2020 NFL Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-round targets

Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio St

The final first-round target for Tampa Bay is the top corner of the 2020 NFL draft class, likely also a target for trading up a handful of selections so as not to risk losing him to a team such as Jacksonville or the New York Jets. The most likely trade partner for this situation would be the already talented Los Angeles Chargers who could bring in the heir to Phillip Rivers at #14 overall (Tua Tagovailoa).

Jeff Okudah is a physical corner out of Ohio State who will succeed in both cover 3 zone and man as a premier outside corner. At 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, Okudah still possesses the speed to keep up with outside burners as well as compete with 6-foot-3+ red-zone threats. Okudah does well to break down on inside routes, as well as cut off passing lanes to the outside.

Okudah shines with his physicality in the passing game but shows off in run support as well. Having run support on the outside is crucial, especially against the physical run-blocking receivers entering today’s game. Ruining the timing of a route at or off of the line of scrimmage can disrupt an entire offense, and create a plethora of new opportunities for Tampa Bay’s pass-rushers.

Tampa Bay has lacked the talent on the outside to keep up with today’s elite receiving threats since the days of Brent Grimes and Aqib Talib. The only way this defense can succeed is with two premier secondary players placed alongside their linebacking unit. Jeff Okudah is the start of this build, and a possible addition at safety is the second key to Tampa Bay’s defense.