The 2025 Bucs offseason is right here and it’s time for Pewter Report’s 2025 7-Spherical Bucs Mock Draft – offered by Stroll-On’s Sports activities Bistreaux.
You should definitely tune into Pewter Report’s Mock Draft Present to debate the primary Bucs mock draft stay at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 23 on the PewterReportTV YouTube channel.
Tampa Bay confirmed some enchancment within the 2024 common season, profitable 10 video games and a fourth straight NFC South championship – the third beneath head coach Todd Bowles. However the Bucs couldn’t advance previous the NFC Wild Card spherical, shedding a house playoff recreation to the Commanders, 23-20.
The crew doesn’t have almost the quantity of pending free brokers that it did in 2024 with the contracts of solely three starters – vast receiver Chris Godwin, inside linebacker Lavonte David and left guard Ben Bredeson – expiring.
Tampa Bay at the moment has simply over $2.6 million in wage cap area, however can create over $40 million extra in cap room with some restructures – and maybe the discharge or commerce of underachieving cornerback Jamel Dean, which might release $8,284,941.
The Bucs would additionally wish to signal three gamers to contract extensions this offseason if doable – proper deal with Luke Goedeke, cornerback Zyon McCollum and tight finish Cade Otton, as all three are getting into contract years in 2025.
Free company comes earlier than the NFL Draft, so there’s a likelihood that the crew will deal with some urgent wants with veterans earlier than trying to fill these wants with rookies in 2025. The expectation is that Godwin can be re-signed to a multi-year deal this offseason and that Bredeson may very well be again on one other one-year take care of a slight increase. David is considering both retiring or returning for a 14th yr in the course of the offseason.
Taking all of this into consideration, here’s a have a look at the crew’s personnel wants, listed so as of significance.
Bucs Personnel Wants
Inside Linebacker
Bucs ILBs Lavonte David and KJ Britt and 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Because it stands proper now, the Bucs’ lone returning starting-caliber participant at inside linebacker is SirVocea Dennis, who noticed his second yr in Tampa Bay lower quick by a season-ending shoulder harm in Week 4. Dennis made a powerful impression early on in protection and as a blitzer, however given his penchant for being injured, the Bucs want so as to add not less than two extra high quality inside linebackers.
One may very well be Lavonte David, who turned 35 on January 23, if he doesn’t retire, nevertheless it’s uncertain that Ok.J. Britt, who was a starter for a lot of the season, returns. Britt, who’s getting into free company, lacks the athleticism to be a starter and was supplanted within the beginning lineup on the finish of the season by J.J. Russell, who’s slated to be a restricted free agent and will return on a one-year deal to compete for a roster spot. Veteran Deion Jones, 30, was already re-signed to an affordable, one-year deal, however he’s not a lock to make the roster.
Simply because that is the Bucs’ prime want doesn’t imply that this would be the crew’s first-round decide. Tampa Bay used the fifth total decide on inside linebacker Devin White in 2019, and whereas he helped the crew win Tremendous Bowl LV in his second season, his play fell off significantly in his closing two years in Tampa Bay. Of the 4 Professional Bowl inside linebackers this yr, just one – Baltimore’s Roquan Smith – was a first-rounder.
Exterior Linebacker
Bucs OLB Chris Braswell – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
The Bucs are pleased with Yaya Diaby, who enters his third season, as one starter at outdoors linebacker. Whereas Diaby’s pressures have been up – he completed with 65, which was the ninth-best amongst edge rushers – his sacks have been down. Diaby had 7.5 sacks as a rookie and simply 4.5 sacks final yr. The Bucs can be searching for an alpha edge rusher this yr, maybe buying a veteran in free company or through commerce to be a real No. 1 outdoors linebacker, as Diaby proper now could be a stable No. 2 cross rusher.
If the crew is unsuccessful in that method previous to the draft, there’s a good likelihood that the Bucs spend one other premium decide on an out of doors linebacker. Bucs common supervisor Jason Licht has hit on a number of defensive tackles within the NFL Draft through the years, however has struggled to discover a stud edge rusher able to turning into a double-digit sacker. Noah Spence, a 2016 second-round decide, flamed out rapidly, and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, a first-round decide in 2021, has not lived as much as expectations. Diaby, a third-round decide in 2023, has been a great participant, however the jury continues to be out on 2024 second-rounder Chris Braswell, who has been gradual to develop.
