The Bucs Nation staff discusses different draft topics ahead of Thursday’s grand kickoff.
With the draft less than 36 hours away, anticipation is steadily building.
What will the Buccaneers do with their 19th overall pick? All of the writers at Bucs Nation sat down (metaphorically) and discussed (virtually) all of the possibilities that we all might witness Thursday night.
Let’s dive in!
1. What do you consider Tampa’s biggest need this year?
Evan Wanish: Despite the signing of Haason Reddick, I still believe their biggest need is a true impact pass rusher. The Bucs are hoping Reddick bounces back, but let’s not forget that last season did not go well for him. What if Reddick doesn’t produce for a second straight year? What if Yaya Diaby’s production resembles 2024 rather than his rookie season? I think Tampa Bay would be wishing they had taken care of the pass rush a lot more.
Rushing the passer consistently with just four guys will only help your linebackers and secondary that are in coverage. It’s time for Tampa Bay to invest a top 20 pick in an edge rusher, which is not something they’ve done in the Licht era to this point.
Will Walsh: Linebacker. The Buccaneers have had a few different flirtations throughout the pre-draft process— Cornerbacks, pass-rushers, a safety, but the Buccaneers would be better off scooping up a new linebacker. Other positions do warrant attention, however, linebacker (opposite Lavonte David) was an absolute Achilles’ heel for Todd Bowles’ defense in 2024.
While Tampa Bay does have SirVocea Dennis, who showed potential in limited games (4, due to injury), the group needs to be address for the current as well as the future. Even if Dennis were to be slated as a projected starter, the Bucs would be one injury away of from returning to the exact scenario that crippled them last season. Additionally, Lavonte David is 35. He may be 35 going on 25, but he is still 35. The Buccaneers need to begin preparations for the post-Lavonte David era. Tampa would be wise to acquire the talent prior to David’s departure, allowing one of their legends to mentor his successor.
Mike Kiwak: In terms of what the Bucs absolutely must address with premium draft capital, I think it has to be cornerback. The lack of depth consistently sabotaged the defense last year, and it hasn’t really improved this off-season despite adding some veteran bodies like Kindle Vildor and Bryce Hall (again).
It doesn’t necessarily have to be in the first round, but the Bucs should strongly consider an outside corner to eventually succeed Jamel Dean on Day 2, a nickel-type player to allow Tykee Smith to shift to safety, or better yet both. I’d be shocked if this isn’t a double-dip type of situation.
Gil Arcia: Tampa Bay’s position as far as need goes is tough. Why? The lack of depth in the secondary and a lack of a pass rush from their defensive front play hand-in-hand. The secondary makes the pass rush better, the pass rush makes the secondary better, and on and on. I think you get the hint on how they make each other better.
With that being said, they can — and should — address each position with impactful players in the first two rounds. There’s not one that trumps the other, other the Bucs may very well be able to hit on an edge rusher in the first round based on positioning than the second.
2. Name one underrated prospect you like that might be on the Bucs’ radar. Why do you like the fit?
EW: Continuing on my campaign for a pass rusher, David Walker from Central Arkansas is a name to watch. Walker had 30 total sacks in his career at Central Arkansas, including 10.5 this past season as well as four forced fumbles. I understand the level of competition isn’t that high in the American Sun Conference, but that production is too good for teams to completely ignore. He is a tad bit undersized for the position at 6’2” but he understands how to rush the passer and has had tremendous success.
He’s likely to be a late day two, maybe early day three pick. If Tampa Bay hasn’t already addressed EDGE, he should be given some consideration.
MK: In a linebacker class that isn’t generally well-liked beyond the first-rounders, Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman should be getting more love.
He’s savvy, instinctual, and knows how to slip blocks to tackle the ball carrier — a high-energy human bloodhound with tons of production in four seasons for the Sooners. He’s a big, traditional-sized inside linebacker (6-foot-3, 233 pounds) but he’s not stiff and should have a solid floor as a three-down man in the middle. I’m taking my chances on him in the third round 10 times out of 10.
