2019 NFL Mock Draft: Ed Oliver, Nick Bosa fight for top spot

13 of 33

ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 01: Jarrett Stidham #8 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates with the Old Leather Helmet after their 21-16 win over the Washington Huskies at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jarrett Stidham, Auburn, QB

It’s a strange turn of events as the 2015 NFL Draft saw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans picking quarterbacks one after another. Tampa Bay went first and chose Jameis Winston out of Florida State and the Titans followed with Mariota from Oregon.

It looked for a while like both teams were successful and should be set for years at the position. Now it’s not as clear and they again go back-to-back with signal-callers, this time though Tennessee selects first and the Bucs get the next best passer in Jarrett Stidham out of Auburn.

Related Story. Ryan Fitzpatrick might be a wizard. light

Stidham is no consolation prize though as he’s also in the running to be the first quarterback taken. He’s played well since transferring from Baylor, and like Lock, plays in a tough SEC which means he’s faced elite defenders.

For Tampa Bay, it’s a move that feels necessary. Jameis Winston is currently serving a three-game suspension and has shown he can’t be trusted off the field. The Bucs took him despite many red flags and he’s still causing problems for them.

Tampa understood the risks when drafting him, but they also believed he would help them win. with a record of 18-27 as a starter (3-10 in 2017), that’s not happening and they saw how good they can be without him when Ryan Fitzpatrick led them to 48 points in Week 1. It’s time to move on.

Home/NFL Draft