The contracts of Tryon-Shoyinka and Anthony Nelson are up, and whereas JTS gained’t be again, Nelson might return as a reserve outdoors linebacker as soon as once more. The Bucs even have Marcus Watts and Jose Ramirez beneath contract, however each are thought-about reserves and usually are not locks to make the crew in 2025. There’s a superb likelihood that Tampa Bay might spend one other premium decide on an out of doors linebacker in 2025 – even when the crew lands a veteran in free company – maybe as excessive as the primary spherical.
Cornerback
Bucs CB Jamel Dean – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
The Bucs moved on from Carlton Davis III the third final yr. His massive wage didn’t match his lack of interceptions, and Davis struggled to remain on the sector with quite a few accidents over the previous couple of seasons. Tampa Bay was fortunate to discover a commerce associate in Detroit and obtain a third-round decide for Davis. Jamel Dean is in an identical state of affairs, as he has only one decide in two years and has missed a complete of 9 video games over the previous two seasons. And Dean missed the second half of the playoff loss to Washington, which proved to be expensive. Reducing or buying and selling Dean would save the crew almost $8.3 million in cap room.
If Tampa Bay strikes on from Dean, as anticipated, the Bucs will want one other starting-caliber cornerback to exchange him and pair alongside Zyon McCollum. That might are available free company or within the 2025 NFL Draft with a premium decide. Bucs G.M. Jason Licht has solely spent one first-round decide on a cornerback and that didn’t end up properly, as Vernon Hargreaves III was a bust in 2016. Tampa Bay has had higher success drafting cornerbacks within the center rounds like Davis (second spherical, 2018), Sean Murphy-Bunting (second spherical, 2019) and Dean (third spherical, 2019).
The Bucs might use not less than two extra proficient cornerbacks behind McCollum on the depth chart. Bryce Corridor may not return from a damaged leg he suffered in Week 1, and Josh Hayes and Tyrek Funderburk confirmed they don’t seem to be starting-caliber gamers of their restricted enjoying time in 2024. The Bucs want to noticeably improve the cornerback room.
Security
Bucs safeties Jordan Whitehead and Antoine Winfield Jr. – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Tampa Bay has one of the crucial proficient safeties in Antoine Winfield Jr., who was a bona fide playmaker throughout his first 4 years in Tampa Bay till this previous yr when accidents price him eight video games in the course of the common season. Winfield ought to return with a vengeance in 2025 and be again to his common playmaking self. However the Bucs want one other playmaker on the different security place. Jordan Whitehead was an enormous disappointment in his return to Tampa Bay on a two-year deal after a two-year absence. Complicating issues is that Whitehead fractured some vertebrae in his neck in a January automobile accident, which might put his 2025 season in jeopardy.
The Bucs spent a third-round decide on Tykee Smith final yr and he began 14 video games at nickelback, however also can play sturdy security if Todd Bowles desires to go that route. Tampa Bay can’t depend on Whitehead to return to his playmaking kind from the 2020 season subsequent yr, and Christian Izien and Kaevon Merriweather don’t make sufficient performs to ideally crack the beginning lineup.
The Bucs might very properly draft a security within the center rounds, or double up on the cornerback place with one in all them enjoying within the slot and shifting Smith to sturdy security. Smith and Mike Edwards, who’s a free agent and will or could not return as a reserve choice, have been third-rounders, and Whitehead was a fourth-rounder.
Vast Receiver
Bucs WR Trey Palmer – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
The Bucs plan on re-signing veteran receiver Chris Godwin this offseason. Godwin turns 29 in February, however proved to be an excellent slot in Liam Coen’s new offense earlier than struggling a season-ending ankle harm in Week 7. His return would give Coen his prime three receivers once more in 2025 with Godwin, Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan. However the Bucs want one other starting-caliber receiver for the No. 4 spot in case accidents strike the receiver place once more, in addition to for the longer term as Evans is getting into a contract yr and turns 32 in August.
Trey Palmer may very well be on the outs with the group after underwhelming in 2024 and shedding the WR3 function to McMillan throughout his rookie season. He performed no higher than follow squad receivers Ryan Miller and Rakim Jarrett. Veteran Sterling Shepard was elevated to the function of a starter for some time with Evans and Godwin out, however he turns 31 this yr and had too many expensive drops to return.
Search for the Bucs to draft an even bigger physique at vast receiver to hitch the combination in 2025. Tampa Bay has too many 190-pound receivers, and Coen’s offense thrives with larger receivers just like the 220-pound Evans and the 205-pound Godwin.