GA; I know this pick may be unpopular for some, but this kid is starting to pop up earlier in mocks and I think he’s deserving of more recognition than what he’s been given. Ohio State pass rusher J.T. Tuimoloau is a guy the Bucs can totally trade down a couple spots and have.
He’s strong, his length can present problems for many tackles and is person enough to flatten a guard. I know, Todd Bowles’ defense is predicated on speed. But Logan Hall is not a speed rusher and they were high on him. What’s to say they won’t trade down, or maybe even out of the first round for this Buckeye?
3. Who is someone you do not want to see Tampa select? Why not?
EW: This may be a hot take but I’m going to say Jihaad Campbell. It’s a combination of a few things with Campbell. I think he has potential and could help this defense in 2025 and in the future but the injury concerns for me are real. Campbell underwent surgery for a torn labrum after the NFL combine. It sounds like he may be ready to go by training camp, but I don’t know if I would want to take that chance. Tampa Bay needs to hit on this first round pick and Campbell presents a bit too much risk for me with not enough reward.
Another reason is because I am a big fan of multiple linebackers on day two. UCLA’s Carson Schwesinger, South Carolina’s Demetrius Knight Jr, Chris Paul Jr from Ole Miss, and Jeffrey Bassa from Oregon are all names I’d be perfectly fine with Tampa Bay selecting on day two and beginning to develop them next to Lavonte David in 2025. I would rather grab a pass rusher or player in the secondary in the first round and pick my linebacker later on.
Will Walsh: Shemar Stewart. The Buccaneers do still have a legitimate need at edge rusher. Tampa has addressed it, but should continue to do so with this year’s crop of college prospects. While it may not be the largest team need, there are some edge-rushers who, should they fall to Tampa’s pick, the Bucs should look into. Shemar Stewart is not one of them.
If Jason Licht has the opportunity to give Todd Bowles a game-wrecking edge defender that would be a challenging thing to walk away from. Shemar Stewart, however, is not a proven dominant player. Stewart is a proven athlete. All the athleticism that lit up the combine netted just 4.5 sacks in three seasons of college football (1.5 sacks each season).
Stewart is a talent, but following the Joe Tryon-Shoyinka experience the Buccaneers need a football player not an athlete who plays football.
MK: Shavon Revel. He’s uber-talented athletically with measurables Todd Bowles will love (6-foot-2, nearly 33” arms) and top-tier long speed (estimated 4.4 runner in the 40). However, he’s coming off a torn ACL at a position with a known learning curve, and he’d almost assuredly be asked to play this season given how injury-prone Jamel Dean is.
Revel has also not played a lot of football (only 15 starts at the FBS level) and he’s got some major technique question marks that will take time to sort out. He just doesn’t feel like a gamble the Bucs should feel comfortable putting money on in the first round.
GA: This one is hard for me because it’s the draft. The selections can go either way and to be honest, what we think may be a bad pick could turn out to be a great one.
So I’ll just keep it short and to the point. No kicker. No punter.
That is all.
4. Do we think the Bucs could go offense at all in the first two days? Are there truly any glaring short- or long-term holes on that side of the ball that demand that level of investment?
EW: I do believe that Tampa Bay could select an offensive player early in this draft. If I had to guess, I’d say the most likely position is wide receiver. Even though they drafted Jalen McMillan last year and that looks like a hit right now, Mike Evans won’t play football forever and is entering a contract year and Chris Godwin is still coming off a major injury. The Bucs played multiple games last season with Sterling Shepard and Ryan Miller as their primary wide receivers. With all due respect to Shepard and Miller, the Bucs need to avoid that situation the best they can in 2025.
As to when, I wouldn’t say it’s a 0% chance it’s in the first round, but I would still consider that pretty unlikely. I think the 3rd round is when it could happen. We’ll see.
Will Walsh: Yes, I do. Though it may not be conventional wisdom or what I would do personally, I think a Friday night offensive selection is very much on the table. Though I don’t see any significant short-term or long-term holes that the team absolutely must address, the Bucs did have a rash of injuries last season that exposed young players and brought up depth concerns.
