NFL Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mock Draft National Outlets Roundup 4.0
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been one of those teams this off-season that's hard to predict. With a lot of youth and some veterans on the brink of either being released retiring or even signing with new teams, these mock drafts have been pretty inconsistent. Let's dive into the possibilities.
Last season was one of those rebuilding the offensive line years. With Ryan Jensen's retirement and some disappointing play along the interior, the Bucs could look to upgrade at any of those three positions this off-season as well. Last year's draft pick and starting right guard, Cody Mauch, had a slow start but came on strong as the season progressed. The team could look into moving him to center, but I believe they will target one or two players who can play left guard or center, keeping Mauch on the right side. There are a lot of good options in this class that can play anywhere along the offensive line.
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka has had a hard time developing into the pass rusher that the Bucs hoped he would. Jason Licht hit on his third-round selection from last year's draft with Yaya Diaby. There have been some rumors that Shaq Barrett may be released due to his cap hit/age. This team could use a dominant speed rusher to pair with Diaby's power off the edge. The top end of the draft has a few guys that could fill that need.
The Bucs went bargain shopping last season for a strong safety that didn't live up to the hype in Ryan Neal. Antoine Winfield Jr. could be franchise-tagged, but it's safe to say the team isn't letting him hit free agency. Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean have had some inconsistencies in coverage or with injuries. Todd Bowles could target a DB who can play opposite Winfield Jr. at strong safety or maybe even an all-around guy who could play multiple positions in the secondary. I could see them possibly drafting another cornerback to play outside as well.
Wide receiver doesn't seem like a big need to a lot of people, but, as much as they people don't want to hear it, Mike Evans could test free agency and Chris Godwin is going into a contract year. The team could also look into releasing Russell Gage. Drafting a receiver early on could give them a playmaker that may eventually "replace" Evans or Godwin even if they stick around a few more seasons.
The Bucs have a few routes that they could go at the top of the draft in April. let's continue to analyze what the national media projects the team will do with their selections.
The Athletic
26. Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
"The Bucs started a pass-rush overhaul in the draft last year but could use another player they can count on to put pressure on quarterbacks. Robinson, a former five-star recruit, didn’t have great production last season because of injuries, but he could be a value pick with high-end potential. It’s possible Robinson’s stock will shoot up and he will be gone by this pick if he works out as well as his tape suggests he could. — Dan Pompei"
Pro Football Focus Podcast
26. Troy Franklin , WR, Oregon
CBS Sports
26. Graham Barton, OL, Duke
"Center Ryan Jensen has announced his retirement. Tampa Bay already needed improvement along the interior offensive line, so Jensen leaving only compounded that need. Graham Barton has the versatility to play each of the three interior positions."
NFL Network
26. Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
"The Bucs go with the power forward-like receiver to potentially replace Mike Evans, who is ticketed for free agency. If you want to see what Mitchell is capable of, turn on the tape of the College Football Playoff semifinal against Washington."
USA Today
26. Brian Thomas, WR, LSU
Middlehurst-Schwartz: "Call this a contingency plan for the possibility of Mike Evans departing in free agency. Should the Buccaneers' all-time leader in every major receiving category head elsewhere in March, Thomas could step in and provide an immediate big-play threat for Baker Mayfield – or whichever quarterback is behind center in 2024."
26. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
Davis: "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."
Football Guys
26. Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
"McKinstry has been a faller during this cycle, mostly because of the "out-of-sight, out-of-mind" principle. He's a high-level athlete who can take away an entire side of the field. Teams will question his effort to make tackles, but Tampa Bay gets a young player to learn behind Carlton Davis (if he remains on the roster) and Jamel Dean."
Walter Football
26. Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
"The Buccaneers had major problems in their secondary last year, so they may add a cornerback with this pick to improve their woeful pass defense.
Terrion Arnold is a quick and athletic cornerback with average height."
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. Tyler Nubin, SAF, Minnesota
"Tampa Bay needs additional pop on the back end, and Minnesota's Tyler Nubin has the skill set to make an impact at all three levels. With Antoine Winfield Jr. and Ryan Neal expected to entertain free agency, Nubin would fill an immediate hole while providing an impact as both a downhill defender in the box and a centerfield type of safety in Todd Bowles' scheme."
The 33rd Team
26. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
"The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in an interesting spot heading into 2024 at quarterback. Baker Mayfield is a free agent coming off a good year, and the Bucs will have to decide if they want to pay up or head in a different direction.
J.J. McCarthy could stand to sit behind a veteran for a season or two but has high-upside traits that are worth taking a chance on late in the first round for a quarterback-needy team."
Pro Football Network
26. Cooper Beebe, G, Kansas State
"I have no idea what to do for the Buccaneers here. Will they pay Baker Mayfield after losing quarterback whisperer Dave Canales? If not, this is a sneaky spot for a quarterback. The value on the board is at receiver, a position Tampa Bay probably isn’t looking to draft early.
Cooper Beebe is my favorite guard in the draft, and while I’m higher on him than most, he’s a candidate to move up after meeting with teams at the combine."
Sports Illustrated Fan Nation
26. Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
"The Bucs are likely to move on from veteran Shaq Barrett for salary cap reasons, which will leave them in need of a starting-caliber edge rusher to pair with star rookie YaYa Diaby moving forward. Robinson still needs some polish, but he's got the most explosive first step of any edge defender in this class, and a vast array of pass-rushing moves that can give opposing blockers fits."
Tankathon
26. Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
57. T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State
89. Zak Zinter, G, Michigan
Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the offseason.