Defensive Sort out
The have two of the most effective defensive tackles in soccer in Professional Bowler Vita Vea, who recorded a career-high seven sacks in 2024, and Calijah Kancey, who led the crew with 7.5 sacks in his second yr in Tampa Bay. Logan Corridor, the crew’s prime decide in 2022, had a breakout yr with 5.5 sacks as a reserve and enters a contract yr in 2025.
Regardless of having three high quality defensive tackles, the Bucs would have drafted Illinois defensive deal with Johnny Newton with the No. 26 decide final yr if offensive lineman Graham Barton was off the board. G.M. Jason Licht believes in having high quality depth at defensive deal with, and Vea turns 30 in 2025. The Bucs can re-sign Greg Gaines for an additional yr for depth, however the crew may transfer on from Will Gholston, who turns 34 in July.
If the proper defensive deal with is there in the proper spherical and he’s the most effective participant out there, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Licht and head coach Todd Bowles the pull set off and draft one other one this yr. This yr’s draft class is loaded at defensive deal with and Tampa Bay may lean into that place and make the most of the depth there.
Bucs’ 2025 NFL Draft Picks
The Bucs at the moment have six picks within the 2025 NFL Draft. They traded their sixth-round decide and cornerback Carlton Davis III to the Lions final yr in trade for Detroit’s third-round decide, which was used on vast receiver Jalen McMillan. The Bucs usually are not anticipated to obtain any compensatory draft picks this offseason.
Pewter Report’s 2025 7-Spherical Bucs Mock Draft collection is offered by Stroll-On’s Sports activities Bistreaux – with three areas within the Tampa Bay space in Wesley Chapel off I-75, Midtown Tampa down the road from Raymond James Stadium and Lakeland. Obtain the FREE Stroll-On’s Rewards app and get a FREE order of mozzarella logs. And check out Stroll-On’s well-known wings with the NEW Southern Bourbon sauce and earn 100 factors.
2025 7-Spherical Bucs Mock DraftBy Scott Reynolds and Josh Queipo
Spherical 1 – Marshall OLB Mike GreenRedshirt Sophomore • 6-4, 248
The Bucs want an out of doors linebacker with some juice off the sting in 2025 to enrich Yaya Diaby’s highly effective bull rushes. Suppose Shaq Barrett in his prime. Marshall edge rusher Mike Inexperienced could be a improbable addition at No. 19 total for Tampa Bay. The 6-foot-4, 248-pound Inexperienced is a redshirt sophomore who exploded on to the scene with a nation-leading 17 sacks and three pressured fumbles in 2024. That was an enormous leap from 4.5 sacks in his first season at Marshall in 2023 since transferring from Virginia in the course of the 2022 season.
Inexperienced has superb speed-to-power skill and brings the combat to offensive tackles. He had six multiple-sack video games in 2024 throughout his breakout season and lived within the backfield. Granted, it was towards largely inferior competitors, however Inexperienced did notch a sack towards nationwide champion Ohio State and likewise had a pair of sacks towards Virginia Tech.
Inexperienced is a bodily presence on the line of scrimmage with nice bend, hard-hitting arms and pace to shut and end, in accordance with FOX NFL analyst Brian Baldinger, a former NFL offensive lineman. He performs with a way of urgency and hustle and is hard towards the run, evidenced by 23 tackles for loss final yr. Inexperienced lived in opposing backfields in 2024.
2025 EDGE class by TFL manufacturing.
1.5 TFLs/recreation is normally the quantity you wish to clear to be a first-round decide. pic.twitter.com/mKlQDh4x26
Inexperienced didn’t drop into protection an excessive amount of at Marshall, and the Thundering Herd teaching workers was smart to maintain him speeding the quarterback the place his expertise have been greatest put to make use of. If Tampa Bay addresses outdoors linebacker in free company, the crew might draft a cornerback within the first spherical as a substitute, after which choose one other edge rusher on Day 3.
Mike Inexperienced’s Defensive Statistics2021: 4 tackles, TFL, sack2022: Transferred from Virginia to Marshall2023: 43 tackles, 9 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, FF2024: 84 tackles, 23 TFLs, 17 sacks, 3 FFs, FR, 2 PBUs
The up-and-coming Inexperienced has shot up Professional Soccer Focus’ draft board from a doable second-round decide to the No. 11 total prospect. There’s a likelihood he could not even be on the board at No. 19 for Tampa Bay if he has a fantastic week of follow on the Senior Bowl. The Pewter Report workers can be readily available in Cellular, Ala. to scout Inexperienced in particular person. Keep tuned to our protection on PewterReport.com and PewterReportTV YouTube channel.
