We’re just a couple of days away from finding out who the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will actually select in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, but that’s still plenty of time for a handful of new mock drafts to keep rolling in.
The latest 2024 NFL mock draft from Rob Rang at Fox Sports has the Bucs making a surprising pick at No. 26 overall, opting for Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins over Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton and Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson.
Here’s what Rang had to say about the pick:
Tight against the cap, the Bucs traded quality starting cornerback Carlton Davis last month. General manager Jason Licht might have done so in part because he recognized the likelihood of finding a suitable replacement with this pick. Wiggins is an exceptional cover corner who could slip slightly further than he should on draft day as scouts overthink his slim frame (6-foot-1, 173 pounds).
There’s no arguing with the idea of replacing Davis with an early pick in this year’s draft, but it’s hard to stomach the idea of Tampa Bay passing on both Barton and Powers-Johnson, considering their multiple needs along the interior of the offensive line.
Penn State edge defender Chop Robinson was also still on the board for the Bucs in this projection, and would fill a bigger need on the Tampa Bay defense than grabbing Wiggins at corner.
To check out the full first-round mock draft at Fox Sports, click here.