Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10 Targets in 2020 NFL Draft to jumpstart Tom Brady era

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks with the media during a press conference after the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NFL Draft (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

3. Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

The secondary isn’t as strong as defensive coordinator Todd Bowles likes. Teams averaged nearly two passing touchdowns per game, 30 in total, last season which tied them for seventh worse in the league. If the Bucs front seven continues to grow under Bowles, they’ll need a player on the back end who can make plays.

Bowles’s defense makes the safety position every bit as important as an edge rusher. Look no further than his recent Jets tenure where he coached up Jamal Adams to All-Pro status. There’s a safety who favorably compares to Adams, Alabama’s Xavier McKinney.

Like the former LSU Tiger, McKinney is instinctive he understands route concepts and rarely gets fooled. He flows to the ball well, he’s tenacious at the catch point and delivers a powerful hit. No, he isn’t the rangiest safety in terms of raw speed playing in a single-high spot, but it doesn’t mean he can’t play that role too. He can drop down and play man coverage if needed.

Bowles can use him in the box or blitz him as he finished his college career with six sacks. McKinney will adapt to the NFL quickly thanks to his intellect and playing style giving the Bucs the safety they desperately need. Despite him running a 4.6-second 40-yard dash, McKinney has the skill-set of a top 10-15 player.

Possibilities later on in the draft are Minnesota’s Antoine Winfield Jr., who is near identical to McKinney and LSU safety Grant Delpit, who’s less physical but rangy. Both should be available in the second round.

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