The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are headed into a new era of football under new head coach Bruce Arians in 2019. While they haven't been talked about as a team who has won the offseason, they are certainly heading in the right direction. Now, they could be looking to make some big moves on their defensive line.
Rumors are continuing to swirl that the Buccaneers are shopping star defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. Whether those rumors are true or not, Tampa Bay is hosting both Dexter Lawrence and Ed Oliver for pre-draft visits, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
The #Bucs are hosting a pair of top defensive prospects today, as #Clemson DT Dexter Lawrence and #Houston DL Ed Oliver are in town for 30 visits, sources say. Tampa Bay picks No. 5.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 3, 2019
Both defensive linemen would be big additions, especially if the Buccaneers traded McCoy. Tampa Bay drafted another big body on the defensive line last year in Vita Vea. Moving on from McCoy and drafting one of these two guys at No. 5 would give them a long-term duo on the line.
Lawrence had a bit of a down season with the Clemson Tigers in 2018. He ended up recording just 36 total tackles to go along with 1.5 sacks and three defended passes.
Oliver, on the other hand, had a bigger season, although not that much bigger. He recoded 54 total tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble, and two defended passes.
It will be interesting to see what the Buccaneers end up doing this year in the draft. Tampa Bay has a lot of talent on their roster, but they have to add to it. They certainly cannot afford to miss on any draft picks moving forward.
All of that being said, these two prospects are definitely players to keep an eye on for the Buccaneers.
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