There is also this to consider: Since spending major money on Baker Mayfield, at the start of last offseason, the Buccaneers have clearly made a concerted effort to do everything in their power to ensure their quarterback’s success. Both of Mayfield’s top two receivers, have each received big new contracts, his left tackle and left guard were also extended. In the draft a year ago, the Buccaneers went out and drafted him a yet another wide receiver, a running back, and a new center (Three of Tampa’s first five picks) who all went on to become prominent players for Tampa in 2024.
So far, the strategy has proved fruitful. Mayfield posted a career best in touchdown passes, passing yards, quarterback rating, and rushing yards in 2024. Mayfield, as a Buccaneer, has been fantastic and there is reason to believe the Bucs will continue to deploy a strategy that has been successful to date
MK: The team certainly seems prepared for the possibility if the right scenario presents itself. They’ve hosted multiple Top 30 visits with high-end prospects like Matthew Golden and Jaylin Noel. Could this be a smokescreen? Quite possibly, but the team may have PTSD from missing Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan at the same time in 2024.
I could be convinced to take a tight end on Day 2 since it’s such a deep class and Cade Otton is in the final year of his contract. It would really have to be a case of no defensive player even coming close on their board when they pick, which feels unlikely but you never know.
GA: Mike took the words out of my mouth (fingertips?). How did Todd Bowles and Jason Licht feel watching receivers 1 through 3 be out at the same time? If they were to go offense at any point in the first two days, I’d say they would draft a receiver.
I think that is the most “glaring” of a need on offense. Why? Evans is getting up there in age, Godwin has been unfortunately battling through injuries, and we still don’t know what we’re getting from McMillan. If the Buccaneers address the offense, it’d be the wide receiver position they go after during the earlier rounds of the draft.
5. It seems like the most common mock draft picks for the Bucs are as follows:
Donovan Ezeiruaku, edge rusher from Boston College
Jihaad Campbell, linebacker from Alabama
Malaki Starks, safety from Georgia
How do we feel about that group? Do we think the media has a good bead on the situation?
EW: This list looks right. Despite my concerns with Campbell, I can’t deny that it makes sense from a Bucs fit perspective. There’s a real chance all three of these players could be available to the Bucs at 19th overall and if that’s the case, it will be fascinating to see where they would lean. Ezeiruaku makes a ton of sense with the need and potential and Starks is someone I think could fit like a glove in a Todd Bowles defense. All three of these guys make sense for Tampa Bay on some level.
Will Walsh: The entirety of the group represents reasonable logic. Adding defensive talent should be the Buccaneers’ main concern. Tampa Bay’s defense is not slated to be terrible in 2025— Todd Bowles’ group has never been truly awful since his arrival in 2019, however, the unit is starved for playmakers and at times last year simply needed reliable bodies.
Many pundits have projected cornerbacks to Tampa. Early in the draft, teams need to get starters and the Buccaneers have two starting corners. That group needs depth, not a new leading man. Linebacker, edge-rusher, and safety remain the key position groups that require starters.
MK: I’d be fine with any of these three at 19. Overall, they’re all very talented prospects, with two of them being the best at their respective positions (Campbell and Starks) and one being perhaps the most advanced and productive of his bunch (Ezeiruaku).
Campbell’s shoulder situation gives me pause, as well as just the general idea of taking linebackers round 1, but it’s absolutely true that he’s a great fit as a Bowles linebacker. So even the prospect I’m the least confident in, I still like him and understand it.
GA: Here’s the thing and here’s the reason why many have always called me a Debbie Downer when it comes to the draft. We don’t really know who the Bucs are getting. It can go either way early on and late in the draft. The three mentioned above we can say the Buccaneers would do good by selecting either as each addresses positions Tampa Bay needs to hit on.
With that being said, however, what good is it selecting a top player at his respective position if he does not perform to expectations? The Bucs have had issues with players underperforming while they have had some with no issues. If the coaching isn’t there, what good is it anyway if Tampa Bay does come away with selecting either of the three mentioned here? I’d like to say those guys wouldn’t be dependent on being “coached up” if you will.
