NFL Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mock Draft National Outlets Roundup 2.0
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have lost a few coaches to the Panthers or retirement this week. But, after a lengthy search for their new offensive coordinator, the team hired former Kentucky and Rams offensive coordinator, Liam Coen, for the same position with the Bucs.
Liam Coen can start putting together the offensive staff around him after being introduced to Bucs media. Coen brings a very similar offensive scheme to what Dave Canales called last season. Bringing in a guy like Coen may not change what Jason Licht and the front office plan to do in the draft in April.
On offense, the team can still look to add to the interior offensive line. A big riser from the senior bowl is former Oregon center, Jackson Powers Johnson, who mentioned that he models his game after Ryan Jensen this week. Ryan Jensen retired from the NFL earlier this week after he struggled to fight back from his knee injury. An interior offensive line is an obvious need.
It's still up in the air if Mike Evans will sign back with the team before the start of free agency. Evans may price his way out of Tampa this off-season. Even if Mike Evans returns, the team could look to add at the receiver position due to the age of Evans and Godwin going into a contract year.
On the defensive side of the ball, there are a few positions that need some attention. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka has been a bit of a disappointment during his development over the past few years. He struggles to get to the quarterback and finish. Shaq Barrett could be a cap casualty this season as well. Jason Licht struck gold with Yaya Diaby in the third round. This team could look into drafting a quality edge rusher to team up with Diaby.
The secondary had a bit of a down year this past season. Dean and Davis can't seem to stay healthy and strong safety was a liability in coverage all year. Antoine Winfield seems to be a lock in Tampa next season with either a long-term deal or maybe the franchise tag. Cornerback and safety are two positions in could see the Bucs targeting early.
Lavonte David is aging and could test free agency if he doesn't end up retiring. Devin White seems like a long shot to return next season. The Bucs did draft SirVocea Dennis last off-season and KJ Britt will be considered for a starting role next season. There aren't many middle linebackers that could sneak into the back end of the first round though.
I wonder what the national media thinks the Bucs will do in the draft after what they may have heard at the Senior Bowl, Pro Bowl, and Shrine Bowl games this past week.
The Athletic
26. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
"This pick is exclusively a contingency for Mike Evans’ impending free agency. Should Evans leave, Tampa Bay would be replacing one power forward with the next. Thomas thrives on 50-50 balls and routes along the vertical tree (17 yards per catch this season). He has great body control and tracking skills at his size, and his 40 time should help solidify him as a first-round pick."
CBS Sports
26. Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
"Turner enjoyed a productive 2023 at Alabama and has plus athleticism around the corner."
NFL Network
26. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
"Rakestraw plays a very competitive brand of football and is capable of fitting into multiple coverage schemes. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles loves to create havoc up front and stay tight outside. Rakestraw fits the bill."
USA Today
26. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
"Carlton Davis III’s recent play and $14 million salary in 2024 could make him a financial target if the Bucs can slot in a comparable replacement."
FTN Fantasy
26. Jer'Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois
"Besides Vita Vea and Shaq Barrett, the Bucs are very thin along the defensive line. Newton gives them an upgrade along the interior with the ability to get after the quarterback.
Football Guys
26. Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
"The Tampa Bay Buccaneers don't have many needs. The retool was remarkable and short of a disastrous offensive coordinator hire, the arrow is pointing upward. Still, the cornerback room is thin behind Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis, and adding to the position now would give the team flexibility to move off of Davis should they choose. Mitchell is one of the most instinctual corners in the class and could produce elite ball production from day one."
Walter Football
26. Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
"If the Buccaneers aren’t in a position to obtain a franchise quarterback, they’ll need to give Baker Mayfield better protection.
Amarius Mims has gotten lots of positive feedback from the scouting community. He has a tremendous skill set and lots of upside."
The Ringer
26. Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
"The Buccaneers may end up re-signing Baker Mayfield in free agency, but if they decide to go another direction (or if they do re-sign him and still want a longer-term succession plan), Nix makes a lot of sense. He’s not super flashy, but the former Ducks star is hyper-efficient, takes care of the ball, and can add some playmaking ability with his legs."
The Draft Network
26. Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
"The Buccaneers were one of the surprise teams of the 2023 NFL season. Hopefully, Baker Mayfield will be back next year and they can look to keep building. They address the WR position here and draft Xavier Legette. Legette is a versatile receiver who, at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, is a physical run-after-the-catch threat."
The 33rd Team
26. Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Pro Football Network
26. Bralen Trice, Edge, Washington
57. Beau Brade, Safety, Maryland
89. Cedric Gray, LB, UNC
125. Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
202. Jha’Quan Jackson, WR, Tulane
243. Andrew Coker, OT, TCU
254. Jontrey Hunter, LB, Georgia State
Sports Illustrated Fan Nation
26. Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
57. Tyler Nubin, Safety, Minnesota
89. Sedrick Van Pran, OL, Georgia
Tankathon
26. Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the offseason.