Spherical 2 – Ole Miss ILB Chris Paul Jr.Junior • 6-1, 235
Tampa Bay has the necessity for a quicker, extra athletic inside linebacker able to beginning as a rookie in 2025. The crew ought to flip the web page on free agent Ok.J. Britt, who struggled mightily in protection and was one in all Professional Soccer Focus’ worst-rated linebackers within the NFL final season. Even when 35-year outdated Lavonte David returns to Tampa Bay the must get youthful and quicker on the place for the long run. Ole Miss’ Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr. could be an excellent match on account of his assorted ability set.
Paul started his profession at Arkansas, the place he was a two-year starter earlier than hitting the switch portal for the chance to play on a extra star-studded Ole Miss protection and play for a nationally-ranked crew. Paul notched six sacks in two years with the Razorbacks and confirmed that he will be an efficient blitzer. Armed with sideline-to-sideline pace and the agility and vary to drop into protection, Paul is among the higher all-around linebackers in a weak linebacker draft class.
When Paul obtained to Ole Miss he added 4 cross breakups and an interception to his profession stats, but in addition managed to report 3.5 sacks whereas blitzing. Paul’s deal with whole elevated annually as his instincts have been honed with extra expertise, climbing from 62 to 74 to 88 throughout his closing season with the Rebels. What stands out about Paul other than his pace his the pop through which he tackles. Paul just isn’t a drag-down tackling linebacker and brings plenty of power upon contact.
Chris Paul’s Defensive Statistics2021: 1 tackle2022: 62 tackles, 8 TFLs, 4 sacks, FF, FR2023: 74 tackles, 7 TFLs, 2 sacks, PBU2024: 88 tackles, 11 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, FR, 4 PBUs, INT
As a three-year starter within the SEC, Paul is battle-tested and able to begin within the NFL. He seemingly gained’t get out of the second spherical, and could be an excellent early Day 2 decide for the Bucs. Paul has the flexibility to play the Mike center linebacker function in Todd Bowles’ scheme or the Mo weakside linebacker spot, which has been manned by Lavonte David since 2019.
Spherical 3 – Kansas CB Mello DotsonSenior • 6-1, 190
Tampa Bay will seemingly be shifting on from oft-injured cornerback Jamel Dean, who has only one interception over the previous two season. With the Bucs recording simply seven interceptions on protection, Tampa Bay common supervisor Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles could be greatest suited to seek out extra ballhawks for the defensive backfield. Kansas’ Mello Dotson actually matches the invoice and has sufficient dimension and size to play in Bowles’ scheme at 6-foot-1, 190 kilos.
Dotson notched 12 interceptions at KU, together with 9 over the previous two seasons. 4 of these interceptions have been returned for touchdowns, which speaks to Dotson’s playmaking skill and his excessive stage of anticipation in zone and tight man protection. Dotson is fairly good tackler in protection and towards the run and doesn’t draw back from contact. He might stand to bulk up a bit to 195 kilos on the subsequent stage, however has sufficient dimension to be efficient and warrant a Day 2 choice.
Dotson just isn’t fairly a feast-or-famine cornerback, however he’s not precisely a shutdown cornerback both. He allowed opposing quarterbacks to finish 56% of their passes in his route, which is fairly good. However he did enable 4 touchdowns in 2024 and two in 2023 towards 5 interceptions in 2024 and 4 picks in 2023.
Mello Dotson’s Defensive Statistics2020: 2 tackles2021: 24 tackles, FF, FR, PBU, INT2022: 54 tackles, TFL, 6 PBUs, 2 INTs2023: 48 tackles, 3 TFLs, sack, 11 PBUs, 4 INTs, 2 TDs2024: 49 tackles, 1 TFL, FF, FR, 7 PBUs, 5 INTs, 2 TDs
Dotson, who totaled 25 cross breakups in his KU profession, was a four-year starter for the Jayhawks and brings plenty of expertise to the desk. He could be a candidate to start out immediately in Tampa Bay, and his pure ball expertise could be a welcome sight as interceptions have been arduous to come back by final yr.
Spherical 4 – California CB Nohl WilliamsSenior • 6-1, 200
The Bucs go cornerback back-to-back within the 2025 NFL Draft as a result of want for elevated expertise and high quality depth on the place. After deciding on KU’s Mello Dotson with the crew’s third-round decide, the Bucs draft Cal’s Nohl Williams within the fourth spherical to kick off Day 3. As soon as once more, the emphasis is positioned on discovering extra ballhawks that may create extra takeaways.