6. Who would you consider a “shocking” selection on Day 1? Not necessarily good or bad, but more in the Calijah Kancey line of unexpected.
EW: I am going to cheat a bit and give two names (hopefully that’s allowed). I’ll go with Toledo defensive lineman Darius Alexander and Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston. The Bucs had top 30 visits with both players and both guys would fill a need. Alexander would be less of a need as the interior defensive line is probably one of if not the biggest strength of the defense, but he possesses a lot of solid traits and could be a good fit.
Hairston has been a late riser and really shined at the combine where he ran a 4.28 40 yard dash. He isn’t the biggest corner at just 5’11” and 183 pounds, but he has the ability to play both man and zone coverage effectively and has the speed to recover if beaten deep. I personally wouldn’t pick him at 19th overall, but that could be a guy we really aren’t expecting.
Will Walsh: Any offensive player. The Buccaneers, despite Todd Bowles making statements to the contrary, should focus solely on defense early in this year’s draft. The Buccaneers returned all 11 starters on offense from a season ago— A top-5 unit. The only thing the Buccaneers are missing is Liam Coen, something that cannot be found in the draft.
Tampa’s defense was horrendous at times last season. The Buccaneers suffered injuries, lacked depth, and have even lost starters since season’s end. Defense should be at the forefront of every decision the team makes this Thursday.
This isn’t to say an offensive player couldn’t be successful or turn out to be a good selection, just simply shocking.
MK: I will continue to pound the table for Oregon’s Derrick Harmon as a surprise first-rounder if he’s available. The Bucs were ready to draft defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton in round 1 last year and the situation hasn’t really changed since then.
Logan Hall has gotten slightly better? He’s in the final year of his rookie deal and banking on him to keep climbing the ladder is risky. Even then, the depth is not good so having a deeper line rotation would be wise, especially since Calijah Kancey has struggled with injuries.
Harmon is huge, skilled, and someone who’s already further along than Hall ever was coming out of Houston. He’d improve the pass rush immediately from the interior.
GA: Hmmm… I’m not sure anything surprises me anymore (insert “LOL” here). Truthfully, and I may be the lone wolf here, but I feel that maybe — just maybe — a selection of Ezeiruaku or Starks would be surprising considering many have mocked them going well ahead of 19.
As for a negative surprise, trading down and seeing one, perhaps more of their top picks being plucked away would be a major surprise. You don’t see Jason Licht missing often. This would be a miss as well as a disappointment on certain levels.
7. Finally, call your shot. Who are the Bucs drafting in the first round?
EW: My guess is in Jason Licht’s ideal world, he probably is able to trade down and acquire more picks. They only have six as it stands right now and I think Licht would love to add more.
However, it takes two to tango and I just don’t see many teams knocking Tampa Bay’s door down trying to move up with them, so my prediction is the Bucs stand pat and select Donovan Ezeiruaku at 19th overall.
Will Walsh: I think a trade-back scenario is highly probable this year. I see the Buccaneers attempting to snatch up more picks because more draft picks equals more depth and depth has been a theme of Tampa Bay Buccaneer draft talk this year.
If I must predict an actual selection, I think Jihaad Campbell would be a dream scenario for Todd Bowles and Jason Licht. The Buccaneers tried to pre-plan for Lavonte David’s retirement years ago when they drafted Devin White. That concept did work, for a short time. White and David did have a very short-lived run as one of the better linebacker duos in the league. While the drafting of White did ultimately fall short of long-term expectations, in the short-term the plan yielded extremely high-end results— For Todd Bowles’ defense and the players as individuals.
MK: If Ezeiruaku is available, that feels like the “sprint the card in” pick. He’s got the pedigree, production, and ceiling to totally justify this draft slot, and his presence should combine with the other available pieces like Yaya Diaby and Haason Reddick to punch the needle forward on this team’s pass rush in the short- and long-term.
GA: Picking 19th overall is weird. They can stay put or trade out of it. But if history has a stance here, I say the Bucs will stay put and have a real good shot at selecting Starks or Ezeiruaku.