't in the market for a quarterback, but the best one just got taken off the board. The Cincinnati Bengals used the first overall pick on the 2019 Heisman Winner and National Champion.

8 PM EST - The 2020 Draft begins!

The wait is over! The Draft officially begins at 8 PM EST.

7:50 PM EST - Tom Brady joins NFL Network's Draft-A-Thon

The Bucs new quarterback is now on the NFL Network's Draft-A-Thon:

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7:30 PM EST - Bucs GM on Howard: "We're excited about having OJ Howard play with Rob Gronkowski."

Tampa Bay GM Jason Licht's response to rumors of trading tight end OJ Howard do not sound like someone ready to part with the former first rounder (via ESPN's Adam Schefter):

While it may be posturing to preserve Howard's perceived value to the Bucs, Licht appears just fine keeping Howard paired with Gronkowski. 

After all, the former Patriot is 31-years-old and returning to the NFL after a year in retirement. Howard is still on his rookie contract and could be a top tight end for years to come. His exit isn't assured until it actually happens.

5:00 PM EST - Some things to look for from the Bucs in the first round

  • A new right tackle. With longtime right tackle Demar Dotson gone, the Bucs biggest target is a bookend blocker to protect Tom Brady.
  • Will the Bucs trade out of the 14th pick? Since Jason Licht became general manager, the Bucs have not traded up in the first round but traded down in 2016 and 2018. With offensive tackle becoming a coveted position this year, the Bucs may have to make a deal to move up.
  • Tight end O.J. Howard may become ammo for the Bucs to secure a higher draft spot. The signing of former Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski seems to have made the Bucs' 2017 first-round pick expendable. A young, promising athlete like Howard could fetch second- or third-round value in a trade.
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Jason Kanno
JASON KANNO