Generally, I wait until coordinators are chosen to do mock drafts; however, this mock draft will be done assuming that Josh Grizzard will be the team's new offensive coordinator. The offense will stay along the same guidelines of the 2024 Buccaneers as offensive statistics bloomed to the number 4 ranked scoring offense, the number 3 ranked Passing offense and the number 4 ranked rushing offense. The defense will continue to be under the tutelage of head coach Todd Bowles. The Mock Draft simulator used for this exercise is via PFF.

1st ROUND

- Round 1, Pick 19: TRADE: The Chargers elect to trade above the Denver Broncos to select TE Tyler Warren from Penn State. The Bucs acquire Pick #189 to move back three spots. Acquiring another late pick would be a nice move, given that we gave up the round 6 pick in the Carlton Davis trade.

- Round 1, pick 22: Jalon Walker, 6'2, 245lbs- Linebacker Georgia- It's no secret that inside Linebacker position was a major hole in this Todd Bowles defense, and missing DW45 situationally became evident. I expect LD54 to return in 2025 for one more crack at it, as the Bucs brass proved to be in the proverbial win-now mode when they offered an OC to be the top paid. Therefore, strengthening the spot next to him and planning for the future is key. Walker gives the BUCS solid pass coverage ability and the blitz package player that was missing in 2025 and had previously been there. SirVoccea Dennis' ability in nickel also frees up Walker for all of Bowles exotic packages in 2025 and would give him a chance to prove he can stay healthy as a role player.

2nd ROUND

- Round 2 pick 51: Azerayah Thomas, 6'2, 200lbs- CB/ Florida State- Bucs have had a ton of success taking DBs in the 2nd round. This was an opportunity to lean into that again. He had the height-weight-length check that Bowles looks for in an outside corner while also possessing great speed. 4.45 range speed is expected. He was solid in man and zone last season, grading out over 70.0 in both categories per PFF. Many will look at this as a Jamel Dean replacement, and I'm not so sure it is right away. Currently, they couldn't get him to take a pay cut because he could likely get what he's getting paid on the open market. They only save $8M to release him and can't fetch a fill-in/what-if player at that level of play that Dean provides when he's healthy for too much less than $8M. So really not saving much. Might be best to keep him for his 13 games a year while you get the rookie up to par. Cut him next off-season.

3rd ROUND

- Round 3, Pick 83: Tate Ratledge, 6'5, 325lbs- IOL/ Georgia- Another opportunity to dip into what has previously been successful for the brass in Tampa bay. 2nd and 3rd round picks in the offensive trenches have been huge. Theres no guarantee Bredeson returns and there is a nice hole at LG. Two major things pointed out during the last off-season when bringing in LGs free agency-wise have been size and run-blocking mauling ability. Rutledge fits both of those molds! Once you factor in the contracts of Wirfs just getting paid, Godeke getting paid next year, Mauch having two years and Graham just 1 year into his rookie contract, it could make a ton of sense to get continuity up front and not having to pay them all at once. The 3-year starter graded out solidly in both run and pass protection in college with a 74.3 in run blocking and 77.3 in pass per PFF.

4th ROUND

- Round 4, pick 119: CJ West, 6'3, 315lbs- IDL/ Indiana- West graded out well over his 3 years of college football and contributed to an excellent team in 2024. He has just 4 sacks over the past 3 years, but stuffing the run is where he makes his money. It's not that he can't push the pocket; he's just not elite despite seeming to have the tools to do so. Perhaps NFL coaching can bring that to the next level as well. Factor that in as well as the fact that Vita Vea is the only DL over 300 pounds currently on the Bucs roster, and some size could be added for sure. I expect Gaines to return as a rotational player. Still, West could be a massive addition to the run defense, allowing Bowles to take some numbers out of the box more often.

5th ROUND

- Round 5 pick 156: Ricky White, 6'1, 190lbs- WR/ UNLV- As soon as I turned on the tape I was like, "Sheesh! This guy reminds me of Bucs 3rd round pick Jalen McMillian." Inside/outside versatility. Good in and out of breaks. Solid hands. He's just not going to blow you away with his god-gifted ability. Adding another WR in the fold for depth helps keep guys fresh and hopefully save some hamstrings.

6th ROUND

- Round 6 pick 181: Malachi Moore, 6'0, 200lbs -Safety/ Alabama: Primarily a deep safety at Alabama. 350 snaps in 2024. In selecting a 6th-round pick, you're looking for special teams and maybe someone who could be a role player. More so to stick on the roster. I envision a "Mike Edwards" type of role in this pick. Nickel/Dime-type safety allows you to use Jordan Whitehead, if he returns or even AWJ in various ways.

7th ROUND

- Round 7 pick 237: Donovan Edwards, 6'1, 215lbs- RB /Michigan This running back class is absolutely STACKED! With Rachaad White on the final year of his rookie deal and the belief that 4 RBs were supposed to make the roster in 2024 before Chase Edmonds' move to IR before the season began, I believe it makes a ton of sense to take a swing on one here. Maybe he can carve out a future role as White goes on to chase a bigger role elsewhere, as Bucky Irving will be the lead man in Tampa going forward.

Draft Thoughts

The main thought or question that will be the focal point is that there is no pure edge rusher. Currently, the Bucs are slated with two young edges in Yaya Diaby and last year's 2nd round pick, Chris Brasswell. After that, the cabinet is bare. Personally, I'm just not sure that adding another player to groom is ideal. Especially after the "boom" prospects are off the board at the top. Perhaps adding a veteran edge rusher with recent success as a DPR(Designated Pass Rusher) is the move to make, helping both Diaby and Braswell take things to the next level. Whether that's Kalil Mack, who’s on the back end of his career but had some success, or Josh Sweat, who is coming off an 8-sack season, being added into the rotation, a veteran presence could be ideal. Also, Walker, above (1st Round Pick), could line up on the edge as a pass rusher. He was rather successful last season for Georgia as he recorded 249 snaps on the edge and 6.5 sacks while splitting time between an edge and linebacker.

What do you think of this mock? Who do you think would be good targets for the BUCS in the upcoming Draft??

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