Dotson had 12 profession interceptions for the Jayhawks, however Williams had 14 picks in 5 seasons in faculty – the primary three have been at UNLV earlier than transferring to Cal. Williams led faculty soccer with seven interceptions, together with a pick-six towards Miami’s Cam Ward, final yr, along with 9 cross breakups. He confirmed a nostril for the ball in additionally breaking apart a career-high 9 passes final yr and totaling 25 cross breakups in his faculty profession for the Rebels and Golden Bears.
At 6-foot-1, 200 kilos, Williams has good dimension and is an excellent tackler and a keen defender in run assist. He made massive strides in protection final yr, permitting opposing quarterbacks to finish 48.5% of their passes. Williams went up towards some high quality opponents final yr, together with Miami, SMU, Pittsburgh, Auburn and Stanford and fared extremely properly throughout his senior season.
Nohl Williams’ Defensive Statistics2020: 25 tackles, FR, PBU, INT2021: 33 tackles, 4 PBUs, INT2022: 40 tackles, TFL, FF, FR, 5 PBUs, 3 INTs2023: 53 tackles, 2 TFLs, FF, 2 FRs, 6 PBUs, 2 INTs2024: 52 tackles, TFL, FF, 9 PBUs, 7 INTs, TD
Williams might compete with Dotson for a beginning job in Tampa Bay on account of his expertise as a four-year starter. Like Dotson, Williams is strictly an out of doors cornerback with out a lot slot expertise. However he does deliver some kick return skill to Tampa Bay. He did common 27.6 yards per return on 12 kickoff returns, together with a landing, throughout his All-American season.
Spherical 5 – Georgia G Dylan FairchildJunior • 6-5, 315
The Bucs use a Day 3 decide on Georgia guard Dylan Fairchild to proceed to bolster the inside offensive line. Tampa Bay drafted guard Elijah Klein within the sixth spherical final yr, and Fairchild and Klein might battle Ben Bredeson, final yr’s starter, for the crew’ beginning left guard place if Bredeson is re-signed in free company. If Bredeson isn’t re-signed, it’s all of the extra motive so as to add to the competitors with the number of Fairchild within the fifth spherical this yr.
Fairchild was on Georgia’s back-to-back nationwide championship groups, however was not a starter till the 2023 season when he began 10 video games at left guard. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound lineman began all 13 video games final yr for the Bulldogs and was considered the crew’s greatest offensive lineman, incomes second-team All-American honors.
Fairchild solely allowed one sack, which got here final yr, as he earned an 87 cross safety grade from Professional Soccer Focus and a 71.8 run block grade. Fairchild excelled in Georgia’s zone blocking scheme with a 76.6 PFF grade, however struggled a bit with a 59 PFF grade in hole runs. He’s not probably the most versatile lineman, as he’s solely taken snaps at left and proper guard, however he does have beginning potential and could be a stable Day 3 decide by the Bucs so as to add high quality depth on the guard place.
Spherical 7 – Memphis WR Roc TaylorSenior • 6-3, 215
There’s a superb likelihood the Bucs might draft a large receiver sooner than ready till the seventh spherical to do it. This can be a fairly deep receiving class, particularly within the center rounds, however Memphis’ Roc Taylor may very well be a Day 3 sleeper. Taylor has good dimension at 6-foot-3, 215 kilos, and Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen would really like one other big-bodied receiver in a room that is stuffed with 190-pound receivers outdoors of Mike Evans (225), Ryan Miller (220) and Chris Godwin (205).
Taylor, who has drawn some comparisons to San Francisco’s Jauan Jennings, who’s 6-foot-3, 212 kilos, has good tackle-breaking skill and a knack for making yards after the catch. Whereas Taylor does a great job making contested catches, he solely scored seven touchdowns in 4 seasons with the Tigers, together with simply two as a senior. He did end with 9 100-yard video games at Memphis and two extra with not less than 90 yards receiving.
Roc Taylor’s Receiving Statistics2021: 8 catches, 117 yards (14.6 avg.)2022: 20 catches, 225 yards (11.3 avg.), TD2023: 69 catches, 1,083 yards (15.7 avg.), 4 TDs2024: 66 catches, 950 yards (14.4 avg.), 2 TDs
Taylor’s construct and play fashion may also resemble that of Rams receiver Puka Nakua, who’s 6-foot-2, 212 kilos and was not the quickest receiver popping out within the 2023 NFL Draft, operating a 4.57. That may very well be the place Taylor’s 40-yard sprint time is available in, which might be quicker than Jennings’ 4.72. But Taylor did report 16 catches of 30 yards or extra throughout his time at Memphis, which exhibits that he’s quick sufficient to make performs within the passing recreation.
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