NFL Draft: Buccaneers Keep Tristan Wirfs at Right Tackle After NFL.com Mock

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could move Tristan Wirfs to left tackle after releasing Donovan Smith. Or, they could draft a replacement like Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Broderick Jones.

Some have criticized the release of left tackle Donovan Smith saying the Tampa Bay Buccaneers created a hole they didn't need considering how many others the team has already. 

Regardless, it's done, and now the objective for the Bucs is to find their next starting left tackle. 

Tristan Wirfs has been widely speculated to be moving from his right side to the other. So much so it's basically being believed as an imminent development when offseason programs get started later this Spring. 

But what if the Buccaneers drafted a left tackle instead? 

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That's exactly what Chad Reuter of NFL.com has Tampa Bay doing in his latest four-round mock NFL Draft by selecting Georgia Bulldogs standout Broderick Jones. 

"The Bucs figure to be in the tackle market after the release of Donovan Smith," Reuter accurately speculates. "They could take Jones to step into Smith's left tackle spot or pick Tennessee's Darnell Wright to play on the right side and shift Tristan Wirfs to the blindside."

What's interesting here is not only does Reuter provide his pick, but an alternate option as well.

In the mock, the Bucs go with Jones, and Wright lands with the Cincinnati Bengals at pick No. 28. 

In the second round, the Buccaneers flip from offense to defense and get safety Antoine Winfield Jr. a partner in the defensive backfield by taking Boise State's JL Skinner III. 

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein projects Skinner to eventually become a plus starter in the league and says he's an "Interchangeable safety with above average run support talent and the versatility for multiple coverages."

Next up at pick No. 82, Tampa Bay adds more talent to its edge group by selecting Kansas State's Felix Anudike-Uzomah. 

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Anudike-Uzomah would project as an outside linebacker for the Bucs and provide backup duties with Anthony Nelson behind Shaquil Barrett and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, but could eventually develop into a starter himself. 

The drafting of an offensive lineman in the first round rarely gets huge reactions from fans, but after the success Wirfs has had, Buccaneers fans would likely be a little more excited than others. 

Adding a high-ceiling safety to run with Winfield and another pass rusher to help secure depth behind Barrett who finished last season on injured reserve, and Tryon-Shoyinka who wasn't overly impressive in year two, are both smart moves that should pay immediate dividends. 

Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82

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